Once you complete your training contract your law firm is under no obligation to offer you a newly qualified (NQ) lawyer position. Similarly, upon qualification you are free to join another firm / in-house legal department or indeed to leave the profession and pursue other interests.
If given the option then think very long and hard before you tell your current employer of your decision to move on. Though the jobs market is surprisingly strong for mid-level candidates the very junior end remains sluggish. And unfortunately we expect conditions to remain tough in 2012 especially since so many candidates who qualified in 2011 are still on the market.
Those of you who are determined or indeed have no choice but to move on we advise the following (these steps should be taken now and NOT on the day you qualify otherwise you run the risk of doing too little too late):
· Update your CV. At NQ level you should include A Level grades, a full breakdown of your degree/LPC and GDL results. Please note that we may also ask for your training contract appraisals so make sure they are readily available. If you have mislaid any of these documents it is essential that you track them down - if necessary contact relevant institutions for copies.
· When you send your CV to us explain why you are looking for a new role and which practice area(s) you are want to specialise in. We will endeavour to contact you to conduct a short telephone interview and where appropriate invite you in for a face-to-face meeting.
· Set up a LinkedIn account but treat it as a professional network and not a social one.
· Though it is tempting to register with lots of legal recruitment agencies this is best avoided because from a logistical point it makes it easier to track applications when dealing with a couple of recruiters you trust.
· Be flexible and realistic about your next legal job as you may have to downsize or even consider relocating. Also, do not rule out paralegal or locum roles. For some of you a complete career change may even be the most sensible option.
· Keep a detailed record of exactly which firms your CV has been sent to so it does not get sent to a firm more than once. Please note that we will only send your CV to an employer with your express consent. We will also differentiate between 'actual vacancies' and 'speculative approaches'.
· Stay in regular contact with us and keep an eye on the vacancies section of our website for any suitable positions. Browse the legal jobs sections on The Lawyer and Legal Week websites.
· Stay calm and be patient.
Primary contacts (click on the name for detailed profiles) for newly qualified lawyer roles:
Husnara Begum
Gavin Crocker
Nicole Garrett
