Confidence

Recently I was preparing a candidate for an interview with a large firm. The candidate had outstanding credentials and excellent experience in a highly specialized niche area of the law. The candidate was interviewing with a top New York firm and he really wanted the position so he was a bit nervous. As we explored why he was nervous, I experienced déjà vu! I realized that I have had this same conversation on multiple occasions with numerous candidates.
 

• See Interviewing Tips for more information.

The root of this candidate’s anxiety stemmed from the fact that, after reviewing the biographies of the partners with whom he would interview, he began to think that his experience was not on point with their practices. Unbeknownst to me, he began to ruminate about many awkward scenarios. Would he and the partners have anything substantive to say to each other? Would the partners be irritated that they had wasted their time by arranging a meeting with him? Was he setting himself up for an embarrassing fiasco that would last several hours? Fortunately, this candidate was very communicative during our interview preparation, and so I was able to address his concerns.

The first caveat that this candidate needed to bear in mind was that the partners had reviewed his resume and decided that they wanted to meet him! The foregoing may seem self-evident, but the candidate had become so entrenched in the notion that his experience was not directly on point that he had forgotten this elementary (and obvious) premise. I reminded the candidate that the partners were familiar with his experience, and unless he had misrepresented his experience on his resume (which I knew he had not), then he would be able to have intelligent conversations with the partners.
 

• See Top Ten Interview Questions for more information

It is imperative to remember that partners are very protective of their time, and if they set aside time to meet with you, then they believe that you have the necessary qualifications. The purpose of the interview from the partners’ perspective is twofold. First, the partners want to verify that your experience is “as advertised” on your resume and that you can speak intelligently and articulately about said experience. Second, they want to determine if they like you. Are you personable and approachable (as well as intelligent and experienced)? Do they want to have you pop into their offices with questions? Would they feel comfortable introducing you to clients? Would they want to take a business trip with you?


The second caveat that this candidate needed to appreciate was that he did not know why he was being invited to meet the partners. Perhaps the group was venturing into a new area of the law where this candidate’s highly specialized experience would be extremely useful. Just because the partners’ practices did not exactly match the candidate’s experience, it did not mean that the interviews would be an abysmal failure. I once had a candidate who was trying to relocate to Italy. The candidate worked at a top firm in New York and had outstanding academics. Despite his excellent qualifications, he only got one interview. The interview was with a top international firm that was beginning to do a lot of work in South Africa, and my candidate just happened to be South African! The point is that you do not know why a firm wants to meet you; however, you need to believe that they have a good reason!

I will conclude this blog by stating that confidence is a key element to a successful interview. Rather than ruminating on the fact that your experience is not on point, review your resume and remind yourself about all the skills that you have mastered. This review will allow you to speak extensively and intelligently about your experience which is critical if you want to receive an offer. Whether the partners like you is not really within your control. Relax, be yourself, and make eye contact! If the partners do not like you, then you probably would not have enjoyed long-term success with the group. Lastly, keep in mind that you do not know why the partners have opted to meet you so assume that they have a good reason which will be conveyed to you at some point during the interview process. The most important thing is to exude confidence because confidence is extremely attractive and entirely within your control!

Find legal and law firm partner jobs only on BCGSearch.com

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

• Why Most Attorneys Fail Telephone-Screening Interviews

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.