Career Advice

In a job interview, the question about salary expectations is a loaded one. Talking about money is awkward at the best of times, but in an interview situation, it can be particularly tricky.

In a nutshell, while honesty is important, it’s better to avoid giving a specific figure. Give one that’s too high and you’ll quote yourself out of the role, too low and you’ll shoot yourself in the foot.

To navigate the question successfully and minimise embarrassment all around, there are a few steps you can take in advance of the interview.

Understand the question

First, you need to know the multitude of reasons interviewers ask this question. The obvious one is “to know the amount they’ll need to pay you”, but it’s not as straightforward as that.

Working as a temp is a brilliant way to explore different industry sectors and positions, and to gain valuable skills and experience. Many of our candidates end up securing a permanent position through their temporary placements, rather than going through the normal interview process, so a temp position can be a great introduction. Temping offers flexibility to fit around other commitments or to fill a gap in between permanent employment while you are job hunting. Read on to explore how temping works and what the opportunities are for turning a temp job into a permanent position.

What is a temp role?

The COVID-19 pandemic has created some difficult times for people around the world, but those who have lost their jobs due to the resulting economic downturn are among those who have been most seriously impacted. If this relates to you, these developments can feel devastating – but there are steps that you can take to accelerate your journey back to employment.

In most cases, those who have been made redundant as a result of COVID-19 will not have lost their jobs due to any problems with their job performance or capabilities. As such, even though the current jobs market may seem demanding, it is important to remember that your credentials are just as impressive as they ever were.

With everyone in the legal profession settling into a new remote-working normal, we will consider how you can enhance your skills when it comes to job hunting and interviewing online.

Starting on a positive note, the legal industry is generally very resilient even in uncertain times, so there is no reason to put off job hunting even if the general economy is struggling to get back to normal. You should prepare to be more patient as those who are recruiting for law firms are also trying to get to grips with juggling a new remote workforce. It may take some HR teams time to adjust to new technology and work routines, but this could be time that you spend developing your online skills.

A number of firms are beginning to use virtual onboarding processes for new legal employees. We share our tips for making an impact when starting from home.

With new responsibilities, new people and new expectations, starting a new legal role can be an anxiety-inducing time even for the most seasoned professionals. But what if you’re starting your new job from your own home?

As a result of the health and safety measures designed to reduce the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, numerous employers are making use of virtual interview and onboarding processes. So, if you’re entering into a new role in the coming weeks or months, there’s a high possibility you will be doing so remotely.

In a world full of greater competition, highly qualified candidates and fewer opportunities, job rejections are inevitable. With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the global economy, many people are finding it harder than ever to look for jobs. However, job rejection is not always the biggest ordeal; it is the aftermath of job rejections, which begins with doubting yourself and your abilities, suffering from imposter syndrome, and feeling demotivated in pursuing a career in your chosen field. Candidates often find job rejections extremely disheartening, and it takes a toll on their mental health and their perspectives.

COVID-19 is having all kinds of far-reaching effects on everyone’s lives. And in recruitment, one of the biggest impacts is an inevitable switch to video interviewing.

But video interviewing has become far more common over recent years anyway. So, sharpening your video interview skills now won’t just be useful during this extraordinary period, but for your future career too.

Here are a selection of insider tips on video interviewing like a pro from everyone at Ambition.

Plan in advance

A video interview is no different from any other interview in terms of content. Don’t expect the questions to be any easier or the interviewer to be any more lenient.

With the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing, it can be easy to believe that job hunting at the moment is an exercise in futility. In reality, however, many employers continued to hire throughout lockdown, and as businesses around the country reopen, the organisations that had put their recruitment drives on hold have resumed efforts to source new talent.

That being said, job hunting now looks very different than it did back in March, and competition for roles in the legal profession is fierce. With the number of vacancies on-site growing and confidence in the job market improving, we decided to put together this list of advice and tips for how to get hired during COVID-19.

Be patient

With the Paralegal profession being acknowledged as the fastest growing within the legal services sector, it’s important to dispel some of the myths and incorrect assumptions that surround the profession.

All Paralegals are law graduates who wish to become Solicitors or Barristers

This premise is just wrong: many graduates still aspire to enter these conventional professions. However, not all graduates wish to become Solicitors or Barristers. Some may want to become career Paralegals or Paralegal practitioners. The cost of qualifying for the conventional professions is so prohibitive that many graduates see the Paralegal pathway as a viable career alternative.

Paralegals are just glorified Legal Secretaries

Legal Secretaries and Paralegals are essential additions to any law firm. Both roles provide support for lawyers with preparing cases and general administrative work. But what’s the difference between a Paralegal and a Legal Secretary? This article will tackle that question and also provide you with insight into the similarities between a Legal Secretary and a Paralegal.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Secretary

Legal Secretaries work in law firms to provide administrative support to lawyers. Daily tasks include producing legal documents, performing research, transcribing interviews, preparing legal forms, organising diaries and generally keeping the office running smoothly. Sometimes they also attend court, which can be interesting.