Get a Job Through Networking

It's understandable that many would-be job seekers might be initially dismissive of "networking," since the very term itself has often come to be associated with, among other things, insincerity, paying to gain access to people and events, a "non merit-based" system that relies too heavily on connections and appearances, having to always be "on" in what would otherwise be a purely social situation, or something invented by consultants and vendors to justify the sale of their services to you and other unsuspecting potential clientele.

All of that may be true to some extent or other, and may even be an unfortunate byproduct of what I am talking about in this article, but networking can serve a vital, and oftentimes necessary, function in the job market for those seeking lateral or entry-level employment (not to mention laying the foundation for building a future book of business, which will be necessary for your long-term success in the legal industry). It puts you, directly or indirectly, in front of potential employers and clients in a way that a resume does not.


"Networking" is a broad term, and can mean a variety of things, but at its very core, it simply means expanding your social and professional circle in a face-to-face manner. This is important because the legal business, like any other business or profession, is a human enterprise. I have attorneys (and especially recent law graduates) tell me ALL THE TIME "I know I am capable of doing this job and would be great at it if I only got the chance to prove myself." And most of the time, this is very likely true. There are a lot of truly excellent (or potentially excellent) attorneys out there, and the major barrier to their employment is that there are just not enough jobs to go around. The competition in the current market is fierce, and any formally posted job opening is going to result in a large stack of resumes on the desk of the hiring partner, many of which represent attorneys who are fully capable of performing the work advertised.

You may already have noticed, then, why networking is important. A hiring partner looking through a stack of resumes is going to pick them based purely on paper, and unless you are a standout superstar, your resume is likely going to look like a dozen, if not a hundred, other resumes in that same pile. A well-written resume highlighting your strengths relative to the position will certainly help, but oftentimes that is enough to prevent your resume from getting tossed in the immediate reject pile, but not necessarily enough to have it stand out from the crowd. You don't get an interview this way. You don't get a chance to plead your case, or explain your enthusiasm for the firm and the work, and the hiring partner doesn't think twice about you after the brief moment they skim your resume and put it aside.

Now pretend that you are at an event, whether it is a local Bar Association meet-and-greet, a CLE course, or an industry convention filled with the type of potential clients to whom you hope to eventually provide your legal services. You talk to people, you ask questions, find out what they do, smile, shake hands, and do your best to make yourself known in a pleasant and positive manner. What happens then? Well, maybe nothing, and maybe you go home with nothing to show for it but having practiced your social skills (which, let me tell you, is important, if not essential in having a long-term, successful career). But maybe one of the people you are talking with takes a liking to you, and they happen to be a partner at a firm, or a client of a firm where you hope to interview, and they offer to get coffee with you, or pass your resume along directly to the hiring partner or hiring committee.

And now, all of a sudden, you have skipped the resume pile. Your resume did not need to stand out from the hundred others like it, because you have personally stood out to someone who may have some influence in the process, whether large or small. This will not always happen, but it absolutely won't happen if you don't give it a shot.

This is not hypothetical. This is how I got my first law firm job. I had worked for the Department of Justice my 2L summer - a very prestigious and selective position, to be sure, but one that did not offer a guarantee of future employment with the DOJ, and one that precluded me from summering at a firm with my classmates, which was the typical entry point into an eventual firm job. Many firms do not hire 3Ls, having already picked their incoming class from the ranks of their 2L summers, so formal opportunities to interview or submit my resume were few and far between.

During this time period while searching for a formal position, I tagged along with my then-girlfriend (a 2L) to a 2L networking event, and just started talking to people. One guy and I in particular hit it off, talking for a lengthy period of time. As we were leaving the event, my girlfriend turned and remarked to me "well, it looks like you and the managing partner are old friends!" Turns out that's who I had been talking to, even though his title never came up. When I saw him a few weeks later, he immediately remembered me, and I remarked I was on the market for a job. He said he wasn't sure if they had an opening for a 3L, but he'd love to take my resume and see if something came up. The next thing I knew, I was interviewing with the litigation department, and had a job offer in my hands a few short weeks later. And all because I went out there and just talked to people.

Now, you can certainly be more targeted in your approach, and try to find out who is going to be at any given event, being completely selective in who you talk to, etc. But watching friends, colleagues, and all manner of attorneys pitching business over the years, I can say that it will serve you best to just be open and friendly to everyone, and approach networking with a genuine sense of curiosity as to what people do rather than a mercenary approach as to how they can help you immediately. Because you never know where your next opportunity is going to come from.

To finish things up, and in case you are still not convinced, there are many fantastic opportunities out there (including most in-house positions and positions with smaller, local firms who do not work with recruiters) that will only become available to you via word-of-mouth. The more you network, the more mouths you have telling you about potential opportunities they have heard about, and the more people who will ask around on your behalf. When a job market is this competitive, it is often a numbers game, and networking will help you increase your number of opportunities exponentially.


About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.