Standing Out From The 'Job Seeking' Crowd

So you have decided it is time to move on from your current role. You might be feeling stifled. You might be unable to see promotional opportunities or partnership opportunities coming your way. It may even be that you can’t stand looking at the same people every day anymore!

How many years is it since you put yourself on the market? You might be nervous about getting outside your comfort zone. You might be thinking about all that new and upcoming legal talent that has come after you. So how do you compete? How do you get your application into the “maybe” or even the “yes” pile? How do you get yourself onto the short list?

We suggest taking a 3 stage approach.

Stage 1: The preparation:

Online Profile The first step is to ensure your online profile presents the best version of yourself. This means updating your LinkedIn Profile. We suggest turning notifications off. This ensures you are not broadcasting changes to your network. See how here. This is particularly relevant when you are connected to your Boss or colleagues or clients on LinkedIn. You should also ensure that your profile includes the key words you wish to be found for on LinkedIn. These should be in your Headline and Summary. You may also wish to switch on the functionality in LinkedIn that shows to recruiter’s you are open to approaches. See how to do this here.

Always ensure you have a great professional photo on your LinkedIn Profile. It is most likely the first impression you will make on a potential recruiter or hiring manager.

CV

Update your CV using a professional format, font and layout. Include your most recent and relevant experience. Always use specific achievements and examples that illustrate your point. This might include matters won, or new business gained. Consider what it is that makes you special and different to the other candidates that might have similar experience to you.

Have a trusted friend or colleague review your CV and suggest improvements. Always spell and grammar check it! You can find resume templates on our website here.

Networking

The hidden job market is also worth exploring. This means putting out feelers to your network and having them understand that you are looking for a new challenge. It is best to do this with discretion. Do you have a mentor? Do they know of any roles that have not yet been advertised?

Research

Spend some time researching the role you want and the Company you want to work for. You might narrow this down to a list of 5 or so. Consider what it is that attracts you to them. Is it their values? Are they at the forefront of technology? Type of clients/matters they handle? Are they known as a great ‘family friendly’ employer? Do they offer global opportunities?

Consider at this point the type of role you are after. Do you want to try a different area of the Law? Are your skills transferable? Could you move from a firm to be an in-house counsel? Or is it time to upskill into an area you find your interests moving?

Stage 2: Applying for roles

Select the roles to apply for that you are passionate about. Don’t apply for everything you see, even if you are desperate. Be discerning in your role choice.

This applies also for the companies you have informal discussions with –base this on your preparatory research.

As part of your application process, ensure you are using a tailored cover letter for every role. This is relevant even if it is an internal or sideways move. Your cover letter should be no more than one page. It should be addressed to the hiring manager and include your most relevant experience based on the key selection criteria.

Stage 3: Maintain your Performance

During the job seeking process it is important to continue to perform in your role. You never know which current clients, colleagues, peers or opponents may pop up in the next phase of your career. We recommend keeping your performance and productivity momentum out of respect for your current employer and colleagues.

If you are looking for a new role in the Legal Industry in Melbourne, Australia, then get in touch with us. We are specialists in the Legal Industry and recruit Lawyers, Support staff and HR professionals. If you enjoyed reading this article, you can follow our Company Page on LinkedIn for regular updates. These are specific to the Melbourne Legal Industry and career advice for legal professionals.