The legal field is about to get more exclusive. A sharp drop in law school enrollments in 2022 means you’ll be dealing with a smaller pool of candidates. To attract the perfect team, you’ll have to adopt new methods of recruiting talent.
Here’s how to snag the ideal legal staff before the competition does.
Understand Your Legal Staffing Needs
Determine how many lawyers you need to hire and what roles they will fill. An attorney staffing firm can help you identify the roles and responsibilities of a legal department. They’ll show you how many people you need and what skills those lawyers should have.
Once you’ve identified the number of new staff your budget can accommodate, start advertising.
Be Specific
You can’t just say that you want someone good at their job and leave it at that. What do they need to know? How can they prove their proficiency?
When you define these qualities, you can create an accurate job description that will attract the right candidates.
Invest in Advertising
The first step to hiring the right person is getting your job posting in front of them. You can do this by paying for Google ads and Facebook ads. They’ll attract a larger pool of candidates than posting on your own website or social media.
The cost of advertising will be recouped if you hire the right person because a productive staff member will improve your bottom line.
Get Help from Technology
Usually, hiring for a law firm is a drawn-out process. You cast your employment net and eagerly await the influx of resumes. And then you’ll have to sift through the pile to make sure these candidates are qualified.
Let’s face it, hiring lawyers this way just doesn’t cut it anymore. Skip hours of posting job listings by letting technology do the heavy lifting. Use legal staffing software to upload your job posts to hundreds of websites with just a few clicks.
Then, sit back, relax, and let the program choose the resumes that are most relevant to your position. You can also conduct video interviews with your favorite picks.
Attend Career Fairs
When someone comes up to talk with you at one of these events, ask about their work experience. If they don’t have any, you can offer to put them on your mailing list. They may be able to help you out later on.
If you find a passerby who shows enthusiasm for your business, consider offering them an internship. This is a great way for them to get their feet wet in your industry and see what it’s like working with others. And you’ll get the added perk of free labor.
Give Your Employees Opportunities to Advance
Successful employees love to learn and grow, so give them opportunities to do just that. You can offer them extra responsibilities in their current role or a fresh position entirely.
If you’re looking for some ways to improve your company’s culture, consider offering fun activities like team-building activities or volunteer opportunities.
Hire the Best Legal Recruiters
You don’t want a legal staffing firm that takes your money and leaves you with an unqualified team. Before signing a deal with a staffing company, take a brief detour to their website.
Not only will you get a glimpse into their personality and expertise, but you’ll also be able to see how happy their clients were.
If their site is missing reviews, investigate their social media. People are more likely to leave comments on public forums than they are on a business’s website. Instagram and Facebook are two great places to start.
You should also ask for references. The best legal staffing firms should be able to provide you with at least two or three names of people who have worked with them before. If they have a list that’s even longer, then you know they’re doing something right.
Verify Qualifications
Check the candidate’s license number against the state’s database. And while you’re at it, hit up their previous employers and ask about the candidate’s work.
You should also check the applicant’s LinkedIn profile and see if they have any verified certifications or licenses. If the applicant has a spotless record and plenty of great reviews, make them an offer within the next day or two. You don’t want another company to steal them away.
Don’t Hire Too Many Lawyers Right Away
Hire a small number of lawyers until after you’ve figured out how many clients your law practice can handle. Two attorneys might be able to manage a few hundred cases, but having four or five lawyers on staff could improve the quality of your service. Everyone won’t be spread as thin, so each client can have a more personalized experience.
Take note of what kind of work comes through your door. You may have noticed that your client base consists of personal injury cases and family lawsuits. In that case, you won’t need to hire a lawyer for criminal law or corporate litigation.
Expand Your Legal Staff
Don’t rush building a quality legal staff. It’s not just a matter of filling seats. You need to surround yourself with talented and motivated legal minds who will propel your firm to success.
If you need help making smart decisions, read our business articles. Our tips will turn your employees into well-trained professionals and transform your company from a small operation into an efficient powerhouse.
