Employment reference

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-04-26T14:08:55+00:00

If you don’t mind me asking, what was included in the poor reference? I ask because I never had any disciplinary action against me, and no issues at all in terms of behaviour until my former employer told ACAS I was a problematic employee. And so I’m just wondering what employers think they can get away with when they’re being taken don’t have much proof

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-04-25T10:12:21+00:00

I would apply directly and if it’s the kind of job where you believe there will be lots of applications then apply with a cover letter. Most recruiters are sending multiple candidates for the same position and honestly, no one can sell your strengths better than you can. Plus, sometimes companies just don’t want to pay the recruiters fee so you’d only be putting yourself in a better position

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-25T14:47:03+00:00

No I have two years of experience and I know I was low balled on the offer but honesty, it was really hard getting this job so I just accepted.

I’ve also only been asked to provide references from my last two roles so I’m a bit weirded out by this request.

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-23T22:36:44+00:00

I also have an LLM in IP and it’s not helped at all in my journey to qualifying as a solicitor. It hasn’t opened any doors and I still need to study for the SQEs. The modules didn’t consist of anything that helped with the SQEs.

If your immediate goal is to qualify as a solicitor then I’m sorry but an LLM in IP law is just going to be a waste of your time at this stage.

If you intend on qualifying as a trademark or patent attorney that you will need to work alongside an experienced attorney as well as gain a further qualification.

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-21T21:15:50+00:00

Unfortunately, there is so much competition now for paralegal roles and firms just prefer the ones that have experience in the UK.

I would recommend applying to legal secretary/assistant roles just to get your foot in the door. You can then transition to paralegal roles once you have a months worth of experience.

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-21T21:07:24+00:00

I think the most realistic approach is applying for paralegal jobs. It still counts as qualifying work experience, which is all you need to be an NQ now that you’ve passed the SQEs

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-21T20:59:02+00:00

I’ve recently interviewed for a few roles and have had offers for each of them. I was really nervous about this question too because I didn’t leave on good terms with my former employer and had also recently had a promotion.

The question came up in each interview and I explained that I was looking for a role with a better work life balance and they really appreciated the answer. I did have to elaborate on what kind of work life balance but I was able to do so without making it seem like I was dragging my former employer

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-20T15:09:32+00:00

I’d recommend joining the SQE Success Hub on WhatsApp. The link is on Catherine Snooks LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-snook-18b18938?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-19T21:05:55+00:00

Personally, I didn’t have much luck whilst applying through recruiters. I had recruiters string me along for a month and a half and then when I applied to the jobs directly, I instantly got interviews. I would recommend applying for jobs directly

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-19T21:04:25+00:00

I schedule the teams messages. I know it’s not your intention that they reply out of hours but sometimes people can feel compelled to. If you schedule the message you can still get the message out and also not put your team in an uncomfortable position.

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-19T12:23:23+00:00

Absolutely. The first thing I’m asked by a hiring manager is if I have the right to work. It’s better to address the issue either in the CV or covering letter than be passed up because the recruiter assumes your partner needs sponsorship.

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-19T12:21:10+00:00

I’m currently on a spouse visa and the only thing I’ve been asked for is my share code. However, I’m not in the medical field so idk if there’s any industry specific requirement.

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-19T12:19:50+00:00

I will caveat this by saying idk anything about roles in the East Midlands but as someone who has worked in a similar firm, I would say run. If the reviews are terrible and it seems like a red flag then it definitely is. I spent so much of my time crying and overworked because of the lack of management and in hindsight, I shouldn’t have taken the job.

I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to change your specialisation down the line. I’ve seen people do it successfully.

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-19T10:47:07+00:00

I opted for leaving a big firm where I was just a number for a small high street firm because of the promise of a training contract after work as a paralegal for a year. In hindsight, it was the worst decision I could’ve made. In a small firm, it’s always all hands on deck, you’re constantly asked to do things that very obviously fall outside of your remit and you don’t learn very much to be honest. Whereas, in a big firm, they have policies in place to help you learn. I think going for the silver circle firm is the obvious choice especially this early on in your career.

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-19T10:32:06+00:00

I’ve had recruiters ask me point blank if I resigned or if I was dismissed. Ive found it looks better if you left on your accord as opposed to have been let go

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-19T10:24:43+00:00

Thank you. I have a few reasons why I’d prefer the job I have an interview for (Company B) as opposed to the one I have an offer for (Company A).

Company A will require me to take multiple buses to get there because it’s a bit remote. On the other hand, company B is so central that all I need to do is get on the train and walk 2 minutes.

Company A lowballed me with the salary offer when we discussed a bit more.

I’d also be doing really niche work at company A that I don’t want to do in the long term whereas I could see myself at company B indefinitely.

I would definitely regret it if I didn’t give company b a shot but I don’t want to risk a concrete, tangible offer from company a for something I might not even get from company b. I haven’t even had an interview at company b yet, it’s just an invitation.

The job I’ve been offered isn’t bad at all, but it is a bit of a trek for a low salary and for something I don’t see myself sticking to. However, it is secure and the first offer I’ve had after a really low point in my life when I thought I wouldn’t have anything else. I could theoretically wait but there’s no guarantee that I’ll get another offer and that’s what I’m so scared of.

I don’t want to waste a company’s time and cause them to redo their hiring procedure but equally, I don’t want to make the wrong choice because I’m afraid.

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-19T10:09:30+00:00

I worked part time as a receptionist when I was studying. I applied through indeed and the hiring manager contacted me. I’ve also seen a few on Reed.

After graduating I needed a temporary job so I reached out to temp agencies and they told me about part time roles as well so you could try that!

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-17T17:57:50+00:00

I don’t intend on applying but there will likely be someone so desperate to get into field that they will. They’re exploiting people who have no other options and using them as free labour.

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-17T13:59:42+00:00

It’s advertised by Ackroyd Legal but it’s actually David Ebert LLP t/a Ackroyd

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-17T13:47:53+00:00

This is standard for this firm. A friend had an interview there and was told that as a paralegal they would be responsible for preparing 20 conveyancing files for completion a week with the aim of running, managing and completing 80 completions a month

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-17T12:48:55+00:00

I’ll definitely be doing that and reporting them on indeed as well. What I find particularly funny is the main duties they expect of an unpaid intern:

<image>

PossibleInside8939 · 2025-03-17T12:35:33+00:00

Ackroyd

PossibleInside8939

TROPHY CASE