Articles From the Team

Legal jobs: how do you know when it’s time to move on?

When you start thinking about moving legal jobs, you embark on a process. A very important process may I add; if it isn’t thought-provoking or explored throughly, it will lead to a lot of wasted time and you’ll remain in the rut you’re currently in.

So, here is my first question: are you stuck in a rut? How unhappy or happy are you right now? If you’re unhappy, what’s causing your unhappiness? Can an internal change solve this, or is it time to make a change?

If you’re interviewing elsewhere, will moving on solve your unhappiness?

I’ve put together some points, ideas and questions to help you think quite critically as you start the legal jobs search process.

• How happy do you feel right now? It’s 5 p.m. and you’re still in the office doing work/have a fair few things to catch up on, how does this make you feel? Do you have a positive view on your work-life balance?
• Think commute, salary, workload and progression? Do you feel happy when Sunday evening comes around?
• Pencil down five things you enjoy about your job – can you note five? If not, revert to the above…
• Are you working in an area of law you studied during your degree? If not, why not? It’s not too late to pursue residential property for example if you ended up in a personal injury or plot conveyancing role
• Ever thought about moving away from the law? Plenty of lawyers do! Is there more to life? At this point, is it possible to get a job outside law? Yes of course it is. You can do it if you put your mind to it!
• Would you be happier working from home or closer to home? Is flexible working something that would change your day to day life?
• Do you like your environment? The people around you, the office temperature, the fact that there are no windows in the office? Small things are important.
• Close your eyes and try to picture yourself in your dream job, your dream location and with the remuneration you believe you are worth to enjoy life.

Alternatively… you could… do nothing. Stay as you are. But nothing will change… if you always do what you’ve always done you’ll always get what you’ve always got.

When you’re going through the process of exploring new opportunities and you’ve invested a lot of time in interviewing elsewhere, even when you finally receive that offer, make sure you revisit the main reasons you searched for a new role in the first place.  

Always stick to your gut and be sure about what your real drivers are and the real reasons you’re making a decision to leave and embark on a new adventure.

Be brave!

For more information please contact BCL Legal or email us at info@bcllegal.com.