The Preferred Way In-House Legal Professionals Secure a New Role is Through a Recruiter

Whilst the second and third most common ways for In-House legal professionals to source a new role are general online advertising (14.43% of those surveyed) and LinkedIn (11.15%), the number one most common choice is through a Recruiter (34.10%). This is a figure consistent with previous years, and largely made up of those in the Real Estate and Development sector (38.89%). Our Managing Recruitment Consultant and Head of In-House, Tom Bagley, says:

“Pretty much all of the businesses and hiring managers within those businesses are always at pains to stress the need for In-House lawyers to be able to demonstrate strong commercial acumen and business skills. Businesses can get frustrated with someone who merely quotes the law – they’re conscious that this can cause lawyers to develop a reputation internally for being the obstacle that stops the wider commercial teams from being able to achieve what they want to. A candidate can really set themselves apart by demonstrating problem-solving skills and being a facilitator to the business, to make things happen. If you can think outside the box and bring ideas to life in a workable fashion, you’ll be a big success In-House.”

A good In-House lawyer ensures that their client understands the points being made and the risks associated with the business if their understanding isn’t up to scratch. It’s important to note that the transition from Private Practice to In-House can be quite daunting, as aligning your own personal risk appetite to that of your new in-house employer can be a big challenge.