Many recruiters bemoan the fact that many clients simply do not understand the process or the amount time, effort and resources required for getting the right candidate for their legal position. This lack of understanding can cause some clients to take a recruiter's efforts for granted.  At a time when many law firms are examining their recruiting budgets more closely, independent recruiters must make themselves stand out from the crowd by making clients aware of the recruiting process.  Here a few things a recruiter to can do to keep clients in the information loop and make them aware of the recruiting process:

1.    As you go through the recruiting process for each position make the client aware of your progress.
a. When you post an ad for a client send them an email making them aware of the posting.
b. Once you receive resumes, you may want to consider telling them "I received 50 resumes for the _______ position this week."
c. Update them on any meetings with potential clients.  For example, if you meet a great potential job candidate at a networking event, you may want to mention him/her to the client.

2.    Meet face-to-face with clients.  Consider having lunch with a client to discuss their legal positions and your strategy for finding the right candidates. Many clients appreciate a face-to-face meeting with recruiters.  It makes them feel that you are personally invested in their needs.

3.    Consider inviting them to legal recruiter events or activities.  Even if they don't attend, a client will feel like you are reaching out to them when they receive these types of invitations.

These steps for making a client aware of the recruiting process shouldn't be time consuming--commit a little time each week to the task.