It’s Not YOU, It’s the Economy
One of my favorite New Yorker cartoons goes like this. A man and a woman are sitting across from each other in a cafe. The woman says to the man, “It’s not YOU, it’s me. I don’t like you.”
Given the harsh economy we’re all dealing with, I think of this cartoon on a regular basis, though in a slightly different context. I’m the woman and my would-be candidates are the man; however, the difference is that I LIKE my would-be candidates and wish that I could work with them. Alas, the deterioration of the market place prevents me from taking on most of the people that contact me. This will change, of course, once the market improves, but I write today to console those of you who have been, or will be, rejected by a recruiter. It’s not YOU, it’s the economy.
Like medicine, I believe that one of the first rules of recruiting is “to do no harm.” As a recruiter, and a former practicing attorney, I know the market place and it’s my duty to be as honest with would-be candidates as possible. Lately, this means turning down some terrific attorneys whom I would have gladly worked with at this same time last year.
Why so selective?
Because here in the Bay Area the talent pool is spilling over while the jobs are drying up. And so, if you are a general litigator with no book of business, you are most likely competing with the hundreds of attorneys who have recently been laid off. But you do have resources.
Here is a link to yesterday’s Legal Pad where an associate discusses the success a friend off hers has had using Legal Authority (a sister company of BCG): http://legalpad.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/02/advice-for-a-jobhunting-associate-considering-a-new-practice-area.html
Also, for those of you who are frustrated in your job search and feel that there must be some AMLAW firm out there who will hire you, here is a webiste to LawShuck’s lay-off tracker: http://lawshucks.com/layoff-tracker/. The intent of providing this site is not to scare the beejesus out of you but to help you make informed decisions.
For example, maybe you will decide to stay in your current job and hang on tight for as long as possible. Or, if you have been laid off, maybe you will be open to exploring the smaller markets that haven’t been as impacted as the large cities. If you have specific questions about the Bay Area market, I am happy to help. But if I’m unable to work with you in finding a job, please remember, it’s not YOU, it’s the economy.
-Erin
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