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

Changing career direction – options outside of practice 

Date: Thursday 10 April 2025

This free online classroom with Q&A is aimed at solicitors across all levels of PQE considering a change of career direction outside of practice.

The panel discussion will explore the main steps lawyers considering a career change need to consider.

How to use a skills audit to reinvent your career

Date: Thursday 15 May 2025 

Cost: Free

This free online classroom with Q&A is aimed at solicitors across all levels of PQE looking to understand how to develop and use a skills audit to help with job searches and career development.

Considering working as a consultant or freelance lawyer? Understanding this flexible approach to working

Date: Wednesday 18 June 2025

Cost: Free 

This free online classroom explores different options to this flexible way of working including practical things to consider before going freelance and the legal and regulatory issues to consider.

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:

• Changing career direction – considering working in-house? (webinar held 11 November 2024)
• 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 work more flexibly and develop a portfolio career (60 minutes)
• Recharge: the dos vs don'ts when planning your return to the legal profession (90 minutes)
• Interview tips (60 minutes)
• Recharge: Job searching techniques (60 minutes)
• How to navigate the job market as a returner (46 minutes)
• Marketing yourself (96 minutes) 
• Confidence building (webinar held 29 September 2021)
• How to turn your career ideas into action (90 minutes)
• Networking tips for job hunters (90 minutes)

Podcasts

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