Having never faced redundancy...

ste_coxy

... It is quite unnerving!

I could have stayed with my company however, the role on offer was not for me plus I have enrolled onto the CILEX Level 3 course (Legal Executive course), so I thought I'd take the opportunity to take the plunge out of my comfort zone and try get work within the law sector. I need 5 years qualifying employment before I would be classed as qualified to practise.

I have mostly done customer services and advice work previously however, I also have transferable admin and secretarial skills, which I feel would suit a legal admin/assistant/secretary role.

The problem I am facing is that the vast majority of roles I have seen advertised are asking for priory law firm experience... something I am lacking.

I am willing to start with an entry role such as a post room role but it's trying to find a foot in the door.

Thankfully I have a 2nd job I can fall back on for income and I have applied to the CAB for some experience, which I hope may help when it comes to applying for future roles.

I have also signed up with a local recruitment agency and I am hoping I could build up experience that way through various assignments until I have enough to apply for the roles I have seen with the "previous experience" tags.

Some questions I have:

• Is it worth applying to law firms with speculative applications?
• Is it worthwhile registering with more than one recruitment agency to help me find work? Also, is it best walking in, ringing them up or emailing them?
• I will qualify for contributions JSA due to my redundancy however, because I earn £350 from my 2nd job I know I won't be paid any - is it still worth signing on anyway to get help and support with improving my CV, covering letters, help searching jobs etc?
• Does anyone have any experience or ideas on how to get my foot in the door?

Thanks in advance for your help

MissSarah1972

ste_coxy wrote: »

...


Some questions I have:

• Is it worth applying to law firms with speculative applications?
• Is it worthwhile registering with more than one recruitment agency to help me find work? Also, is it best walking in, ringing them up or emailing them?
• I will qualify for contributions JSA due to my redundancy however, because I earn £350 from my 2nd job I know I won't be paid any - is it still worth signing on anyway to get help and support with improving my CV, covering letters, help searching jobs etc?
• Does anyone have any experience or ideas on how to get my foot in the door?

Thanks in advance for your help

Agencies never really see cold callers so email

I am not sure where you think you will get help from with your CV, letter writing and jobs etc as you do not get that frm my job centre and I have been going there now for 11 months.

ste_coxy

any other points of view?

saintjammyswine

As you are being made redundant, you may be able to access ESF Response to Redundancy funding to help pay for training to help you into other work. Depends on your circumstances, contact your local FE College and ask if they have it or PM with your approx location and I should be able to find the nearest one to you.

DCFC79

Yes I'd register with more than 1 agency and just pop in, they will most likely get you to fill in a form eg your details etc etc. Worked for me in the past.

ste_coxy

saintjammyswine wrote: »

As you are being made redundant, you may be able to access ESF Response to Redundancy funding to help pay for training to help you into other work. Depends on your circumstances, contact your local FE College and ask if they have it or PM with your approx location and I should be able to find the nearest one to you.

thank you, mine is: L39 9EW

saintjammyswine

Newcastle College are the lead college in the North West, North East, West Midlands and Merseyside. They are the lead of a group of colleges & providers called Newcastle College Group but also InTraining.