Starting your legal career can feel unclear. You’ve studied the law but when it comes to getting your first role, it’s not always obvious what employers are actually looking for.
The reality is, it’s not just about your degree or your grades. Employers are assessing a broader mix of skills, experiences and personal qualities.
What employers are really looking for
While your legal knowledge is important, it’s usually not what sets candidates apart. Employers are looking for people who can communicate clearly, work well with others and show genuine interest in the role. Law is a people profession and your ability to interact, listen and build rapport matters just as much as your technical skills.
Cultural fit also plays a big role. Once your qualifications are established, employers often ask themselves: Can we see this person working with us every day?
Experience doesn’t have to be legal
Many students worry about not having enough legal experience. In reality, employers often value non-legal experience just as highly.
Roles in customer service, retail, administration or any client-facing environment can help you build important skills like communication, responsibility and handling pressure.
What matters most is your ability to explain what you’ve learned from these experiences and how those skills apply to working in law.
Your ability to tell your story
Employers understand that you’re at the beginning of your career. They’re not expecting you to know everything.
What they want to see is your ability to reflect on your experiences and clearly explain what you’ve gained from them. Being able to articulate your strengths, interests and motivations can make a significant difference in applications and interviews.
Do grades matter?
Grades do matter, but they are only one part of the picture.
Employers will look at your academic performance, but they are also considering your skills, experience and overall fit. Strong grades alone won’t secure a role and average grades won’t necessarily hold you back.
If your results aren’t perfect, being able to explain your journey and demonstrate your strengths in other areas is just as important.
Where do graduates actually work?
Most law graduates begin their careers in private practice, which includes everything from small firms to large national and international firms.
Others go on to work in government, in-house legal teams within organisations or the community sector. There are many different pathways into law and your first role doesn’t define your entire career.
The bottom line
Getting your first legal job isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing that you can communicate well, work with people and apply what you’ve learned in a practical setting.
Your degree gets you in the door, but it’s your skills and approach that help you take the next step.
Your next step
Practical Legal Training is where you develop the real-world skills employers are looking for. At Leo Cussen, you’ll learn in a simulated law firm environment, guided by practising lawyers so you graduate ready to step into your first role with confidence.
