What Really Motivates Conveyancers to Consider a New Opportunity?
I recently asked my LinkedIn network a simple question:
“What would make you most likely to explore a new opportunity right now?”
With 37 professionals taking part, the results offer an interesting snapshot of what matters most to today’s legal talent.
- 35% – Better salary package
- 27% – Better career progression
- 21% – Flexible / hybrid working
- 16% – Improved work-life balance
While no single factor tells the whole story, the results reinforce something I’ve seen repeatedly while speaking with conveyancers across South Wales and the South West.
Salary still leads the conversation
It’s perhaps no surprise that better pay came out on top. Rising living costs, increased workloads and a competitive legal recruitment market mean many professionals want to ensure they’re being fairly rewarded for their experience.
That said, salary alone rarely secures a move. The best candidates still want to know about the firm’s culture, leadership, quality of work and long-term prospects before making any decisions.
Career progression matters more than ever
Coming in second was career progression, showing that many legal professionals aren’t simply looking for a pay rise, they’re looking for a future.
Whether that’s taking on more responsibility, specialising in a particular area, mentoring junior colleagues or progressing into leadership, people want to know there’s a clear path ahead. Firms that can genuinely demonstrate development opportunities are often at a significant advantage when attracting and retaining talent.
Flexibility is now an expectation
Although flexible and hybrid working didn’t top the poll, over one in five respondents still selected it as their biggest priority.
A few years ago, hybrid working was viewed as a perk. Today, for many candidates, it’s simply part of a competitive employment package. Flexibility allows professionals to better manage family commitments, reduce commuting time and achieve greater productivity.
The firms embracing sensible, balanced flexible working continue to attract a wider pool of candidates.
Work-life balance remains important
Interestingly, improved work-life balance received the fewest votes, but that certainly doesn’t mean it’s unimportant.
In many conversations I have with conveyancers, workload, stress levels and unrealistic expectations still feature heavily. It may be that candidates see better pay, progression and flexibility as ways to improve their overall work-life balance rather than viewing it as a separate factor.
What does this mean for law firms?
If you’re looking to attract experienced conveyancers in today’s market, it’s worth asking yourself:
- Is your salary offering competitive?
- Can you clearly demonstrate career progression?
- Are your flexible working arrangements aligned with candidate expectations?
- Are you creating an environment where people want to stay, not just join?
Recruitment has become far more than simply advertising a vacancy. The strongest employers understand what professionals value and build their employee proposition around those priorities.
Final thoughts
Polls like this only tell part of the story, but they provide a useful reminder that today’s legal professionals are considering the complete package, not just the salary!
As someone who speaks to conveyancers every day, I know that everyone’s motivations are different. Some are driven by progression, others by flexibility, culture, leadership or simply wanting to enjoy coming to work again.
If you’re curious about what the current legal market looks like—whether you’re considering a move yourself or looking to attract the very best talent—I’d be happy to have a confidential conversation.
