Law Graduate - what now?

After my BCL Law degree, I got a job as a Legal Secretary so as to save up money for an 'around the world' trip. After 2 years, I did a postgraduate LLB masters. Now I work as a Legal Secretary again. Presently, I am looking for a new job, but each recruitment agency I meet with seems to have only secretarial roles for me. I am anxious to move away from this! I was wondering if anyone on here is a law graduate and what career path they took (besides becoming a Solicitor, that is). Or if anyone has any suggestions as to how about looking for a better job for me.

Well have you considered moving to law department of large firm? know alot of the major banks, public companies and finance companies in the IFSC etc have legal departments just to ensure they meet all legal requirements. Once your foot is in the door with these firms you could always ask if its possible for transfer to different department if you get bored with the pure law aspect?

Know one of my mates with law degree now works as investment banker after joining major banks legal department and finding this more appealing to his personality . just a thought

Thanks, I'll look into it!

Would you get a better response if you came to the job market with no experience and just your law degree? If so, leave your secretarial experience off your cv as that is what is attracting the recruitment agencies. Once you dont have that you are essentially a graduate with a law degree, you might be eligible to be taken on a graduate program in a large company?

I'd be inclined to approach potential employers (e.g. large firms with their own legal deperatment as previously siggested) directly, rather than through agencies.

In a lot of cases, agencies will take a look at your current position and only put you forward for something very similar, no matter what you say to them.

homeowner said:

Would you get a better response if you came to the job market with no experience and just your law degree? If so, leave your secretarial experience off your cv as that is what is attracting the recruitment agencies. Once you dont have that you are essentially a graduate with a law degree, you might be eligible to be taken on a graduate program in a large company?

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This isn't really plausible as the first thing a potential employer will ask about is the gap in your CV.

The reason agencies are putting you forward for secretarial work is because they are interested in themselves and their profit first and foremost and see you as a commodity. If you want to use an agency you'll have to make it absolutely clear that you are not willing to work as a legal secretary. Which stands to reaon, given the standard of your education. Good luck with the job search.