By Micki Mersky

If you are a legal professional, you know how important it is to build trust with the individuals you represent.  This same concept can also be applied to your relationship with your recruiter. 

On one hand, you have to trust that your recruiter is presenting you for opportunities that would be the right fit for you; while on the other, the recruiter has to trust that you are representing them in a positive light to the client. 

This foundation of mutual respect is key to a successful partnership.  Here are five ways to start your relationship with your recruiter on the right foot:  

Treat your meeting with your recruiter like an interview with an employer

In an industry where first impressions are everything, it’s important to approach your meeting with a recruiter just as if it were an interview for your dream job.  Why?  How you present yourself in a meeting with your recruiter can be indicative of how you would act in an interview with a future employer.  As a result, you’ll want to arrive to your meeting on time, professionally dressed and ready to talk about your background. 

Be honest

Recruiters invest a lot of their time into building relationships with a variety of firms, and for the right candidate, they may leverage these relationships to help you stand out against the competition.  As a result, you don’t want to gloss over details that might affect the type of positions your recruiter will find for you.  This includes being honest about expected pay and responsibilities, areas of specialty and whether you’re working with other recruiters or applying for jobs on your own.

Be open-minded

While it’s important to know what you want in your next job, it’s equally important to keep an open mind.  Rather than getting caught up in the specifics of one job posting, try casting a wide net and allowing some aspects of your next job to be ambiguous at this stage.  Also, try to be open to feedback from your recruiter.  Any suggestions they have, from career advice to feedback on your interview performance, are to help you land a job that will meet your needs. 

Be responsive

Legal roles move relatively quickly, and employers are often on a tight timetable to fill a position.  As a result, it’s important to respond as soon as possible when a recruiter contacts you about the opportunity.  In a job market where many professionals have similar skills and backgrounds, a delay of just a couple of hours could lead to a missed opportunity. 

Be enthusiastic and personal

It’s important to let your personality and enthusiasm shine through as you progress throughout the process.  Not only will this help you build a strong rapport with your recruiter, but it can also help your recruiter determine what firm would be the best cultural fit for you. 

Micki Mersky is Director, Legal Services of The Execu|Search Group.  The Execu|Search Group was founded in 1985 as a recruitment firm focused on serving accounting firms, boutique hedge funds and private equity funds.  Over time, the firm has evolved into a full-service Recruitment, Temporary Staffing, and Workforce Management Solutions firm integrating a broad range of industries.  Micki may be reached at [email protected].