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By Kimseima Lim.
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After graduation, many of us are transitioning into a new chapter of our lives. Thus, it is natural to feel a mix of emotions, albeit excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty. The legal profession is inherently competitive, and to ascertain the path you intend to pursue can be challenging and daunting. With a systematic approach, and time, you can ascertain the opportunity that’ll prove to be a stepping stone for your career aspirations.
It is important to keep in mind that the legal market, like other markets, are competitive. According to statistics published by the SRA, there is approximately 156,976 solicitors that currently hold practicing certificates.
Click here for the statistics: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/career-advice/becoming-a-solicitor/entry-trends
Determine your career goals
The job market is heavily saturated with law graduates; therefore, it is imperative to plan, strategise and persevere through the hurdles and setbacks. Prior to diving into the job market, reflect on the career you want to achieve. Consider the type of law you want to practice, or a specific area or sector that may be more niche. Perhaps, you intend to pursue a career in-house as opposed to private practice at a traditional law firm. Clarifying your goals and career aspirations will help you narrow down the job search and equip you with knowledge that’ll prove helpful in making informed decisions.
Expand your professional network
Networking is crucial in the legal profession for several reasons. It may be daunting, but utilising LinkedIn will allow you to connect with professionals across the industry that may provide you with insights. It is important that you connect with your alumni from law school, or university. By building these connections, and expanding your profile, it may lead you to new people, opportunities, even mentorship. When using LinkedIn, don’t be afraid to reach out to new people in your desired field.
Utilise the services available to you
After graduating, many universities enable you access to their career services, or employability portal. By utilising the services available to you, you can make appointments to have your CV, cover letter, vacation scheme, training contract and pupillage applications reviewed. The employability portal can be of great use, there are many job postings and events you can view and attend.
Consider recruitment agencies
Recruitment agencies can be a valuable resource for recent graduates. These agencies have established relationships with law firms and organisations, providing exclusive access to job opportunities, postings, and more that may not be advertised so publicly. Moreover, recruiters can offer great guidance on building your CV, improving it, interview preparations and more.
Some popular recruitment agencies include:
• https://www.fortelegal.co.uk/
• https://www.ejlegal.co.uk/?source=google.com
• https://www.careerlegal.co.uk/
Tailor your application material
When researching firms and organisations, it is important that you align your application materials to the desired role. By tailoring your application material creatively, you can highlight your relevant experiences and transferrable skills to the job.
Stay proactive and be adaptable
During this interim period, it is normal to face setbacks and rejections. It is important to remain proactive on LinkedIn, research on various firms and organisations, and expanding your skill set and experiences. The legal profession is constantly evolving, especially due to the usage of AI, streamlining operations and increasing efficiency in the workforce. Therefore, applicants should remain open to learning new skills, overcoming challenges, and adjusting to these circumstances.
Stay organised and celebrate your progress
It is pertinent to stay on top of the job applications you’ve completed. It can be helpful to keep track of these applications by creating a spreadsheet to ensure that you are wary of the relevant deadlines, additional tests, and the overall outcome of your applications. This may be helpful when you receive a phone call or an email from a recruiter or a potential employer regarding your application.
It is normal to receive rejection during your job search. It is not going to be easy but try to remain motivated to surpass this hurdle. Celebrate your small wins, e.g. when you pass the initial screening stage by a recruiter or land an interview with a hiring manager. It can be a good reminder that these are all indicators that you are one step closer to landing a job.
Finally
Navigating life after graduating is not going to be easy. It can become overwhelming due to the competitiveness of the legal profession. But by clarifying your career aspirations, expanding your professional network, and reach out to recruitment agencies you are, one step at a time, setting the foundation for a successful legal career.
It is important to remain proactive, organised and motivated during this time. It is not an easy process, due to rejections and setbacks. Therefore, try to keep an open-mind and remain adaptable. Remember – rejection is a form of redirection!
