Aspiring lawyer seeks advice
In the latest instalment of our Career Conundrums series, an aspiring lawyer is beginning to question whether a career in commercial law is still within reach, or whether it’s time to consider a different path altogether.
“Hi, I graduated from a Russell Group non-law degree two years ago and have spent the last three application cycles with no luck. I’ve made it past the first round a few times but I keep falling at the first hurdle. I’ve got lots of non-law work experience (currently working a full-time office job in my hometown) and have been attending events and webinars for what feels like years now. I feel like I’m doing everything right so I don’t even know where I could do better! Would love to hear if anyone has had similar experiences and managed to get out of the slump as I’m considering just giving up :(“
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Co-asking cause I am in a similar situation for four application cycle. I studied law but now I am wondering if law is for me.
Thousands of candidates have a 2:1 or 1st from a Russell Group. However, it is the ones with relevant experience on their CV who are getting offers. Right now it sounds like there is nothing on your CV that demonstrates an interest in law on paper.
Lots of people will tell you to paralegal but these often require past experience. Focus instead on entry level roles in legal-adjacent sectors like governance, risk and compliance. Then use this as a basis for applying for paralegal roles and training contracts. It will take time but you will get there as long as you don’t give up!
The psychometric tests for neurodivergent people is the other aspect, they are unfair and not reflective of what you are capable of, especially as a mature applicant. These type of tests are not designed to accommodate but exclude people and destroy what little confidence neurodivergent applications have.
This is my second cycle. The first year was learning about it. Half of the second cycle I started to do trial and error. In other words, I did not use the same strategy and approach for all my applications.
I also didn’t rush to submit applications as soon as possible in order to test which strategies worked better. Once I saw what worked and what didn’t I started progressing. My first AC came through and that was another learning experience (I didn’t get an offer) then the second and third came in and I can successfully say I have 2 offers now. I didn’t burn all my options at the beginning of the cycle, in case I don’t convert then I can still apply to direct TC after my VS which would give me an advantage.
My overall advice is:
If something is not working, change it! The definition of madness is taking the same approach and expecting different outcomes.
What strategy worked best for you?
Sh*tting in my hands and clapping. Works every time.
It doesn’t get any better down the barrister route, I’ll tell you that much. Competing for pupillage with former-solicitors and people who have run their own businesses.
It feels like the system just doesn’t accommodate fresh graduates anymore.
Even then, as a solicitor looking to cross-qualify, previous litigation experience (actually doing the bl**dy job!) does not seem to be enough.
Try applying for paralegal roles or legal assistant roles, subsequently prove yourself in these positions, build a good reputation and apply for the firms internal training contract,. This is how I personally secured my TC after a few rejections.
Unfortunately its all a numbers game, keep on applying to as many firms as possible rather than being “selective” because all you need is one yes and the main objective is to qualify. You may also need to reflect on why you are failing at the first hurdle and how you can get over this issue.
All paralegal job these days require at least a year of experience, but how does one gain experience if all the jobs are asking for it?
You can gain legal experience through legal clinics or volunteering for the Citizens Advice, although the citizens advice is not classed as legal you are effectively providing advice on social welfare law. There are a lot of transferrable skills you can learn from these volunteering roles. The downside to this is you aren’t getting paid but you will reap huge rewards in the end as it shows future employers how proactive you are to seek out legal work experience & you will gain a lot of skills.
What you need to understand is that the competition is extremely fierce. I work for a relatively small firm but we get around 150 applications for training contracts and we take a maximum of three trainees.
To put that into context, when more than half of those applicants have first class law degrees and are currently working as paralegals, I’m afraid it’s impossible to justify looking at someone who didn’t study law and doesn’t have any work experience in a legal context.
You don’t say whether you have done the PGDL or attempted any sort of SQE prep but not having done either puts you at a disadvantage in terms of knowing how to structure answers to written assessment stages of TC applications.
I don’t think it’s a case of keep going in the same way or give up completely – as someone else has already suggested, you probably need to change your approach. One way to do this would be to start applying to law firms for admin or paralegal jobs. That would give you some good experience in the industry.
I would also recommend asking for feedback after an unsuccessful attempt – we don’t offer it as a matter of course because there are too many for our tiny team but if someone makes the effort to ask us, we do respond with some constructive feedback. We would also remember that in the future so being proactive will not do you any harm. You might also reconsider the types of firms you are looking at and try somewhere on the smaller side…
This comment seems rather out of touch with the industry as a whole.
I have non-law friends who secured vac schemes and TCs from the second year of uni, while I am one year after graduating, having worked as a paralegal for 6 months, and still cannot get even an assessment centre invite, nevermind an interview or an actual vac scheme, further still no training contract!
I’m sure this is a frustrating situation many can resonate with. There seems little rhyme or reason as to why some people get that “lucky ticket” while others are left with no feedback after a myriad of applications (many places refuse to give any, even if you ask).
I think it’s a very common experience among aspiring solicitors.
You may want to consider what it is you truly want and map out the different possibilities of getting there. Qualifying as a solicitor doesn’t need to follow the pathway of doing a vac scheme at a city firm, then gaining a TC and then qualifying. Of course this is a great goal to work towards. But it simply doesn’t work out for everyone. And that’s totally fine because there are other ways to achieve your goal.
Some find their way to qualification through paralegal roles that progress to TC. And even now it is still possible for paralegal roles to be considered QWE (although obviously there are critics of this). But consider if you find something that works for you.
Also consider in-house. Lots of aspiring solicitors underestimate in-house legal roles (or simply don’t understand them). Depending on the company, you can achieve stellar legal experience with top notch lawyers. This can also set you up to move to private practice to firms that really appreciate the commercial and business awareness you gain in-house. I have heard many people that have done this. Or you might end up staying in-house if you like it. Businesses work very regularly with external solicitors so it’s a good way to build your network too.
Even for in-house, you can find a job in a legal adjacent department (Compliance, Regulatory, Corporate Governance) and eventually make your way to the Legal department.
So don’t feel pressure to exactly fit the mold if it isn’t working for you. Just also explore other pathways and options – you have better control over this and it might be more worthwhile and enjoyable in the long run than subjecting yourself to torturous law firm recruitment processes!
Good luck!
The majority of trainees were also in the same boat as you now are, and it is a very tough field. It is easier said than done not to feel discouraged, but please try to remember the average age of qualification, the many routes to qualify, and why you chose to go into law.
As someone who didn’t get a TC on the first try, this is what I changed and what worked for me.
1. Reaching out to people – trainees, future trainees, paralegals, legal assistants AND people who did the vacation scheme the year before. Everyone has a unique view and plenty of advice to share. It was slightly surprising how willing people were to help. Connecting really does go a long way, plus you may be able to name drop.
2. Spending longer on applications – this is said a lot but really do focus on the firm’s values, who you are and why you’d be a great fit and knowledge of the firm. Many applicants fail at this stage as they over generalise.
3. Utilise your non-legal experience. Firms value difference. Firms were much more interested in hearing about my part time jobs, volunteering, hobbies and interests far more than my academics and legal work experience. Firms want to essentially see if you’d be a great fit – someone they’d like to work with. It’s hard to show personality in applications, but it’s something that’s valued.
4. Explore alternative routes. TCs are not the only way to qualify. There is now QWE, there is also CILEX etc. It is difficult to get out of a slump but what helped me was remembering that there is more than one way. The cycle I succeeded, I was prepared to explore other routes.
I hope this helps. Wishing you the very best!
– Future trainee at a global firm.
It took me 5 application cycles. It will come but you have to be realistic with yourself. Are your applications actually good? What are your grades like?
I found myself more successful with US firms and non-magic circle (global/silver circle). Once I recognised that pattern I stopped wasting time on Magic Circle firms and it saved me time as I was not doing Watson Glaser tests and could spend that time on other applications. Other people might have better luck with MC firms and less luck with US/SC firms. Maybe it was a coincidence but everyone I’ve mentored to go for US/SC firms always has better luck with them.
All the firms care about good grades but I think MC really prefer oxbridge trainees. Just my opinion and observation. US and SC firms seem to be a bit more ‘open’ and diverse with educational background/grades.
A huge element is also luck – who reads your application; whether you make a good/lasting impression at an event etc. This is a huge element and unfortunately not much you can do about that.
Keep applying, test out different types of firms and see where your application may land best.
Same here but just 2 years in my application stint.
I am a career changer 20+ years in a different field.
At this point I wonder if I made a mistake considering law and if I am waisting time and money.
I am older, sadly I do not have plenty of time. Also, I cannot really go into paralegal or legal assistant due to financial commitments.
Lets try to stay positive!!
We will get there eventually 💪💪
I started law school at 40, and qualified at 47. I’m now 50 and absolutely loving my job. Don’t give up. You can find me (and similar career changer mentors on Aspiring Solicitors) if you want to discuss.
All my career changer mentees have secured TCs except a couple I’m still working with. There’s never been a better time as a career changer to get a TC!
Response to SR – hang in there mate, I secured a TC at a large international firm after 10 years in finance. My experience in a different field was extremely relevant, I did a stint as a paralegal and what I will say to you is if you can make the financials of a paralegal work do it, if not don’t worry go for international firms that are focused on business. My firm has a focus on career changers which was fortunate and a great track record of converting vac schemes to TCs if you are a career changer (we oldies bring experience and knowledge my friend).
Took me 3 years as well. I’m now 3.5 PQE and loving it.
Trust yourself, get all the advice you can (mentors, organisations like Aspiring Solicitors, Uni careers services are also usually available for life to alumni) as there’s do’s and don’ts for application forms that i would not have known until i got the advice. Also try and get good paralegal experience etc – start off with doc review via legal temp agencies and then set up alerts on firm job boards to apply to those firms.
Also, don’t compare yourself to others, your path is your path. Just focus on you and stay positive.
Ultimately I was lucky. I met some very average trainees at various law firm events (which made me think if they can succeed, I definitely can as well), then got a great paralegal role I could get by on, and I just decided that I’m just going to stay in this job until I get a TC (at worst – or take better paralegal roles if they came up). That experience was also a game changer for me, as I was effectively working as a trainee so could answer questions about why I would be a good trainee really well.
Good luck!
Thanks Tony Blair. What could possibly have gone wrong with vastly expanding the university system and giving millions of Britons the notion that a graduate job involving sitting in an office in the city was the only thing anyone ought to aspire to?
career changer here.
took me….1-2 years to get a TC. felt like ages. in hindsight, thank god, it was not too bad. but will let you know, just being rejected that summer felt that i wud never do it. the answer is – there is no answer as to when you “cut your losses” – keep at it if you feel like it. if you fail, well, it was not meant to be.
Oh, I recommend throwing in the towel immediately and ploughing your energy into identifying the right career for you and pursuing it. You’ll be far happier. The probability of getting what you want is very low, given the enormous competition and, I’m, afraid, the likelihood that you are not good enough to stand out against the masses (I’m not suggesting you’re a weak candidate, but after three knock backs, it’s fair to suspect you’re not near the top).
Just by getting to this point, you sound like you’re highly tenacious and motivated, and you’ll feel more fulfillment in the long run if you look for a career with a realistic entry chance where you can shine.
Remember all Archibald O’Pomposity is a troll that likes to attempt to crush the spirits of aspiring solicitors – they would have advised me to quit, yet here I stand with a TC with an international firm. Laugh at their nonsense and keep on friends.
Don’t give up! I qualified with first class honours and distinction at LPC level, earned several scholarships, awards, etc and it still took me 2 years to land a TC. I worked as a paralegal until I secured my TC. I’ve recently qualified and am in the unfortunate position of not being retained by my firm but that’s life. You’ll get there eventually, life isn’t a race and rarely are people’s career journey’s linear.
Look at paralegalling at a volume litigation firm. Some are better than others but they tend to have decent hybrid offerings (not all) and not ask for too much experience