Jobs before law school

I vividly recall how difficult it was to acquire my first job in law. Like many recent grads, I lacked connections and relevant experience, and my CV was mediocre at best.

I began by applying for jobs as a paralegal. My mother, who cares for my family, attempted to assist, but I had to teach myself how to write job applications. I had my fair share of rejections, but after landing my first job, I was able to get a training contract.

The paralegal's position has grown dramatically. Many paralegals now have their own legal caseload, and it is recognized as a separate professional path. Aspiring attorneys utilize the paralegal path to boost their chances of securing a training contract. However, obtaining these positions might be quite difficult.

Apply for employment in your field of study.

As a law student, there's little value in applying for a position if you can't articulate why this field fascinates you. Despite my lack of experience, I had studied advanced litigation and media law when I was hired as a technology, media, and telecommunications disputes paralegal. This allowed me to explain why I had applied for the position. Make advantage of your education to explain why you want to become a paralegal in a certain field.

Adapt your CV to the job.

This may seem apparent, yet it's a typical CV blunder. If you are seeking for a commercial paralegal position and have excellent marks in commercial law, include this at the top of your resume. "Tailoring my CV to the post I was seeking for was important to me winning the interview," says Ramnish Sharma, commercial property paralegal at EHL Commercial Law. The recruiting team soon recognized that I have the necessary abilities and characteristics for this position. I was able to demonstrate that I am thorough and conscientious, which was critical in securing a post."

Because recruiters only spend seconds reviewing CVs, it is critical to include the most crucial information at the top of the page.

Consult with a paralegal recruiting firm.

Not all entry-level paralegal positions are posted. Many law companies are turning to recruiting agencies to locate new personnel, so make sure you join up with legal recruiters.

Typically, you would contact a recruiting firm and submit your CV. They will alert you and put you forward for positions when a suitable job becomes available.

"I found the usage of agencies to be beneficial," says Yasmin Burton, paralegal at Kilic & Kilic Solicitors. An agency will also have direct connections with legal firms and will devote time to finding you employment.

Maintain an open mind.

You could be fortunate enough to know what field of law you wish to practice. If this is the case, it is critical to approach job searches with an open mind. In reality, the academic study of law is often different. Consider the transferrable skills you will gain from the employment, as well as the benefit it may provide you when applying for future opportunities. Having first-hand experience also gives compelling evidence for why you do not want to specialize in that field.

My first paralegal position in the City was in real estate, and based on my undergraduate and LPC studies in property and land law, I wasn't interested in this field. But I knew it was a step in the right direction and would expose me to the legal world, which it did.