Securing top talent is essential to every organization’s future growth. Unfortunately, it’s a continuous challenge for many law firms and legal recruiters. A survey of Canada-based lawyers in 2019 revealed that 93% found it challenging to find skilled legal professionals. Companies continue to be in fierce competition for Canadian legal talent today especially in Toronto, one of the country’s busiest cities.
Given the tight labour market, how do you find great talent for your firm in Toronto? The easy way is to invest in professional legal recruitment in Toronto to access a pool of the best possible candidates. You can also use the following strategies.
Tap Into Your Employee Network
Your existing employees might help you access qualified legal talent through their personal and professional networks. They can help spread the message about your firm, culture and opportunities beyond the job post.
Employee referrals give a company more credibility because they speak from experience. Leveraging these networks is an effective way to find the best law talent in a competitive market. However, you might need to offer incentives or referral bonuses to encourage current team members to refer someone they know.
Build Partnerships With Law Schools
An excellent recruitment tactic is to partner with law school programs in your area. Most schools have career centers that guide students toward meaningful career opportunities. Participating in these initiatives can gain access to a pipeline of fresh and highly qualified legal talent.
However, you should know that law students may have specific goals for their legal careers. They may not simply want to work with just any law firm.
Instead of selling them on the firm, educate law students on how your company can empower them to achieve their goals. Aligning students with your organization’s core values and overall vision may help attract them to your firm.
Create a Positive First Impression
First impressions are important when looking for skilled legal talent. The hiring process is your one chance to make a positive first impression. What candidates feel towards your job post and during the interviews can create good or bad feelings. These can play a role in their decision to apply to your firm or accept the job offer.
Having a strategic interviewing process will give the impression that your firm is efficient, organized and engaged. It’s also a great idea to craft a candidate-focused job description. Put more emphasis on what you can do for these legal talents than what your firm expects from them.
Highlight Your Employee Value Proposition
Differentiating your law firm from other employers is crucial in beating out the competition in the labour market. You can do this by highlighting your employee value proposition.
Today’s legal workforce has different priorities and expectations. Suppose you’re looking for top legal talent. In that case, you must be willing to address what they consider valuable in a job or work environment.
Young legal professionals are becoming more interested in work-life balance and flexible work schedules. They are also searching for firms with a culture of support and mentoring.
Make the Best Hiring Decisions for Your Law Firm
Finding the most qualified talent in the legal field is more complicated than ever. But with the right sourcing and recruitment strategies, you can do this and get ahead of the competition. An experienced legal recruiter from a reliable recruitment agency can also help you make the best hiring decisions.
