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What to do on Furlough if you are a Trainee Solicitor

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With the world in a state of flux at the moment, many Trainees and Junior Lawyers have been placed on furlough. This can be an unsettling time, but you can also use this to your advantage.

The Philosopher Eric Hoffer said “In a time of drastic change it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.

With this in mind, I have come up with the following tips and advice for this period.

Remember, the Covid-19 outbreak is new to everyone. I have spoken to many Trainee’s this week who all share mainly the same concerns.

If your firm decides to put you on furlough, you do not need to do anything. When you are taken off furlough, your firm will discuss with you whether your period of recognised training needs to be extended. This will depend on the length of time you have been on furlough.  If your period of recognised training needs to be extended, your firm will need to notify the Law Society of the extension period and that this has been agreed with you.

You may also have time to count from any period served as a Paralegal and this should be discussed with your Training Principal.

Prepare Yourself for the New Normal
  • Connect with others in similar situations – use your network to share advice and tips during this period. Speak and reach out to new potential mentors in the industry. Share knowledge.
  • Grow your professional network - Start to develop and bolster your professional network externally as soon as possible.
  • Talk to Consultants in the industry – we have been around for a while and are on the pulse of latest trends and developments in the market. Most of us have been in your shoes too as a Junior Lawyer and we are a friendly bunch and won’t bite. Use us!
  • Learn a new skill – inevitably when going for future roles, you will be asked “how did you use your furlough period?” Try to learn a new skill anything from languages, knitting, cookery, online courses; any conversation piece for your CV. But most importantly, it’ll help with your mental  health and wellbeing.
  • Volunteer – contact myself, or any of our team for a list of local volunteer networks and we can give you some great NHS case studies to get involved with.

Most importantly, never stop learning: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr.  Seus

If you have any concerns during this period, or simply want to chat to a friendly face in the legal industry, get in touch:

Dan Mason 

dmason@yolkrecruitment.com

Principal Consultant 

02921 67 37 47

For more information on Yolk's Legal team, click here. 

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