{"id":1637,"date":"2021-08-24T11:30:11","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T10:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/klsemployability\/?page_id=1637"},"modified":"2021-08-26T16:19:54","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T15:19:54","slug":"skills-qualities-and-essential-criteria","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/getintolaw\/skills-qualities-and-essential-criteria\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Noticed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Get Noticed – developing skills and qualities that legal recruiters seek<\/h4>\n

The following are essential for success in the legal profession:<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
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  1. A good academic record<\/strong>\u00a0 – All firms will seek a consistently high level of achievement but some*<\/em> will specify that you must have particular grades at both\u00a0 A-level (or equivalent) and degree.\u00a0 Many firms seek a 2:1 in your degree and AAB \/ ABB at A-level or the equivalent.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because they can!\u00a0 It’s a competitive market and this is an easy way for them to filter out applications.\u00a0 However, the good news is that many firms are moving away from the grade requirement in recognition that this isn’t always the best indicator of success.\u00a0 \u00a0A level grades (or their equivalent) in particular are featuring less although there are still quite few firms who don’t request a 2.2 or, more commonly, a 2.1 degree.
    \nNB- all firms will consider genuine mitigation if you have lower grades than expected.<\/li>\n
  2. Extra curricular activities:\u00a0 –\n
      \n
    1. Legal work experience:\u00a0 whilst all firms will value this most do recognise that it is not always easy to obtain.\u00a0 \u00a0If you can’t get legal work experience think about other ways to discover the legal profession – attend open days \/ watch a case in court \/ meet lawyers in another way (networking events \/ on-line forums \/ mentoring etc).\u00a0 \u00a0Volunteer in the clinic.<\/li>\n
    2. Other work experience –\u00a0 paid or voluntary jobs whether part time or full time will all count.\u00a0 Think about the relevant skills that you have from this and the fact that someone else has valued you and your skills enough to employ you or, in the case of volunteering, take you onto the team.\u00a0 \u00a0Never leave this off your CV.\u00a0 You will demonstrate commitment and responsibility as a minimum.\u00a0 \u00a0Also, if you have worked in a family business this IS work that you should record.\u00a0 In all likelihood you will have worked harder for less pay and taken on more responsibility than if you worked for someone else.\u00a0 Don’t think this is irrelevant – it is very relevant.<\/li>\n
    3. Taking on responsibilities such as: Rep \/ Campus Ambassador \/ Captain of a sports team \/ committee member for a student society \/ Head Girl\/Boy and so on.<\/li>\n
    4. having interests – the legal profession relies and relationships to win new business.\u00a0 \u00a0A recruiter wants to know that you will be able to talk to clients (and not just about law) and also that you won’t be the office bore.\u00a0 \u00a0This doesn’t mean\u00a0 you have to be outgoing or ‘bubbly’ – just have some interests.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Skills and qualities which they will seek include:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n