Job seeking

Planning your career

By the time you've qualified and reached the stage of applying for jobs, you should have a clear idea of what area of law you want to work in.

If you’re newly qualified, you'll probably have some relevant work experience from volunteering and your period of training.

If you’re already working and want to take the next step in your career you should think about how you want to progress.

If you’re changing career, your experience and industry insights may be useful for certain law firms, especially if the firm has clients in your previous industry.

Look at firms’ recruitment information to find out which may value your skills and experience.

Find out more about career options in law

Preparing for job seeking

Before applying for jobs, look at your knowledge, experience and skills. Think about:

  • your strengths and weaknesses
  • your experience
  • the types of work and areas of law that interest you
  • skills that you want to develop
  • the qualities you can bring to an employer
  • where you want to work and the opportunities that are available

You should leave enough time to research and prepare applications to improve your chances of success.

Resources

Articles from the Law Society Gazette

How to prepare for a video job interview

A new world of work – Maria Shahid reports on life for solicitors in the 'new normal'

A junior lawyer's guide to cover letters

Your guide to writing the best personal injury lawyer CV 

Three things recruiters want candidates to know about the legal recruitment process

A guide to negotiating your salary as a solicitor

Blogs

Four tips to advance your legal career this year

Essential questions to ask a legal interviewer 

Webinars

Recharge: how to work more flexibly and develop a portfolio career

Date: Thursday 12 September 2024 

Time: 1pm to 2pm 

Cost: free 

This free online classroom and Q&A is for individuals across all levels of PQE who have hit a career crossroad and are considering how they can work more flexibly by building a portfolio career.

Past webinars

Virtual group career coaching for those returning or changing careers

Changing career direction – career options 

Preparing second-year trainees for qualification 

A conversation on returning to work and working flexibly 

Skills audit for returning to the profession following a career break

Changing career direction:

Recharge series:

Podcasts

How to sell yourself as a candidate with JMC Legal Recruitment (38 minutes)

Career clinic: book a consultation

Our monthly career clinics offer a free one-to-one consultation with a legal careers coach.

Each 30-minute consultation takes place over the phone or by Zoom for those based overseas (subject to agreement).

The clinics are suitable for:

  • paralegals (including those completing qualifying work experience)
  • trainee solicitors
  • qualified solicitors (including those admitted overseas)
  • returners and career changers considering a switch to law

Our coaches can share sector insight and offer objective practical advice and tips on:

  • CVs, applications and interviews
  • job search strategies
  • career planning, including progression or changing direction
  • options for trainees approaching qualification
  • options for overseas lawyers to work in England and Wales
  • how to plan a return to practice after a career break
  • how to work more flexibly, including options for a portfolio career
  • how to break into law as a career changer
  • how to leave practice and change careers

Our coaches are not qualified to:

  • offer tax advice, regulatory advice or business consulting services about setting up a firm or working as a freelance lawyer
  • advise on applications for practising certificates or professional indemnity insurance

To book your consultation, email careers@lawsociety.org.uk.

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