Locum Checklist!
What should you be discussing when you chat with a Firm for the first time, either in response to an advert posted by them or where they have contacted you, having seen your profile?
Obviously your hourly rate. If they are calling you about your profile, you may well have included this information in one of the drop-down menus. Even if you have, be prepared for a bit of haggling, but make sure that you do not sell yourself short. It’s no fun working when you feel you are not being paid a rate that you are happy with. I intend to post some guidance on here from time to time, but it is just that, guidance. Chatting to other locums is another good way of establishing the current market rate. Rates do vary I have found, not just geographically, but from one legal field to another, and are also affected by market trends, such as property selling booms. One thing, funnily enough, that seems to matter less these days is what grade of lawyer you are.
When I first started over 30 years ago, this was highly relevant to remuneration, and some firms will specify their requirements, which might include membership of a specialist panel, or having rights of audience in a particular court, but I have found that in the locum market, the grade you are is less important than in the permanent staff market, as what matters most is whether you can do the job for the limited amount of time that you will be there. This obviously includes having a thorough knowledge of your specialist field, both in terms of the law and, in some fields, the ever-increasing amount of related procedural rules, but also extends to your personality, whether you are going to be able to get on with staff members, clients, turning up on time, that sort of thing.
Knowing a bit about a Firm before chatting to them by looking at their website is never a bad idea. Other things to think about and clarify at the time you talk to them or before you start are dress code, office hours, whether there’s an option to work part of the week from home, and their parking facilities. Do not assume they shall all have an office car park, or if they do, that you shall be able to use it. It can be very stressful driving to a Firm on the first day, especially if it’s a long distance, and not knowing where to park, can leave you feeling frazzled, which is never good, especially on your first day!
A partner at a Firm I did some work for, once told me that his criteria for choosing a locum was 50% knowledge of your field and 50% whether your face fitted!
Uploading references will help, one from your most recent assignment and a second a bit further back. Always remember to top up your references by asking for one from each completed assignment if you can.
Good luck!
#nomad