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Lynn Joyce
In-house team
Nationwide
FAQs
1. Why Brewer Morris?
2. Headhunter versus recruiter?
3. Preparation for meetings
4. Should I prepare a CV?
5. What is a following?
1. Why Brewer Morris?
At Brewer Morris we have a team specialising in the recruitment of partners. The team is made up of some of the most experienced recruiters in the industry, who are very familiar with most of the commercial professional services firms in London and the UK.
Whereas a headhunter may call you up with one idea, Brewer Morris can cover the whole market. Through providing a comprehensive service, we make sure you consider all your options, so you can ultimately make the right decision about where, when or even whether to move.
As a recruiter, we are able to deal with all major accounting and law firms. By coordinating your search, we are able to set up a number of meetings, so providing you with a clear choice of direction.
In general terms we:
- Handle all the administration for you.
- Introduce you to appropriate firms.
- Help produce your CV and business plan (including typing if required).
- Inform you of appropriate positions available, based upon our specialist market knowledge.
- Organise meetings.
- Explore firms, often on a no-names basis, to ascertain levels of interest.
- Help negotiate remuneration levels.
- Help advise on resignations.
- Use our extensive market knowledge to assist you in your decision-making.
- Provide recommendation on employment lawyers if appropriate.
2. Headhunter versus recruiter?
Headhunters call you when they want to. You should move when you want to.
Headhunters will call you about one role, and one role only. If you are making a major move it makes sense to explore a number of alternatives, in order to make an informed decision. So, if you are unhappy where you are or simply wish to explore your market options, do not wait to be headhunted.
We can sit down together and can look at all the options (International accounting and law firms, national and independent firms) and, with our knowledge of clients’ current needs, devise a strategy of who to approach. With senior-level contacts in the vast majority of firms, we are perfectly placed to approach the market discreetly on your behalf.
3. Preparation for meetings
Prepare as much as possible. Talk to the recruiter concerned. If you are dealing with us, we will make a point of giving you all the information we have on the firm, its history and future plans, as well as details on the individuals you’re seeing.
You should prepare equally well for all meetings, even if you’re sceptical about the firm. If you don’t, and you decide halfway through that you’re quite keen, you may have already jeopardised your position.
Most firms have comprehensive websites, which are an obvious starting point. It is also useful to search various relevant publication websites for latest deals, recent staff hires or defections, potential mergers etc (again, if time constraints apply, this is something we can do for you).
4. Should I prepare a CV?
You don’t need to prepare a CV for your initial meeting with us, as our first conversations will be very general in nature. However, a basic outline of your background will help us to ascertain your marketability. This need only be a chronological list of previous employers plus some basic details on your academic background and your specific technical and client sector, with an emphasis on your most recent experience.
Preparing a CV early will not be a waste of time, as it will almost certainly be needed when compiling a business plan later on.
5. What is a following?
In the vast majority of cases, the subject of your client following will arise during the interview process. Rather than appearing uncertain or unclear with respect to this question, it is advisable to clarify your thoughts before a meeting.
There is, unfortunately, no absolutely accurate answer. All you can do is provide potential new partnerships with a guide to the level of anticipated fee levels based on past billing activity, your own understanding of clients’ future activities and the likelihood of them using you.
In our opinion, the best method of producing a paper on this subject is to:
- Write down all the clients you know and mark each one down as being a) guaranteed to follow, b) likely to follow, c) may follow, d) not likely to follow but worthy of attention, e) institutional relationship.
- Write down the activity and billings associated with each of the above clients during the previous three years.
- Write down the activities and potential billings that you are led to believe may be appropriate for each client in the future.
- Based on all the above, make a professional assessment of your following by quoting a potential band, say £750,000 - £1.5 million.
You need to be positive, but not overconfident. If you are completely negative and come up with a figure of zero (because who can totally guarantee anything exactly) then you will not be able to move easily. If on the other hand you say you expect a £1million following and then produce only £200,000, you will most likely disappoint your new firm and undermine your own credibility.
Be realistic. Firms are becoming quite smart at analysing potential followings and if you are looking at a long-term move, you need to develop trust amongst your new partners. Being accurate and honest in this area reflects well on your professional integrity.
Most firms will discount the figures you produce.
