Vetting Partner Candidates
The Wall Street Journal posted an article this week about the increased strictness with which corporations are vetting their new hires. While focusing on corporate environments, in particular, the messages set forth in this article are of particular importance in the law firm sector as law firms move away from their traditional “law firm business models” and toward a more “corporate business model.”
Simply put, we are seeing more and more firms adopting a strictly business, bottom-line approach to things. This includes hiring.
To that end, the message we are seeing is that a candidate’s materials (particularly candidates at the executive or partner level) are being looked at much more closely. There is no leeway in resumes for inaccuracies, inadvertent omissions, vagueness, or mistakes. Likewise, in business plans, there is no leeway for promises in lieuof proof of actual business and potential future business.
This is incredibly important for partner candidates who may rely, to their detriment, on old business plans or non-updated resumes during their job search. As firms direct a more focused eye on partner candidates’ materials to set candidates apart, it goes without saying that the most important weapon a partner can have in his or her arsenal right now is a stellar resume and business plan. Any partner that is aware of this fact and takes a few extra days before beginning their search to get their resume, deal sheet and business plan in top form will rise above the pack. For some this is par for the course, for others it’s not, and it warrants repeating.
The National Law Journal seconded The Wall Street Journal article referenced above with some careful words of their own on November 17th. The short message to a long story: The lateral vetting process has become tougher in the down economy as firms want to ensure that they are picking up attorneys at the top of the scale.
Be aware of this fact and respond accordingly. The rules of the game are changing at every level. It’s important to understand the nature of the field you are playing on in 2008 and going into 2009.
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Related posts:
- Are You A Partner Contemplating a Move?
- Partner Growth Down By 50% At AmLaw 100
- Choosing a Recruiter for Your Lateral Partner Search
- How to Effectively Interview Lateral Candidates: Pointers for Law Firms
- Seven Years Without Making Partner: What Now?
- Writing good quality articles and publishing them can work wonders for your firm’s marketability (and your own marketability as a partner or associate)
