How to max out salary in the first 10 years of your legal career

Last month we revealed that 29% of the legal talent pool was on the move at the beginning of the year and that progression remained the number 1 career motivator in 2017.

We also know that whatever the motivator around 7 in 10 Solicitors, Legal Executives, Paralegals and other legal professionals received a pay rise when they moved legal jobs. There was some variety across regions, in the Midlands it was 8 in 10 and in the North of England 6.5 in 10. 7 in 10 is also a fair representation of the percentage of legal professionals who were awarded a pay rise for staying put although once again a fair bit of variation, for example in the South East and South West nearly 8 in 10 received an increase in salary.

The research we undertook when putting together our 2017 Salary and Benefits Benchmarker has also provided the final ingredient. Although legal professionals such as Solicitors, Legal Executives and Paralegals are staying in a legal job for an average 3 years 10 months that isn't the whole story. Legal professionals with 5 years or less experience are much nimbler, spending an average 12 months less in a legal job.
So what does this mean? We are tempted to conclude that legal professionals can make 3 moves in the first 10 years of their legal careers, maximising their salaries whilst not damaging their personal brand. The first 5 years you should probably squeeze in two, if we looking at the peaks on the chart you would probably max out with  move in years 1 or 2, followed by a 4 and finish with taking another role in year 7.   

If any of the above has resonated then you could do worse than instruct a multi-award winning legal recruitment specialist to manage your next move. You need choice and a real time overview of your practice area an hiring patterns. 36% of the 3,000 legal professionals who responded to our 2017 survey used a recruitment consultant when they last moved jobs. This was the biggest slice by a long margin.

Browse our latest UK private practice and in house legal opportunities or if you are feeling a bit of wanderlust we are also placing Solicitors and Lawyers into roles in the Middle East and Far East. Apply through the job, contact a consultant directly or give one of our offices a call, the numbers are at the foot of the newsletter and we will connect with your legal recruitment expert right away.

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Exodus? 5 credible alternatives to Apple's iPhones

Apple's marketing magic and brand loyalty is well documented, and it's easy to see why iPhone owners often believe they have the world's greatest phone.

Alternatives do exist, however, with several handsets that can compete with the iPhone not just on the hardware specs but with the cool factor.

These are a few to consider.

5 credible alternatives to iphones

Pro-Brexit lawyers, given the chance, would not vote any differently

9 out of 10 lawyers who voted for Brexit would do the same given the opportunity. 22% of the 1,300 Solicitors, Legal Executives, Paralegals and other legal professionals who responded to a recent Douglas Scott Legal Recruitment survey, voted in favour of leaving the European Union in June 2016.

According to the research, Remainers were even more steadfast with 98% stating they would vote the same way in a 2nd referendum.

Read more about our research 

Pick up the Mother's Day scent

You will not have failed to notice that it is Mother’s Day on Sunday. The publicity has stepped up, there will no doubt have been the odd reminder given but you are still confident you will find the time to put your hands on the gift that says you care.

However, if a bottle of perfume is on the cards and you are a legal professional who is negotiating with only a small window of time there is nothing worse than going in blind. So just in case we asked the Douglas Scott team to name some of their favourite fragrances, reasonably priced that you can get your hands on in most department stores and on city centre high streets.

What they say and what you pay 

Up for the challenge. Metro Bank's inspirational Sally-Ann James

Sally-Ann James was recently named Banking's InHouse Individual of the Year by the Legal 500. Sally-Ann James was Metro Bank's first lawyer, joining the company in 2012 and four years later she guided the challenger bank to a listing on the London Stock Exchange.

Sally-Ann's career began in general practice before making the leap to corporate when she joined Manches & Co in the last 80's. She then spent nearly 20 years with the Co-opertaive Financial Group before joining her current employer. 

Sally-Ann talks about her career, inspiration and has some advice for aspiring lawyers.

Interview with Sally-Ann James

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