Ask Ash

Dear Ash,

I am nearing the end of my traineeship but I have so far not been able to secure a permanent job. I am getting anxious about the possibility of not having a secured position after working so hard to attain my degree and traineeship. Through my traineeship, I have gained experience mainly of commercial contracts and employment matters. Is there anything I can do to improve my chances of gaining employment?

Ash replies:

In the current economic climate, employment in the legal sphere seems to have slowed just as much as in other sectors. Consequently, the jobs that are available have more people competing for them.

I suggest that you concentrate first on reviewing your CV – there may potentially be room for improvement. There are many helpful websites offering advice on how to structure your CV correctly. There are also helpful books available on presenting CVs. These can be borrowed from the library in order to save money. Get a friend or indeed a colleague in your department that you trust, to look over your CV as an objective eye is sometimes helpful.

You could also brush up on your interview techniques by asking friends or family to conduct mock interviews with you, in order to highlight any improvements required in your answers or technique.

Alternatively, you may be able to access help and advice from your university careers service for feedback on your CV. I understand that most of the universities support graduates for a few years after graduation.

Other ways of improving your chances of standing out from the crowd may be to undertake some voluntary work in your spare time. For example you may be able to assist at organisations like the citizens’ advice bureau or at a local law centre, in order to expand on your legal experiences and knowledge.

I suggest that you contact some recruitment agencies too. Many good agencies advertise in the Journal, and some provide advice on preparation of CVs and interview techniques. As the agencies have direct access to employers, normally they would only need your CV to be forwarded to the employer, thus cutting out the need for you to spend time completing lengthy application forms.

You may also have to reconsider the type of permanent role you are looking for. In particular, although you have mostly contracts experience it may still be worth considering pursuing other types of legal jobs, e.g. legal roles in the public sector. Such jobs may not necessarily be focused on contracts work, but it may be worth pursuing these avenues if you are determined to remain in the legal field.

Alternatively, if you can afford it, it may be an idea to take a gap year to travel for a bit until the current downturn begins to improve. Depending on the type of travel undertaken, the experiences of such travel can be beneficial in highlighting certain attributes to employers, including independence, decision making skills and the ability to form good relations with people.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to not give up. I know from experience that this is easier said than done, but keep in mind an old saying: “When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place”. If having a legal career is really important to you, then persevere and you will get there in the end.

“Ash” is a solicitor who is willing to answer work-related queries from solicitors and trainees, which can be put to her via the editor: peter@ connectcommunications.co.uk, or mail to Studio 2001, Mile End, Paisley PA1 1JS. Confidence will be respected and any advice published will be anonymised

Please note that letters to Ash are not received at the Law Society of Scotland. The Society offers a support service for trainees through its Education and Training Department. For one-to-one advice contact Education and Training Manager Katie Meanley on 0131 476 8105/8200, or KatieMeanley@lawscot.org.uk .