Dear Lawcrossing,
I am a recent law school graduate, unemployed right now but very hopeful. I did some work for a local attorney drafting a brief on a high-profile criminal case. He suggested that I interview with someone he knows at the county attorney's office. The job is for prosecuting misdemeanors and backing up a child support attorney. I know that they want litigation and criminal experience. What should I say when they ask me why I'm the one they should hire? I thought about highlighting my recent work drafting that brief, and adding that I'm a quick study and would work hard at getting up to speed as fast as I could. What do you think, LawCrossing?
PA, Nebraska
Dear PA,
Why, you have a bit of the Goddess in you! Faced with a problem many law students encounter-a lack of experience-you have shown your instincts to be excellent. Let's talk about why this is so, and the steps that anybody in your slippers could take to turn the ruins of their resume into a temple.
First of all, you've clearly researched what your prospective employer wants. LawCrossing knows this sounds basic, but you'd be astounded how many law students walk into interviews with a knowledge of the employer that can be summed up by the word, "duh." Statistics show that 19 out of 20 interviewees walk in absolutely cold! Why is doing even the most rudimentary research so very important? Because once you know what an employer wants, you can both fashion your own background to fit those desires, do brush-up work right now to add luster to your credentials, and show what you're willing to do in the future to meet the employer's needs. The wonderful little secret in finding your dream job is this: it just doesn't matter what you've done until now. It matters what you do and say, starting now.
In terms of molding what you've done to suit the employer's needs, first of all be sure to comb your back-ground for transferable skills. If the job you want entails a lot of contact with children, and you were once a camp counselor, highlight that. If it entails a lot of research, stress that semester you spent researching Professor Shamalama's Law Review article. You get the point. Apart from exploiting what you do have to bring to the table, if you just don't have much experience in what they do, don't be afraid to explode your own land mine by admitting it-in a confident way. As one career services director, says, "Be honest that you're lacking experience, but don't just say, 'I know I don't have the credentials you want....' Say something like, 'I may not have a whole lot of experience, but I do have this experience working for yah-de-yah on this case, I've done all of these other things that LawCrossing is going to explain in the next two paragraphs, and apart from that, I'm willing to do whatever is necessary to get up to speed.'"
Here are those 'other things,' PA. What you've got to do right now is to back up your claim that you'll do whatever you need to do to hit the ground running! Sue Kirkland advises that you "Shake the trees to find people who'll help you learn what you need to know, fast. Go to your career services office and see who from your school does the kind of work you're looking for, or ask any other contacts, at school or in the community, that you might have." Talk to those people, explain the situation, and find out from them what's important for you to know about the job you want, as well as any other steps you should take. You never know how helpful people will be, but LawCrossing assures you that people will genuinely surprise you with what they're willing to give! As Sue Kirkland recounts, "I had a student who came to me with a similar request. As it turns out, I knew a graduate who worked at the county attorney's office. I called that graduate and asked if this student could follow him around for a day, to get familiar with the work the student would be doing if he got a job there. That one day worked miracles for that student!"
Another thing you can do is to take continuing legal education seminars that people in your dream position would take. Even if you don't have time to take any semi-nars before your interview, you can make a few calls today to your local bar association to see what's going to be offered by way of CLEs, and when. And make sure you mention the steps you've taken when you interview! You'll say something like, "I called the local bar to find out when CLEs would be offered, and I'll be taking one next week. Also, I spent a day following Booboo Trizwitz, from your office, around." What's really going on here, PA? It's something you have perhaps already divined. Enthusiasm is a cure-all for virtually any credential ailment. In a sea of apathy, a job applicant who goes to the kind of effort LawCrossing has outlined for you will stand out like a beacon. And LawCrossing trusts that you will do exactly that
Most law firms avoid posting jobs on Indeed or LinkedIn due to high costs. Instead, they publish them on their own websites, bar association pages, and niche legal boards. LawCrossing finds these hidden jobs, giving you access to exclusive opportunities. Sign up now!
published January 03, 2013
By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search 
About Harrison Barnes
No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.
A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter
Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:
- Immigration law
- Workers’ compensation
- Insurance defense
- Family law
- Trusts & estates
- Municipal law
- And many more...
This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.
Proven Success at All Levels
With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:
- Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
- Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
- Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
- Growing firms in small and rural markets
He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.
Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search
Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.
The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys
Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.
- His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
- He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
- His placement success is unmatched—see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
- He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.
Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes
If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.
Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.
With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.
A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success
Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.
Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:
- Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
- Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
- Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.
This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.
A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives
Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.
He has worked with:
- Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
- Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
- Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
- Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.
For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.
Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation
If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.
? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.
Alternative Summary
Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.
More about Harrison
About LawCrossing
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