Lots turn their hand to the public sector

To get that all-important toehold in the UK market and get experience the public sector can be the ideal springboard. It is a lot easier to get work within public sector (they really like Aussies and Kiwis) because we inject some life. Furthermore, the public sector has quotas of contractors that they have to fill – so there is lots of turnover in the London Boroughs giving plenty of opportunity.

What people earn and how it stacks up

Paralegal - it's a good start

Going over and getting involved in paralegal shows initiative for your first job. However, if you are a qualified solicitor beware that this is a short-term measure, as if you paralegal for too long it will be considered lazy and may reduce your options for high level work later.

Salaries increase quickly afterward

While taking a paralegal role may be seen as a step backward it is most definitely not. Once you have that crucial London experience on your CV you can move out of paralegal work and into roles utilising your experience and you can expect a pay increase of up between 33% to 66% for contractor work.

Your UK experience is also viewed really positively back in the home country on your return - particularly if you can get a longer-term contract or permanent role as this demonstrates a real commitment.

^{1. The comparison between the United Kingdom and New Zealand is how much higher or lower UK salaries are than New Zealand salaries when they are both in the same currency}

^{2. The comparison between the United Kingdom and Australia is how much higher or lower UK salaries are than Australian salaries when they are both in the same currency}

For the best money, in house roles in financial services are the best payers. Mergers and acquisitions, compliance, etc are all hot areas. However, don’t expect to walk off the street and into one of these roles, generally you will have to have had significant relevant experience.

To find out your UK market worth, contact one of our consultants today.

Things you need to know to make the most of it

Helpful hints for the uninitiated

When you’re going over to the UK and looking for that elusive first job there are some things you need to know:

• Up to three years qualified with no UK experience will need to do paralegal work first - if you are, we suggest 3-6 months maximum (then you should be able to get solicitor level work)
• In-house roles come with in-house experience, they are very hard to get in London when you are fresh “off the boat”
• Most lawyers are going over on the Tier 1 visa
• The market is dominated by contract work and it is hard to get a permanent job unless you have UK experience or a blue chip background
  
  

The biggest misconception is that you have to do QLTT to practise in London

You do not have to do your Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT) to work in the UK. When you go to the UK with an Australian or New Zealand qualification you can be employed as an overseas-qualified solicitor as opposed to UK qualified solicitor. The work that you will perform will still be solicitor work and you will be remunerated at the same level.

The only time that you will be required to sit the QLTT is if you take a permanent role in private practice and then the firm that employs you will pay for you to sit the test.

Van Tour et al v Private Practice, HC London, 2007(1) …

Precedent has been laid down over many years, which is; know your reasons for going over to London. If you want to experience Europe and all it has to offer and take long breaks to travel this is not going to wash with the magic circle firms who want dedicated professionals who take the five weeks holiday a year on offer – at maximum.

If you want to travel then there are loads of options available – just talk to one of our consultants.

Learn to ratchet

Don’t be scared to ask for more money as your contract progresses. We have many examples of people staying within the same contract and getting better rates through periodic negotiations. This does not mean going and asking for more after one week, but once you have been in a role for two or three months approach your employers or agency about a raise. Get your foot in the door first and then prize it open.

There is life outside of Zone 1 and it can be well paid

The large London Borough councils who employ Australian and New Zealand lawyers are located in zones 2 and 3 - for example Camden, Hackney and Greenwich. (By the way, on a tube map the closer the zones are to the city the lower the number, all the way down to one).

Central government is not so central being out in zones 5 and 6 or further. Cities like Reading and Brighton have significant central government opportunities and because they are further out the rates can be good as well as giving travel allowances and bonuses. Plus because of the distance there is less competition for this work.

Register with us now and take the next step in your career.