Solicitor or Legal Professional
Advises people and organisations on their rights, risks and obligations.
Why it may fit you
- Included to widen the options you have seen
Your evidence for this career
Based only on the experiences and strengths you have entered. Add more in My Evidence.
Strong evidence
Nothing here yet — two experiences showing the same skill will move it here.
Some evidence
Nothing here yet.
Evidence to build
- Communication
- Listening
- Presenting
- Research
- Writing
- Analysis
- Attention to detail
- Organisation
- Planning
What you may need to develop
Communication
Why it matters: Named in almost every job advert, and usually tested at interview.
Your current evidence: Limited evidence identified so far.
Ways to build this
- • Ask for written feedback after a presentation or piece of writing
- • Write a short summary of something technical for a general reader
Listening
Why it matters: Underrated, and central to advisory, care and client roles.
Your current evidence: Limited evidence identified so far.
Ways to build this
- • Volunteer in a support, buddy or peer-mentoring scheme
- • Interview someone about their career and write three notes from it
Presenting
Why it matters: Being able to explain your work clearly is often what gets it noticed.
Your current evidence: Limited evidence identified so far.
Ways to build this
- • Volunteer to present your group's work
- • Record yourself explaining your project in two minutes and keep the notes
- • Join a society that involves speaking to a group
Research
Why it matters: Useful anywhere you need to find out something reliable before acting.
Your current evidence: Limited evidence identified so far.
Ways to build this
- • Do a short piece of independent research and write a page on the method
- • Ask an academic if you can help with a small research task
What they do
Legal work involves researching rules, drafting documents, negotiating and explaining complex things clearly. Areas range from crime and family law to commercial and human rights work.
What your day could involve
- Researching how a rule applies to a client's situation
- Drafting or reviewing a document
- Meeting or calling a client to explain options
- Preparing a case file
- Working with a supervisor on a tricky point
Skills employers often look for
People skills
- • Communication
- • Listening
- • Presenting
Technical skills
- • Research
- • Writing
- • Analysis
Professional skills
- • Attention to detail
- • Organisation
- • Planning
Qualifications
There is usually more than one way in. A degree is one route — not the only one.
Typical degree routes
- • Law
- • Any degree plus a conversion route
Apprenticeships
- • Solicitor apprenticeship (six years, no degree required first)
- • Paralegal apprenticeship
Other routes in
- • Paralegal experience then qualifying through work-based routes (SQE)
Certifications worth exploring
Only worth doing if it helps you. Experience and evidence usually matter more than collecting certificates.
Useful now
- Free legal research and writing courses
Shows genuine interest before you apply anywhere.
Useful later
- SQE preparation
The current route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales.
Optional specialist
- Area-specific training (e.g. immigration advice levels)
Only once you choose a field.
Organisations to Put on Your Radar
Examples to explore — illustrative, not job adverts or endorsements
Large employers
A commercial law firm
Legal services
Roles to look for: Solicitor apprentice, vacation scheme
Why explore it: Open days and paid insight schemes.
Specialist organisations
A high-street or specialist firm
Legal services
Roles to look for: Paralegal, legal assistant
Why explore it: Direct client contact early.
Public sector
Crown Prosecution Service or a council legal team
Public sector
Roles to look for: Legal apprentice
Why explore it: Public interest work.
Charities and NGOs
A law centre or advice charity
Third sector
Roles to look for: Volunteer adviser
Why explore it: Excellent first experience and evidence.
Start-ups and growing companies
A legal tech company
Technology
Roles to look for: Legal operations assistant
Why explore it: Law plus process and technology.
Organisations in my region
A local firm or advice centre
Varies by region
Roles to look for: Work experience, volunteering
Why explore it: Ask about a week of shadowing.
What should I look for on an employer's website?
- Graduate programmes — Structured schemes with training, usually opening a year before they start.
- Apprenticeships — Earn while you learn. Look for the level — Level 2 or 3 up to degree level.
- Internships — Paid experience over summer or a placement year. Often the main route into graduate roles.
- Insight days — One-day or one-week introductions, often for Year 12, 13 or first-year students.
- Volunteering — Many employers run volunteering days or support local projects you could join.
- Work experience — Short placements or shadowing. Ask directly — many are never advertised.
- Entry-level roles — Assistant, coordinator or support job titles are real doors into a career.