Small firm. Big hire.

In a firm of twenty, one wrong appointment shows up everywhere: in the billing, in client care, in the team. We recruit as though we know that.

Brief us on a role Or book a call

(A) The brief

What we'll ask you.

01What does the work actually involve, week to week?
02Who would they work with, and who would they report to?
03What did the last person in the role do well, and what went wrong?
04What's the realistic salary range?
05How soon do you need someone, and how fixed is that date?
06What would make you turn someone down on paper?

(B) The shortlist

Every candidate comes with a note.

We write one for each person we put forward, after we've interviewed them ourselves. It covers what a CV leaves out, including our doubts.

Why they fitIn your terms, not theirs
Why they're movingThe real reason
Our reservationsAlways included

FILE NOTE

CANDIDATE: A.B. (anonymised)
ROLE: Associate, Private Client
PREPARED FOR: Your firm
BY: Strand Search

Summary

Four years qualified. Wills, LPAs and estate administration at a regional high-street firm, with some trust work. Runs her own caseload with light supervision.

Why she fits

You need someone who can take estates off the partner's desk from day one. She already does this, and her clients stay with her.

Why she's moving

Her firm has stopped taking contentious probate, which is where she wants to go. She isn't unhappy otherwise, so she'll only move for the right role.

Expectations

Salary £52,000 to £58,000. Three months' notice. Hybrid, two days in the office.

Our reservations

She hasn't supervised a trainee yet. If that's part of the job in year one, she'll need some support with it.

Got a quote? We'll beat it.

Every role is different, so we quote each one rather than publishing a fee scale. If another agency has quoted you in writing for the same role, send it to us and we'll come in under it.

Send us your quote

Applies to written quotes from another recruitment agency for the same role, on comparable terms.

(D) The process

From brief to first day.

01BriefA call about the role, the team, the budget and the timing.
02TermsWe agree short written terms with you before any work starts.
03SearchDirect approach and referral, as well as advertising where it helps.
04ShortlistA few people we've interviewed, each with a file note.
05Hire, and afterOffer, notice and start date handled, then a check-in once they've settled.

(E) Questions

Fair questions.

How much do you charge?

It depends on the role, so we quote each one. If you already have a written quote from another agency for the same role, we'll beat it.

Do we sign anything before you start?

Yes. We agree written terms of business with you before we start work on a role. They're short and in plain English.

What if the new hire leaves early?

Our terms include a rebate on a sliding scale, and if the new hire leaves within the first month, you pay nothing at all. The full scale is set out in our terms of business.

Will you approach our own people?

No. We don't approach anyone at a firm we're working for.

Which areas of law do you cover?

All of them, for small and mid-sized firms anywhere in England and Wales, from legal support staff to partners.

(F) Start here

Pull the thread.

Book a call

Talk it through first.

Pick a time that suits you, by phone or video. Bring the role, or just the problem.

Choose a time

Or emailhello@strandsearch.co.uk