Do
> make your CV professional
> present it on good quality white paper
> use black ink with a uniform font throughout
> no more than 2 or 3 pages in length
> make your CV easy to read
> display your contact details clearly
> ensure that headings are clear and use bullet points
> check spelling and grammar
> explain any gaps in your career history
> ask a friend or colleague to read you CV

Don't
> bind or make your CV double-sided
> attach a photograph to your CV
> include inappropriate personal information
> focus too much on your interests, hobbies
> exaggerate the truth about skills and experience
> include details about remuneration

Content
> your CV should be defined and relevant to the position you are applying for
> focus on your achievements and demonstrate where you have been proactive in past employment
> state your involvement in projects and illustrate key responsibilities
> highlight your skills boldly and express your level of experience
> emphasise your interpersonal and communication skills. Employers welcome effective team workers and motivated individuals

Finally...
> remember to accompany your CV with a covering letter printed on the same quality paper as your CV and in black ink
> state your current salary in the covering letter but only discuss financial expectations with your Consultant at G2 Legal
> if you are applying by email remember to attach your CV as a .doc
> suggest personal suitability for the job you are applying for in your covering letter and emphasise the skills and experiences you believe to be relevant
> check to whom the CV and letter should be addressed

Aim to produce a CV that will stand out and impress.

G2 Legal have many years experience in producing CV's that promote your skills and experience to great effect. For further assistance on producing your CV contact the office nearest to you.

Include your full name, address, email, telephone and fax numbers.
It is also useful to include a personal profile on yourself.

Education and Qualifications

In reverse chronological order list qualifications and grades achieved. Also, state where you studied.

Professional Qualifications

List any professional qualifications and work-related training. Employers take an interest in what you have achieved in your career.

Employment History

Starting with your most recent employment, list the company name, your title, level of responsibilities and the start and end dates.

If appropriate, briefly describe the company you are currently employed with and elaborate on your duties and achievements.

Additionally, highlight some impressive and significant points of your career.

Interests and References

Interests demonstrate your life outside work and employers are keen to see you as a person. Be concise, honest and prepared to discuss the information at an interview.

Referees should be contacted before you submit a CV for a job. You will need a reference from your most recent employer and one of a personal nature.

Now read your CV and meticulously check for spelling mistakes. Make sure it is clear and concise and is a positive marketing tool.

Preparation and research help minimise interview fears, thus allowing the candidate to concentrate on a productive meeting.

1. First of all, confirm where the interview is being held and double check the date and time.

2. Plan your route in advance and allow plenty of time in case of traffic or misdirection. If necessary contact your Consultant at G2 Legal for direction information.

3. Make sure you know the name and position of the person conducting the interview. If necessary, ring the company or G2 Legal to clarify.

4. Take the appropriate telephone number with your other directions. G2 Legal will supply telephone numbers for your convenience.

5. Research the company background and the position you are applying for. Knowledge of the company will show genuine interest and help you to gain an insight into the day to day running of their affairs. Should you have difficulty obtaining any information, your Consultant at G2 Legal will provide you with some information about the prospective client, but you should carry out some further research:

• Check the company website. It will provide an array of interesting and relevant materials including publications (some on your specialism), press releases and literature regarding the company ethos, its' vision and policies.
  
• Obtain an annual report or any company brochures.
  
• Telephone the relevant department and discuss the position you are applying for.

6. Consider what questions you may be asked at the interview.

7. Read and re-read your CV. It is vital you are familiar with the content. Your CV will be the basis for discussion at the interview and you could be questioned on any aspect. Take several copies with you and review the CV whilst waiting to be seen.

8. Consider dress code. Your appearance should be smart, even if the company is quite informal. A first impression is a lasting one. Wear a suit to suggest a professional and formal approach. Allow adequate time for personal preparation and do not overlook anything that will enhance your appearance.

9. Ensure you have prepared some pertinent questions to ask during the interview. Your research will highlight areas for discussion.

Ultimately, be yourself to be successful.

G2 Legal has compiled a list of useful tips to consider during the interview:

• Never be late. It is unprofessional and will make the wrong first impression.
  
• Enter the room with a smile and a positive attitude.
  
• Shake hands firmly, try to appear calm and maintain eye contact.
  
• Always be natural during the interview.
  
• Be alert, sit up in your chair and show you are interested. You convey meaning through how you hold yourself, so be aware of your body language and of the interviewer.
  
• Answer questions clearly and precisely.
  
• Be confident when discussing your strong points. Identify weaknesses to show you are aware of them.
  
• Try to ask questions you have prepared and show a genuine interest.
  
• Never be negative about a past employer.
  
• Never discuss remuneration at a first interview unless asked. Financial negotiations and considerations can be discussed with your Consultant at G2 Legal.

Thorough preparation is the key to a successful interview and a positive attitude reflects well on the candidate.

Questions that you might be asked at the Interview:

• Tell me about yourself?
  
• Why would you like to work for our company?
  
• What do you know about our company?
  
• Why did you choose a career in law?
  
• Tell me about your specialism?
  
• What are your major strengths and weaknesses?
  
• Can you discuss some of your achievements?
  
• What has been the hardest point of your career and how did you cope?
  
• When and how have you shown initiative in your current position?
  
• What are your goals in life? How will this position help you achieve them?
  
• What have you done that shows initiative in your career?
  
• How do you work under pressure and tackle difficult and sensitive situations?
  
• How effectively do you work with a team?
  
• Can you describe your relationship with your colleagues?
  
• How do you prioritise your workload?
  
• Do you delegate? Can you give an example?

Questions you could ask at the Interview:

• What are the career prospects?
  
• Why has the position arisen?
  
• What is the structure of the department?
  
• How will I be appraised?
  
• What will the first 6 - 12 months involve?
  
• Are there training and development opportunities?
  
• What is the probability of working abroad?
  
• What are the main company objectives?

At the close of interview, shake hands with the interviewer and express your thanks for their time and for the meeting. Be positive and leave a pleasing impression.

Enquire about the next stage of the overall process if you feel it is appropriate and ensure they know you are still interested in the position.

After the interview write down your immediate conclusions. You may comment on your interview techniques, or note any questions you would like to ask another time. Use this information when you call your recruitment Consultant at G2 Legal with your feedback.

It is advisable to send a letter or email to the company to thank them again for their time and also to reiterate your interest in the position and company.

Your Consultant will immediately contact the company to discuss their reaction and you will receive constructive feedback based on this.

If you are successful, your Consultant will discuss the next stage of interviews and will assist you with accepting the offer.

If unsuccessful, your Consultant will discuss feedback from you and the client, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, deciding a successful plan of action.

Retraining once qualified is very difficult. Unlike some agencies which promise the earth and never deliver, at G2 Legal we believe in honesty. Place yourself in the Law Firm's shoes. They can take on a qualified Solicitor and retrain them whilst paying them a Solicitors' salary (usually a huge jump of up to 60% from being a Trainee) or they can take on 2 Paralegals to whom they can award Training contracts and have them qualify into that area of law once they have proven their aptitude and worth.

That said, it is not impossible to be retrained. The recruitment process may take a considerable time and candidates should be prepared for disappointments along the way. Remaining realistic is paramount. You cannot command the same salary retraining from Personal Injury into Employment as you could if retraining from Residential into Commercial Property. Linked subjects which have a common foundation are always going to be more of an option with an employer. Asking to be retrained into Corporate Finance from a background in ULR claims is never going to be simple.

At G2 Legal, we encourage Trainee Solicitors to contact a Consultant even in the early days of their Training Contract to establish a working relationship with one Consultant who can learn what makes them tick. The advantage of this is easy to recognise. In the months preceding qualification rather than feel bewildered and apprehensive, the soon to be qualified Solicitor will be armed with up to date knowledge of the market and have received advice as to the strong and soft areas of law into which to qualify.

As a Newly Qualified Solicitor looking for a move one thing that will set you apart from the many other candidates for a position is the service of a Recruitment Consultant who knows you and can 'sell' you into a firm, giving you a much higher chance of securing an interview than the act of merely sending in a CV.

At G2 Legal we are able to assist in the search for Paralegal work which will allow you to 'get your foot in the door' and with application the possibility of progression onto a training contract or of gaining sponsorship for the LPC.

We will only be able to help you find a Training Contract or Pupilage in exceptional circumstances. Most of our Clients are looking for someone to join on a permanent or medium term contract basis and we do not therefore assist those looking for a 'stop gap' for a few weeks while they are waiting for something better to come along.

It is much easier to find suitable positions for you if you have previous legal experience. Ideally our clients look for at least 6 months experience. Work shadowing and mini pupilages do not count as experience, although valuable in their own right. We do appreciate that this is a 'Catch 22' situation. Not all is lost though and we have ongoing requirements for paralegals at client firms countrywide. If you send us an up to date CV we will then be in a position to contact you when suitable vacancies arise in your area.

• It is now more realistic and possible to move in-house from private practice. Many lawyers want to move away from conventional law and decide they are best suited to a more business orientated work environment with conventional hours.

• Working part-time or four days a week is more recognised now in private practice and in-house organisations as is working from home.

Who should I turn to?

There are a multitude of agencies offering recruitment solutions, pledging to find suitable employment for everyone. Choosing the right consultancy and knowing how many to register with can be an overwhelming experience for candidates.

Should I register with more consultancies to improve my chances of success? No

Choose only a few recruitment firms that specialise in your area. Build strong, honest relationships with a few Consultants so they can work effectively on your behalf.

Ensure your consultancy asks your permission before submitting details. As a professional in the legal sector, you should expect a high level of confidentiality. Clients do not wish to receive multiple copies of the same CV and this generally happens when you are committed to numerous consultancies.

We aim to forge sound relationships, and whenever possible, to meet the clients and candidates personally, to discuss and determine the best recruitment solution.

We listen carefully to the brief and from this decide an ideal method to recruit the best person. The client is always well informed and involved.

All CV's received by G2 Legal are thoroughly examined for professional and personal suitability. An initial telephone conversation with potential candidates is followed with an in-depth interview held at our offices if geographically possible.

Our candidates are methodically screened to determine their personal details; profile of work, education and employment history and all employer and personal references are rigorously checked. During this process we will determine personality, interests, interpersonal skills, attitudes to work, career goals and objectives.

G2 Legal will always consider levels of seniority and remuneration before recommending candidates. We will compile a shortlist and liaise with the client to arrange interviews. We will ensure that candidates are well prepared and informed about the schedule.

Your consultant will discuss each candidate with you after interviews, collaborating on the best course of action.