4 Tips to help Lawyers land a Flexible Role in 2020
In this article discover the approach you should take when hoping to land a flexible role in the legal industry. We talk about how to frame your cover letter and how to maximise your chances of getting the flexible working arrangement you are looking for.
One of the more interesting recruitment phenomenons in recent years is the legal industry starting to adopt flexible work practices for experienced and senior Lawyer positions. This has included arrangements such as working from home and reduced working week. In many cases flexibility is being offered as a drawcard to attract talent.
These flexible working arrangements are not just for parents, but for candidates that have other interests and responsibilities, including caring for elderly parents, pursuing further study, sitting on a board or even volunteering in an area you are passionate about.
If you are stuck in a 5 day a week role and are dreaming about a day to yourself to pursue other interests, then read on. We can help.
In the not so distant past candidates who wanted a flexible working arrangement would apply for a full-time role aiming to land the job and then hope they were in a strong enough negotiating position to enable them to talk the hiring manager down to 4 days a week. This did not always work, and often left the hiring manager feel that they had been tricked. It often led to the working relationship getting off to a rocky start.
These are our tips for landing yourself that flexible role of your dreams in 2020.
- Be Open and Transparent
We encourage experienced and senior lawyer candidates to be open and transparent in their cover letters, describing exactly the working arrangement they are looking for. Our clients value your honesty and this approach saves time for all involved, particularly if flexible arrangements are not right for a particular role. We also find that this approach tends to create a good first impression throughout the hiring process.
- Use a Specialist Recruiter
One of the joys of being a specialist recruiter in the legal industry is that we know our clients. We know which ones are truly open to flexible arrangements and which ones have supportive leadership teams aiming to improve staff well-being and productivity. Using a third party to negotiate your flexible working arrangement can really pay off. This is particularly relevant in the hidden job market where we can discuss your experience and requirements with a client without actually using your name. We then know whether you are suitable for an upcoming role with a client and can present you and your flexible working proposition confidently.
- Be Realistic and Creative
Often asking for flexible working arrangements requires some creative thinking on behalf of the employer and the candidate. You may be asked how you would handle demanding clients, deadlines and caseloads in a reduced working week. You may need to discuss how contactable you would be outside of working hours. You need to be able to answer this in a way that gives an employer confidence in your ability to manage your productivity and time. You may also need to be flexible in order to help cover leave, or extremely busy periods.
- Position the Flexible Arrangement as Win: Win
The key to negotiating a flexible role is to convince your manager that there is something in it for them. It might be a salary saving of 20% to drop a day, or a productivity increase as a result of working from home. The more you can quantify it, the better. You may be able to demonstrate how you have worked from home in a prior role or present research that demonstrates how part-time employees are more productive.
In the busy legal industry we have found that clients who are open to considering flexible working arrangements can be the key to filling hard to recruit roles. We have enjoyed seeing improvements in the stress levels and mental health of candidates that have struggled to balance a 5 day a week role with their other responsibilities. Flexible working arrangements, when managed respectfully and with a focus on productivity and adding value, can be a win: win for all involved.
If you are interested in exploring flexible working arrangements and are an experienced lawyer then Legal People is your gateway to the best legal career opportunities. We are specialists in the Legal Industry and recruit Lawyers, Support staff and HR professionals in Melbourne, Australia. If you enjoyed reading this article, you can follow our Company Page on LinkedIn for regular updates.
