4 Tips For Attys To Turn An Interim Job Into A Long-Term Role

With the headlines full of contradictory messages about the job market, [1] one trend is clear: The current economic uncertainty is causing many companies to slow down their permanent hiring plans. [2]

However, that doesn't change the fact that critical work still needs to get done. Amid economic uncertainty, this means that more people may be thinking about applying for interim roles as a way in to a more permanent position. Some attorneys view interim work as a longer-term career path Amy Vanderhoof because they're drawn to the challenge of taking on different types of roles and responsibilities at a range of organizations, as well as the flexibility it offers them. Others view interim work as a stepping stone into a permanent position.

It could be a first move back into the workforce after an extended break, or a way to break into a new area of the law. As the economic picture remains murky, more people may be interested in turning their monthslong interim assignment into a permanent gig. For those attorneys, there are a few proactive steps they can take to leave their mark in an interim role, even in just a short period of time.

1. Leverage interim work as a way of building your brand.

Use your interim role to gain skills you might not be able to work on elsewhere. For instance, if you're hoping to transition into an in-house role but only have prior experience at a law firm, an interim role can help you acquire on-the-ground experience with an in house legal department.

It's important to be proactive about sharing this experience on LinkedIn. Don't be afraid to include interim positions on both your resume and LinkedIn, and to list them specifically as interim positions.

In a related vein, don't forget to include contract work as a type of role you'd be open to. Most people on LinkedIn may just indicate they're open to permanent work, but saying you're open to contract work can help bring in more exposure.

2. Talk about the interim role.

Attorneys also sometimes face negative reactions when they stay out of the job market: They may face questions about why there is a gap in their resume, or employers may assume their skills became rusty.

Attorneys who take interim positions should be proactive about communicating their new role — through their resume and LinkedIn, but also in future interviews — and highlight the specific skills and projects they're working on that might be most appealing to their next employer.

While attorneys' natural instinct may be to be less public about a short-term role, the reality is they should talk about it as openly as they would a full-time role.

3. Fully integrate yourself into the team.

Legal departments will be more likely to hire an attorney permanently if they already act and behave like a permanent member of the team. In interim roles, even though you are technically employed by the recruiting company that placed you, you should view the relationship with the legal team you work alongside on a daily basis more traditionally.

Embed yourself in the legal department and ask your managers for feedback. Look for opportunities to build connections with your colleagues. Be proactive about showing your value as a team player and someone who is looking for ways for the whole team to excel.

Even better, if you can go in-person to the office, do so. Face time is the best way to build and strengthen relationships, especially in a shortened time frame.

4. Think strategically about the roles most likely to lead to permanent positions.

Again, face time plays a big role here. Look at where the rest of the legal department sits. If everyone else is based in Houston, for instance, and you're not, it's probably less likely that the team would make a hire outside of that region.

It's also worth thinking about industries with variable needs — like technology and software — where interim assistance might arise unexpectedly. The tech industry historically has seen a lot of change, and adapts to those changes quickly, so issues around privacy and compliance, for instance, are consistently areas of the law for which these companies are looking to hire.

If possible, think about marketing your expertise to companies in industries where your skill set will be of most value. First and foremost, this is about catering your resume to the job you're applying for and being strategic about where there is relevant crossover — e.g., in a regulatory practice area that provides a needed skill set across multiple industries.

This also includes marketing your soft skills. For instance, you may not think that your team-building experience or your experience running trainings for teams is important. But it could be just the skill that a company may be looking for, even if they don't advertise it. For that reason, it's worth including on your resume.

Finally, it's important to be willing to take risks. Explore niche roles that other people might not otherwise consider as resume boosters. For instance, if you're looking for an interim general counsel role, don't automatically discount a role with a different title like "counsel." That role could be the only attorney at the company and have the same job responsibilities as an interim general counsel. Not all companies or industries are flashy, but the experience you gain from those assignments can be useful in landing you your next permanent role. Make sure to do due diligence on roles before declining them or deciding not to apply.

Conclusion

There's no doubt that the current economic uncertainty has made for a challenging job market. For attorneys looking to find their next role but struggling to get their foot in the door, interim roles offer one option. However, securing an interim role is just the first step. By making a few proactive moves and thinking about the bigger picture, attorneys can capitalize on the opportunity to turn a short-term interim assignment into a long-term career path. Amy Vanderhoof is the managing director and Northeast practice lead for interim legal talent at Major Lindsey & Africa.