Each year we field enquiries from lawyers considering a move, but who are concerned that it is too late to start looking for a new role. The reality is that this is far from an issue, and in fact our experience of interviews undertaken by lawyers over the years during November and December suggest the following outcomes:
- Partners take less leave in November and the first half of December, so all the key decision makers are likely to be on deck.
- While the silly season hits hard from around 14 December, applications made prior to that are acted on more quickly than normal.
- Partners/key decision makers are looking to sort out their hires before they take extended leave in January and don’t want to be recruiting when they return.
- Firms see a mid or late January start as an ideal time to settle in.
- For lawyers who need to relocate, obtaining a role and resigning in December can provide a handy time buffer.
- Lawyers who resign in December are often allowed to finish up prior to Christmas, giving them a break before their new role starts.
- Markets like Hong Kong and London are far less affected by Christmas than cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
- January is always the quietest month in legal recruitment, so there is no time like the present to make a move.
So what does that mean for you? Well, lawyers with good skills are in demand at present, our consultants are literally flat out setting up interviews, and getting our lawyers offers, and the firms are at their most efficient in terms of making decisions about their hiring. So if you are keen to make a move, call one of the consultants at Burgess Paluch and, like our clients, we will get onto it ASAP!