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Original poster

Too late to become a solicitor?

11 replies

marcelawatk · 27/05/2014 01:08

One day last winter I thought, I think I would make a great solicitor. SomI applied to Nottingham and they have unconditionally accepted me. But now I am worry of how competitive is to land a training contract... I will be competing with young skinny good looking smart people, and I am just not good enough. I haven't work since I left my Admin job in Washington DC in 2010 to follow DH to his home country to raise our family. I applied to hundreds of jobs, got 16 interviews that lead to 1 month temp job. I think the last three years of looking for employment and being rejected so many times has made me very insecure about getting this training contract... But hey, maybe it is right to think of another career... Something less competitive? Any thoughts

OP posts:
Original poster
marcelawatk · 27/05/2014 01:12

I am 36 and about 3 stones extra of baby weight that refuses to leave!

OP posts:
MillionPramMiles · 27/05/2014 08:40

In part it depends on your financial situation. It can be expensive to put yourself through two years of Law school (or one year if you already have a law degree) without a guaranteed job at the end of it.

You're right that there is a huge amount of competition for training contracts and you'll be competing with people with recent relevant work experience. I'd recommend applying for a paralegal role part time or offering to work for free for local law firms to gain some experience. You need to demonstrate you have the aptitude and skills to practice law.

It isn't your appearance that might hold you back, its the lack of recent and relevant work experience.

Moid1 · 27/05/2014 08:46

Ok, it's going to be hard but not impossible.

  1. What are your qualifications? Though less important for mature student still a good indicator of academic ability.
  2. What have you done job wise?
  3. What is your selling point ie: ave you worked in a particular industry?
  4. Do you have any contacts you can smooze for that all important work experience?

Be honest with yourself, remember the law schools will take anyone who will pay them. Huge oversupply but legal skills are very much in demand.

PureTree · 28/05/2014 11:32

Hello,

As someone who interviews trainee lawyers my only advice is to use your circumstances for you, not against you. You have a wealth of life experience to offer and that will stand you out against your more junior competitors. Get your foot in the door by taking up a paralegal position. Though it's a hard time for all industries, if you want it badly enough you will get there.

BristolRover · 28/05/2014 11:39

if you have some good transferable experience from your previous working life, you're ahead of the skinny young things fresh out of uni. I have one of those (with a First from an RG university, if you please) currently interning for me (& yes she's paid before anyone complains). The lack of general business practice / knowledge and GIGGLING does my nut in. I'd rather have an efficient, brisk 36 yr old with some common sense any day.

Just bear in mind it's very expensive to get qualified as well as competitive, and that there are alternative routes to qualification that may not leave you in such hideous debt. DO you have a degree of any sort already? Have you looked at ILEX which leaves you working through qualification?

I'm also curious as to why you think you'll make a good solicitor - what sort of skills do you have that you think are relevant and what sort of law is it you're looking at?

BristolRover · 28/05/2014 11:41

(also have you thought about related jobs like company secretary / notary scrivener?)

Overcooked · 28/05/2014 11:53

I was going to suggest ILEX too.

Also, are you happy with the work/life balance, it can be fairly tough going, especially in the commercial side.

sarahquilt · 28/05/2014 15:13

My friend works in corporate law and works very long hours - until 9pm sometimes.

TiredFeet · 28/05/2014 22:48

My advice would be to consider ilex or similar as an alternative, unless the law school fees don't feel like a big sacrifice to you. To most people that is a lot of money unless you at least have a training contract lined up. And also you need to think carefully what area of law you want to do, there is huge diversity in types of work and pay levels (I love my work but only earn similar to a teacher, for instance)

I would suggest getting work experience before going down this route as it is an enormous commitment

mandy214 · 02/06/2014 22:42

I agree with previous posters. Think about what you could offer, why you think you would be a good solicitor and get some work experience. The reality of juggling a home life and a career in law is hard. A previous poster said corporate law often meant working to 9pm, thats just a normal day for some lawyers - my sister (in the City) regularly works through the night when there's a deal on.

I think the reality of getting a training contract is that its ultra competitive now. Firms are interested in experience / reputation of universities & schools / grades and now something that makes you stand out from everyone else. We have graduates with 1st class degrees as paralegals as there are simply not enough training contracts. So you need to be committed to the long haul, its not impossible, of course its not but its going to be hard. Good luck!

lapumpkin · 07/06/2014 23:00

I'm really interested in this thread and just wondering where you might get some experience to help figure out if law is 'the thing' for you? I am also thinking of a career change, I'm a graduate but not in law. Where could I get experience? Is ILEX a good way to go?

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