Articles From the Team

How to resist persuasion tactics throughout the recruitment process

Great news, you’ve finally mustered up the courage to apply for a new job after many years of service at your current firm. You’re in search of a new challenge, more money and better prospects! This can feel liberating for some, but for many job-seekers, it can be a nerve-racking time as it’s stepping into the unknown/outside of your comfort zone.

Legal recruitment processes differ from firm to firm and team to team. Therefore, you can’t make assumptions. Quite often, interviews are two-staged and can span over a month (possibly two by the time you and the recruitment partner can sync your diaries).

During this time, it’s possible for your current employer to get wind of this or develop a sense you’re interviewing elsewhere. Because of this, they might attempt to change your mind. Cue, persuasion tactics!

Cue, persuasion tactics!

It might be that the pay review you haven’t had for two years is now a priority, or you're now considered for promotion, which wasn't due to happen for another three to five years. Now it's a reality!

Or maybe you asked for a flexible working arrangement to achieve a better work-life balance; historically your employer was opposed to this but all of a sudden it’s something they're willing to offer.

Try not to be lulled into a sense of security. It's hard to say no but a hasty offer/solution on the back of your interviewing/leaving isn't ideal. Pride and self-worth aside, most lawyers leave within a year of accepting a counteroffer. If you're going to leave your current workplace, bite the bullet and do it now. Don't waste precious time. 

A great way to avoid the persuasion tactics of your employer is to speak to - use as a soundboard - a decent legal recruiter. This will help you to remain focused on the task at hand - interviewing etc. as it's at this point the powers of persuasion are at their peak and you need to remind yourself of the reasons you began your job search in the first place.

Don't fall prey to persuasion tactics at any time in the process. If you need some inspiration to remain firm and strongly decline counteroffers that come your way, get in touch with BCL Legal. In the end, you'll feel a real sense of accomplishment!

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