When working with clients, a legal recruiter is creating a relationship which if successful will last for years.  But as with any relationship, there must be boundaries. One of the biggest mistakes that legal recruiters and other professionals make is failing to create and enforce boundaries in the beginning of the client relationship. Below are some tips on creating proper boundaries with clients:

1. Develop easy to understand policies.  These policies should cover your recruiter rates, availability, work hours, billing practices and turnaround times. Also, address in your policy guide how you will address any grievances.
2. While you want to create a detailed policy guide for yourself and any employees you may have, creating a concise and easy to understand policy sheet for your clients is important. When you first decide to work with a client, give them the policy guide and have them agree to the terms. This way, you are both on the same page and there won’t be any misunderstandings about your boundaries.
3. While it is always up to you to decide if you will make an exception to your polices, make sure that making exceptions is a rare event. It makes no sense to have a policy guide which you don’t follow. And if clients get into the habit disregarding your boundaries, professional respect will diminish.
4. Make sure you understand and respect your client’s boundaries. Clients are more likely to reciprocate if they know that you understand and respect their limits.