ARTICLE
Rachel Brushfield
The snakes + ladders of career moves Introduction In an uncertain world and with talk of recession, it has never been more important to have a career strategy and plan. Do you? This ensures that you are on ‘the front foot’ not ‘the back foot’ and positively and proactively managing your career in 2024. Have you thought about the possible scenarios that may impact your career this year? Whatever career move you aspire to, this article shares tips and insights to get you started. Market context The legal profession now has many more career options to choose from than in the past. There are also more alternative careers outside the law which can appeal. Too many career choices can cause a problem - it is common for lawyers to get stuck in a ‘vicious circle’ analysing the risks, procrastinate and feel overwhelmed. Key aspects of positive career management are: 1) self-awareness (internal), 2) market, trend and risk analysis (external), 3) a future-proof career strategy and plan and 4) a career option screening + decision making strategy. Types of career move What possible career move are you considering this year? • Promotion • Lateral hire • From private practice to in-house • Platform law firm • Alternative Business Structure ‘ABS’ • Setting up your own firm
• Portfolio career • Non-Exec Director • Career sabbatical • Career secondment • Freelance lawyer • Different practice area • Leaving the law • Something else? 16 reasons why lawyers find making a career move hard There are 16 reasons why lawyers find making a career move hard and put it off. In uncertain times, inertia and complacency are dangerous. 1. Conformist by nature; 2. Trained to follow precedent, not go the opposite way; 3. Risk averse in character; 4. Parental pride in offspring being a lawyer; 5. Fear of people thinking you’ve failed; 6. Avoidance of showing weakness e.g. asking for help; 7. Difficulty of letting go of perceived status ”Oh, you are a lawyer!”; 8. Linear thinking does not help to identify new career options/jobs; 9. Legal training includes seeing risks, so seeing the negatives in career options can be magnified out of proportion; 10. Leaving behind career milestones of the legal profession can feel like stepping off into a void; 11. Anxiety – worry that you will make the wrong decision; 12. Deep specialism of law makes it feel like you have more to lose if you leave the profession; 13. High cost of training to be a lawyer feels like £ ‘down the drain’; 14. Catastrophising– ‘I will never get another job again’; 15. Dislike of marketing yourself/negative associations with selfpromotion; and 16. Feel inauthentic and exposed, lacking experience in a new area. Which reasons do you relate to most?
10 | CENTRAL LONDON LAWYER
