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 turn your career ideas into action (Wednesday 7 February 2024) 

This free online classroom with Q&A is aimed at individuals who have reached a career crossroads and feel confused or overwhelmed about how to successfully navigate their way forward.

The session is suitable for solicitors across all levels of PQE and will be particularly useful for those planning a return to the profession after a career break or those who are considering a change in career direction.

Recharge: confidence building (Thursday 28 March 2024) 

This free online classroom with Q&A explores techniques solicitors who are considering changing career direction or returning to practice after a lengthy break can use to build confidence and reset failure as a learning experience.

The session will also explore the effects of imposter syndrome and how this can be overcome.  

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:

• 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:

• 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)