Some Asia firms may set unreasonable candidate criteria when looking to bulk up senior-level head count, but job seekers can get past these hurdles if they know how to sell themselves.
 
Rob Green, director at CML Recruitment, says that being open to the type of firm and opportunity that is on offer is the key to maximising job seeker potential. “Some firms may be smaller but they may have ambitious and exciting business plans. The best career path for lawyers may not necessarily be at a big firm. Smaller firms could provide lawyers with more opportunities,” he said.
 
Green says the “selling point” for any job seeker is to highlight skills and experiences in business development in their CV and at the interview. If the firm lists exhaustive criteria, job seekers can spin that to their advantage by leveraging the skills and qualifications they already have – such as the level education, international experience, and training and language skills, he says.

There are over 146 senior jobs listed on ALB Legaljobscentre. To view the jobs click here.

Tips to scoring the top job

1. Be open to the type of firm and opportunities you would consider
2. Be creative in your approach to target firms – going through a recruiter or job board can alleviate the pressures of making initial contact
3. Be detailed about the way you develop business, how much your book of business is worth and where you can take it
4. Draw attention to your marketing skills
5. Highlight where you have made and saved money for your current firm
6. Build a business plan for the firm you’re targeting and tell them how you can achieve the goals in it
7. Highlight alternative skills if you fail to meet one of the criteria

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