Survival tips for today’s job market
The legal profession is known for its competitive job market. Positions open up infrequently, and there is intense competition for available legal jobs from Graduate roles to the coveted General Counsel positions. I have found in my six years of legal recruiting that the key to finding a rewarding legal job is persistence and knowing the legal job market.
Keep your resume up to date
Inactivity does not look good to a potential employer, particularly in a field where it is vital to be up to date on current events and legal news. If the hunt for a full-time position is taking longer than you want it to, find something law-related to fill the gap, both to keep you active and your resume full. You could volunteer with a local charity or non-profit legal association, you could seek out an unpaid internship, or you could even contribute essays or guest blogs to legal publications and websites. Try not to stray too far from the legal field, but any experience on your resume is better than none, as long as it has to do with the law. If you are currently in a role, keep updating your significant matters, transactions and/or position description on your CV. The extra details will show the breadth of your experience and make great conversation when you get to an interview.
Stay in touch with active lawyers
This one may arguably be the most important, and here’s why: who you know is often the most decisive factor in landing a job – yes, even trumping actual qualifications some of the time. The legal field is built on networks, and you can maintain a network even if you are not a practicing lawyer. Stay in touch with friends from law school as they search for their own jobs; get involved with the alumni association from your university, and attend seminars, networking events and mixers where you can. Friends in the legal profession can turn into referrals, colleagues and even employers if you maintain a good relationship. Friends in the field also know what you’re going through as you search for a job, which makes them a valuable source of support and encouragement when job-hunting becomes overwhelming.
The good news is that we are seeing some positive signs in the legal job market as we go on the journey to recover from COVID-19 disruptions. If you have been displaced, please get in touch and we will check your suitability for our current roles. If the COVID-19 disruptions have seen you reassess your current situation, talk to us for a market update for your level of PAE and practice area.