u/BingBongBongos123

Hi, hoping for some feedback before applying for VS/TCs this cycle. Would appreciate any insights into what I may be lacking in my profile, in particular considering my niche experiences.

Since coming to the UK, I have doubts about ever qualifying as a lawyer due to its competitiveness, but I love my work in law firms and it would be a dream to do it for life. With some recent encouragement from coworkers, I’d like to try again.

Plus, reading this subreddit made me realise I really wasn’t putting enough effort in my applications in comparison… I’d like to give it a proper go before considering whether I’m suited for a legal career.

Note: The closest I got to getting a TC was an offer from a UK regulator — but sadly it fell through as I was found not to meet nationality requirements. I figure this bars me from civil service in general for the time being.

Hello! As the title says. Essentially, I’ve been given the impression that I am overqualified for paralegal roles, but not good enough for training contracts.

Context: I’ve moved to the UK under two years ago. Previously had a few years of paralegal experience in a non-UK firm. Was headhunted by a utilities company to work for them during my LPC. Managed to complete my LPC full-time while working in-house full-time in a legal department (paralegal + legal operations). Looking to start back on the qualification process again.

This application cycle, I’ve received all rejections for five Vac Scheme/Training Contracts (application stage/first interviews). I figured that I’m not ready for the UK training contracts yet — fair, I’ve only been working in the UK for barely two years. I decide to apply for law firm paralegal roles, hoping I’d find what I’m missing when working in these roles (plus, I do miss working in private practice).

Sadly, I’ve also been rejected from paralegal roles so far. Most of these rejections are given after the final interviews. The key repeating feedback is: “we think you wouldn’t stay long in this paralegal role; we think you should be looking for training contracts”.

Question: is this legitimate feedback? If so, I’m not entirely sure how to go from here. I was under the impression that interviewers would understand that I want to qualify as a solicitor as I have completed my LPC (and some roles even require/desire it) — if so, why would this be a point of contention? Further, I understand that many trainees in the UK start off as a paralegal in the same firm they train in.

Appreciate any correction on my thought process, or any suggestions on improvement.

Please roast my CV - no VS/TC

“Overqualified” for paralegal roles?