Hello - I'm a mid-30s Career Changer

[johnsmith]

Hello everyone,

A pleasure to meet you!

I’m a mid-30s career changer who studied law at an RG in the late 00s.

I attempted to pursue a career in law after university, but being honest, I wasn’t mature enough at the time and didn’t appreciate the effort needed, or how much more I should have done during my university years.

My furthest progress back then was reaching an assessment centre for a TC with a silver circle firm, but I had no resilience at that point and was put off by the feedback. That was compounded by the fact I’d only managed a 2:1 with a 58 average after a second year that was heavily disrupted by a housemate who, on reflection, was struggling with serious mental health and substance issues. At the time, we really weren’t talking about those things — and I also never applied for mitigating circumstances, which again shows my naivety back then.

Following university, I moved into sales, first as a junior and then rising into leadership roles. I went on to run two of my own businesses, one of which I successfully sold. Throughout this period, I always held on to the quasi-legal work from a client-side perspective and became involved in some really interesting matters, particularly disputes around employment and commercial leases.

Over the past six months, I’ve been reflecting on what I enjoy most about my work, and it’s consistently the legal side. I now feel that I’ve developed the soft skills, organisation, and mental stamina that I lacked in my early 20s, and I believe these, combined with more than 15 years’ commercial experience, would allow me to make the most of working in commercial law. My current work doesn’t stimulate me intellectually (except when dealing with the legal elements), and I’d love to be surrounded by colleagues who are equally smart and professional, and who challenge me to push myself further.

I’ve been engaging with as many webinars and events as possible, and speaking with alumni friends who are now 10+ PQE. These conversations have convinced me that this is the career I want to commit to for the long term.

That said, I do have some concerns:

• My degree result (a 2:1 with a 58 average, including several thirds in my second year).
• My A-levels (AABB, plus an A in General Studies — though admittedly I did place in the top 3 nationally for that).
• My age — I worry firms may think I don’t have the stamina for long hours, though in reality I’ve often had more stamina than colleagues in their 20s.
• Location — my work so far has been outside London, but that’s where my wife and I ultimately want to move.

Reading the VS 25/26 thread last night, I was struck by people worrying that they’d be filtered out for averages in the low 60s, or firms asking candidates to explain even a couple of 2:2 results. That made me anxious, as my second year was littered with 3rds.

So my question is: do my degree results and A-levels mean I’ll still get automatically screened out, or are firms more flexible when it comes to career changers? Is there a way to make my experience count for something on applications, so that I get the chance to actually meet people and demonstrate what I can offer?

Thank you all in advance for any advice.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello everyone,

A pleasure to meet you!

I’m a mid-30s career changer who studied law at an RG in the late 00s.

I attempted to pursue a career in law after university, but being honest, I wasn’t mature enough at the time and didn’t appreciate the effort needed, or how much more I should have done during my university years.

My furthest progress back then was reaching an assessment centre for a TC with a silver circle firm, but I had no resilience at that point and was put off by the feedback. That was compounded by the fact I’d only managed a 2:1 with a 58 average after a second year that was heavily disrupted by a housemate who, on reflection, was struggling with serious mental health and substance issues. At the time, we really weren’t talking about those things — and I also never applied for mitigating circumstances, which again shows my naivety back then.

Following university, I moved into sales, first as a junior and then rising into leadership roles. I went on to run two of my own businesses, one of which I successfully sold. Throughout this period, I always held on to the quasi-legal work from a client-side perspective and became involved in some really interesting matters, particularly disputes around employment and commercial leases.

Over the past six months, I’ve been reflecting on what I enjoy most about my work, and it’s consistently the legal side. I now feel that I’ve developed the soft skills, organisation, and mental stamina that I lacked in my early 20s, and I believe these, combined with more than 15 years’ commercial experience, would allow me to make the most of working in commercial law. My current work doesn’t stimulate me intellectually (except when dealing with the legal elements), and I’d love to be surrounded by colleagues who are equally smart and professional, and who challenge me to push myself further.

I’ve been engaging with as many webinars and events as possible, and speaking with alumni friends who are now 10+ PQE. These conversations have convinced me that this is the career I want to commit to for the long term.

That said, I do have some concerns:

• My degree result (a 2:1 with a 58 average, including several thirds in my second year).
• My A-levels (AABB, plus an A in General Studies — though admittedly I did place in the top 3 nationally for that).
• My age — I worry firms may think I don’t have the stamina for long hours, though in reality I’ve often had more stamina than colleagues in their 20s.
• Location — my work so far has been outside London, but that’s where my wife and I ultimately want to move.

Reading the VS 25/26 thread last night, I was struck by people worrying that they’d be filtered out for averages in the low 60s, or firms asking candidates to explain even a couple of 2:2 results. That made me anxious, as my second year was littered with 3rds.

So my question is: do my degree results and A-levels mean I’ll still get automatically screened out, or are firms more flexible when it comes to career changers? Is there a way to make my experience count for something on applications, so that I get the chance to actually meet people and demonstrate what I can offer?

Thank you all in advance for any advice.

Hiya!

Thank you for sharing your story so openly - it takes a lot of honesty to reflect on the past in that way, and it was really interesting to read about your career path so far! I completed a vacation scheme at a firm where over 1/3 of my cohort were career changers, and I always found their unique perspective so valuable - so I'm sure you'll bring the same qualities!

On your main concerns - yes, some firms do still use automated filters based on academics, but it is not as black and white as it might feel. Some firms will simply look at your overall grade, and provided you have a 2:1, this will be perfectly fine. Many firms will also take into account mitigating circumstances, career experience, and your broader application. I'd say that it's often about how you frame your career journey so far - showing that your commercial background, leadership experience, and resilience give you a perspective that younger graduates simply won't have!

A few thoughts that might help:

• Highlight transferable skills: when applying for TC's or vacation schemes, your previous experience will be hugely relevant to commercial law. You can frame it in a way that shows you understand clients' needs from the inside, and that you have already dealt with the kinds of issues that lawyers advise on.
• Address academics proactively: I would briefly explain to firms why your results don't reflect your true ability, and then point to the skills and traits that you have built since then. I'd keep it concise and forward-looking, but avoids firms making any assumptions.
• Target the right firms: some firms do have rigid cut-offs, but plenty are open to strong career changers. I'd look carefully at those that emphasise contextual recruitment or value diverse professional backgrounds - they will almost certainly view your background as an asset!
• Use networking to your advantage: as you have already been attending events and speaking to alumni, that's a huge plus. I'd utilise this and gain some insights that you can use to your advantage in the application process.

On age - I would try not to worry too much. Many firms will value the experience that you bring, and this will likely outweigh any 'stamina' concerns! Similarly for location, as long as you can explain why you want to work in London and why you currently don't, this is unlikely to be an issue with firms.

To answer your overall question: yes, some firms might trip you up, but there are plenty of firms that will look beyond the numbers if you can make a strong, well-structured case for yourself. The key is telling your story in a way that makes your "why law, why now?" crystal clear, while showing how your experience will make you a valuable trainee and future solicitor.

Wishing you the best of luck - it sounds like you have a lot to offer, and I'm sure that the right firms will see that! Let us know if we can help at all

 

[johnsmith]

Hiya!

Thank you for sharing your story so openly - it takes a lot of honesty to reflect on the past in that way, and it was really interesting to read about your career path so far! I completed a vacation scheme at a firm where over 1/3 of my cohort were career changers, and I always found their unique perspective so valuable - so I'm sure you'll bring the same qualities!

On your main concerns - yes, some firms do still use automated filters based on academics, but it is not as black and white as it might feel. Some firms will simply look at your overall grade, and provided you have a 2:1, this will be perfectly fine. Many firms will also take into account mitigating circumstances, career experience, and your broader application. I'd say that it's often about how you frame your career journey so far - showing that your commercial background, leadership experience, and resilience give you a perspective that younger graduates simply won't have!

A few thoughts that might help:

• Highlight transferable skills: when applying for TC's or vacation schemes, your previous experience will be hugely relevant to commercial law. You can frame it in a way that shows you understand clients' needs from the inside, and that you have already dealt with the kinds of issues that lawyers advise on.
• Address academics proactively: I would briefly explain to firms why your results don't reflect your true ability, and then point to the skills and traits that you have built since then. I'd keep it concise and forward-looking, but avoids firms making any assumptions.
• Target the right firms: some firms do have rigid cut-offs, but plenty are open to strong career changers. I'd look carefully at those that emphasise contextual recruitment or value diverse professional backgrounds - they will almost certainly view your background as an asset!
• Use networking to your advantage: as you have already been attending events and speaking to alumni, that's a huge plus. I'd utilise this and gain some insights that you can use to your advantage in the application process.

On age - I would try not to worry too much. Many firms will value the experience that you bring, and this will likely outweigh any 'stamina' concerns! Similarly for location, as long as you can explain why you want to work in London and why you currently don't, this is unlikely to be an issue with firms.

To answer your overall question: yes, some firms might trip you up, but there are plenty of firms that will look beyond the numbers if you can make a strong, well-structured case for yourself. The key is telling your story in a way that makes your "why law, why now?" crystal clear, while showing how your experience will make you a valuable trainee and future solicitor.

Wishing you the best of luck - it sounds like you have a lot to offer, and I'm sure that the right firms will see that! Let us know if we can help at all

Thanks so much for the detailed response, Abbie - I wasn't expecting it!

My main reflection is, why did I leave it so long? The past can't be changed, though, so we now focus on how to make the most of where we're at now.

I'm very enthused by what you've put down, and it's given me some renewed hope that making a change is possible.