Career Clinic: Should I have gone big?

Too late now for such thoughts isn't it?

Rather than wondering about what could have been, you should be focusing on what you have and concentrating on making a good impression there. If you still feel the need to check out bigger firms you can try to do so at qualification. But until then, you've got very little choice.

Anonymous -24 Feb 2010 | 17:44

Lesson in life no.1: there will always be people in life who earn more than you, and (many, many) people who earn less than you. Envy gets you nowhere: lawyers are particularly good at whinging about their lot: we shouldn't. We earn pretty good money and do an interesting job. You chose a smaller firm because it was fun. That is good. If you choose to follow the money later, that is also fine but, for now, be grateful you have a training contract in a place that is treating you properly and teaching you how to be a good lawyer.

Associate -25 Feb 2010 | 10:58

Don't follow the cash

Follow the interesting work and enjoy your life, and don't become a slave to the cash is my considered advice after a long time in the business. If money is all that interests you, why become a lawyer in the first place? What is most important is enjoying what you do and where you work, and having a life you can enjoy outside the office. Greedy lawyers bring a skilled and responsible profession into disrepute; if all you want is the cash, kindly leave the stage.

OldAssociate -25 Feb 2010 | 13:33

DAMN..

Old Associate just RIPPED it...! Leave the stage son...you're either on it or off it...

Watcher -25 Feb 2010 | 15:25

It all depends on what you're after. If your primary motivation is cash, I think it's probably fair to say you should have gone Magic or US. If you're after actual learning and hands-on experience, I think you have probably made the right decision - although I didn't go the small firm route, I'm convinced my friends at small firms learned more (at least initially) during their training (i.e. big firms tend to have far more lawyers and layers - meaning the very junior lawyers/trainees are likely to get (mostly) pretty routine (mundane?) work; versus the small firms don't have the necessary bodies to take such an approach). If you're after a CV entry that will be widely known and (rightly?) regarded as "quality", you probably should have gone Magic or US. I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's generally easier to go from big to small - not always the case, or necessarily "right", but just the way it is...

Dorothy Gale -26 Feb 2010 | 11:59

For god's sake stop moaning and get on with it. Consider yourself lucky to have a TC at all instead of looking over your shoulder and coveting others' salaries.

Anonymous -26 Feb 2010 | 14:28

If we're talking about beards, then yes, you should certainly go for bigger.

Otherwise, like other posters have said enjoy the fact that you've got a training contract secured (many of your contemporaries won't have), enjoy the firm you're at - get stuck in with both chargeable and non-chargeable (particularly social/networking events) as much as possible, and learn as much while you're there. It's likely that while you're friends at big magic circle firms are getting paid more, those firms will be getting their pound of flesh for the buck, and they most likely will be being chained to a photocopier or just proofreading loads of documents. At a smaller firm, I would think you'll get more responsibility and decent interesting work to be involved with (as well as some photocopying/proofreading), as well as a better work/life balance - which you should be making the most of as a trainee!

BadgerB -26 Feb 2010 | 16:32

I trained at a mid-tier UK firm when I could have gone to larger and more reputable firms. I made my choice on the basis I should get better training and experience in a smaller place. It was a mistake. The training was as poor as anywhere and, to put it bluntly, I was far too good for the place. I left on qualification and now enjoy better work and money, smarter colleagues and better prospects. The hours are the same.

dave -18 Mar 2010 | 11:55

You made the right choice!

I understand your concerns but I have the fortunate position of seeing the training received at both a smaller City firm and a much larger firm... and have to say that I am so glad that I am of the former category.

My partner is a trainee at a top national firm and is currently having a terrible time. He earns £5,000 more than myself; however, for the hours he puts in he is probably on minimum wage if it was actually worked out. He often works through the night for many days with no notice whatsoever and only the clothes he stands up in.

The newly-qualified wage has been cut drastically for his firm as with many of the big players; however, they still expect the lawyers to work every hour they possibly can.. .for those who don't care about a work/life balance and/or spending time with their family this is great but for me - I wouldn't work for the big firms if they paid me a gold pig!

Nearly qualified -20 Apr 2010 | 17:01