Getting your first job
Getting you in shape for your first job in law
The first thing you need to do is develop an effective job hunting strategy. This involves:
- analyse skills, competences and achievements
- a portfolio of key documents
- CVs, LinkedIn and covering letters
- proofread and check applications
Knowledge
- understand job descriptions and job specifications
- know the legal sector job market, including trends in this sector
- develop networks and contacts
- build your work experience up in stages
A key part of producing CVs and making applications is analysis of your skills and competences. Look at the following skill sets:
People skills: leadership, teamwork, influencing and negotiating, customer skills and communication
Self-reliance skills: self-awareness , self-management , initiative and resourcefulness
General skills: numeracy, adaptability, problemsolving and planning
Specialist skills: including IT skills and commercial awareness
What skills can you identify from your educational and work history? You could also draw upon examples from sporting activities, community projects, voluntary work or participating in theatrical productions.
Often, legal services providers work to demanding timescales. Think of examples of where you have had to deliver a task to a set deadline and how you can demonstrate that you are robust enough to cope with a demanding work environment.
In a similar fashion, list your achievements. An achievement can be academic or work related. Successfully writing the achievements section of your CV is perhaps the most difficult part of your CV. Two useful techniques are the STAR technique and the ‘What/so What?’ formula.
A major part of job hunting is being prepared and having a portfolio of resources to hand
Preparation
A major part of job hunting is being prepared and having a portfolio of resources to hand containing:
- A list of skills, competences and achievements
- LinkedIn profile
- Covering letter template
- Portfolio containing CVs, qualification certificates, proof of identity documents, recommendations and commendations
Make sure your CV is up to date, not just in content but also in approach. Tailor your CV to each application. Don’t use the same CV for every job. This is also true for your accompanying covering letter. For further information see the CILEx careers website.
LinkedIn is now as important as your CV. Make sure you have a profile which reflects you as a professional seeking opportunities in the legal sector. Keep it up to date and include an appropriate photograph of yourself.
Proofread applications for spelling, grammar, punctuation and sense. If possible, get someone to check what you have written.
Understand job descriptions and accompanying specifications. Look at the job description and specification of a role such as legal assistant. Compare it with your skills, competences and achievements list.
Use the CILEx Careers website to find out about the different types of employers in the legal sector. If you are applying to an organisation, make sure you are informed about their aims, values and objectives. Don’t just look at their website, but also look at their presence on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Make sure you are aware of trends in the legal sector and their implications. CILEx Journal carries articles on changes in the legal sector.
Job openings are not always advertised, so it is important to be proactive not reactive in your job hunt. This is particularly true when you are looking for your first legal sector job as it isn’t always possible to obtain a legal sector job or the role you want first time. In this case, you may need to build legal sector experience through a series of roles, paid or unpaid. By putting these experiences together, you will strengthen your application to enable you to get the job you want.
Network to develop contacts for work opportunities and insights into working in the legal sector. Joining your local CILEx branch will offer you the opportunity to network with other CILEx members in your area, many of whom will have experienced the same job hunting challenges as you. Branch members are well placed to offer advice and support as well as access to their contacts. See the CILEx Branch website for further details.
- For tips on networking, and advice on all aspects of your career development visit the CILEx Careers website