FAQs
Q: As a person looking for work, how much does it cost me to use
Law Staff International and what should I expect from your services?
A: As a candidate, there is no charge for you to use our services.
Once you have contacted us and have completed our registration process you can expect
us to:
- Discuss various job opportunities with you.
- For support roles, assess your office skills.
- Assist you with interview techniques and CV presentation.
- Provide you with salary advice.
- Arrange your interviews.
- Help you to prepare before you meet with your potential new employer.
- Negotiate the most competitive salary on your behalf
- Keep you informed of our progress every step along the way.
All of this is at no cost to you!
Q: Is it common for a vacancy to be advertised by more than one
recruitment consultancy?
A: Yes, some firms and companies use more than one consultancy
to help them source potential candidates for a vacancy. However, it can be confusing
for you as a candidate, to call several consultancies to only find that they are
for the same vacancy or for a role that has been re-advertised. If you are already
registered with Law Staff International, contact your consultant to find out if
we have the vacancy listed. It’s likely that we will, so we will be able to put
your details forward if suitable. That way you will continue to have your preferred
consultancy representing you.
Q: Is it okay for me to be registered with more than one recruitment
consultancy?
A: How many recruitment consultancies you register with will depend
on your preference and your background. For example you may find that registering
with just Law Staff International for a legal position works well because we have a large number
of roles and firms we can present your CV to. However you may find you end up registering
with another consultancy because they work in a different industry with a different
client base. You shouldn’t need to register with too many consultancies as each
should have a good number of clients, and it saves you time and effort keeping in
touch with too many consultants.
Q: I have registered with another recruitment consultancy but prefer
to have Law Staff International represent me in the future. What is the protocol
here?
A: Your relationship with your consultant is an important
factor in your career search, and you need to feel confident in the level of
service you are receiving from your consultant. If you prefer to have Law Staff
International represent you in the future for various roles, then all you need
to do is advise your current consultant that you would to withdraw your CV from
them and confirm that you do not wish them to forward your CV for any future
vacancies. Also note, that in respect of your privacy and as part of our
professional service to our clients, Law Staff International will never send out
your CV without having first interviewed you nor forward your CV to firms or
vacancies without first seeking your permission.
Q: As a secretary/legal secretary, is there a minimum typing speed
that I should aim to achieve? If I am not at that level, is there any way I can
improve my speed and accuracy?
A: The requirements for each firm vary widely depending
on how much typing is involved in the role and what level of experience they require.
In general, a typing speed of at least 60 words per minute with a high degree of
accuracy (98% +) would be acceptable to most employers.
There are computer programs that you can purchase to assist you in improving your
speed and accuracy and many TAFE’s and Colleges run part time and full time secretarial
courses including legal secretarial. For a cost free approach, there are many free
programmes on the Internet or you could just practice typing from a newspaper.
Q: I am looking to return to work after an absence from the workforce.
Will I find it difficult to find employment?
A: Some people will have no difficulty in finding a job if they
have skills and experience where there is currently a high demand. For other people,
it may take longer, especially if employers perceive your skills to be out-of-date
and/or you are looking for a part-time role. You can help your employment search
by ensuring your skills are current. So if you’re looking for an office support
position, this may mean brushing up on your computer skills. For professional legal
or management positions, it may mean going on a seminar or conference that brings
you up-to-date on what is current in your area. Also talk to your network of friends
and family to get more information.
Q: As a Law Graduate, I am finding it difficult to secure a position
through a consultancy. What should I do?
A: You will find that most advertisements are for lawyers with
at least one year PQE. Because many firms run annual summer clerk and law graduate
programmes, they rarely use consultancies to fulfil their entry-level solicitor
requirements. Also, as many firms do not find it difficult to recruit newly admitted
lawyers directly, they are reluctant to pay a fee for a lawyer with no post admission
experience. The best way for you to secure a position as a graduate is to get in
early by securing a summer clerkship in your fourth year of University. Keep an
eye out at your University Career Centre or your favourite firms’ websites as to
when firms will receive applications for summer clerkships and law graduates. Most
firms will have a section on their website for you to directly submit your CV for
their consideration. You can use sites such as the Law Society or www.legal500.com
to identify firms that practice in your area of interest for you to target.