Articles From the Team

First impressions count

Trains. These are, and have been for several years, the bane of my existence. They are usually overcrowded, they can be fairly expensive, and should we have a rainy day and leaves fall onto the track they will be late!

I have been using public transport for approximately 8 years now on my daily commute into Birmingham from Bromsgrove. From all my experience in commuting, what I have learnt is that you cannot rely on public transport.

I started at my new role in BCL Legal this month. The first decision I had to make was which train to get to work. I had the choice of two - I had the option of getting the train at either 7:49am or 8:24am. I have travelled on the 7:49am train for many years however I was acutely aware that should I get this train I would be at the office a good half an hour before 9am. My second option was to get the later train. This should, in theory, get me in for 9am on the dot.

I checked the trains the night before for any updates - both were on time; I checked as soon as I woke – both were on time; I checked ten minutes before I was due to leave the house – both were on time. So did I have another cup of tea and risk that later train, or did I leave now and show up seemingly very eager?

I asked myself one simple question: what first impression do I want to make?

I got the earlier train. I turned up at the office at 8:30am, and might I add was the second person in the office, behind my fellow new starter! I considered on this occasion, it was not worth the risk!

I have always been a bit of a chancer and I have learned the hard way many times. I can safely say, it is true what they say, first impressions do count!

As I now embark upon my career within legal recruitment, I will use not only the experience I have gained from working within the legal profession, but also lessons I have learnt in life! I will make sure to ask any candidates looking for advice and guidance, what first impression do you want to make? - to prospective employers, to future colleagues, and to future clients; at initial meetings, formal interviews and once that dream job is secured, on your first day.

I am aware that this will be a steep learning curve for me having made the transition from working within the legal profession, to recruiting for it and I will, no doubt, encounter many bumps in the road along the way. However I will continue to ask myself, what impression do I want to make?

So if you need advice on making the first impression, why not contact BCL Legal or call 0845 241 0933 in strict confidence, to make sure the risk is taken out of the application process for you? We place solicitors and legal executives at all levels into private practice across the south of the country, with an emphasis on the Thames Valley and Home Counties area (to include Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hampshire) in a wide range of commercial disciplines to include corporate, commercial, intellectual property and IT law. We look forward to hearing from you shortly.