Top skills hiring employers want legal professionals to have in the legal sector
When you are seeking a new opportunity and pursuing job vacancies you’ll often find lots said about the law firm, the caseload and (hopefully) the benefits offered by the employer along with the level of experience required. What you often don’t see are those skills that employers are looking for advertised on their job adverts.
Whenever I’m taking the details of new vacancies from my clients one of the questions I always ask is what other skills and personal qualities are you looking for? This is to help me make sure that I am putting the right people in front of my clients. But also so that legal professionals can demonstrate those skills and qualities in their interviews, by drawing upon previous scenarios and experiences.
Below I have listed the top ten skills and qualities I have come across over the past 3 months:
Client service excellence
This is one that most of my clients come up with first. Their clients are their priority, and they are looking for people who can demonstrate their commitment to doing their absolute best and providing an excellent legal service to their clients.
Communication skills
Written and spoken skills are absolutely imperative working in Law and you can easily display those skills even before you get to your interview. Your CV should be clear, chronological and provide a good outline of your experience. It’s always best to lead with an opening statement describing some of your attributes. Don’t forget, if you are working with me or one of my colleagues, we will be reformatting your CV and will talk to you about any potential changes to consider.
Of course, when you are in your interview you will be demonstrating your communication skills, consider not just your vocabulary but also your tone and body language.
IT skills
Most law firms use a case management system. So, it is always useful to mention the software you have used at previous law firms. It’s also worth including other software such as Microsoft Office to demonstrate your abilities. Furthermore, if you have created documents or spreadsheets to help make things efficient, be sure to mention those too.
Business development / networking skills
Firms are increasingly expecting their employees to become involved in business development and networking activities. These can be in the form of local networking events organised by specific organisations. Or could be events that the law firm themselves organise and may require you to support. Don’t forget to talk about any networking, business development or marketing you have been involved in.
Time management skills
I think most of us expect this to be one of the skills most employers like to see from their employees. Time management equals efficiency. So, you need to ensure you can provide examples of how you manage your own time to make sure you achieve deadlines and chargeable hours are met.
Keeps calm under pressure
Not always easy but most of us have experienced pressure at work. Be that due to short deadlines or unexpected happenings that put our days off course. Being able to keep calm under pressure is something we recommend that you demonstrate firstly in your CV (remember I mentioned the opening
statement). Additionally, draw upon your experience and provide scenarios during your job interview.
Team player
Most employers are seeking for someone who works well in a team, working collaboratively with those in their department. Furthermore, they are looking for legal professionals who are multi-skilled, flexible and can support other departments when required.
Organisational skills
Similar to time management of course. However, this is about the approach to work and not just about being efficient. Being organised and having a plan to ensure you achieve what is required could mean planning your diary, the processes undertaken within your job role and the manner in which you carry out your responsibilities.
Commercially astute
Employers are seeking people who are experts in their field and understand the sector they work in and influences the way they work and think.
Keen attention to detail
In the legal profession attention to detail is key so my top tip here is – no mistakes in your CV! Check the spelling and grammar as first impressions are so important.
Are you looking for a new career opportunity?
If you are considering new career opportunities and would like to know more about how we can help you secure a great role with a fantastic firm, please get in touch. As well as working with firms to help them recruit for specific roles, we also work with legal professionals who are seeking new opportunities by approaching the firms they are interested in on a speculative and confidential basis.
We will also help you with your CV, interview preparation and negotiating job offers and terms of employment. Find out more about how we can help legal professionals here.
I initially contacted Eventus Legal to help me secure a new role…I was introduced to Nikki Phillips, who was keen to assist. She was friendly, pro-active and determined to help me. Nikki was amazing throughout the whole process. She certainly went above and beyond! She even communicated with me out of hours! Nikki swiftly assisted me in securing a new role and was there for me throughout the whole process. I could not recommend her enough!! – Liz, placed legal professional.
Written by Nikki Phillips, Senior Recruitment Consultant covering the legal recruitment in Cumbria, Lancashire, Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Wales.