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Articles by Amy Shanks

Experienced recruiter with a passion for the business - always striving to improve the level of service and innovation for our clients. I believe in acquiring talent beyond expectations resulting in a strong client partnership that allows us both to focus on what we do best.

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7 Jobs Skills Essential to Your Legal Career

Searching for a legal job in 2021?  Employers today are pursuing applicants that possess specific skills. When describing their ideal job candidate, law firm hiring managers said that these seven skills were essential. Whether you are a recent law school graduate or a seasoned paralegal, these seven skills can help you stand out among the competition.

1. Organization:

The ability to prioritize and remain focused when faced with competing priorities is essential. Researching points of law, drafting legal documents, and managing case files can sometimes be a juggling act. That’s why organizational skills are so critical.

2. Research and analysis skills:

Reading large amounts of information, absorbing facts and figures, analyzing the content, and summarizing it into a manageable memorandum, is vital. You can practice honing this skill by summarizing lengthy news articles into five-point bulleted lists of the most important themes.

3. Project Management:

As of 2020, 15.7 million project-management positions have been created globally across different industries. By the end of 2020, there should be over 6.2 million project management jobs in the United States alone. Some competencies you need to possess are strong leadership, organizational expertise, budget and schedule management, and business management skills.

4. Ability to Communicate:

Strong oral and written communication skills are crucial. Grammar mistakes can quickly deter potential employers from even considering you for a position. Make sure you proofread your resume and cover letter before you submit it with your application.

5. Problem-Solving Skills:

Skills like problem-solving show potential employers that you know how to approach real-life situations and develop practical solutions. Be sure to include specific examples of your experience with problem-solving during your interview.

6. Technical proficiency:

A successful legal professional is comfortable with the Microsoft Office Suite as well as Google Workplace. You should be familiar with electronic filing software, eDiscovery, practice management, document automation, electronic billing, and client communications.

7. Team Player:

Finally, being a team player is key to furthering your legal career. The primary traits for a team player are patience, being a good listener, and articulating your clear and honest opinion. Employers want employees that can get along with different personalities and be an effective team participant.

Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your career goals. For more than a decade, we have been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region. Furthermore, we specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Feel free to browse our Jobs and Career Listings to see a growing list of job opportunities.

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Five Tips for Successful Hiring in 2021 and Beyond

Hiring advice
Find and retain the right employees with these 5 Tips

In 2020, the killing of George Floyd came a global outcry for systemic change. This movement allowed company leaders to rethink their hiring practices while seeking to advance racial equity. In 2021, the call is to create a diverse and equitable workforce where each person can bring their best self to work regardless of age, gender, race, background, ability, or religion.

You can increase your chances of hiring the right candidates by following these 5 Tips:

  1. Enhance your DE&I for better hiring

In the future, more candidates will make job choices based on their assessment of a company’s visible diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). According to Dan Schawbel, a bestselling author and managing partner at Workplace Intelligence, a New York City-based HR research and advisory firm, “70 percent of job seekers said they want to work for a company that demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion.” 

  1. Create a virtual onboarding experience

As hiring freezes begin to lift and your company seeks to add to your existing teams, find a way to streamline your onboarding. Preparing a virtual onboarding experience will help you deliver a welcoming message as well as an insight into your company’s culture.

  1. Prioritize talent development for future hiring

The skills-gap crisis isn’t new to hiring managers. However, it has intensified from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learning and development programs should be more than a “perk” to offer employees for their personal growth. Providing training and advancement opportunities within your company is an effective strategy for growing your business. This strategy will help you attract and retain top talent.

  1. Protect your employees from burnout

If your work hours include evenings and weekends, employee burnout is a possibility.  You should train managers to identify the signs and encourage employees to prioritize their mental health. Overworked employees are stressed, depressed and are likely to make more mistakes.

  1. Connect your employees’ work to your company’s mission 

Rather than chasing a higher salary, job seekers are becoming more attracted to mission-driven companies. People want to work for companies that align with their values. Furthermore, when training managers have meaningful conversations with employees, they break down the traditional hierarchies that prevent people from feeling like they’re making an impact.

Although 2020 brought many challenges, it also created space for a new and improved way of working. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we have been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. Our industry-expert recruiters can offer insight and guidance in all aspects of Legal and IT recruiting. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your business goals.

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Five Specific Questions to Ask During Your Law Firm Interview

Virtually all advice related to job interviews involves helping the job seeker prepare answers to the interviewer’s questions. However, much of your potential employer’s impression of you will be based on the questions you ask in addition to the questions you answer. Besides asking the standard questions about job requirements, job benefits, or the next steps after the interview, you should ask questions that will help you determine whether this is your dream job.

Be prepared to show that you have done your research and have taken the time to prepare questions that will reveal something about the firm. Show your desire to know more about the company’s culture to ensure you are the right fit.

Here are some suggested questions to ask your interviewer:

1.What is it about your firm that differentiates you from other firms practicing similar types of law?

Depending on how your interview answers this question, you will understand how the firm’s culture and priorities line up with yours. Give your interviewer the opportunity to tell you what makes them special and think about what their answer means to you in terms of the company being a match to your goals.

2.How would you describe the firm’s culture and philosophy?

If your interviewer describes a positive work culture with advancement opportunities, this is great news for you. The more details provided, the better. You may even keep the conversation going by asking for an example that defines the company’s culture.

3.What does a successful member of this firm look like, and what do they do to be considered successful?

This question will show your genuine interest in being a team asset. The implication is that you are asking because you want to know because you want to emulate that success. After the interview, you can do additional research to gain more knowledge about this individual and prepare for your second interview.

4.What does your firm use as the common markers of success?

This question will help you determine how the firm handles performance reviews.  This is something you will want to know before you agree to accept the job.

5.What’s something that you learned later about the company you wished you would have known when you first joined?

By asking to hear about the interviewer’s experience, you are showing a true interest in wanting to know more. The information your interviewer provides will give you an idea of what it is like to hit the ground running in your new environment.

At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, our industry-expert recruiters are here to offer you insight and guidance. We will help you land your dream job and be there for you every step of the way. We help you improve your resume, prepare for your interview, and help you decide which job is best for you.

For more than a decade, we have been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your career goals. Feel free to browse our Jobs and Career Listings to see a growing list of opportunities in your field.

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LOOKING FOR A JOB IN 2021? READ THIS!

Legal industry job search
Job searches have changed due to COVID-19

Job seekers and recruiters have had to make adjustments to the hiring process due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

In April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the legal industry lost 64,000 jobs.  However,  as job interviews and professional networking continue to evolve, the legal industry has begun to rebound.

COVID-19’s economic impacts continue to present a changing marketplace for recent law school graduates and those seeking legal staff positions. However, there is some good news. New jobs were added for a solid six months (June to November), including a 208,000 increase in October.

At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we are here to help you navigate the new job-seeking landscape. Here are some job searching tips we would like to share with you:

Prepare for your virtual job interview 

The increase of virtual interviews resulting from social distancing guidelines also serves as an indication of how the hiring process is evolving.

A national Human Resource survey revealed that 86 percent of employers conducted virtual interviews to hire job candidates during the coronavirus pandemic. Considering that the virtual interview is here to stay, job seekers should approach communicating their professionalism, experience, and willingness to fit into the company culture into a remote interview format.

Our advice is to be sure you make a great first impression via video conference.  Develop anecdotal stories that represent your experience instead of a dry recitation of your qualifications.

Sharpen your job skills 

With the lack of in-person events, there has been an increase in virtual events.  Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn provide numerous opportunities to either attend upcoming virtual events at a discount or free of charge. Time in isolation doesn’t have to be isolated time.

Our advice is to use this time to take advantage of meeting new people and the opportunity to sharpen your skills.

 

Reconnect with colleagues

Facebook reported in March that messaging on Instagram, Facebook, and Whatsapp have increased 50 percent due to more people engaging on social media due to the pandemic.

 

Our advice is to use this opportunity to reconnect with other professionals in your field and keep up to date with the legal industry. As more people engage on social media due to the pandemic, now is a great time to ask for references.

 

Help from SRS

Before taking on a job hunt alone, contact SRS for a free resume review. You can also browse our Jobs and Career Listings to see a growing list of opportunities in your field.

 

Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Also, our industry-expert recruiters can offer insight and guidance. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your career goals.

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COUNTEROFFERS AND COVID

Counter offers are not as good as they seem.

Counteroffers – good or bad? The rate of revenue collected in the IT and Legal sectors have taken a nosedive this year. This is another economic effect of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID). Many law school graduates still remain in a state of limbo as top law firms have seen pay cuts, layoffs, and furloughs. 

With the promise of a vaccine near, there are some bright spots that point to economic recovery. One boost has come from law firms with strong labor and employment practices as their clients navigate cutting jobs and addressing workplace safety issues. There is a trend towards growth as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the legal industry added 1,900 jobs in July.

During these uncertain times, employees attempting to move on to new jobs may be subject to “generous” counteroffers from their current employers. However, as the adage goes, appearances can be deceiving.

Especially in light of the pandemic, most employers with any interest in pulling themselves out of the current downturn in revenue will try to retain you with a moderately attractive counteroffer. This tactic may be to buy themselves time.

The counteroffer is more so for the employer’s interests than it is for you. If your employer valued you and you were satisfied with your wage and the work environment, you would not have looked elsewhere for employment. Remember, a counteroffer is not a solid promise.

Consider these five reasons why you should reject a counteroffer:

1. Your increase may have been a future raise.

If a raise is offered as part of your counteroffer, take into consideration that all firms have budgets with wage guidelines. The increase included in your counteroffer may represent your future raise granted early. Translated this means you will have to wait longer to see another increase.

2. Counteroffers may create a toll on your work relationships.

If you accept your employer’s counteroffer and remain at your current position you may face alienation from the company’s culture. On a ground level, your coworkers may see you as disloyal and no longer a part of the team. In their eyes, you tried to leave them.

3. The same issues may resurface.

If the reason you decided to move on from your employment was any issue other than money, then your dissatisfaction may return after the glow of your pay raise fades. Also, if the corporate culture changes promised in your counteroffer do not last, you will soon be back to job hunting.

4. You may have stunted your ability to be promoted.

No matter what, if you accept a counteroffer, your credibility and reputation within the organization will fundamentally change. Your manager will always question your loyalty as you will be seen as a dissatisfied employee or “the one who wanted to leave.” This may cause you to be passed over for future promotions or important projects.

5. Counteroffers may narrow your job options in the future.

If you make it through a company’s hiring process only to turn around and accept your current employer’s counteroffer, you should not expect the prospective employer to ever consider you for a position again. Also, realize that the legal community is smaller than you think.

When evaluating an employer’s counteroffer it’s important to remove your ego from the equation. Be clear on the issues are that caused you to seek a new job in the first place and evaluate the counteroffer from that perspective. Unless the counteroffer addresses all of the reasons why you considered leaving in the first place, it’s best to move on. Even if the counteroffer does address all your issues, there are always drawbacks to consider.

Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Also, our industry-expert recruiters can offer insight and guidance. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your business goals. Best of all, we offer a free resume review. Find out more information here.