Navigating the Paralegal Market
By Chris Goodman
Legal Recruitment Consultant,
Chadwick Nott
As a legal recruiter within the Paralegal market at Chadwick Nott I speak with Paralegals with varying degrees of experience on a daily basis. They are often seeking my advice on finding their first or next job role and I’m keenly aware of the challenges they can face. The Paralegal market can be a tricky place to navigate and is increasingly competitive but once in can offer fantastic work satisfaction and career opportunities. Whether looking for a role in commerce and industry or private practice, I generally find most of the candidates I speak to fall within one of these 4 main groups all of which have their various considerations, opportunities, and challenges.
Entry Level Paralegal:
This is perhaps the group of candidates I speak to most frequently. Often candidates are very keen and enthusiastic but struggling to find their first opportunity to gain that all important “experience” which many roles are looking for. Unfortunately, there’s no “one size fit’s all” approach to follow in order to find that first role. Most candidates will have already completed a law degree and some a Masters but very important is being able to demonstrate a keen interest in working as a paralegal through either university societies or work experiences, this can include Internships, vacation schemes, pro bono work experience and work shadowing, all of which show a desire to enter the legal profession as well as a commercial awareness and legal knowledge. Making sure to tailor your CV to highlight any relevant transferable skills from non-legal work experience is also important. Securing these types of experience can be highly competitive, it’s therefore critical that prospective Paralegals aren’t discouraged and continue to apply to the right places, as with a little bit of luck you will find that first career opening. A legal recruiter may be able to help, at Chadwick Nott we often work on Paralegal Document Review projects which can offer that first opportunity to gain temporary legal experience. We do get entry level Paralegal roles called in but unfortunately not as frequently as experienced. Often due to cost pressures entry level Paralegal roles will be recruited directly by the firm or organisation rather than asking for agency support. I’d therefore recommend putting a targeted list of prospective employers together, then reviewing their careers page or alternatively proactively approaching their recruitment team to find out if you can support them in any way.
Experienced & Career Paralegal:
The main difference between these two types of Paralegals is the desire to one day qualify as a Solicitor. Both types of Paralegals will be in high demand, and we’ll generally be searching for candidates within this group for 90% of the roles we get called in. I’d classify an “experienced” Paralegal as anyone with over 6 months of experience. Some clients will be seeking additional experience but generally if you have over 6 months experience within a relevant area in can be very helpful in securing your next role. A Paralegal will find that their role and responsibilities can vary greatly from firm to firm or organisation and practice area, for example a Paralegal working in residential property team may find themselves with a high volume of work and quick turnarounds whereas a corporate Paralegal may find that their work follows the general trend of corporate work which can mean very busy periods with long days followed by quieter periods. When applying for roles, whether through an agency of directly you should consider your legal interests and experience as well as the type of organisation you’re applying for and tailor applications appropriately. Many clients seeking experienced Paralegals will be looking for a someone who has experience in the relevant practice area they’re recruiting for. As an agency we’re engaged by clients and our fees paid by doing our best to find the “perfect fit” for them both in terms of experience and team fit, every client will have a different cultural identity, way of working and expectations.
As mentioned, the distinction between an experienced and a career Paralegal is often their longer term wish to qualify. This should be a consideration when interviewing for roles although not the main focus. Common interview feedback from clients is that they’re worried a candidate would not stay in a role if progression is not offered quickly. This can be frustrating for a candidate particularly if they’re very keen on an opportunity. Whilst it is more than fair to ask questions in an interview in relation to development and progression if the abiding feeling the client has afterwards is that there was too much focus on where the role might lead and not on the role itself then they’re likely to pass, as no client wishes to be in a situation where they may be recruiting for the same role within 12 months if the new hire leaves. Whilst some clients may explicitly offer the opportunity of a training contract or qualification in the future for the right candidate, many won’t be so explicit, and although there maybe progression it’s perhaps a longer-term discussion based on the need of the business at the time. I’d therefore recommend balancing any questions in relation to progression with an enthusiasm for the role you’re interviewing for and considering the impact of the Paralegal role on your CV and how it might open doors in the future. In terms of a Career Paralegal although they may not be looking for qualification, it doesn’t mean they don’t seek progression or professional development so again any questions in relation to this should be balanced.
Overseas Qualified Lawyers:
I regularly speak with overseas qualified lawyers who may be finding it hard to find their first legal role in the UK. Many consider applying for Paralegal roles in order to gain UK experience. Clients in this case can secure candidates with excellent experience who can very quickly get up to speed and add value within the teams they join. Clients will still however be seeking relevant experience, and it can be an awkward stage as some clients may consider you overqualified for the role of a Paralegal but under qualified to hire as a Lawyer. As with an entry level Paralegal I’d suggest perseverance and not to be too discouraged if getting knock backs. There are certainly clients out there who will consider overseas qualified lawyers for Paralegal roles and once secured these will act as a springboard for you to other opportunities, your determination and persistence will pay off eventually.
In summary, whatever level of experience you presently have and whether you’re looking for your first or next role, make sure your CV is up to date and appropriately tailored to the role you’re applying for. Target the opportunities that will best suit your current skills and experience and also consider how the role and firm/organisation may add value to your CV in the longer term, above all persevere, every successful lawyer was once an aspiring Paralegal. Chadwick Nott has may years of experience in supporting Paralegal recruitment at all levels, for a confidential discussion on your options and current opportunities speak to a member of the team who would be happy to help.
For a confidential discussion, please contact Chris Goodman at Chadwick Nott.
📱 0203 096 4546
📞 0791 765 1039
