Career Clinic: I'm not being given enough work and worried about falling behind

Some of us would kill for a job with loads of downtime.

Seriously - keep reading up on stuff, there's so much out there that most of us are to busy to even get a chance to look at. Either that or learn a language.

However, given your reference to your partner's 'own plans', it sounds like keeping abreast of job opportunities is highly advisable.

Anonymous -14 Apr 2011 | 16:04

time to move

As much as some "would kill for a job with loads of downtime" the OP is right to be concerned about the impact this may have on their early career development and won’t look too good when the time sheets are empty at appraisal time. The job market is tough at the junior level and if your experience does only realistically equate to an NQ, the options will be limited.

Even if you hold yourself out to be a 1PQE, you will soon be unravelled at interview. Assuming you’re not exaggerating the point, you should look to move as soon as possible before the gap in your experience becomes irrecoverable. If your partner does leave the firm, you’ll find yourself with even less to do and there’s a good chance that will leave you without a job at all – and then it will be even harder to secure a good role in a decent firm.

You’re right that many departments are operating at near capacity (with the obvious exceptions of real estate etc), so maybe consider looking at something that expands on your niche area (although specialists can be in demand, generally at a junior level law firms like candidates who can try their hand at more things).

The steps you have taken so far are good and you are right to raise it with the partner rather than just whinging about it. But given his response, you should try to raise the issue more formally with your HR department (without disclosing what has been intimated to you). They may be able to redeploy you and it maybe that they replace the partner with someone who has more business/is more motivated, but that could take some time and cause you to fall further behind in the meantime.

In a nutshell – actually looking for a new job really is going to be your best bet right now.

Anon -14 Apr 2011 | 17:45

Walk....

Look for a new job now. Your worth as a lawyer (and your employability) is entirely based on the skills and experience you have acquired and there is no substitute for getting the hours under your belt. The first few years after qualification are critical for that. Self-study will help a but it’s no substitute for the challenges of dealing with real clients. Also, even if your boss is philosophical about it, it doesn’t mean firm management will be happy with modest timesheets and it’s better to move of your own accord than someone else’s.

By the way - saying that you want a move because you are not stretched and want more work to do is not the sort of thing that puts off potential employers - as long as you don't imply your rightful place should be managing partner! Good luck.

Young Fogey -19 Apr 2011 | 10:33

Walk...quickly

Lots of downtime in the shorter term is clearly welcome, but over an extended period of time it will not go unnoticed and sooner or later the firm will take action. Perhaps the partner will be spared but the young lawyers could well be sacrificed.

Clearly, you know your firm better than we do, but my advice would be to contact recruiters asap. I had several months of downtime with redundancy following. Best of luck.

Me -20 Apr 2011 | 15:11

Career guidance

Call me on 0161 935 8260 and I will provide you with a solution.
Regards,
Martyn Maund, MD, Icon Search and Selection Limited

Martyn Maund -21 Apr 2011 | 03:29

Time to get marketing

See this problem as an opportunity. It is common to worry about not being busy but you need time to learn how to do marketing and networking. Marketing now creates billings tomorrow. It is an essential skill to master and better learnt now in the quiet times and when you are young than putting it off.

Be proactive and learn marketing, networking and how to use social media to attract clients. It will put you in a great position for the rest of your career.

Focus on what you can influence and use the time productively.

talentliberator -11 May 2011 | 12:41