Skills to Build on in 2018 for Lawyers
As leading Legal Recruitment specialists, we generally ask the Lawyers whom we interview what they want out of their career. They often answer that they want a variety of clients and interesting, complex legal matters to get their teeth into. They may be looking for more direct client contact. Sometimes they are looking to join a firm who are the 'market leaders' in their field.
We know Lawyers are intelligent. They survived law school, securing their first role as a Lawyer and have since spent several years building their careers in a thriving law firm.
But when they are competing with other Lawyers, with similar intellect and experience, what makes a great Lawyer stand out from the crowd?
In our experience, firms in 2018 are looking beyond the expected technical legal skills, sound reasoning, being persuasive, having good judgement and subject matter expertise.
Below are some of the competencies we are finding come up again and again for roles with our clients. It may be useful to spend some time thinking about these and how you demonstrate them in your working life. How many can you tick off? How many of these can you focus on improving this year?
Core Competencies:-
Enthusiasm and Passion for your Work
Are you published? Do you have a blog? Are you known for writing articles for your firm or other legal publications? How do you demonstrate your passion for the law or your legal expertise?
Self-Motivation and the Ability to Work Autonomously
Do you need to be supervised or are you able to work autonomously? Is this the year you should focus on this skill? This quiz and tool from Mindtools may help.
A Willingness to Mentor
This is having the ability and desire to mentor less experienced team members.
Firms often want Lawyers who are keen to contribute to the careers of others. They want leaders who are keen to help develop the team around them.
Communications Skills (both written and verbal)
How are your communication skills? Ever had these on your development plan? Are you terrible at e-mail? Need to work on your phone manner? Do you provide feedback in a timely manner?
Approachability
Does your team feel like they can approach you to bring you their ideas or feedback? Or are they a little bit scared of you. Approachability is a useful skill – particularly if you are in a leadership role.
Attention to Detail
We find lots of Lawyers claim to have this. Do you have laser focus and a great memory? Are you ruthlessly accurate and thorough with your tasks? Do you demonstrate this skill consistently?
Time Management
This includes the ability to prioritise and manage competing priorities. It also includes delivering outcomes according to deadlines. Firms want you to demonstrate that you can thrive in a busy environment. They want you to have the ability to delegate appropriately.
Organisation Skills
This includes planning, scheduling, avoiding double handling. It also includes being physically organised at your desk and with your electronic or physical files. Do you stay on top of your administrative tasks?
The Ability to Collaborate
Working with like-minded teams, colleagues and even other businesses to deliver the best outcome for a client.
Business Development Skills
The ability to be involved in business development activities and networking.
Client Focus
Put the client first in all things and this helps keep them coming back!
Emotional Intelligence
This is being able to manage and identify both your emotions and those of the people around you. Are you switched on to the feelings of your team? Able to cheer them up? Inspire them? Are you mindful of your own feelings?
Commercial Acumen
Being able to understand the business of a law firm and client profitability. This includes the ability to manage budgets, keep accurate financial records.
Technological Skills
This goes beyond the ability to pick up and use relevant software or tools. It goes hand in hand with the ability to embrace technological change. Are you tech savvy? Or a bit scared of tech? Overcoming any fear or deficiencies in this area at the very least will ensure you remain competitive with others, or may indeed put you ahead!
Strategic Skills
Do you have strategic vision? Can you see where your firm is headed? Can you see where your clients need to be? This is another sought after skill particularly in leadership roles.
A Positive Attitude
It may seem like common sense, but you would be surprised at how often we are asked to find someone with a positive attitude. One way to develop your positive attitude is to start a gratitude journal. By doing this your brain eventually instinctively starts to look for the positive things around you. Give it a go!
If you are reading this and are ready for a new challenge, have great legal industry experience on top of all these skills, then we want to hear from you!
Legal People is your gateway to the best legal career opportunities. We are specialists in the Legal Industry and recruit Lawyers, Support staff and HR professionals in Melbourne Australia. If you enjoyed reading this article, you can follow our Company Page on LinkedIn for regular updates.
