If you are due to complete your law degree this spring, it’s time to start thinking about what you are going to do next. As training contracts are difficult to come by, a lot of graduates start their law career by working as a paralegal. It’s a fantastic way to gain experience, which will help to boost your CV, whilst developing your legal knowledge and understanding. There is a lot of competition for paralegal roles, but there are things that you can do to increase your chances of getting one.
How to Secure a Paralegal Role After University
Keep Your Options Open - As a soon to be law graduate, you won’t have much experience in different areas of law, so it’s important to keep your options open. Though you might have an idea of a specific area or niche type of law - and there is nothing wrong with wanting to specialise - having no experience could make it difficult to secure your dream role, which is why keeping your options open is key. Broaden your search to include jobs that are somewhat linked to your desired area of law, or jobs that will build on your transferable skills.
Showcase Your Transferable Skills - Though you might not have any experience at a law firm, you are sure to have a number of transferable skills. These are skills that you will have gained in a non-legal environment, but those that will be hugely beneficial throughout your career in law. Things such as being a good communicator, good customer service skills and confidence are all examples of beneficial transferable skills.
Do Pro Bono and Extra Curricular Work - It can be hard to make your CV stand out if you haven’t previously worked in a law firm, which is why extra curricular and pro bono work is so important. It’s a fantastic way to showcase that you have something to offer that other applicants do not, and it shows that you have gone above and beyond what is expected as part of your graduate course. It’s a great way to show that you are committed to a career in law.
Consider Different Roles - One of the best ways to secure paralegal work as an almost law graduate is to consider temporary roles, document review roles and any roles that are aimed at students. Though these tend to only be for a few weeks, they look great on your CV and they help you to build up valuable experience. This can help you to stand out from other candidates when you apply for jobs going forward. Plus, a lot of law firms promote support staff and administrators to paralegal roles, so these are a good stepping stone.
Enlist the Help of a Legal Recruitment Agency - There is no denying the stress that can go into looking for paralegal work, which is why a lot of law graduates enlist the help of a legal recruitment agency. Instead of navigating the complex world of law yourself, you will have a team of people who are dedicated to keeping you up to date with roles and opportunities. There is a lot of competition, but a legal recruitment agency can help you stand out from the crowd. Get in touch for an open and honest conversation about what your options are.