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, and 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
Events
Recharge: networking tips for job hunters
This free webinar with Q&A is aimed at individuals who want to learn how to network with confidence and tap into the hidden jobs market.
Date: 8 June 2022
Time: 1pm to 2.30pm
Cost: free
Location: online
Recharge: how to turn your career ideas into action
Date: 28 June 2022
Time: 1pm to 2.30 pm
Cost: free
Location: online
This free webinar and Q&A is aimed at individuals who have reached a career block and feel confused or overwhelmed about how to successfully navigate their way forward.
It's suitable for solicitors across all levels of post-qualified experience (PQE), and will be particularly useful for those planning a return to the legal profession after a career break or those who are considering a change in career direction.
Articles from the Law Society Gazette
How to prepare for a video job interview during the pandemic
A new world of work – Maria Shahid reports on life for solicitors in the 'new normal'
A junior lawyer's guide to cover letters in 2021
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
10 top tips for supercharging your legal job application
Webinars
A conversation on returning to work and working flexibly (webinar held 5 October 2021)
Preparing 2nd year trainees for qualification (webinar held 9 June 2021)
Skills audit for returning to the profession following a career break (webinar held 13 May 2021)
Changing career direction:
- Hear from those who have successfully changed career (webinar held 19 October 2021)
- What are my realistic options? (webinar held 20 April 2021)
- Options outside of practice (webinar held 20 May 2021)
Recharge series:
- How to navigate the job market as a returner (46 minutes)
- Marketing yourself (96 minutes)
- Confidence building (webinar held 29 September 2021)
Q&As with JMC Legal Recruitment:

- An overview of the legal jobs market during COVID-19 (6 minutes)
- Changing career direction during COVID-19 (held 18 November and 24 November 2020)
- Career planning for 2021 (held 23 February 2021)
Podcasts
Impressing at interview when returning after a career break: recharge webinar (18 minutes)
How to sell yourself as a candidate with JMC Legal Recruitment (38 minutes)
Law Society careers clinic
Remaining dates for 2022
17 and 25 May
15 and 21 June
21 and 26 July
6 and 14 September
5 and 13 October
10 and 16 November
7 and 15 December
Cost: free
Location: telephone or via Zoom for individuals based overseas (subject to prior agreement)
Who is the clinic suitable for?
- LPC paralegals (including those completing qualifying work experience)
- Trainee solicitors
- Qualified solicitors (including those admitted overseas)
- Returners and career changers who are considering a switch to law
What’s covered?
Our careers consultants can share sector insight and offer objective practical advice and tips on the following areas:
- CVs, applications and interviews
- job search strategies
- career planning, including progression or changing career direction
- available options for trainees approaching qualification
- available 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 consultants are not qualified to offer tax advice, regulatory advice, or business consulting services regarding setting up your own firm or working as a freelance lawyer. Furthermore, they are not able to advise on areas such as applications for practising certificates and professional indemnity insurance.
For further enquiries or to book a place, email careers@lawsociety.org.uk.