Career Clinic: What can I do to stand out from the crowd?

Different

First, being a parliamentary researcher isn't as unique as you may think. Redbrick-Parliament-Law-Parliament is a pretty well trodden route!

Your main issue will be demonstrating an interest in law. If you're still working, apply for vac schemes and do one during the parliamentary recess/your holiday - using your own holiday to gain legal experience will really show your commitment. If you can't get on a formal vac scheme, offer to work somewhere for free.

Also, are you willing to self-fund through the GDL? That can also help show commitment.

Finally, focus your law firm application - perhaps to those that do a lot of parliamentary/lobbying work?

NQ -15 Feb 2010 | 12:33

Work experience

As much legal work experience as possible - workshadowing barristers, vacation schemes etc. I wouldn't worry about extra-curricular (apart from debating society at law school) as the firms don't seem to be particularly interested in that. There are firms which do public/parliamentary law which would tie in well with your career so far.

Newbie -15 Feb 2010 | 13:25

Be careful!

Whatever you do, do not follow the advice to self-fund the GDL. Yes, you might look committed but you will also end up with with an enforced gap year and a large debt if you are looking for a job at any of the decent firms. I would look into doing as much pro bono and free representation work as possible, especially if you are applying to US firms where it is seen as particularly important.

Associate -16 Feb 2010 | 10:17

I agree that you should focus your applications to maximum effect - apply to firms that do work in fields relevant to your own work and experience. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to qualify in that area, but you need to get a foot in the door. Other than a little work experience, you are no different to many applicants - many solicitors do not have a law degree and there will be many applicants older than their mid-20s!

Anonymous -16 Feb 2010 | 15:10

self-funding the GDL

Law firms can perceive self-funding of the GDL as indicative of enthusiasm and commitment, but it can also give quite a bad impression. It can also suggest you weren't able to get a training contract, or almost as bad, you were ridiculously bad at organising and didn't get round to applying before starting the GDL - they can draw inferences regarding time management. Whilst undoubtedly the case is different here as you have had a job, many of those at BPP who didn't have a training contract and were self-funding just came across as lazy, rich kids who didn't have a clue what they were going to do but couldn't stomach the idea of going into a profession that wasn't "middle class".

- -17 Feb 2010 | 11:03

self-funding

Persuant to the point I made above, there were many doing the GDL without a training contract who weren't lazy rich kids. However the question remained as to why they hadn't applied previously and whether or not it was financially reckless to fork out £10k for the GDL without knowing for sure they had a job.

- -17 Feb 2010 | 15:29

Self-funding the GDL is not purely a financial question.

If you want to apply to commercial firms, don't even consider starting the GDL without a training contract: quite apart from the money, firms recruit two years in advance, so you will have an enforced gap year in which you might as well have been doing the GDL/LPC.

If you want to apply to other firms, many a) won't pay for the GDL and b) recruit far later. These are the people that are (justifiably) paying for the GDL without having a training contract lined up.

Anonymous -17 Feb 2010 | 17:02

You could do the GDL part-time and continue working. This will (a) give you an income and (b) mean you have two years in which to apply for TCs before the LPC. It's tough, but a lot of people do it. It shows commitment and I am sure many firms will respect that.

Anonymous -18 Feb 2010 | 09:17

Make up your mind

Sorry, but any "commitment" to law will be quite difficult to prove at this stage. If you want to be a lawyer so much, why did you take an undergraduate followed by a masters in an unrelated field?

Too little, too late if you ask me.

Mike -19 Feb 2010 | 03:10

Beard

I suggest growing a beard to make you stand out. If you can cultivate an impressive chin warmer, this will certainly leave an impression on interviewers. It will also provide a practical use for stroking and pondering purposes when completing application forms/considering answers to questions in interviews.

I do not recall any of my colleagues on the LPC having a beard, or even a well-groomed moustache. Therefore having such facial topiary would almost certainly help you be different from other applicants.

BadgerB -24 Feb 2010 | 15:24

Hat

Or perhaps a top hat? Particularly good if you are short of stature.

Many tour guides use an umbrella held aloft, but it's difficult to load the photocopier and hit the copy button simultaneously while holding an umbrella aloft.

Moley -24 Feb 2010 | 17:07

Mike is overstating it imho. I know and have heard of plenty of people who have come to law from quite different careers. I'm not 100% sure what being a parliamentary researcher entails, but it certainly sounds like you could claim to have acquired transferable skills and knowledge.

The OP is in his mid-twenties, hardly deep into his career. Can't be anything wrong with changing at this stage. Legal work experience is really important on your CV though, so get some.

GimmeaTC -25 Feb 2010 | 11:29

Beard & Hat

Good idea Moley, a top hat could be just the ticket, particularly if worn in conjunction with a well-groomed beard. That would certainly be an unusual sight for a prospective trainee.

Heed Moley's comments though regarding photocopiers. Ensure your beard is not too long that it gets snarled in the rollers when you're trying to free a paper jam. They are difficult enough machines at the best of times, and would be worse/more temperamental if clogged with chin fuzz too.

BadgerB -26 Feb 2010 | 16:23