How to Work with a Specialist Recruiter to Find the Right Role

​If you’re a legal business services professional, whether in risk and compliance, conflicts, AML, knowledge, data privacy, or financial crime, partnering with the right recruiter can make a huge difference to your career.

But not all recruitment experiences are the same. Many candidates tell us that working with a generalist recruiter left them feeling like a number, or that opportunities weren’t well matched to their skills or aspirations.

That’s where a specialist recruiter comes in. At Pembury Legal, we focus solely on placing business services professionals in leading law firms, and we know exactly what these firms are looking for, and what makes a role the right fit for each candidate.

In this article, we’ll share how to get the most out of working with a specialist recruiter, and why doing so can help you take the next step in your legal career with confidence.

​

1.Choose the Right Specialist

First things first, not all “legal recruiters” are genuinely focused on business services roles. Many will handle fee earner recruitment and only occasionally cover compliance, risk or knowledge positions.

When choosing a recruiter, ask:

• Do they have dedicated expertise in business services roles?

• Do they understand law firm structures and cultures?

• Are they well-connected with leading firms and the right hiring managers?

At Pembury Legal, this is our core market. We work daily with risk & compliance, knowledge, and other business services teams at top-tier and international law firms. Because we’re focused, we can offer deeper market insight and more relevant opportunities.

​

2.Be Honest About What You Want

A great recruiter can only help you if they fully understand your priorities.

When we meet new candidates at Pembury Legal, we take the time to explore:

• What kind of firm culture will suit you best?

• Are you looking for progression or better work-life balance?

• What’s your salary expectation?

• Do you want a role that offers hybrid working or a specific location?

• What motivates you, and what are you trying to avoid in your next move?

Being open and honest means we can help you find the right fit, not just any fit.

3. Tap into the Market Insight Your Recruiter Offers

One of the biggest advantages of working with a specialist recruiter is market knowledge. At Pembury Legal, we know:

• Which firms are growing particular teams

• Which firms have genuine career paths in risk & compliance or knowledge

• Where cultures may be highly collaborative, or more traditional

• Where demand is high and salary trends are shifting

We always share this insight with our candidates so they can make informed decisions. Use this opportunity, ask questions and learn about the market!

​

4. Be Prepared and Responsive

Recruitment can move quickly, especially in areas like conflicts, AML, and knowledge where key hires are business-critical.

To make the most of your relationship with your recruiter:

• Keep your CV updated and ready to go

• Be ready to move quickly when the right role comes up

• Communicate clearly, let us know about any changes to your situation or priorities

• Give honest feedback after interviews so we can guide you effectively

• The more responsive and engaged you are, the better we can represent you to top firms.

​

5. Trust the Relationship (and Look Beyond the Job Spec)

Sometimes the best opportunities aren’t advertised, or don’t appear perfect on paper. At Pembury Legal, we often present candidates with roles where we know the team culture, leadership style, and development opportunities match what they’re looking for, even if the job title or spec initially looks familiar.

​

Trust that we’re working with your best interests in mind, and lean into those conversations. Some of our most successful placements have come from candidates being open to exploring roles they wouldn’t have found alone.

​

Working with a specialist recruiter like Pembury Legal isn’t just about securing a job, it’s about finding the right role in the right environment where you can thrive.

By building a transparent, collaborative relationship with your recruiter, you can access better opportunities, benefit from deep market insight, and ultimately make a career move that aligns with your personal and professional goals.

If you’re considering your next move, whether actively or just exploring the market, we’d love to hear from you. We know this space. We know the firms. And we know what it takes to find the right fit for you.

#LegalRecruitment

#CareerProgression

#RiskAndCompliance

#KnowledgeLawyers

#BusinessServicesMatter

#LegalCareers

#LawFirmRoles

#PemburyLegal