A Minute with Marnie – Senior Legal Recruitment Consultant

  A Minute with Marnie – Senior Legal Recruitment Consultant Elias Recruitment has rolled out the red carpet for its latest star recruiter, Marnie George! With a career that has traversed law, HR, and executive management, Marnie has built a reputation for making perfect professional matches—think of her as the ultimate recruiter-cupid. Having successfully run her own consultancy, she now joins Elias to work her magic in Melbourne, expanding its reach and delivering top-tier talent solutions. We sat down with Marnie to uncover her journey, her recruitment philosophy, and what excites her most about this next big adventure. Q: Marnie, you’ve had an incredible career spanning law, HR, and recruitment. How did you get started? A: I actually started my career as a law clerk, spending over 10 years in mid-tier law firms. During that time, I developed a strong understanding of corporate structures, compliance, and the importance of having the right people in the right roles. That experience naturally led me into recruitment, and I haven’t looked back since! For over 20 years, I’ve worked across recruitment, HR, and executive management, helping businesses find top talent and build high-performing teams. Q: You’ve run your own consultancy since 2018. What were some of the highlights? A: Running my own consultancy was an amazing experience. I worked with businesses across different industries, helping them refine leadership structures, implement talent acquisition strategies, and build teams that truly make an impact. Some of my biggest highlights were placing senior executives in transformative roles and coaching professionals to unlock their full potential. It was incredibly rewarding to help businesses not just find the right people, but also develop strategies to retain and engage them. Q: What’s your recruitment style? A: I take a strategic and relationship-driven approach. Recruitment isn’t just about filling a role—it’s about truly understanding both the business’s needs and the candidate’s career aspirations. I focus on making long-term matches, ensuring that both parties thrive. I also bring a consultative approach, offering insights into market trends, employer branding, and talent retention strategies. Q: What excites you most about recruitment? A: Connecting people with opportunities that align with their skills, values, and aspirations is the best part of what I do. Seeing a candidate thrive in their new role and knowing I played a part in making that happen is incredibly rewarding. I also love helping businesses grow by ensuring they have the right talent in place. It’s a win-win! Q: Why did you join Elias Recruitment? A: Elias is a well-established national brand with an outstanding reputation in the industry. The firm has been around for 25 years, and that kind of longevity speaks volumes. What drew me in was the strong support network, the cutting-edge IT systems that streamline recruitment, and the hands-on, personal approach of the CEO. It was also important for me to be surrounded by like-minded consultants who genuinely care about delivering the best outcomes for clients and candidates. Q: What do you bring to the Elias team? A: With my background in recruitment, executive coaching, and business strategy, I bring a holistic approach to talent acquisition. My ability to assess both technical skills and cultural fit ensures long-term, successful placements. I also offer clients insights beyond recruitment, helping them build engaged, high-performing teams. Q: What are you most looking forward to in this new role? A: Collaborating with a dynamic team, leveraging my expertise to contribute to Elias’s success, and continuing to make a meaningful impact in the industry. I’m also excited about building strong relationships with both clients and candidates—something I truly enjoy. Q: What’s the recruitment landscape like in Melbourne right now? A: It’s an exciting but competitive market. There’s strong demand for skilled professionals in both in-house and private practice roles. However, talent shortages in some sectors mean companies need to be strategic in their hiring—focusing on employer branding, employee value propositions, and retention strategies. Flexible work arrangements and workplace culture are becoming key factors in attracting top talent. Q: Finally, what makes Elias the perfect place for you? A: The flexibility, the supportive team, and the ability to work remotely while still having access to great resources. Elias’s model allows consultants to focus on what they do best—finding the perfect match between candidates and employers—without getting bogged down by overheads and admin. Plus, the firm’s strong reputation and cutting-edge technology mean we can deliver top-tier results efficiently. I’m excited to be part of it!

The Hardest Legal Jobs to Fill — And How to Secure the Right Legal Talent Now

The legal hiring market is facing significant challenges, with firms struggling to secure skilled professionals amid growing competition. As candidates’ expectations evolve and counteroffers become more frequent, traditional recruitment methods are proving less effective. Demand for top legal talent continues to exceed supply, requiring firms to reassess their approach to hiring. Recent insights from SEEK highlight that the most in-demand legal roles in Australia include: Generalist In-House Lawyers Litigation & Dispute Resolution Corporate & Commercial Lawyers Insurance & Personal Injury Lawyers Criminal Lawyers Family Lawyers   Why Are These Roles So Hard to Fill? In-House Lawyers As businesses increasingly bring legal expertise in-house, demand for professionals with strong governance, contract negotiation, and regulatory skills continues to rise. Companies seek legal counsel who can navigate risk and compliance while aligning legal strategies with commercial objectives. Finding professionals with the right blend of technical knowledge and business acumen remains a significant challenge. Litigation & Dispute Resolution A rise in large-scale litigation, including class actions and corporate disputes, has increased the need for experienced litigators. Many seasoned litigators are transitioning into advisory role s or moving overseas, making it difficult for firms to retain top talent in this highly specialised area. Corporate & Commercial Lawyers With ongoing mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring, the need for corporate lawyers remains high. However, strong competition for experienced professionals has led to frequent bidding wars and counteroffers, making both recruitment and retention difficult.  Insurance & Personal Injury Lawyers Legal professionals specialising in risk assessment, claims management and regulatory compliance are increasingly in demand. The rise in insurance-related legal matters, including those stemming from natural disasters and pandemic-related claims, has created a shortage of skilled lawyers. Criminal Lawyers Criminal law remains a highly active field, with increased enforcement actions, financial crime investigations, and general defence work driving demand. The growth of cybercrime and fraud-related cases has added further pressure on firms and legal departments. However, demanding workloads and public sector funding constraints make it difficult to attract and retain experienced criminal law professionals. Family Lawyers High demand in family law is fueled by divorce cases, custody disputes, and property settlements. The emotionally charged nature of these cases, combined with the long hours required, often leads to high turnover.      So How Do You Secure Top Legal Talent in a Competitive Market? With demand far outstripping supply, firms need to refine their hiring strategies to attract and retain the best legal talent –  here’s how you can win the talent war. Craft Offers That Go Beyond Salary Legal professionals today consider more than just compensation when evaluating opportunities. Workplace flexibility, professional development, and organisational culture play a significant role in decision-making. Firms that offer hybrid work arrangements, leadership training, and well-being initiatives gain a competitive edge. Expand Recruitment Channels Highly skilled legal professionals aren’t always actively searching for new roles, making traditional job boards less effective. Partnering with specialised legal recruitment agencies, like Elias Recruitment, provides access to pre-screened, high-calibre candidates who might not be visible through conventional hiring methods. Accelerate the Hiring Process Top legal candidates often receive multiple offers within days, while many firms can take up to 6 weeks or longer to complete the hiring process. Reducing delays, improving communication, and streamlining recruitment can help prevent losing top talent to competitors. Be Ready for Counteroffers High-performing candidates frequently receive counteroffers from their current employers. To secure the best talent, firms should focus on career progression, mentorship, and long-term growth opportunities—factors that can be more compelling than financial incentives alone. Engage Passive Candidates Early Many top legal professionals are not actively job-hunting but are open to the right opportunity. Firms that adopt a proactive recruitment approach can engage these candidates before they explore other options.   In a nutshell The legal industry is experiencing a hiring crunch that demands a shift in recruitment strategies. Firms that adapt quickly, strengthen their value propositions, and expand their sourcing methods will be best positioned to attract and retain top legal talent in 2025 and beyond. To learn how you can get that competitive edge, contact Elias Recruitment today.  

Legal Talent Pool – Legal Recruitment 24/7

Legal Talent Pool – End of Year Promo 250 exceptional legal professionals at your fingertips.Speed up your hiring by accessing all our best candidates — when it suits you. We have two fantastic offers running until the end of 2024 to help you secure your next hire for 2025: All new placements from our Legal Talent Pool will be discounted to 15% until 31 December 2024* Free graduate placements from our Legal Talent Pool until 31 December 2024* Visit the Legal Talent Pool here How the Legal Talent Pool Works As Australia’s leading specialist legal recruitment agency, we are consistently approached by great candidates looking for new roles. When we interview outstanding candidates, in addition to representing them for specific roles, we also invite them to allow us to share their profile (anonymously) in our Talent Pool. From there, employers can browse candidates by experience, speciality, location, salary range, and more. Once a profile is selected, we seek the candidate’s consent to release further information and begin our regular recruitment process — including interview coordination, reference checks, and placement guarantees. We’re proud to confirm all candidates in the Legal Talent Pool are: Interviewed by an experienced recruitment consultant, with relevant notes including salary expectations and years of experience Ready to start a role immediately (subject to notice periods) Confirmed to have a minimum of 18 months PQE and are of high calibre — many have been “silver medallists” in other roles Legal Talent Pool – End of Year Promo Terms Candidate employment contracts must be completed by 31 December 2024 Clients must mention this promo when requesting candidates and must have signed terms Promo is only valid for new CVs requested from the Talent Pool from 4 November 2024 The Free Graduate Promo is only offered to clients who have been invoiced by Elias Recruitment in the last 12 month Please note: graduate candidates have not been interviewed, and no placement guarantee applies

Tricky Questions Reign in Behavioural Interviews

Tricky Questions Reign in Behavioural Interviews Adapted from Arlene Hirsch From the NATIONAL BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT WEEKLY From the publishers of the Wall Street Journal: Dow Jones & Company Inc.   Most interviewers routinely include several behavioral questions along with more standard general questions. Their goal is to make sure they don’t hire a candidate who can talk a good game but can’t deliver a great performance. Built on the belief that past performance is the best predictor of future success, this interviewing style relies more on specifics. Questions usually begin with such phrases as “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give me an example of…” Interviewers who favour this format usually develop their line of questioning around the traits and skills deemed important for success in the position or organisation. For example, if a job involves a lot of client interaction, an interviewer might ask you, “Tell me about a time when you had to handle an irate client.” For a position that requires extensive teamwork, you might be asked to “Give an example of a situation where you demonstrated your skill as a team player.” Preparation Knowing how interviewers structure their questions makes it easier for you to prepare good responses. If an interviewer prepares by reviewing the job description to determine a job’s required skills and traits and asks for specific examples that demonstrate those characteristics, you need to go through a similar preparation process. Job descriptions for a specific position or function can help you prepare for behavioural interviews. If an employer wants someone who’s a “team player,” you can expect to be asked some of the following: “Tell me about a time when you had to rely on a team to get things done.” “Provide an example of a time when you had to persuade people to do something that they didn’t want to do.” “Give me an example of your leadership style.” Candidates who understand the technique and are prepared to handle these types of interview questions have an edge over those who are unaware of this technique. Start With Your Resume An easy way to start preparing for behavioral questions involves resume review. By going through your resume line-by-line (in search of relevant examples), you’ll become comfortable with how you plan to answer likely questions. The less confident you feel about a specific circumstance or qualification, the more you need to prepare and rehearse your response. “The idea behind behavioral interviewing is that you can tell much more about a person’s attitudes, work habits and skills by hearing them describe real actions taken in real circumstances than by letting them speak in the abstract about themselves,” says Allen Salikof, president of a US-based search firm. Expect interviewers to ask negatively phrased questions that reveal your weaknesses and flaws as well as your strengths. Don’t fall into the trap of demeaning yourself just because you’re anxious to comply. If the stories you tell don’t reflect positively on you, there’s no reason to tell them. A Three-Step Approach Some candidates find the format of behavioural questions unsettling. In the pressure of the moment, they can’t think of a single example. To overcome that obstacle, develop a list of experiences that cover the skills and characteristics required for the position you seek. Try the following three-step approach: 1. Determine your chief skills or strengths and actual experiences which exemplify each one. Remember dates, names, achievements and other details that will convey the situation to the interviewer. 2. Understand the job’s description and be prepared to recall specific actions and behaviours that address the required skills. 3. Don’t make vague proclamations of your skills. Small but telling actions and behaviours are more important than grandiose but unsubstantiated claims of job success. Structuring Your Stories It helps to use a P-A-R (Problem-Action-Result) formula to structure your stories. Review your resume and decide which stories to tell. Some candidates even write, edit and rehearse their stories. This is time-consuming but can be worth the effort. Since most people aren’t natural storytellers, it’s good to know what you plan to say and how you plan to say it. That way you minimise the risk of drawing a blank, telling the wrong story or rambling. Try not to sound wooden or rehearsed. To put a unique spin on the P-A-R format, try a R-A-P format. Start with the result, because accomplishments capture an interviewer’s attention. Then describe the actions you took and finally, the problem that was solved. In that way, your accomplishments stand out boldly. If you’re really savvy, you can vary your approach by using both strategies within the same interview.  For example, if you’re describing a tough problem, you might want to use the P-A-R approach to emphasise the very real challenge you faced. If you achieved a particularly spectacular end result, you might want to use the R-A-P format, which emphasises your results. When You Don’t Know the Answer Behavioural-based interviewers can be like bulldogs. They won’t give up until they get the information they want. But you don’t have to answer a question just because it was asked. At times, you really won’t have the answer. Much as it may hurt to say, “I’m sorry but nothing comes to mind,” that may be the most honest answer. Rather than lie, you’re better off being honest about what you have and haven’t done. You also can ask for clarification. If you don’t understand what the employer is looking for, ask him or her to be more specific. Most employers will appreciate your interest and thoroughness. Although silences can be uncomfortable, they also can be productive. Rather than rush into an ill-advised statement, make sure that you’re in control of your response. If this takes more time, the interviewer will need to wait. Most interviewers will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Strategizing Behavioral Questions Behavioural questions pose a real challenge to interviewees who are striving to make the interview a conversation between equals rather than an interrogation. This isn’t

Deciding On Your Next Legal Job

Deciding On Your Next Legal Job Once you’ve undergone a thorough process of self-assessment, you may decide it’s time to consider a career change within the legal field. Whether you’re a seasoned attorney or a recent law school graduate, making an informed and strategic decision about your next role is crucial. Understanding your drivers and motivations is the foundation of this process.   Understanding Your Drivers and Motivations To make a strategic decision about your next role, it’s essential to delve deep into what drives you. Start by getting clear and brutally honest about your priorities, goals, and motivations. Ask yourself some fundamental questions: Do you aspire to become a partner in a law firm? Are you willing to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve this? Or is your primary goal to find fulfillment and a better work-life balance? Would you prefer to work in-house, in government, or for a non-profit organization? Any path is valid, but clarity on your priorities is crucial. Dan Pink’s “Drive” explores the elements that motivate people in their careers and lives. According to Pink, there are three primary drivers most people seek from their careers: Autonomy – Are you directing your own life? Mastery – Do you feel you are excelling and learning new skills? Purpose – Do you feel you are achieving something that matters?   Identifying opportunities for autonomy, mastery, and purpose in your career is essential. Prioritizing these elements when searching for your next legal job will enhance your satisfaction and success in your new role. Self-Assessment Tools and Techniques Several free and low-cost self-assessment tools can support your career growth. Undertaking these assessments helps you decide on your next role and provides insights into how you can present yourself to potential employers. One highly regarded tool is the StrengthsFinder 2.0 assessment. This reputable and inexpensive tool helps you identify and leverage your natural strengths, providing valuable guidance for your career journey. By understanding your strengths, you can better align yourself with roles that suit your capabilities and aspirations. Exploring Career Paths in Law As you assess your career options, it’s essential to consider various paths within the legal field. Many legal professionals are now exploring opportunities beyond traditional law firm roles. The corporate sector, for example, offers numerous opportunities for legal experts. Jason Elias, CEO of Elias Recruitment, discussed this trend in an interview with the Australian Financial Review. He noted, “Now people are getting three to four years in and saying ‘this is not what I want to do for the rest of my life’… If you were going to work at Google or Mallesons, you would probably choose Google.” This shift highlights a growing interest in roles that offer greater fulfillment and diverse experiences outside traditional law firms.

Is it time to progress your career as a Lawyer? Challenge yourself with this checklist.

Is it time to progress your career as a Lawyer? Challenge yourself with this checklist.   Before you take the leap and start looking for your next legal job, take a moment to ask yourself the following questions: Am I being challenged in my current role, in my current company? Am I still learning new things? Do I feel respected and appreciated? Am I developing new skills that will enhance my value? Can I see a future career path? Do I get up each Monday excited about going to work or not?   Examining the reality of your current role and objectively determining whether it’s the role itself that needs to change or simply the employer can often be the most important first step. Only you know when it’s time to move on. But chances are you’ve at least thought about what the next move might be. There are clear warning signs that it might be time to move on. 1. Staying Doesn’t Make Financial Sense It probably seems risky, but changing jobs can often mean an increase in income or other non-financial benefits. New employers may offer an incentive to move across, and some firms are now offering “70 cents in the dollar on billings” and cross-referral/client introduction fees (often 10% of collected fees). Consider the other benefits you may currently be missing out on: better hours, working closer to home, or flexibility like working from home one day a week. You may find you even have time to take that holiday that never seems to come around. Moreover, staying in a role that doesn’t meet your financial expectations can lead to dissatisfaction and burnout. Regularly assess your market value by networking with recruiters and peers in your field. The recent APLMA Salary survey ( Free for ALPMA member or purchase the full survey here) can provide insights into current salary and employment trends in the Legal Industry and help you benchmark your compensation. Remember, it’s not just about the base salary; look at the total compensation package, including bonuses, benefits, and work-life balance. 2. You’re Risking Guilt by Association No matter how many hours you put in, if you’re not working for the right people, that is energy wasted. Some firms are known for excellence in one area and not others. Ask yourself: how positive is our firm’s reputation in my practice area? Who are we being compared to? Are we being held back or even missing out on work because of the way the firm is perceived? Maybe moving on is a better bet for your reputation. Being associated with a firm that has a tarnished reputation can have long-term career implications. Clients and peers often judge you by the company you keep. If your firm is embroiled in scandals or known for unethical practices, it might be time to distance yourself. Look for firms with a strong ethical foundation and a positive market reputation. A good reputation not only attracts better clients but also opens doors to prestigious career opportunities. 3. Politics Is a Tricky Game Managing demanding clients is one thing. Managing internal conflict is another level of stress altogether. Sometimes firm management just won’t be on your side. Perhaps they are excluding you from managing bigger clients because of some perceived conflict. Did you back the wrong person at the last partner’s meeting? Politicking is part and parcel of law firm life, but if it is taking up too much headspace, it may be time to outgrow the petty game playing. Internal politics can be toxic and detrimental to your mental health and career progression. If you find yourself constantly navigating office politics rather than focusing on your professional growth, it might be a sign to move on. Seek environments where meritocracy prevails and where you are recognized for your contributions and not your alliances. Transparent and supportive leadership can significantly enhance job satisfaction and career development. 4. Your Firm Is Choked by Bureaucracy Too much paperwork and too many meetings might eat into your practice. You would be better off developing business and nurturing client relationships rather than attending endless irrelevant meetings that go nowhere. Overcomplicated workplaces can be very difficult to change. So ask yourself, do you have time to wait around while these knots are being untangled? Or do you have better things to be doing? Bureaucracy can stifle creativity and efficiency. If you spend more time navigating internal processes than serving clients or developing your skills, it might be time to consider a change. Look for firms that value streamlined processes and efficiency. Modern legal practices leverage technology to minimize administrative burdens, allowing lawyers to focus on high-value tasks. Adopting a proactive approach to seeking out such environments can lead to a more fulfilling and productive career. 5. There’s Been a Change in Direction When you started your current role it may have been a perfect match. But things change. If your firm decides to take things in a new direction, your areas of focus may simply not fit anymore. Perhaps they have brought in an outsider above you or merged with a firm with an incompatible culture. Adapting to organizational changes can be challenging, especially if the new direction doesn’t align with your career goals. When a firm shifts its strategic focus, it can create misalignment with your professional objectives. This misalignment can hinder your growth and job satisfaction. It’s essential to stay attuned to industry trends and be prepared to pivot when necessary. Evaluate whether the new direction aligns with your long-term goals and values. If not, it might be time to explore other opportunities that better suit your career aspirations. 6. There’s a Values Mismatch This is tough because values underpin every decision, big and small. Even if your situation looks fantastic on paper, a fundamental mismatch in values or personalities will wear you down over time. Values don’t have to be spelled out in a strategic document. You’ll know what your firm’s priorities are, and

What happened in the Legal industry in 2023/24 FY and where to from here?

What happened in the Legal industry in 2023/24 FY and where to from here?   First and foremost, we want to express our heartfelt thanks from everyone here at Elias Recruitment. We truly value your support and trust throughout the past financial year. This has been a significant year for us as our team has excelled, and we are now delighted to assist our clients with all their hiring requirements.     Eva Wilson is leading our Business Support team and hiring exceptional talent including Paralegals, Legal secretaries, Legal Admin and Service Managers. Karen Horovitz is hiring for our clients across all Operations, IT, Finance, Marketing and Sales talent. More insights from 23/24 FY and prediction to the upcoming one: Market Conditions in the Legal Industry   Despite downturns across numerous industries including IT, the Legal sector remained robust and demand for lawyers was strong. While not at the dizzying heights of the previous year, there was a constant need for good quality lawyers (especially at 3-6 years PQE) across most practice sizes and areas. While many firms focussed on maintaining headcount rather than expanding, a number of smaller firms catering to the B2C market (e.g. family, crime, wills) grew rapidly as a result of innovative online marketing campaigns. Demand was particularly strong for general insurance, workers’ compensation and family law- with an increase in post-pandemic relationship breakdowns. The desire for lawyers to work overseas has risen again with USA, UK, Asia and Middle East viewed as key destinations. The impending Free Trade arrangements with the UK allowing mutual recognition between jurisdictions will be worth watching. Salary Trends  Elias Recruitment proudly supported the 2024 APLMA Australian Legal Industry HR Issues & Salary Survey. The survey indicates a substantial rise in salaries within the legal industry, with an average increase of 7.0% for law firm employees (national average of 4.2%). There was upward pressure on salaries from firms trying to outbid each other for candidates with multiple offers or current employers counter offering. Overall. salaries have tended to normalise this year. Graduate lawyers’ salaries surged by 11.8%, bringing the average to $76,000 and anecdotally, we understand some first years have been offered up to $110,000 by top tiers. Recruitment Efforts Recruitment will consume the largest proportion of HR budgets, with 29% of firms prioritising talent acquisition. Most vacancies are for replacing existing lawyers with a continuation of exodus to inhouse legal roles. Firms offering flexibility fare better in a still competitive market. While many early career lawyers enjoy the office environment, learning and social opportunities, more experienced lawyers (especially those who may have family responsibilities) baulk at a 5 day in the office scenario. Ad response is still poor with the job boards delivering fewer quality candidates. We are relying on headhunting, networking and word of mouth referrals from 24 years in the market. Many lawyers are too busy to actively job hunt and wait for roles to be presented to them. Consequently, Elias Recruitment has developed a Legal Talent Pool where clients can see all the top candidates we currently represent and approach them seamlessly.

Elias Legal Jobs Index Report Q3 2022

The legal jobs market is continuing to be buoyant. Demand is outstripping supply in a candidate short market. The national unemployment rate is dropping below 4% and in legal is less than that. Candidates have the bargaining positions, and we are seeing increased demand for flexible work practices. The “work from home” genie cannot be put back in the bottle even as the world adjusts to fewer covid restrictions. Salaries are increasing in line with demand.  Anecdotally we have seen rises of up to 30% for areas in demand. We have also noticed a rise in counter-offers as employers scramble to retain staff by matching offers. Some trends we have observed are: Biggest jump in roles was family, Increasing by up to 75% Double the number of personal Injury roles A 66% decline in insolvency roles The main levels of hiring was at the director/partner level reporting an increase of 66% whilst other roles at a lower seniority such as Junior Associates and managers dropped by 23%. It will be interesting to see if hiring amongst the graduate ranks continues to increase heading into Q4 as we are moving further away from the troublesome times of COVID 19 and after reporting a Q3 increase of 20%.   JOBS INDEX Q3 2022 Area Banking & Finance Q2 FY22 55 Q3 FY22 43 % change -21% Corporate / M&A 66 59 -10% Employment 34 35 3% Family 8 14 75% In House 46 39 -15% Insurance / Reinsurance 43 45 4.6% Litigation / Dispute Resolution 39 49 25% Real Estate 52 39 -25% Regulatory 20 20 0% Personal Injury 16 24 50% Insolvency 9 3 -66% Tax 9 9 0% Technology 27 27 0% TOTAL 424 406 -4%   Seniority Q2 FY22 Q3 FY22 % change Department / Div Head 5 4 -20% Director / Partner 3 5 66% Graduate / Entry 10 12 20% Junior Associate / Manager 13 10 -23% Mid Associate / Manager 270 276 2% Snr Associate / Manager 185 163 -11%   Methodology: the Elias Legal Jobs Index is based from sample data extracted from Sydney and Melbourne law firm advertisements.

What I wish I’d known as a new lawyer | Advice from a recruiter

What makes the difference between a fresh graduate and a veteran lawyer often comes down to details – writing an email so a client clearly understands their legal options, or contributing effectively to a business meeting to win new work or consolidate an existing relationship. On 18 August 2017, The College of Law hosted a one-day event, the New Lawyers Summit, featuring advice from senior lawyers, recruiters, digital networkers and barristers to help law graduates acquire the skills they need to excel professionally. Insights spoke to recruiter Jason Elias, who was part of the New Lawyers Summit, on his advice for new lawyers hoping to impress in their first graduate role. “As recruiters, we hear, see and are sometimes purely surprised by some of the easily avoided but common mistakes we see in the recruitment process,” said Elias. Including a photo ranks high on his list of job-hunting faux pas. “There is no reason to put a photo in a legal CV, even if you look like Amal Clooney – or George Clooney. It’s irrelevant. Unlike actors or models, looks are irrelevant when it comes to being a good lawyer.” “Be brief in your CV,” advised Elias. “Anything over four pages is overkill. Make sure you focus on the most recent and relevant roles. Do not include any matters that could be discriminatory, such as references to your age, marital status, race or religion. “Don’t try to be fancy with your CV, with illustrations or boxes or any other kind of novelty. Just be professional. Remember, the CV is there to get you the interview. Once you’re in the interview, let your personality shine a bit more.” For law students looking to impress recruiters and law firm HR, Elias advised finding some form of legal work while studying law. “Get a job, even if it’s in the mailroom,” said Elias. “There are so many stories of managing partners who started in the mailroom. Get an associateship with a judge, find work as a paralegal – anything relevant to your chosen career.” Elias also noted that marks remain important, so a concerted effort to do well – and consistently – in the study of law will distinguish applicants at the graduate recruitment stage. Applying the same sense of industry and commitment to preparing for an interview as one might for a distinction or high distinction is essential – and one of the most overlooked areas for graduate applicants. “Preparation is really important. I’ve never understood why it’s overlooked. When you’re going for a job, your academic transcript might have three pages of marks, which a recruiter or an HR manager might glance over for twenty seconds. For each of those marks, you might have spent dozens of hours to make sure it was distinction, not a credit. Yet I still hear HR people telling me that a candidate didn’t know their firm specialised in a certain area. “To prepare well for an interview, read the firm’s website,” urged Elias. “Read anything that is written by the firm and its lawyers. Know the legal press. Know the LinkedIn profiles of all the partners. It shows you know the firm and want the job.” In recent years, automation and outsourcing have featured frequently in legal news, sparking some concern that it may disrupt entry level and paralegal work. In Elias’s view, these concerns are largely unfounded. “I’m a bit skeptical about how much automation will really effect the legal profession. There’s no substitute for quality control, and only real people can ensure quality work. Automation may make our work more efficient but it won’t replace all work. New lawyers should focus on doing what machines can never do – understanding the commercial context of a legal issue, and the subtleties of human nature. Much of the time advice is not just about technical black letter law but the commercial context and underlying human motivations around a deal.” Above all, Elias advises perseverance. “Getting turned down from a job interview is not the best feeling in the world,” Elias said. “Some roles, especially in-house, can have up to 100 candidates. Some employers will share tips on how you can improve. Take these tips into consideration and learn from the job application experience. Remember, recruiters deal with thousands of lawyers each year. Nobody is intentionally out of work for long.”   This article was first published on 12 July 2017 in the College of Law.

The Great Hesitation

“The Great Resignation” has received a lot of press.  There is no doubt that this phenomenon has hit the US, in particular.  According to PricewaterhouseCoopers US Pulse survey in August 2021, 65% of employees said they are looking for a new job and 88% of executives said their company is experiencing higher turnover than normal. While Australia’s economy is usually in lockstep with America’s – has the Great Resignation hit here and, in particular, has it hit the legal services market?  Well according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics – up until February, Australia had the lowest annual job mobility rate on record.  The most recent stats from October 2021, show professional services (including legal) dropped by 2.9 % that month. So it is clear that the Great Resignation has not hit us yet.  We are still finding lawyers are reluctant to move jobs – so it may be the Great “Hesitation”.  Over the last few weeks there has been more of a trickle but this may just be related to the Christmas Season.  There are probably a number of factors including lag.  Trends seen in the US may take a few months to manifest here.  Also, the drivers for job change such as commutes and managers are less of an issue when working remotely or only part time in the office.  Some research suggests up to 60% could be looking to change jobs before the end of April 2022.  It is likely that once lawyers are back at their desks around Australia Day we may see an uptick in movement.  The fact that candidates are getting decent pay rises to move, as well as some firms trying to revert back to pre-covid policies like full-time in the office that will lose out against more flexible workplaces, are just some reasons. In order to ascertain legal specific trends we ran a quick poll of over 200 Australian Lawyers asking: Will you be a part of the ‘Great Resignation’?  62% are planning to resign 38% are not planning to resign Of the 62% who are planning to resign: 32% will do so for more money or a promotion 12% will do so to seek work overseas 18% will do so for other reasons Of those planning to resign: 34% are currently employed in-house 26% are currently employed in a small law firm 18% are currently employed in a medium law firm 15% are currently employed in a large law firm 7% are currently employed in the public sector Of those who are happy in their current roles: 36% are currently employed in a small law firm 22% are currently employed in-house 18% are currently employed in a medium law firm 16% are currently employed in a large law firm 8% are currently employed in the public sector We are keeping close to those that are looking for new opportunities and finding the right match in terms of culture, values, location, remuneration and flexibility. Jason Elias , CEO Elias Recruitment