New Zealand Real Estate Associates Moves to Leading Firm in Melbourne

Candidate: Real Estate Associate
Level: 6 PQE
Move: New Zealand to Melbourne
Firm: Leading Australian Firm

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The Background

In February, our Sydney-based legal recruiter, Misha McKenzie, reached out to a talented real estate associate based in New Zealand. While initially hesitant, the candidate reconnected in March, sharing that she had started to seriously explore the Australian market as her next step.

Despite having six years’ post-qualification experience, she hadn’t yet been promoted to Senior Associate—a reflection of New Zealand’s slower promotion trajectory rather than a lack of capability. Her focus was clear: she wanted long-term growth and broader market exposure, not just a title.

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The Journey

Misha took the time to understand her motivations and provided candid, tailored advice about how her experience would be assessed in the Australian market. She shared practical insights into firm structures, market expectations, and the differences between top-tier, international, and mid-tier firms.

While Misha and the candidate were initially exploring opportunities in Sydney across a mix of firm types, her market insight suggested that some of the more competitive top-tier teams wouldn’t be the right fit at this stage. Given her close relationships with key partners, Misha advised the candidate to hold off on submissions to top-tier firms initially, until they had a clearer view of how her profile would be received across the broader market.

Around the same time, the candidate began speaking with another recruiter who submitted her to a top-tier Sydney firm. As Misha had anticipated, the process didn’t gain traction. Meanwhile, she continued to explore more aligned opportunities and identified a great fit at a Leading Australian Firm with an opening in Melbourne.  

While the candidate initially leaned toward Sydney, Misha offered honest feedback: Melbourne, with its current hiring appetite and slightly more flexible market, would provide a more strategic and seamless transition—particularly for someone without direct Australian experience.

When nothing came of the Sydney top-tier opportunity, the candidate came to value the clarity and accuracy of Misha’s advice and shifted her focus accordingly.

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The Outcome

After two smooth rounds of interviews, the Melbourne team moved quickly to secure the candidate. Misha advocated for a strong offer, ensuring her client saw the long-term value the candidate could bring.

She accepted within days and is now preparing to relocate to Melbourne to join a firm aligned with her career goals and personality—a move that sets her up for long-term success.

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Recruiter Insight

“Sometimes the right opportunity doesn’t look exactly how a candidate first imagined it—and that’s okay. It’s our job to give clear, honest advice that helps them make informed decisions and confident moves. In this case, it was about finding the right firm, in the right city, with the right platform for growth. I’m so excited to watch her career growth.” - Misha McKenzie, Sydney Legal Recruiter

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