Ann Israel is the legal profession's Dear Abby. A New York legal recruiter since 1979, Ann is a past president of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants. Advice for the Lawlorn is updated every week.

Q: My headhunter submitted an inquiry to a firm that does not have an active search going on, asking whether they would be interested in someone of my general description: law school, class year, practice group and language abilities. They responded affirmatively and asked to see my full submission.

What does this mean? What is the likelihood that this will turn into an interview or offer?

Dear Cart Before the Horse:

Basically what this means is that you have a good headhunter who believes in you. Obviously he or she is willing to spend the time marketing you to his or her clients whether or not the client had an active opening.

My guess is that s/he took the time to research clients that had appropriate practices for your background and then made calls to those practice groups or to the recruiting coordinators responsible for those practice areas. You are fortunate to be working with a seasoned recruiter who understands the business, even in down times.

What else does it mean? Well, exactly what you have been told. The firm has asked to see your full submission. In other words, because your recruiter was marketing you on a blind basis, once some sort of interest was expressed in seeing more of your background, s/he had to go back to you and get your permission to present your full background to the firm.

Now that you have given your consent, a full presentation will be put together and given to this client. Depending on the recruiter, it will be given both verbally and then sent over as a packaged presentation, or just sent over. Hopefully before anything is sent over to the firm, a verbal presentation will be made to the client, extolling your strong skills and experience.

No one can predict at this point if there is any likelihood of an interview being granted, much less an offer being extended. You are way ahead of the game at this time.

I know times are tough and people really hope for interviews (and job offers), but you need to be a bit calm and patient, just for now. Give the recruiter a chance to make the presentation and then give the firm a chance to look over your paperwork.

I can promise you that your headhunter is doing everything possible to get you that interview.

Once you do get an interview, whether or not that turns into an offer is going to be largely up to you, isn't it? Your interviewing skills will need to be as sharp as your lawyering abilities.

I would suggest you speak with your recruiter about interviewing techniques and have him or her work with you on this. Also, you need to know as much about this firm as possible as well as knowing all about the practice group with which you are meeting.

Review the deals or cases you have worked on in the past and be as up to date with them as possible. Your question leads me to believe that you are a bit nervous about your situation (as are so many people right now, so who can blame you?) but when you go into this interview it is critical that you be as calm and professional as you can possibly be.

Again, work with your headhunter on these issues -- s/he is clearly on your side.

We will all be rooting for you -- please let us know the outcome of your resume submission and if it does result in an interview with this firm.

Best Wishes!

Sincerely,
Ann M. Israel
President, Ann Israel & Associates