Qualified as a solicitor, feeling let down

[Coffeetree]

I just qualified as a solicitor and although I love the area I work in I'm really feeling exhausted and let down.

I really am grateful that my firm sponsored me in a training contract and have now given me a raise to their standard newly qualified rate of £27000 pa. Except now they're hustling me into a leadership role with a lot of middle-management bullshit and oh could I do the billing now and the audit prep.. But for no extra money.

I'm 50 and I know I should have the negotiation skills to deal with this and get a raise but the truth is I'm still trying to sort of inhabit the role. I was a paralegal for many many years and although I did well in law school I am still seeing myself as a junior.

Also the worklife balance sucks if you want to deliver quality work for clients. I go to court regularly and I have a good reputation for winning appeals but that's because I prepare more than anyone else.

I guess I have the standing now to push back but that's a new feeling for me. I'm still in "proving myself" mode and trying to get a mindset shift.

Anyone know what I'm talking abou? Any tips?

Way to go OP. I know nothing about sol jobs but a little about CS ones. If you get an interview it is well worth starting a new thread with a shout out for CS MNers- particularly legal ones - asking for advice. CS interviews are their own beast and you need to follow a very particular approach. It's not difficult but you just need to know to follow a rubric.

Wishing you loads of luck. You can always take your pot plants with you!

Can you say v roughly where in the country you are? CS is doing huge expansion out of London and the SE, and lots of jobs are opening up all over the place. Could be ideal timing.

Fantastic news. Good luck for tomorrow!

I am shocked at what they offered you! I qualified in 1994 and was earning £29k then.

Definitely look for another job. You'll have to move jobs regularly, it's the only way to get significant pay rises.

That's nice, thanks. I'm in the North. I'll keep an eye out for the CS jobs as you mention. I don't even know wtf I'd do with 45k. Buy a yacht or something.

Probably nowhere near you but if Wolverhampton is commutable MHCLG just opened huge new offices there, on a recruitment spree

@Coffeetree good for you! And if you’re in the north 45k is a great salary to live off, and seems in line with your experience ans qualifications- it’s nice to be recognised.

I recently jumped to 40 (at 2 years PQE) and whilst I was hoping for slightly more, it’s a marked difference from when I was an NQ, and I can’t wait until it lands this month (first month).

Hope you’re feeling better and all the best for tomorrow’s interview please keep us updated

@Coffeetree

That's nice, thanks. I'm in the North. I'll keep an eye out for the CS jobs as you mention. I don't even know wtf I'd do with 45k. Buy a yacht or something.

Oooh the north. HMT is opening in Darlington. Cabinet Office getting second HQ in Glasgow. That might be too far north though. DWP big offices in Newcastle I think. HMRC up there too.

National infrastructure bank going to Leeds.

Well done OP.

I think even you underestimate how much experience YOU have gained pre qualification from simply working in a legal environment.

The very best of luck.

Please keep us updated.

Just remember it is in their interests to keep you self doubting and grateful so their profits are not affected - and attacking billing targets is a great way for them to do this, especially if they are loading you with extra work that makes them impossible (and no, the support set up you describe does not sound normal at all). I have negotiated an increase in pay once by saying (quite truthfully) that I’d had an offer from another firm at X and although I didn’t want to leave, it made no sense for me to stay unless they could try and match it. The letter confirming my pay rise was on my desk the next morning - it was a gamble though, I knew I was quite valued, and I really didn’t want to leave but was quite aware they had no interest in paying me properly unless I gave them no option. Worth a try?

Otherwise I’ve found that a new role always brings a pay increase plus different experience so either outcome is good for your career.

@PegasusReturns

Are you working at the same firm that you worked as a para legal? If so leave!

They’ll always see you as the enormously competent, safe pair of hands that they can throw anything at. The market is hot at the moment and 27k is low.

Agree. You will always be the paralegal in their eyes.

Also, don't listen to anyone telling you to be grateful for earning £27k. That bullshit is why there's a gender pay gap.

(Just to clarify, I meant if you got an offer elsewhere then be open with your firm about it, don’t just make one up!!)

Good luck op
I qualified on £28k in 1992….

You are worth more than that!

Just get a new job they’re a horrible bunch of people from the sounds of it!

@Bambooshoot how was your working relationship/atmosphere after you accepted your employer's counteroffer?

I'd be very cautious about accepting a counter offer.

It would have to enormous in your case and they could well feel pissed off their hand was forced.
Some employers are petty like that.

What I do know is a few years ago in a similar situation a friend of mine's daughter left her job as she felt that she was under appreciated, underpaid with huge responsibility.

She didn't accept their substantial increase as she wanted to be seen to accept the offer and title in another pharmaceutical.

She has been very aggressively approached by her old company twice to return with a superb package but the new company have seen just how capable she is and have run with it.
Interestingly her old boss retired within a year of her leaving, she felt he held her back as it suited him.

I think if you wish for your value and contribution to be recognised you need to leave.

Your company have zero interest in you maximising your potential.

They will burn you out until its too late.

Move now.

Yes I've heard of people accepting counteroffers and remaining but it's hard to imagine a positive working atmosphere after that. I'm sure it's worked for some.

Had my job interview just now. They seemed keen We'll find out next week.

Great! Good luck.

Great.
Really hope it works out for you🤞

Yaaaay! Good work! V glad you got an interview so quick :)

I’ve been offered counter-offers twice while moving jobs. One I wasn’t comfortable with the billing targets attached so I declined. The other I accepted and remained in the job for probably another 3 years.

The atmosphere afterwards was good! People who I didn’t think “saw” me were genuinely pleased that I accepted and we worked well together thereafter!

Check hoe quickly you can leave and do not facilitate your employer for a moment.

If they try and guilt you, be surprised!
They certainly never gave you ANY indication you were valued.

Agree with @billy1966 . Do not accept a counter-offer in these circumstances. You don't want to work for an employer who pulled that shitty secret shopper trick with your appointments or criticised you about billable hours while knowing you are taking on a major additional role that doesn't generate billable hours.

Well done on taking steps to recognise your own value. What a lovely bunch MNers are! Always heartened to see threads where women help women.

Live update! Heard back from the nice small firm with which I interviewed last week. They said they could offer me 28k (I'd asked for 32k) and wanted a commitment that I'd stay long-term. They are genuinely lovely but...