One Percent Legal explores the world of career advancement for lawyers. Here OPL covers everything from getting your CV right to applying for a new role, interviewing and where key resources can be found to make the whole process as straightforward as possible.
The CV
A good CV is the cornerstone in your hunt for a new position, it is the key marketing document that gets you in front of a client and can be decisive when comparing finalist candidates that are equally impressive. Mistakes are often made upon first draft of a CV, review OPL tips and sample CV to make sure your CV gets to the top of the pile.
See an optimal CV template for a senior in house lawyer here:
See an optimal CV template for a senior in house lawyer here:
| sample_cv.docx |
There are lots of tips online about drafting the perfect CV; in summary the most important points a for you as a lawyer to consider are:
- Keep the CV clear and easy to read. No graphics, pictures or media are necessary on a lawyers resume.
- Make sure it doesn't have unsolicited information: your reference contact information or current compensation for example.
- Boxes and other complex formatting should be avoided.
- Unusual hobbies are best kept to yourself not included on the CV.
- Key information should be present: where you worked and for how long, what you did in the role.
- Gaps of over 6 months should be explained in a brief sentence on the CV.
- Make sure the CV doesn't run on beyond 4 pages maximum.
- Most important is to tailor your CV to the specific role that you are applying for, bring out the key skills and experience that is relevant for the position, this will give you the best chance of getting in front of the client.
The Application
You have drafted the perfect CV now what to do with it?
As a lawyer one key consideration when applying for roles that is of less importance in other sectors is market saturation.
Lawyers are naturally keen to keep control of their applications as the legal world is small and word travels quickly. If a lawyer develops a reputation as being overly keen to move this can have the counter-effect of making such a move that much harder, word can also spread to your current employer making life difficult.
Apply cautiously to opportunities advertised online, initiate contact via email or phone with the recruiter or hiring representative before just sending the CV if you think you are a really good fit this is also a great opportunity to explain why you are right for the role.
Use the CV that you have tailored for the role to relay relevant experience and demonstrate on paper how you can add value quickly. When applying for roles it is important not just to think of what you have done or why you might be able to undertake the role but consider what the employer is looking to find. Presenting a clear, focused straightforward application that ticks the boxes for the role showing you are well suited as opposed to just applying for anything and everything is the optimal strategy and will endear you to clients and recruiters alike.
As a lawyer one key consideration when applying for roles that is of less importance in other sectors is market saturation.
Lawyers are naturally keen to keep control of their applications as the legal world is small and word travels quickly. If a lawyer develops a reputation as being overly keen to move this can have the counter-effect of making such a move that much harder, word can also spread to your current employer making life difficult.
Apply cautiously to opportunities advertised online, initiate contact via email or phone with the recruiter or hiring representative before just sending the CV if you think you are a really good fit this is also a great opportunity to explain why you are right for the role.
Use the CV that you have tailored for the role to relay relevant experience and demonstrate on paper how you can add value quickly. When applying for roles it is important not just to think of what you have done or why you might be able to undertake the role but consider what the employer is looking to find. Presenting a clear, focused straightforward application that ticks the boxes for the role showing you are well suited as opposed to just applying for anything and everything is the optimal strategy and will endear you to clients and recruiters alike.
The Interview
Making the right impact at interview stage is critical.
For lawyers what often proves to be the most vital consideration at interview stage is giving a clear account of your experience that is relevant to the interviewer. This is true regardless of experience level or whether you are a law firm associate or legal counsel and is particularly prevalent in senior lawyers. When you have done a lot of different things it is easy to become distracted and talk about projects of no or little relevance to the position that you are interviewing for. Present a clear straightforward narrative that shows how (although you have undertaken lots of varied work) you have gained valuable experience in each role that is relevant to the position you want to be hired for. Everything you have done to date should be shown as a logical step leading you to this role. This can be difficult when there have been mistakes or missteps but if you carefully consider how even these have been beneficial on your road to this new position you will certainly perform better at interview.
Other tips for your in house counsel or law firm interview include:
For lawyers what often proves to be the most vital consideration at interview stage is giving a clear account of your experience that is relevant to the interviewer. This is true regardless of experience level or whether you are a law firm associate or legal counsel and is particularly prevalent in senior lawyers. When you have done a lot of different things it is easy to become distracted and talk about projects of no or little relevance to the position that you are interviewing for. Present a clear straightforward narrative that shows how (although you have undertaken lots of varied work) you have gained valuable experience in each role that is relevant to the position you want to be hired for. Everything you have done to date should be shown as a logical step leading you to this role. This can be difficult when there have been mistakes or missteps but if you carefully consider how even these have been beneficial on your road to this new position you will certainly perform better at interview.
Other tips for your in house counsel or law firm interview include:
- Research the business/firm as well as the individual you are interviewing with; showing knowledge gained in this way at interview is of huge benefit and speaks to your motivations in a positive way.
- Prepare questions in advance for the interview, consider their legal function and the sort of issues they may be encountering when creating these questions.
- Think about your key selling points for the role, why are you a good fit? Convey this in an effective way and you will demonstrate not only that your motivations are good but that you can do the job.
- Dress smartly in line with where you are interviewing and make sure you exude positivity throughout in you words and body language.
- Think about what concerns the employer may have about you as a candidate, once you understand these you can effectively mitigate them the right way.
- Understand what type of interview it will be, is it technical, behavioural or informal? prepare appropriately.
- Consider sending a thank you note after the interview concludes, this shows emotional intelligence and can help foster a connection with your interviewer.
Search Resources
The Law Society
One way lawyers are sourced by headhunters for new positions whether in house or private practice in the UK is via a company or law firm search on the Law Society website. This is one reason why keeping your practicing certificate up to date even if you are in house is a really good idea.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn isn't just a way to stay in touch with old colleagues it has it's own job board and acts as a de facto CV database for recruiters; it has two key uses for in house lawyers wanting to explore career options and must be paid a lot of respect for that reason. Make sure your profile is up to date and keyword friendly to maximise your chances of being found.
The Job Boards
The optimum job boards to scan when looking (particularly for an in house legal role) are generally aggregators as they save you going to many different sites. The best of the aggregators for Lawyers are Google Jobs and Indeed, it is still worth looking at Totally Legal and the Lawyer separately as well if you want to cover all bases. The more senior you are as a lawyer the lower the probability will be of finding your next role advertised online and the greater the importance of increasing your visibility, so that you can be found.
Networking
Networking events are often run for in house lawyers with law firms acting as sponsors (the quid pro quo being you are more likely to give them work after drinking champagne and listening to them speak). The more senior you are the more vital having a strong network becomes, use the opportunity to meet influential General Counsel who may recommend you for a role or key partners in your sector who may know of a position potentially not available on the open market. The most popular networking event for in house lawyers across industry is the ACC, as a senior lawyer there are opportunities for significantly discounted prices for attendance or better yet speak at an event, raise your profile and potentially network for free.
Offline networking is also key when searching for a new role, go for coffee with key figures in your network that you trust who may be able to help you directly or in directly. Finding a senior legal role often takes time and is a slow burn.
Offline networking is also key when searching for a new role, go for coffee with key figures in your network that you trust who may be able to help you directly or in directly. Finding a senior legal role often takes time and is a slow burn.
Recruiters
Keeping in touch with a network of people who largely want your business can be a tedious affair; however, maintaining a pleasant professional relationship with a handful of recruiters is smart even when you are not actively looking for a new role. Understand which recruiter(s) you feel are credible (know the market) and that you can have positive interactions with (the right attitude). If you have a small group of contacts like this you will find exciting and unexpected opportunities coming your way on occasion and far more assistance when you are actively looking for a new role.