Job Hunting
Here's how to job-hunt as a qualified lawyer!
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A guide to selecting a new law firm to work for Alex May Alex May
Choosing who to work for is obviously a Big Decision – and like many Big Decisions, it isn’t an easy one to make. On the plus side: you’ve done this before when applying for Training Contracts; you now have experience of what being in a firm is like; and you’ve found this guide to help you!
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Applying for qualified solicitor roles - your cover letterBecky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw
Before we take you through a step-by-step guide of what to put in your NQ cover letter, there’s a quick checklist. Firstly, make sure you’ve researched the firm and the job opportunity you’re applying for. Secondly, remember to keep things brief - cover letters are not CVs, and yours should not be more than ¾ of a page. Certainly no longer than this article. Now we’ve got that cleared up, behold your cover letter guide...
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CV template for newly-qualified solicitors Shermaine Williams Shermaine Williams
Getting your CV right is a crucial first step to securing job interviews – you don’t want to fall at the first hurdle. Here’s a simple guide on what to include.
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Eight things you should include on your qualified law CV Jan Hill Jan Hill
According to CareerBuilder.com, hiring managers receive around 75 CVs per posted position, and spend about six seconds deciding whether or not to proceed with the applicant. If you want to pass that test, you’ll need to have solid qualifications along with a well-formatted CV that will highlight them.
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Everything you should know before moving to work abroadDavid Carnes David Carnes
Working abroad as a lawyer is now a perfectly sensible option – provided you prepare well and avoid unrealistic expectations.
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How to Effectively Create and Grow Your Personal BrandDavid Carnes David Carnes
As a lawyer, you are your own product. But, like any other product, people won’t use it if they don’t know about it. The process of effectively marketing yourself is known as branding. With the advent of new media, branding options are exploding – and you’ll be short-changing your career if you don’t take advantage of them.
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Job Hunting Etiquette: 7 Dos and Don’ts Jan Hill Jan Hill
Etiquette doesn’t just apply to dinner parties, afternoon tea and other social engagements. Every society and profession has its own accepted behaviour, and job hunting is no different. Here are seven dos and don’ts to help guide you in your job hunt.
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Newly qualified interview: What questions to expect and to askShermaine Williams Shermaine Williams
You’ve earned the degree, you’ve completed the LPC or BPTC and you’re ready to start the career you’ve been working towards. But that’s not the end of the story. After securing some interviews, you’ll need to prepare well to ensure you’re presented at your best.
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NQ CV Writing – Dos and Don’tsBecky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw
So, you’ve finished getting together the basic information for your NQ CV, but you’re not quite sure how to lay it all out. Before you get started, familiarise yourself with these writing and formatting tips: make sure you know what will make your NQ CV stand out for the right reasons, and also that you know the CV blunders to avoid…
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Preparing for your NQ interviewBecky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw
Exciting times - you’ve been invited to interview for an NQ position at a firm! Once you’ve got over the initial celebratory period, you’ll need to do a bit of prep to ensure that you’re ready for the interview. If you’re just about to finish your training contract, it might be that you’ve not done an interview for a while - and interviews at qualified level are a different ball game to training contract interviews. Here’s everything you need to do in prep for the interview.
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Qualified law interview coming up? 7 tips to help you seal the dealJan Hill Jan Hill
You’ve finally sufficiently impressed some graduate recruiters with your application for a qualified position, but your job isn't quite done: you’ve still actually got to get the contract. Don’t let a bout with nerves or lack of preparation ruin your chances.
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Solicitor cover letter dos and don’ts Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw
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The challenges of job hunting while working Kerry Holmes Kerry Holmes
Life as a solicitor brings long working hours and can be even more stressful if you feel you’re in the wrong role. But if you’re considering moving on, there are steps you can take to make job-hunting easier.
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The NQ solicitor’s guide to psychometric tests Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw
If you think that you left exams behind when you took the LPC, think again – employers are increasingly using psychometric assessments to gain more information about how their candidates tick. Law firms are no exception. Here, we take you on a whistle stop tour of aptitude tests, and what each type involves.
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The pros and cons of using a recruiter Antonia Rubin Antonia Rubin
Recruiters get a lot of bad press, but they can make job hunting more bearable, effective and result in you achieving a better salary. We consider the issues when deciding on whether to use a recruiter to find your next job.
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Using LinkedIn as a qualified lawyer Hamza Malik Hamza Malik
LinkedIn is extremely useful site to help professionals in any industry connect to relevant individuals, groups, companies, opportunities and jobs in their fields. Here’s how to use it effectively.
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What are psychometric tests?Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw
So you’ve just been invited to an NQ interview - great! Upon reading through the interview information, you’ve discovered that it will involve a combination of psychometric tests. Whether you’ve encountered these as part of your training contract or not, there’s nothing to worry about. Here’s everything you need to know.
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What should go into your NQ CV?Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw
We know what you’re thinking: “I already have a CV! I’ve had one since I was 18!”. That may be true, but if there is ever a time to give your CV a major overhaul, it’s when you’re applying for your first NQ job.
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What to do if you're not kept on by your firm Antonia Rubin Antonia Rubin
Many people start their training contract expecting to remain in the firm once they qualify. It can be disheartening to learn, at the end of the two years, that your firm isn’t going to offer you a position. So what should you do next?
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What to expect from your NQ interviewBecky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw Becky Kells, Editor, AllAboutLaw
So you’ve fully prepared for your NQ interview, now all that’s left to conquer is the big day itself. However nervous (or not!) you may be, it’s always good to know what to expect. Here’s our guide to the type of things you can expect to be asked about at your NQ interview. Best of luck!
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What to expect when relocating to a different type of law firm Jan Hill Jan Hill
According to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, there are nearly 10,500 law firms located in the UK as of August 2018, and all offer a unique and varied experience. The following outlines what you can expect working as a solicitor in various types of firms.
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When is the right time to move on from your first firm?David Carnes David Carnes
The days of 40-year careers with the same law firm are long gone. In today’s world, lawyers are expected to cycle through several positions during the course of a career, at least until a partnership offer arrives. It’s critical that you navigate this complex economic landscape in an adroit manner, and part of the art of career navigation is the art of timing. Only you will know for certain exactly when the right moment comes for an exit. The following, however, are some red flags to look for.