By Lynne Curry Are you burned out and not sure how to fix it? In 2024, emails from burned-out managers and employees have flooded my workplace coach inbox. Here’s what some have said: “I’m running on empty;” “mentally exhausted and emotionally drained;” “constantly on edge and irritable;” “on autopilot, just going through the motions, and don’t see any way out.” If … [Read more...] about Four fixes for job burnout
Hiring
Firms put the brakes on lateral hiring in 2023 – falling 35% from 2022
The lateral hiring market showed continued signs of a course correction in 2023, with lateral lawyer hiring down 35% overall, following 2022’s decline of 11.5%, according to the latest analyses from NALP’s 2023 Lateral Hiring Survey. NALP is an association of more than 3,000 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North … [Read more...] about Firms put the brakes on lateral hiring in 2023 – falling 35% from 2022
New research: Tech skills gap is bad amid rapid change
Rapid change, evolving business priorities and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) have created a significant challenge for today’s tech leaders: critical skills gaps on their teams. This is according to a new report, Building Future-Forward Tech Teams, from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half. More than half of technology leaders surveyed (52 per … [Read more...] about New research: Tech skills gap is bad amid rapid change
Tips for hiring summer temps
With the arrival of summer, law offices often encounter staffing challenges due to vacations and increased workload fluctuations. Hiring temporary staff can be a strategic solution to maintain productivity and ensure seamless operations during this period. Here are some valuable tips to guide you through the process of hiring temporary staff for your law office during the … [Read more...] about Tips for hiring summer temps
How to hire a great receptionist
A receptionist is often the first point of contact for clients and can significantly influence their perception of your firm. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure you hire a great receptionist who aligns with your office’s needs and culture. 1. Define the Role Clearly Before starting the hiring process, define what you need from a receptionist. The responsibilities may … [Read more...] about How to hire a great receptionist
You can run, but you can’t hide from Gen Z
By Lynne Curry “I simply don’t hire them.” According to research, that’s the attitude of 94 percent of business leaders who avoid hiring Gen Z employees, those born between 1997 and 2012. Why? According to 1,243 recently surveyed business leaders, Gen Zers bring with them have a sense of entitlement, a deficient work ethic and sub-par communication skills. Half of these … [Read more...] about You can run, but you can’t hide from Gen Z
How to write a job description
Writing a job description for a job in a law office requires careful consideration of the role's responsibilities, qualifications, and the overall culture of the office. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create an effective job description: 1. Job Title: Choose a clear and concise job title that accurately reflects the position. For example, "Legal Assistant," … [Read more...] about How to write a job description
Watch these hiring and pay trends for legal industry
Evolving economic conditions have workers and employers reassessing compensation, career priorities and recruiting strategies. The 2024 Salary Guide from Robert Half outlines timely employment trends and starting salaries for hundreds of positions across multiple professions. Featured below are the key highlights to know in 2024. Cash is still key. Nearly 4 in 10 (39 per … [Read more...] about Watch these hiring and pay trends for legal industry
What you write can come back and bite
By Lynne Curry Your recorded words—they’re direct evidence. Direct evidence is evidence that proves the existence of a fact. Direct evidence includes someone else’s direct observations as in “I saw…,” “I heard….” Here’s a case where a staffing firm torpedoed itself and their client. The firm’s recruiter emailed 66,000 recipients. They emailed 66,000 individuals seeking … [Read more...] about What you write can come back and bite
Women now majority of associates, record gains in partnerships
For the first time in the history of the US legal industry, the majority of associates are women, and women have also made record gains in achieving law firm partnerships. NALP has released its annual Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms, available at www.nalp.org/reportondiversity. The report, based on information from the 2023 NALP Directory of Legal Employers (NDLE), … [Read more...] about Women now majority of associates, record gains in partnerships