Question 1: Converting Applications into Interviews
Q: How can I increase my chances of converting applications into interviews?
A: One powerful tactic is to mail your resume in a professional envelope, in addition to emailing your application materials. Law firms receive many emails, so a physical resume can stand out and grab attention. Reapplying is also effective—if you don't hear back after a month, send your application again. Persistence shows genuine interest and can increase your chances of being noticed. Additionally, consider visiting the firm in person or sending a follow-up message to make a lasting impression.
See Related Articles:
- Mastering the Interview Process: Insights from the BCG Attorney Search Interview Preparation Guide
- Off-the-Record Interview Tips from Law Firm Interviewers
- The Best Interview Tips For Your Law Firm Interview
- The Art of Interviewing: Tips for Converting Interviews Into Offers
Question 2: Tailoring Responses for Multiple Interviews
Q: How should I customize my responses when interviewing with multiple firms?
A: Research each firm beforehand to understand their specific needs and culture. Tailor your answers to align with what the firm values most. For example, emphasize how your experience and goals match the firm's practice areas and culture. Allow the firm to discuss their expectations, and respond by demonstrating your fit for the role. Customizing your approach shows that you’re genuinely interested and have taken the time to understand the firm.
Question 3: Managing Interview Nervousness
Q: How can I manage nervousness during interviews?
A: Visualization and breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety. Imagine the interviewers as children rather than authority figures to make the process less intimidating. If anxiety persists, consulting a professional might be beneficial. Remember, nervousness can sometimes work in your favor—it can show how much you want the job. Be honest about your nervousness and turn it into a positive by expressing your genuine interest in the position.
Question 4: Why Firms Might Not Hire Well-Qualified Candidates
Q: Why do some well-qualified candidates fail to secure job offers?
A: Often, it comes down to mistakes made during the interview, such as lack of enthusiasm or failure to connect with the interviewers. Law firms want candidates who are genuinely interested and enthusiastic about the role. Researching the firm, showing enthusiasm, and making yourself stand out are crucial. If you appear indifferent or lack a clear reason for wanting the job, it can be a major turnoff for firms.
See Related Articles:
- How Attorneys Can Answer the 'Do You Have Any Questions for Me?’ in Law Firm Interviews
- Acing Your Interview Starts with Assessing the Interviewer
- Top 10 Interview Questions During Your Law Firm Interview
- Most Common Large to Medium Law Firm Interview Questions
Question 5: Positioning Non-Traditional Backgrounds Effectively
Q: How can candidates with non-traditional backgrounds or solo practitioners position themselves effectively in interviews?
A: Emphasize your specialized expertise in a particular area that is hard to find in traditional law firms. For example, if you're an in-house attorney, highlight your specialized knowledge in areas like municipal law or environmental law. Focus is key—present yourself as a highly specialized candidate rather than a generalist. Specialization makes you more marketable, as firms value expertise in specific areas.
Question 6: Researching Salary and Preparing for Negotiations
Q: How should I approach salary research and negotiations when applying to smaller firms?
A: It’s best to wait until you receive a formal offer before discussing salary. Bringing up salary too early might hinder your chances of being hired. Research what others in similar positions at the firm are earning to guide your negotiations. Smaller firms may have lower rates due to their client base, so be prepared to negotiate based on the firm’s financial landscape.
Question 7: Handling a Failed Bar Exam
Q: What should I do if I’ve failed the bar exam and am having trouble finding a job?
A: Failing the bar exam is not uncommon and doesn’t disqualify you from getting a job. Be honest but casual about the situation when discussing it with potential employers. Often, starting with smaller firms or solo practices can help you gain experience while you work towards passing the bar. Persistence is key—many successful attorneys faced similar setbacks early in their careers.
Question 8: Entering the Legal Profession Later in Life
Q: Is it feasible to enter the legal profession at age 65?
A: Yes, it’s feasible, though it may present challenges such as mandatory retirement policies or reluctance to take orders from younger colleagues. Opportunities still exist, especially with smaller firms or as a solo practitioner. Starting your own practice is another viable option. Many attorneys, regardless of age, successfully open their own practices and thrive.
Question 9: Transitioning from a Non-Traditional Legal Role to a Law Firm
Q: How can I make my experience relevant when transitioning from a non-traditional legal role to a law firm?
A: Make your experience appear as focused and relevant as possible to the traditional law firm setting. Law firms prefer candidates who have specialized in a particular practice area. Highlight how your experience aligns with the firm's needs and practice areas. If you’re joining a larger firm, explain how its brand and resources will help you attract more clients, thereby benefiting the firm.
Question 10: Accessing Webinar Recordings
Q: I’m having trouble finding webinar recordings on the BCG website. How can I access them?
A: Webinar recordings are typically available a few days after the live event, often needing editing before being posted. If you can’t find the recordings, check back after a few days or contact BCG directly for assistance.
Question 11: Asking Insightful Questions During Interviews
Q: What specific questions should I ask during an interview to gain insights into the work environment?
A: After receiving an offer, it’s appropriate to ask more about the work environment and expectations. During the interview, focus on questions that show your interest in excelling, such as “What does success look like in this role?” or “What are the most important aspects of this job?” These questions demonstrate that you are interested in working hard and succeeding.
Question 12: Highlighting Relevant Experiences
Q: How should I highlight relevant experiences when transitioning from a non-traditional legal role to a law firm?
A: Emphasize your focus on a particular practice area to align with the firm’s expectations. If you don’t have a book of business, express your potential to bring in clients by highlighting your platform and how the firm’s resources will help you attract more business. Focus on how your experience is relevant and valuable to the firm’s practice areas.
See Also:
• The Fastest Way to Benefit with BCG Attorney Search's Expert Legal Recruiting Services
• Different Styles of Law Firm Recruiting
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.
Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
