Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Bar and apply for in-house roles within either public or private sector
organisations.
By pursuing the first option your career success will be largely a
result of how good a reputation you have and the client base you
have managed to build up.
Whereas the second option offers more by way of personal security.
From here career progression will either follow the management
route overseeing an entire legal department, for example, or
pursuing the ultimate ambition (for many barristers at least) of
‘cutting silk’ as Queen’s Counsel (QC).
Legal Executives also have two distinct paths to consider. Some will
follow the legal executive-senior executive-practice manager route.
While others use their jobs as a springboard to re-launch their
careers as a solicitor – upon obtaining additional professional
qualifications that is.
Irrespective of what job you are doing right now you will need to
follow a continual professional development plan and be prepared to
burn the candle at both ends to acquire the qualifications needed to
help steer your career in the direction you want to go.
Job Searches
in the area you want to work. Narrow your search by occupation,
industry, location and career level to get the results that are right
for you.
Further Reading
- How should I list my previous jobs on my CV?
- What makes a good CV design and layout?
- How can I make my CV more effective?
But before you march into your boss’s office brandishing your letter
of resignation push your employer to see if there are any opening
expected to come up or if you are as good as you say you are, ask if
such a position could be created for you.
Good lawyers are hard to find and your employer will want to retain
their top people rather than lose them to a rival firm. And if that fails
then dust off your CV and find a company that will give you that
opportunity.
Moving from one job to another can be seen as a sign of ambition,
especially if you are moving to a firm that enables you to specialise
in your chosen field and offers genuine career progression.
But making a habit of moving around will inevitably signal a red flag
to employers, so keep your flirtations to a minimum.
Salary Calculator
Take a look at what you could or should be earning to
help with your next salary negotiation.
Find out what you’re worth.
Further Reading
- How can I secure a pay rise?
- What can I do to ensure a promotion?
- How can I improve as a manager?
But don’t stop there: does your work give you a sense of
accomplishment or do you lack recognition for the work you do? Do
you feel suitably challenged and have the opportunity to learn new
skills or do you feel that your potential cannot be fulfilled in your
work? Is the work varied and stimulating or is it staid and repetitive?
All of these questions are designed to get you thinking about the
things that really matter to you in your career.
And if you find that your responses lean more towards the negative
then now is the time to dust off your CV and take a look at some of
the alternative career options that are available for you.
Ex-legal employees can carve out a new living in a number of
different careers. Some set up their own firm or opt to specialise in a
particular area of law.
What Next?
If you’re still looking for advice on finding the right job, creating a
great CV or tips on job interview, career-advice.monster.co.uk
contains everything you ever wanted to know, and more!
They say that the grass isn’t greener on the other side, but
often it is. Our series of eBooks brings together expert advice
to help you secure the job you want and build a successful
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