Employers are looking for grads who’ll add value to their firm from day one. They want to know whether you possess the skills to hit the ground running and contribute to their team from the get-go.
Have you been working in customer-facing roles, collaborating in teams or growing your capabilities beyond uni?
Then you’ve likely already been sharpening several in-demand transferable skills. But what are they exactly?
Let’s explore the top skills employers are searching for. So you can demonstrate your worth, stand out from the crowd and land a legal role.
Champion what you’ll bring to the table
When applying for jobs, you need to convince employers that you have the skills, knowledge and motivation to excel at their organisation.
Employers understand that core legal skills – like drafting and advocacy – are developed over the course of a career. So they’re also keen to know which transferable skills you’ve already acquired outside the world of law.
Take a moment to reflect on the skills you’ve been sharpening in several settings, such as your:
- General work experience
- University projects
- Volunteering
- Sport teams
- Community activities
Now, let’s examine the top transferable skills employers want to see in new grads. And how each one will prove useful time and again throughout your career.
The top transferable skills you can bring to a legal role
1. Problem-solving: Determining what is legally relevant requires you to sift through lots of information and establish the legal significance of key findings. Likewise, you’ll draw upon your creativity and strategic thinking to identify client objectives and solve novel problems.
2. Research: As a new grad, you’ll often need to locate and read through cases, statutes and other materials. You’ll draw on your research skills as you navigate legal databases, legislation and physical texts to resolve complex questions.
3. Verbal communication: To be successful in law, you’ll need to state cases with precision. It’s key that you distil facts and information into an easy-to-understand summary. Many similar skills will also be valuable throughout your career – like empathic listening, asking the right questions, formulating arguments and interviewing.
4. Negotiation: From time to time, you’ll be asked to resolve challenging issues in a way that both parties find acceptable. You’ll need to learn about the strengths and weaknesses of the other person’s position – to help propose a mutually agreeable resolution.
5. Written communication: You’ll often need to write for specific audiences and formats – like case notes, letters, memos, legal pleadings, court documents and contracts. So being clear, succinct and engaging is key. Translating complex legal concepts for clients and stakeholders is a very valuable skill.
6. Time management: Legal organisations are often fast-paced and high-pressure environments. If you can demonstrate your ability to juggle conflicting priorities and workloads, employers will welcome you with open arms.
7. Client management: Building healthy, ongoing relationships with stakeholders will be a core task throughout your career. Some clients may prove to be extremely demanding due to their challenging legal circumstances. So strong people management skills will allow you to manage the diverse needs of your clients.
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