Resources

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The Battle of the Bar Bands

Hunter West Legal Recruitment is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Battle of the Bar Bands, an annual fundraiser benefiting the CBA (BC) Benevolent Society. Every June, talented bands perform amazing cover songs at the Commodore Ballroom in a heated battle for the coveted Benevolence Cup.

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The Legal Innovation Forum

The Legal Innovation Forum was founded in 2018. It focuses on how the intersection of business and law continues to evolve in North America and beyond. Hunter West is proud to be a Founding Member of the Forum, as well as its ongoing and enthusiastic supporter.

Frequently Asked Questions

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I’m a recent graduate of the Legal Administrative Assistant / Paralegal program. Can you help me find a role?

Our vacancies typically require a minimum of one year of post-graduation law firm experience. If you’re in search of your first legal position, we recommend applying directly to your preferred firms.

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I am a foreign-trained lawyer. Can you place me in a role in Canada?

The vast majority of employers require that their lawyers be accredited to practice law in Canada. We recommend that you contact the National Committee on Accreditation at https://nca.legal to learn more about your individual options. Once you are Called to the Bar in a Canadian province or territory, your eligible employment opportunities greatly increase, and we would be happy to help you navigate those.

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I don’t know if I am ready to make a move now but I don’t want to miss out on the perfect job when it comes up. What do you suggest?

Register with us! When we are engaged on a new search, the first thing we do is review our confidential database of candidates. If you are there, you will be one of the first to hear about any new opportunities. You can always decide to give an opportunity a pass, but don’t let the perfect one pass you by.

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Does your website list every opportunity you have?

No. Many of our clients retain us specifically because they want to run a confidential search. These positions are not posted publicly, so to be considered for them you need to let us know you are in the market. We might find you through our search efforts, but the only way to be sure is to register with us in confidence by applying to a position or contacting one of our consultants directly.

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I applied for a role on my own but I never heard back. Can you follow up for me?

We wish you had talked to us first. Once you reach out to a prospective employer directly, we are unable to represent you for that role. We encourage you to start your job search by having a conversation with us as your very first step.

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I would love to understand the market and have a dedicated recruiter guiding my job search. Is there a fee for that?

No. Our candidates are our most important asset. We will coach you through every step of your job search, including: submitting your application, helping prepare you for interviews, reviewing offers with you, and following up on your onboarding. There is no fee to you ever.

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We are hiring our first In-House Counsel and we don’t know exactly what we need. Can you help us create a role description?

Absolutely. You are in experienced hands. We will discuss with you the ways in which a lawyer will add value to your organization, and work with you to draft a role description that best reflects your needs.

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I am an employer looking to hire. Cultural fit is very important to us. How do you assess candidates beyond their technical skills?

Excellent question! Our first step is to understand your culture, the specific role you’re hiring for, and what characteristics a candidate needs to possess in order to succeed. Before we present an application, we conduct a thorough personal interview of each potential candidate to ensure the best possible match of both technical capability and soft-skills. At the appropriate juncture, we conduct reference checks that are customized to your opportunity, and we will also administer psychometric testing if requested.

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What types of employers do you recruit for?

All types! Our specialization is legal. We recruit for all types of employers seeking to hire lawyers, paralegals, legal management, or legal administrative assistants. That includes industry clients (in-house employers), regulatory bodies, not-for-profit organizations, and law firms of all sizes.

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If I send you my CV, will it be forwarded to prospective employers without my knowledge?

No. Your CV and any other materials you forward to Hunter West will be kept strictly confidential, regardless of whether you have applied to a specific posting or just want to explore your options. We will always obtain your explicit consent before presenting your CV to anyone.

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I want to understand what kinds of opportunities are available to me before I apply to a specific posting. Can you help me with that?

Yes! Please contact one of our consultants. We will arrange a confidential meeting and review the market with you, so that you can make an informed decision on how to move forward.

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I applied to a posting on your job board. What happens next?

We will take over from here. Your CV will be reviewed by a consultant who is knowledgeable about the opportunity and the prospective employer. If your background is a potential fit, we will speak with you personally to provide further details and answer any questions you may have. Once you are sure you want to move forward, your consultant will submit your application for the opportunity. If there is more to your story than can be captured in a CV, that’s where we really shine. Prospective employers rely on us to give them the full picture of a candidate, not just their CV.

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I am considering a move from my current position. Why should I work with a recruitment agency?

Your recruitment consultant works with you to secure the best possible outcome. Our familiarity with prospective employers means we can help ensure you highlight exactly what they are looking for, both on your resume and in your interview. We will let you know where you stand in the pool of candidates, ensure there is effective communication throughout the process, and help you assess and negotiate an offer.

Questions?

For more information about our services and how we can assist you, contact us today. We're here to guide you every step of the way.