I'm working with a recruiter who has submitted me to a handful of firms over the last few weeks but has not gotten any results for me yet. Should I switch recruiters?
Answer:
The answer is "It depends" but I would caution candidates against making a hasty decision based on such limited criteria. Instead, look at the bigger picture to determine whether your recruiter is a good fit for you and also consider the impact of market conditions.
The job market is variable and candidates cannot and should not always expect instant results. If, after considering the above factors, you feel positively about your recruiter then it is likely that the lack of instant results is simply the product of current market conditions. In every geographic market, practice area demands ebb and flow, as does hiring depending on the time of year. At the start of summer, for example, law firms typically take a break from intensive lateral associate hiring to focus more on their summer associate class so you should expect a bit of a slowdown in activity. Relatedly, many law firms reassess their hiring needs on a quarterly basis. This means that depending on what practice areas are in demand at the time, you can often expect to see a spike in hiring activity during the first month of a new quarter.
Great recruiters are hard to come by, so if you think you happen to be working with one then give it some time and don't make rash decisions based on unreasonable expectations. All good things take time!
