Training contract - High street firm

3 areas of work isn't enough to get your TC signed off anyway, or at least it never used to be? They'd have to send you on secondment somewhere to get a 4th area of experience I believe, so you may be able to voice a preference?

Deffo worth checking this - the requirements may have changed and I could be out of date with my advice lol

Reply 2

OP

Hey - thanks for the response - As far as I’m aware 3 areas is the minimum now .... the only question would be commercial property/residential conveyancing could be classed under property so is that really 2 areas? They’ve hired trainees before, one a year I believe, hence why I believe 3 is the minimum and from what I know.

Reply 3

Ok thats good. Commercial and residential are quite different, different standard enquiries and issues. I've done both and there are differences.

In terms of changing to a commercial practice later, not going to lie it will be extremely difficult. I wouldn't bank on being able to do it but there is a chance. Obviously bigger firms handle com prop too so there is crossover there. You'd also need to sell yourself really well and fight to get a foot in the door.

Reply 4

OP

Original post by Duane2501

Ok thats good. Commercial and residential are quite different, different standard enquiries and issues. I've done both and there are differences.

In terms of changing to a commercial practice later, not going to lie it will be extremely difficult. I wouldn't bank on being able to do it but there is a chance. Obviously bigger firms handle com prop too so there is crossover there. You'd also need to sell yourself really well and fight to get a foot in the door.

Thank you for the response - obviously Tc’s are hard to get anyway so I don’t think I would be in a position to turn it down if I was to be offered it - that being said I guess it’s bettee to look for opportunities once you are qualified . Another advantage of this tc is that it would be starting straight away so would not have to wait for a year or even 2 in some instances so could save some time there.

Reply 5

All good points, it is incredibly competitive. Good luck with the offer and good luck moving afterwards. At least you'll be a solicitor no matter what so there's always a chance you can re-specialise. I've re-specialised a few times myself, so it does happen.

Reply 6

OP

Original post by Duane2501

All good points, it is incredibly competitive. Good luck with the offer and good luck moving afterwards. At least you'll be a solicitor no matter what so there's always a chance you can re-specialise. I've re-specialised a few times myself, so it does happen.

Thank you. In terms of re-specialising, would you say firms at good at giving you a chance in a new area you have not done before? As they would then have to teach you a new area of law. I guess it would be easier to do it straight after qualifying so whilst you are a NQ rather than a few years down the line....

Reply 7

No it's not easy and many firms won't do it. You have to be determined and show them why you can pick it up quickly. You also have to be prepared to sacrifice - I offered to drop back to NQ once in terms of salary to re-train. I think doing it as an NQ would be a good way to sell the idea to a firm though. Recruitment agents can be very good for this as they will help you sell your (I hate to say it) transferable skills. I always use agents for new roles - let them do the hard work!

Reply 8

Notoriety

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Original post by Duane2501

No it's not easy and many firms won't do it. You have to be determined and show them why you can pick it up quickly. You also have to be prepared to sacrifice - I offered to drop back to NQ once in terms of salary to re-train. I think doing it as an NQ would be a good way to sell the idea to a firm though. Recruitment agents can be very good for this as they will help you sell your (I hate to say it) transferable skills. I always use agents for new roles - let them do the hard work!

I thought the Government Legal Dept was a good way to re-specialise for already qualified solicitors. Do you know anything about that?

Reply 9

OP