The novel coronavirus has slowed in-house hiring, but essential positions, especially at the top levels of corporate legal departments, are still being filled. At the same time, employers have become more selective about whom they hire and are increasingly turning to contract lawyers to fill lower-level positions, according to recruiters. 

"Essential roles are still being filled. If a company needs a general counsel, the company is not putting off hiring a general counsel," said Sonya Som, a partner at Chicago-based executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles. 

"It's certainly not the same volume of what we would normally be experiencing," she added. "But we're still seeing a lot of movement in terms of the truly needful positions. And with those positions, they're very, very particular about what they're looking for." 

Part of that selectivity now involves an increased focus on diversity, according to Som.

"While always important, it's an even higher priority now than ever before," she said. "The thought is, 'Let's make this a much higher priority in the hiring.' I have definitely noticed that in the last couple of months."

Employers know the candidate pool has expanded amid layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result they have become very choosy, which means it's more important than ever for job seekers to stand out from the crowd. 

"There just are not a lot of jobs out there. So the competition to find a job is pretty intense," said Colin Levy, former general counsel for Salary.com. He's been on the job hunt since being laid off in May. 

Levy has been trying to set himself apart by being active on social media, where he networks and writes about the intersection of technology and the legal industry, improving the legal profession and his job search experiences. 

"The most important thing to be doing now, if you're looking for a job, is putting yourself out there, connecting with people who are doing the types of work you're interested in," he said. "And not being afraid to just write about your experiences trying to find a job. That's a unique and powerful way to put yourself out there." 

Meanwhile, Nesli Orhon, a partner and executive director in Major, Lindsey & Africa's interim legal talent group in Boston, noticed an uptick in demand for contract attorneys beginning in May and continuing through July. 

Interim positions typically span three months to a year and are being used more frequently in the health care and tech industries, and tend they to focus on contract review, privacy or corporate due diligence, according to Orhon. 

"It has really allowed us to bring value to clients who are now expected to do just as much or more with less," Orhon said. "And for candidates, things aren't feeling as stable these days. The market has shifted, and for many it's hard to know what the future holds. But we're able to offer interim working opportunities that allow them to stay gainfully employed when flexibility is needed." 

Levy has explored interim work and he's done a few ad hoc projects, but he's not particularly interested in being a contract attorney, which would likely mean losing his health benefits and enhanced federal unemployment insurance.

"I don't want to give that up," he said. "Currently, I'm getting a not-unsubstantial amount from unemployment. That will certainly change given what Congress is trying to do. But it's also a consideration for me." 

Read More: