How to boost your legal CV during time out after you graduate
Whether you’re taking time out to develop your CV, earn some money or just take a break from the recruitment merry-go-round, there are a number of options that can increase your legal experience. Recruiters value initiative and commitment to a career in law so time out is a great chance to explore how the legal world works and how you fit into it. Working in a legal environment will allow you to develop practical legal expertise, explore new areas of work and make contacts that could help you build your career.
Not all options are open to those without a law degree so research opportunities carefully and, just as you would when applying for a training contract or pupillage, match your skills and ambitions to those required for each role.
The Law Commission
The Law Commission is a statutory body that keeps the law of England and Wales under review and recommends reform to Parliament where needed. The commission recruits law graduates each year as temporary research assistants to work on specific projects connected with legal reviews and reforms. Recruitment for research assistant roles begins each December, with jobs starting the following September.
Legal secretarial work
Legal secretaries offer administrative and support services to solicitors. Their responsibilities include communication with clients, typing documents and keeping diaries up to date. Job openings for legal secretaries are plentiful as they are always in great demand. Recruitment agencies may be able to put you forward for positions or point you in the right direction.
Paralegal work
Paralegals carry out the more basic aspects of legal work at solicitors’ firms and in other legal environments. Entry requirements vary from one to another but most will expect you to have at least completed a law degree or conversion course. Apply directly to firms advertising roles or contact specialist recruitment agencies for advice. Some firms also accept speculative applications – ask your university careers service if you need advice on writing speculative letters or have a look at our template covering letters.
Voluntary work
Citizens' Advice Bureaux and Law Centres are staffed mainly by volunteers and provide free and confidential legal advice to individuals. Training is provided for volunteers and recruitment is on a continual basis.
Many charities need volunteers to provide legal advice or support and will often offer specialist training. Visit your local Council for Voluntary Service, university volunteer centre or careers service or search for opportunities online.