Why is it difficult for a new law school graduate to get a job?
Gone are the days when law graduates used to earn a handsome salary. Now, even the top students may not be guaranteed a lucrative legal career because law schools report much lower hiring rates. The job market is contracting, which is starting to impact how businesses run, hire, and recruit employees.
The fact that there are many capable, talented law graduates looking for work in the legal market is not breaking news. Because they are aware of their benefits, businesses are exceedingly picky about the applicants they will consider. If they have an opening, they'll wait to hire someone until they locate the ideal applicant with outstanding credentials and the precise skill set they're looking for. They are not interested in hiring lawyers who need more training. Although the distinctions between the two are sometimes blurred, it's crucial to note that recruiters are "employed by" these law firms and companies, not by applicants. Today, this implies that businesses anticipate hiring applicants who are among the finest.
It is crucial to recognise that recruiters who hire full-time associates rarely work with entry-level attorneys, especially those who have just graduated from law school or are fresh out of a clerkship. Firms won't accept the resumes of newly graduated recruiters because they spend so much time and money on their recruiting campaigns. Companies anticipate that candidates should have at least a full year of experience after graduating from a BA LLB college and working in a clerkship. Although there are a few exceptions, that is generally the case. Despite your excellent record, it's possible that recruiters aren't responding to you because they don't want to hire someone with your level of experience.
There has long been a lingering belief that if you graduate from a prestigious university with a high score, you will indeed be able to land a high-paying position at a major law firm. However, things have changed drastically. Now attorneys who wish to work in highly sought-after positions will need to hustle, possibly working for free during the summers. Several new graduates are thinking about finding careers in other ways due to the competitive job market and heavy debt loads incurred by law students.
Many law college graduates who do not get apt job opportunity in college opts for recruiters to find job for them. However, most of these recruiters have positions that are more challenging for students to fill. This is because most law firms typically turn to recruiters when looking for prospective candidates with the experience they need to serve their clients efficiently. Sometimes law firms will ask recruiters for help finding fresh graduates with pre-law school expertise that is particularly difficult for them; this experience is typically a specific technical or scientific background. The vast majority of applicants who normally lack this kind of background will have to manage the hunt on their own for that initial attorney post. You'll discover that recruiters are a lot better resource for you once you've gained lateral, specialised experience.
In the current job market, it is evident that neither the rank nor the college can determine the success of the student in law field. Also, the top law colleges have high fees and many students have to take the loan at a high-interest rates. Later, lack of high-paying job makes it difficult for them to pay back the loan.
Thus, when choosing a law college, the students will have to prioritise cost at the top of their list of considerations. Moreover, some law schools prepare their students for various workplaces and develop programmes to help with job searching, adapt to the changing job market for law graduates, and prepare themselves for any career chances. Additionally, an increasing number of students are looking for alternatives, such as job opportunities in smaller companies, opportunities in the government sector, and job openings in non-profit organisations. Some law graduates are also working solo. Hence, any student who aspires to become a lawyer must ensure that they go to a college that is not out of their budget and focus more on improving their personal skills for a better job opportunity.