Resume to Interview Ratio – Think Baseball!

Ideally, you should interview with four to six firms, get two to three call back interviews, and ultimately accept one position. By meeting with four to six firms, you are giving yourself the opportunity to compare firms’ cultures, practices, and potential future colleagues; and thereby increasing your chances of making a truly informed decision. Changing jobs is a big deal and you want to make sure that you have done everything possible to secure the position that best suits you and your career objectives.

So, in a market that remains challenging, how do you get four to six interviews?  You get four to six interviews by submitting a lot of resumes.  Your resume to interview ratio is very much like a batting average.  The players with the highest batting averages in Major League Baseball this year were Miguel Cabrera for the American League and Buster Posey (best name ever) for the National League.  Cabrera’s batting average was .330 and Posey’s was .336.   The best career batting average ever recorded in the history of baseball goes to Ty Cobb coming in at .366.  It is important to note that that these players are and were superstars and even they only managed to hit the ball a little over three times for every ten times at the plate.  The “average” player (and let’s not forget that even your average MLB player is super talented and was most likely the fair haired boy of his hometown) generally hits somewhere in the .250 range.
 

• See 6 Things Attorneys and Law Students Need to Remove from Their Resumes ASAP If They Want to Get Jobs with the Most Prestigious Law Firms for more information.

What does the foregoing mean for you?  Well, if you are superstar (top five percent of your class from a top ten law school, a member of law review, and a federal clerk), then you need to submit at least twenty resumes to get six interviews.  If you are not a superstar, then you probably need to submit at least thirty resumes to secure six interviews.  Obviously, the resume to interview ratio (unlike batting averages) is not an exact science.  However, I have worked with enough candidates through the years to know that the more resumes you submit, the more interviews you will secure, and that your odds of getting the best possible job increase dramatically.
 

• See Top Ten Interview Questions for more information

When candidates do not submit a lot of resumes, they are often surprised by the fact that they only get one interview and sometimes no interviews.  I believe that many candidates are surprised because if they are conducting their first search since law school, they are under the impression that their on campus interviewing experience will be repeated.  It will not.  When firms are interviewing second year law students on campus, they are generally trying to fill a summer associate class which means that they have anywhere from forty to one hundred “open” positions.  Lateral interviewing is an entirely different “ballgame” since firms are usually trying to fill only one or two positions, and they receive many resumes for each position.


Learn why attorneys usually fail law firm phone-screening interviews in this article:
 

• Why Most Attorneys Fail Telephone-Screening Interviews

It is critical that you submit as many resumes as possible.  Failure to do so is a disservice to yourself and, in all likelihood, will adversely affect your search.  So . . . get your resume out there to as many firms as possible and “Play ball!!!”
 

• See Interviewing Tips for more information

About Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.

With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.

Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.

Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.

One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.

One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.

Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.

In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.

Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.

In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.

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.