A career in the legal sector can be highly competitive and thanks to ever changing client requirements and technological developments, it can often mean that your role and what’s required of you is continuously evolving. That said, in the blog this week we’ve outlined five key things you can start to do now to make yourself a valuable asset and effectively future-proof your career.
1. Build an online presence
Social media technology is becoming increasingly important to those building careers in professional industries. For example, platforms such as LinkedIn can be used to showcase your knowledge and highlight any success stories that you are able to talk about. As well as sharing your experiences and opinions with your network to stay front-of-mind for service requirements, social media channels can also help you stay up to date with the latest industry developments and overarching industry opinion, helping to support your day-to-day operations and continuous learning process.
2. Develop your personal skills
The human touch should never be underestimated and will always prove essential to the legal industry, especially in highly emotive legal cases. That’s because serving clients effectively and being a trusted advisor will always be invaluable. You should therefore continuously look to develop and refine your personal skills such as communication, listening, problem-solving and dealing with stressful situations, among other things, to enhance your relationships with your clients and your team. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)courses are a proven way to help you enhance these skills at any point in your career.
3. Grow a credible network
Whether you meet industry peers on a public training course or through networking events, maintaining a credible network can help to build your personal brand and professional reputation in law. By making yourself memorable and showcasing your expertise, you can help to enhance your career progression and promote your firm in a positive light with lasting effects.
4. Enhance your professional skillset
Having a wider skillset than your competitors will always stand you in good stead in any professional industry. If you’re looking to future-proof your career, consider courses such as the Higher Rights of Audience (HRA)which will help you to become a solicitor advocate, giving you the right to practice advocacy in the higher courts on behalf of your clients. As of July 2018, according to the SRA there were only 6842solicitor advocates in the UK. Becoming an advocate will not only grant you a higher professional standing, but it will also provide you with a competitive edge by enabling you to offer your clients additional services.
5. Adapt to changing technology
IT and tech investment has become prevalent for law firms, and this is a trend which is rapidly gaining momentum. For example, BDO’s Law Firm Leadership Surveyhighlighted that 80% of participants pointed to technology as the most likely factor to have the greatest impact on their firm. This has the potential to change the way in which law firms operate, especially in terms of research. Despite fears that AI will take job roles away from the legal industry, technology is proven to help lawyers provide a more efficient, cost effective service, and enables new business development. Lawyers who embrace technology, stay up to date with the latest advances, and utilise it to their advantage are more likely to secure a career with longevity.
Ultimately, future-proofing your career in the legal sector should be based upon understanding and pre-empting the needs of your firm and your clients. To fulfil these needs, you will need to take advantage of the benefits derived from continuous, effective training, such as CPD or HRA courses, to ensure you continue to enhance your skillset. So, if you’re looking to get ahead of the Legal sector curve or gain advice on your development programme then contact us about our upcoming courses, call: 02920 451 000 or email: infoaltior@barbri.com.