Re: Securing post as solicitor trainee (post FE1)

[mike murph]

If you dont have any experience working in a Solicitors office, it may take a while to get a contract. For example, If I was on the look-out for a trainee, I would be more interested in someone who had experience in a solicitors office than someone who had great University results but no experience.
It may not be as hard as you think though, why not send out some cv's and see what kind of a reaction you get? Theres no point in taking the first thing you get offered, out of desperation though.

I'm 25, I worked in a solicitor's office initially as work experience during school locally and I was retained for the summer, I subsequently did my Law Degree and followed it up with a Masters and I now have seven FE1's done (last one due to be done in October in Equity).

Since finishing my degree I've worked for four years in a Garda Superintendent's office doing various admin work which included being the Acting District Finance Officer for one year and having extensive experience of dealing with court files primarily in the District/Circuit Court from the State perspective - I know it's really up to myself to show what extent of transferrable skills I can demonstrate from these duties but how would this work be regarded by a solicitor?

I've sent out large numbers of cv's and bar the handful of larger commercial firms telling me my application will receive consideration when they are arranging their annual interviews, the only potentially positive replies I've received have been three follow-ups from guys in various locations in Munster who are not sure in the current financial climate as to whether to take on an apprentice or not.

I'm due to finish my contract in the Garda Station in four weeks and if nothing has materialised in the meantime (I will obviously be sending out further CVs further afield and calling into offices with cv's in person). I want to show direct, relevant, recent work experience in a solicitor's office.

Basically, what I'm wondering is which I should give more time and attention to, given that I also have an exam to be studying for!

Is my work experience in the local criminal justice system sufficient as 'office experience' for an impending apprenticeship or would this instead be disregarded by ay prospective employers?

Obviously, to have worked for four years in a solicitor's office would be of more benefit but should I be concentrating more time on finding a job as a legal secretary/paralegal/legal executive as and from now? Or is it just about persevering with my CV as it stands with my academic qualifications and general work experience by calling into offices and harassing solicitors in person?

Any guidance or help would be very much appreciated, the whole process makes the FE1 exams almost look like a pleasant alternative!

As an aside, while I understand that a PFO is a PFO irrespective of the language in which it is couched but if they are complimentary about the CV they received is this just the standard-letter they reply with or could it be interpreted as being in any way genuine and sincere?

Obviously, it's generalising but I'm never sure how to judge the strength of my CV, especially with regard to the standard of practical work experience I have been doing for the last few years (hoping I haven't been wasting my time basically!).

Many thanks!