Law : Your skills

Most law degrees cover the foundation subjects that are prerequisites for entry to the legal professions, enabling you to develop discipline-specific skills. In addition to gaining a thorough knowledge of the law, you also develop a range of other skills valued by many employers. These include:

• research skills using a range of sources, including verbal questioning;
• evaluation skills and the ability to interpret and explain complex information clearly;
• analytical skills;
• reasoning and critical judgement skills;
• the ability to formulate sound arguments;
• lateral thinking and problem-solving skills;
• the ability to write concisely;
• confident and persuasive oral communication skills;
• attention to detail and the ability to draft formal documents with precision.

Employers may perceive law as an academically tough subject, which can put you at an advantage, but it is still vital to articulate your strengths clearly and to state the full range of skills you can offer.

Employers from a wide range of industries seek the skills acquired through the study of law. An understanding of legal implications and obligations, combined with the ability to apply this knowledge in practice, is valuable in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Furthermore, all the skills listed are highly transferable and desirable among graduate recruiters who aim to select well-rounded graduates. Employers, both inside and outside the law profession, will also be interested in your experiences beyond your studies and what these prove about your abilities.

Consider the skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile. Take a look at job application advice for some useful tips.