A big question we often get asked by students: How can I break into the ultra-competitive legal industry?
Media like TV and movies have spawned multiple myths and misconceptions about securing that first job or internship, from schmoozing the hiring manager at a late-night party to impressing with some Churchill-esque oratory skills during an intense interview. But in reality, it’s all a little different.
That’s why we’ve brought together real insights from expert legal recruiters and solicitors, all of whom have joined us at College events over the past year, to share their guidance and experiences of how they got started in the industry. So, let’s kick-start your legal journey, too.
- Connect with your peers to uplift each other
Because law is such a competitive job market, you may assume that everyone else is against you and that your peers aren’t friends, but rivals to be eclipsed.
Fortunately, this isn’t actually the case. As many of our students will attest, law students and professionals are so willing to help each other —you’ll feel like you’re in the same boat, and all want to succeed together.
Alongside meeting fellow students during your degree and at the College, it’s often easy to connect with other young professionals at your work experience placements and firms, many of whom you’ll most likely collaborate with throughout your time there. To meet people from further afield, you can also join lots of local professional networking groups for junior lawyers, which often host social events, lectures, and more. It’s just like being a student and joining a university society.
“For me, my time at university was so good because of all the societies and sports clubs in which we built a strong community. And I think it's no different when you're just starting out as a legal professional—you can really build that network of people around you and uplift one another.” - Baljinder Atwal, Commercial Lawyer, West Midlands Police and Co-Chair of Birmingham Solicitors Group
- Make the most of the SQE’s accessibility and alternative job routes
As the SRA phases out the LPC, people who have law degrees but never secured a training contract can now take the SQE and achieve their dreams of becoming a qualified solicitor.
The SQE opens up the industry as it recognises there’s more to legal work than your job title and the type of firm you work in. So, don’t be afraid to try a non-traditional route and apply for different roles in the sector to get your foot in the door, as you never know what could be waiting for you on the other side.
“I honestly don't think I would have been able to secure my training contract without doing paralegal experience first. I also worked as a secretary doing admin support to boost my CV.” - Michelle Chapman, Associate Solicitor, Irwin Mitchell, and Vice Chair of the Birmingham Solicitors Group
What’s also great with the SQE is that it is recognised far beyond the UK, so you can travel for work, particularly in certain common law jurisdictions, and use your qualifications to access international job roles. Most crucially, the SQE route creates much more accessibility in terms of finding “recognised legal training”, now known as qualifying work experience (QWE). Rather than facing the stress of securing a training contract, you're allowed to work in up to four organisations across the world to obtain that experience while you're studying for the SQE. You can read more about what qualifies as QWE here.
“You can start your qualifying work experience from the moment you begin your course, and it can be carried out at the legal clinics of different firms, so it takes off the pressure of obtaining a single training contract.” - Monica Rafie, Conveyancing Solicitor
- Network with as many legal professionals as possible
“Take every opportunity. Keep on building your CV, because you don't know where a connection may lead, you don't know where different life experiences will take you and the skills you might build.” - Baljinder Atwal, Commercial Lawyer, West Midlands Police and Co-Chair of Birmingham Solicitors Group
Tools like LinkedIn help you to build a network of lawyers and legal professionals. You can also see what the legal industry leaders of today are talking about and what the firm that you're looking to qualify into is looking for, boosting your applications and job chances.
Whether on LinkedIn or in person, try to connect with senior lawyers, solicitors, and barristers as often as you can. Wherever possible, see if you can invite them for coffee and enquire about mini-pupillages or work experience with them, so you can see where they work, how they go about it, and learn from their journey and success.
“There’s a heightened emphasis on having a professional network, including networking skills, communication skills, and being able to reach out to other lawyers, businesses, and individuals. This way, we can build networks where we can refer work to each other and share resources. For example, if you have a client who needs support with immigration law but that isn’t your specialism, you can refer them to someone who does specialise in it. This enables you to still assist and retain that client.” - Michelle Chapman, Associate Solicitor, Irwin Mitchell, and Vice Chair of the Birmingham Solicitors Group
You should also read, and even write, relevant content and blogs online. Organisations like The Law Society Gazette and Legal Cheek will have content that is aimed at you, and you can start to learn what other people in your position are up to uncover more opportunities to connect with them.
Meanwhile, attending relevant training events, communities, and associations is crucial. There’s only so much learning you can access from your studies, QWE, or day job. Practising alternative skills like public speaking, negotiation, working as a team, working on committees, and working on boards will all help you so many new capabilities you might not otherwise nurture.
“Get yourself into any legal environment as soon as possible. You can only learn and network so much theoretically—you need to fully immerse yourself to see if it’s the right fit for you.” - Monica Rafie, Conveyancing Solicitor
- Personalise your interview prep for each firm
“Skills that we want to see evidence of in applications include attention to detail, resilience, and communication skills. Commercial awareness is a tough skill to be able to demonstrate and it always makes people stumble on application forms and in interviews. But what in essence it means is having an awareness of the commercial world around you. It's about being aware of trends, legislation, things going on in the market that would have an impact on the legal sector.” - Trish Birkedale, Early Careers Business Partner at Capsticks LLP
In your interviews, communicate your strengths and your willingness clearly. Companies want to see your eagerness to learn and develop. In the task-based element of an interview, you may be asked to review and summarise a very new piece of legislation—be sure to review your skills and knowledge beforehand.
“The key skill is inquisitiveness. Solicitors need good critical problem-solving skills and the ability to do research and analyse information. Someone who is interested in, and has potential in, that wider commercial knowledge and analysis is more important than somebody who is coming through with very deep technical knowledge.” - Daniel Jones, Human Resources Director at Clarke Willmott
Research beforehand is so important. Look at the firm’s websites and social media platforms to learn about what they do, their culture, and any recent news stories, focuses, or changes. See if they have a trainee-specific social media page on Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, and even listen to any podcasts that they might be releasing.
It will absolutely become apparent to the person who is reading your application and hosting your interview if you haven't done proper research about the firm. It’s no different to revision before an exam, which we should all be familiar with by now. Ultimately, the more revision you do, the more confident you'll be in the interview.
“You should only be making a maximum of three or four applications every year. It's unlikely you’ll be able to dedicate enough time to a really good application if you're applying to 10, 15, or 20 law firms via a scattergun approach.
“It’s also important to only apply to the firms whose values align with yours and whose work areas are the ones that you're interested in. Then, you're really going to be able to focus your application, your time, and your energy in the right places.” - Trish Birkedale, Early Careers Business Partner at Capsticks LLP
- Make the most of every work experience opportunity
“Non-law graduates stand out automatically because you don't come from a law background, a law firm or legal department in an organisation.” - Baljinder Atwal, Commercial Lawyer, West Midlands Police and Co-Chair of Birmingham Solicitors Group
It can take a lot of time to find the right firm. You need to look at their culture and their environment, plus your lifestyle and how it matches with the firm’s. As in many walks of life, you’ll often get a ‘feeling’ once you’ve found the one for you.
In an internship, be enthusiastic about the opportunity you've been given and stay willing to learn, grow, and develop. Then, network with colleagues around you to build a network that lasts long into your career. Finally, whenever you learn something that's unique, or whenever you come across something that you're curious about, try to make sure that you do your own research into it. These curiosities and specific interests will always set you apart from the other candidates.
“When creating your CV, highlight any transferable skills from the experience that you do have. For me, it’s not legal experience that stands out. It's the skills that you need as a lawyer, such as resilience organisation, teamwork, time management, and prioritisation, which can all come from university, school, or elsewhere.” - Trish Birkedale, Early Careers Business Partner at Capsticks LLP
Above all, be patient: the legal profession is super competitive. Do not be disheartened if you don't get your dream job straight away, in the next six months, or 12 months. Keep building towards it, keep upskilling yourself, and you will get there if you really want it.
“If you get rejected from a couple of roles, don’t lose hope. Everyone’s been through it, and it’s such a competitive process. I responded to one of the companies that rejected me offering to do voluntary work experience, and that actually led to a training contract, so always go back and ask for feedback.” - Nabeala Fiaz, solicitor and supervisor at the College
Ready to begin?
Law can be a tough yet incredibly exciting, interesting, and varied career, with options and areas to satisfy nearly all interests. Fortunately, the SQE and its prep courses are an ideal way to access the industry and explore your areas of interest further.
To learn more and apply for your place with The College of Legal Practice today, simply visit our SQE hub.