Weekly Newsletter #8

Here’s what to expect this week…

Let’s get into it 👇

📍 Work experience and legal placement opportunities

💼 Trainee Roles

📍 Paralegal/Entry Level Roles

My response: The short answer is possibly.

Not because you need to have a perfectly curated profile, but because it's a great way of finding opportunities you might not otherwise come across. In fact, most Inclusie Club subscribers found us through LinkedIn.

Recruiters, chambers, law firms and other organisations regularly share events, open days, application deadlines and job opportunities on there. If you're never checking LinkedIn, there's a decent chance you're missing things that would actually be useful to you.

The good news is that you don't need hundreds of connections. You definitely don't need to start posting daily updates about your legal career either. But it is worth spending 20 minutes making sure your profile is up to date. Add your work experience, achievements, volunteer positions and anything else you'd be happy for an employer or recruiter to see. If your profile isn't fully private, there's every chance someone will look you up before deciding whether to interview you. Think of LinkedIn as an extension of your CV rather than another social media account.

The goal definitely isn't to spend hours scrolling (I know it can sometimes feel like an endless stream of promotional content and humblebrags)! It's simply to make sure you're seeing interesting opportunities outside of the big law firms when they come up rather than hearing about them after the deadline has passed.

Maybe start by following a few people whose careers interest you, as well as companies, chambers and law firms you'd like to work for, and take it from there.

This week we're chatting to Aleisha, Director of In-House Legal Recruitment at Beacon Legal UK.

I asked if she would share some insights on what makes candidates stand out from the crowd. I hope you find them useful…

“Applications for paralegal roles, legal assistant positions and training contracts continue to rise, creating an increasingly competitive environment for aspiring lawyers. For those navigating this, there are several practical steps that can improve your chances of success: 

✨ Be responsive. If you're actively applying for roles, answer your phone and respond promptly to emails. Opportunities often move quickly, and being available can make a genuine difference. 

✨ Treat every interaction as part of the process. Whether it's a screening call, an email exchange or a first interview, first impressions matter. The strongest candidates consistently demonstrate professionalism, enthusiasm and confidence from the very first conversation. 

✨ Focus on authenticity, not perfection. Hiring managers don't expect flawless answers. They want to understand your motivations, experiences and potential. Aim to have a conversation rather than deliver a rehearsed performance. 

✨ Practise talking about your experiences. The best candidates can explain what they've done, what they've learned and why it matters. Interview preparation with a recruiter, mentor, friend or family member can help you become more comfortable discussing your experiences naturally and confidently. 

✨ Develop your ability to think on your feet. Many candidates prepare extensively for anticipated questions but struggle when conversations take an unexpected turn. Building confidence in unscripted discussions is often what separates good interviews from great ones. 

✨ Reflect on your experiences. In a market where many candidates have strong academics and similar work experience, the ability to articulate what you've learned and how you've grown is a powerful differentiator. 

✨ Demonstrate genuine interest. Candidates who stand out can clearly explain why they are interested in a particular organisation and what genuinely excites them about the profession. 

✨ Remember that your CV is only the starting point. Most of the CVs I reviewed were exceptionally well presented. The candidates who progressed furthest were often those who paired strong credentials with excellent communication skills, self-awareness and a genuine ability to connect with others. 

While the market is challenging, there are opportunities available and the candidates who remain resilient, adaptable and proactive in their approach continue to make positive progress.”

Thank you so much, Aleisha! I think the point about treating every interaction as part of the process is a particularly useful one and is not something we talk about enough. If you're an aspiring lawyer who would like to chat about your individual circumstances, the current landscape or how to position yourself for success, please feel free to reach out to Aleisha on LinkedIn to discuss further.

If you’re twiddling your thumbs this summer, it might be worth looking at FutureLearn.

It’s a platform offering (some) free online courses which can be competed at your own pace. For sixth form and college students, Cambridge University do a six week course called Studying Law at University which has got great reviews. For university students, the Introduction to Legal Innovation and Technology from the University of Law may be worth looking at.

FYI - Some of the content on FutureLearn is paid, but I understand you can try out at least one course for free.

That’s all for now. See you next week!

P.s. Please keep sending through any feedback on the newsletters either via LinkedIn or email. I really appreciate it!

^{The careers advice shared in this newsletter is intended as general guidance and should not be treated as formal legal or recruitment advice. I do my best to keep all opportunities and deadlines accurate and up-to-date at the time of writing, but always double-check the employer’s website before applying.}