Peach Legal Employment
Guide for Graduates and Trainees
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Graduate Information
The rising costs of courses and increased competition for Training
Contracts and Pupilages has led to large numbers of educated and
skilled people unable to find employment in the legal profession.
At Peach Legal we are able to lend a hand in the search for Paralegal
and Legal Secretarial/Administration work which allows you to 'get
your foot in the door' and gain valuable experience (temporary or
permanent) until you can find yourself a Training Contract (we do
not find you a Training Contract or Pupilage).
It is much easier to find suitable positions for you if you have
previous legal experience. Ideally 6 months plus is desirable, however,
we will consider less in certain circumstances. Work shadowing and
mini pupilages do not really count as experience but are still valuable
in their own right. Please send us an up to date CV as we will consider
all applications from law students and we endeavour to place as
many as we can. We have great working relationships with local law
schools, colleges and universities so you can be assured we understand
your circumstances and want to help!
Making the Right Choices
You are a Trainee Solicitor and are trying to decide your discipline.
What choice do you make? Most people remain in the same chosen specialty
for their entire career so getting the first decision right is key
for a successful happy career. Things to take into consideration:
- What do you enjoy?
- What are you good at?
- What long term prospects are there in this sector for you and
is this what you are looking for?
- Ask your employer if you can go back to your preferred department
to gain some more experience so you can be sure your choice is
the right one
- Remember, the chance to change your discipline post qualification
is very unlikely as you become more specialised, so get it right
now!
Is There a Good Time to Look For a New
Job?
Market fluctuations show that most people look for a new job from
January to April and September to November. The quietest months
are over the summer period. This is due to people looking for new
opportunities for the New Year and then those returning from summer
holiday later in the year. Usually the decision makers in any firm
have time off over the summer so little gets done in terms of recruitment
drives.
Before you embark on the process of looking for a new job, have
you weighed up all the pros and cons?
Consider:
- Does your current firm have any opportunities?
- Ask the relevant personnel what plans the firm has for the future.
- Show your willingness and enthusiasm for the firm and its future
- If there are opportunities available, are they what you are
looking for?
- What training and prospects are there?
- What is the personality of that department?
- Autonomy and responsibility v support, training and supervision?
Take into account all the facts before you make an informed decision
If you have made the decision to leave and take on a fresh challenge
then Peach Legal is the agency to help you. Just call us for a chat!
Peach can help you with:
- Knowledge of market conditions
- Finding where the best openings are
- Differences between each firm’s customs and expectations
- Client knowledge
- Help writing your CV
- Research and interview tips
- Handling difficult questions at interview
Preparing your CV - need some help?
Until your interview, you are only as good as your CV and/or telephone
manner. This means your CV and covering letter are crucial. They
are essential tools in most job searches. Like any marketing document
a CV should help you 'sell yourself'.
What should your CV include?
Preparation
Thinking about your skills, qualifications and experience. What
are your unique selling points and strengths?
If you are replying to a specific job advertisement, review what
key words and tasks were used in the ad. Which of these words applies
to you? Use these words in your CV.
Helpful Hints
Remember that you want your CV to be read and responded to. Include
just enough information to stimulate interest, but not so much that
you bore the reader. Three pages maximum are preferred. Every word
must contribute to the overall message – so keep it brief
and make sure that the contents are relevant to the job you are
now looking for – not your last one.
- Never hand write a CV, always get it typed up.
- Ensure your CV is well structured; this gives the impression
that you are thinking logically and makes it easier to review.
A CV that is hard to read is often put aside and forgotten. When
writing remember that self-opinion is best avoided. Aim to include
someone else’s opinion (e.g. from last appraisal), facts
or even evidence.
- Pay close attention to reply instructions in advertisements
(e.g. spelling of the contact’s name and address).
- Have someone check your spelling and grammar. Use quality white
or cream paper, never coloured, as it does not photocopy well.
Layout of CV
Personal Details
This should contain your personal details (name, address, contact
telephone numbers, e-mail etc) and a brief general overview of your
skills and experience. If you are seeking locum or contract work
do not forget to include availability and preferred locations.
Education
State clearly what professional qualifications and education you
have. If you have an extensive employment history do not be too
detailed about your school education. Simply state how many GCSE’s
or O Levels you have with grades, you do not need to list each topic
separately.
Employment
Here you should highlight your employment history in the last five
years as the main area. Present this in reverse chronological order
(i.e. last job first). Make sure your dates are accurate!
If you have only worked for one company, break it down with an
entry for each position or project dealt with. For each position
or project held describe the work undertaken, duties and responsibilities.
Use bullet points rather than long sentences. Don’t waffle!
- you can always give more detail at interview.
- If you have extensive experience then your early career can
be described in less detail especially if it is not relevant to
what you are looking for now.
- Do not include salary details.
- Do include achievements, not just tasks. If you can, quantify
them in terms of targets, responsibilities etc.
- Account for gaps – travelling or taking time off is acceptable,
you don’t need to hide or ignore it.
- Don’t use humour on your CV, a prospective employer might
have a different sense of humour to you!
Hobbies
List your hobbies and interests in no more than three lines if
they are relevant. Any voluntary, charity or external posts you
have done e.g. school governor are worth including. Avoid listing
anything too controversial. Try and make your interests sound well-rounded
not just in one area.
References
It is recommended that two referees be given – including
the referees' official titles, addresses and telephone numbers.
The Covering Letter
CV’s are seldom used alone; they should always be introduced
by a letter or telephone call. The letter should earn readership
for the CV.
A good letter should be used to pick up points which modesty or
space prevented you putting in the CV (i.e. to highlight your key
strengths relevant to that job). An introduction letter can save
you from having to rewrite the CV each time you want to target your
application to a specific advertisement or sector.
Always keep your CV up to date. Using an out of date CV or hand-writing
extra jobs or more information on your CV looks lazy and will be
detrimental to your application.
Preparing for a successful interview
– need some help?
Congratulations! You have made it past the initial selection process
and have been chosen for interview. Your CV has shown that you potentially
have the right skills for the job but are you the right person for
the company?
People in general will make their mind up about someone in the
first few minutes of meeting them so it is vital to create an excellent
first impression!
There will be many candidates being interviewed for the job - all
of whom will have the skills for the role, so how are you going
to stand out?
Preparation Preparation Preparation!
The only way to distinguish yourself from the rest of the interviewees
is to present yourself in a more effective way than others do. Focus
on being confident, motivated, energetic and pro-active. You will
need to be prepared to talk about yourself in order to show a prospective
employer that you are the right person for the job.
Checklist the following items:
- Ensure that you have confirmed back to the employer or agency
that you can make the interview time and date.
- Familiarise yourself with the journey to the location so that
you arrive in plenty of time. If the interview location is different
to that of the job then also familiarise yourself with the journey
to your potential job so that you are sure that it is commutable.
- Dress for success! Prepare your interview outfit in advance
– a suit is usually the best option. Even if you know the
firm dresses casually, you still need to present yourself smartly.
A first impression is a lasting one. Ask your consultant if you
are not sure.
- Practice a good handshake; not too firm and not too weak.
- Research your prospective employer – familiarise yourself
with mission statements, past performance, future goals, analyse
ratings. Most companies have comprehensive websites with this
information.
- Alternatively read business pages of relevant professional
journals to gain a better insight into the company. You could
also contact the company and request general information.
- If you are going for the interview through an agency, ask your
consultant for some background information on the company.
Whatever you do – don’t go unprepared!
- Make a short list of questions to ask at the end of the interview.
- Other key factors you may wish to consider are: salary, benefits,
probationary period, structure of department and progression.
- Know your CV – education, job history and hobbies. Be
prepared to answer questions on salaries, why you left a position
and any gaps between employment.
- Review everything you have done in the past as evidence of
your strong traits and be prepared to answer questions on weak
spots in your CV.
- Anticipate likely questions and prepare suitable answers. Why
not practice with a friend so that you sound natural, not rehearsed
from a script!
The Interview
- Be ready in plenty of time.
- Take your CV, any relevant information such as presentation
material, ID, certificates or references, your list of questions
and a notepad and pen. Put these items in a folder.
- If you are running unavoidably late ensure that you contact
the interviewer or your agency immediately.
- Arrive with some time to spare but not too early!
- Treat all the support staff you meet with courtesy –
they may influence the decision making process.
- Positive body language is essential - create a good first impression:
smile, shake hands and greet your interviewer.
- Sit comfortably, do not slouch and try not to fidget!
- Do not gesticulate too much as it will show your nerves to
the employer.
- Throughout the interview maintain as much eye contact as possible.
Overcoming Obstacles
- Be a good listener –try not to over-talk as this can be
off-putting.
- Listen very carefully to what is being asked, if you are not
sure what the interviewer is asking you then try and summarise
the question and feed it back first, before answering, or even
ask them to repeat the question. Always answer the question being
asked with enthusiasm and interest.
- Keep your answers concise and give examples wherever possible
to demonstrate your skills and abilities.
- Don’t answer questions with just ‘yes’ or
‘no’, try to expand a little on what you are saying.
- Do not criticise previous employers.
- Do not tell lies - you will soon be found out!
- Make sure the employer knows the benefits of employing you.
- Do not be the first one to bring up the subject of salary and
benefits.
Handling Difficult Questions
There may be parts of your employment history that may be considered
as ‘weak spots’ – these will need to be handled
in a positive way:
- If you were dismissed or made redundant – be completely
neutral when providing answers. What positives have you learned
from the situation? Show the employer you are a survivor who can
make the best of a bad situation.
- If you’re over-qualified for the role – emphasise
your relevant skills and qualifications for the job. ‘Sell
yourself’ so that the employer keeps an open mind about
you.
- If you don’t have enough experience for the job –
tell the employer what transferable skills you have and what you
can contribute to the job. ‘Sell yourself’ so that
the employer is convinced of your abilities. Show willingness
to do any training required.
Questions you might be asked at the interview:
- Tell me about yourself?
- Why would you like to work for our company?
- What do you know about our company?
- Why did you chose a career in law?
- Tell me about your specialism?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What are your main achievements?
- How do you tackle difficult or sensitive situations?
- Describe your relationship with your colleagues?
- How effectively do you work within a team?
- How do you prioritise your workload?
Exiting the Interview
- Before you leave the interview - have you asked all the questions
you need to make up your mind about the job?
- Have you got all the information from the interviewer that
is relevant to the job?
- Establish what the next step is – when are you likely
to hear from them?
- Thank your interviewer for their time and shake their hands
before leaving.
- Call your consultant at Peach Legal and give them some feedback.
Share any concerns and expectations you have with them.
- Your consultant will contact the company to discuss feedback
on the interview and you will be informed ASAP
- If you are successful, your consultant will discuss arranging
a second interview with you or if a job offer has been made you
must consider:
- Salary + benefits
- The firm’s location
- The firm’s client base
- The firm’s practice areas
- If unsuccessful, your consultant will give you the interview
feedback and devise a successful plan of action for future positions
Good luck from Peach Legal!
Further Information
If you would like some specialist confidential advice about legal
employment then please call Mary Smith, Head of Peach Legal Division
on 01905 22020 or e-mail her at info@peachlegal.net
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