Simon Broomer Managing Director of CareerBalance talks about how lawyers can change career. Simon is a Qualified Lawyer who re-trained as a Career Counsellor and Coach. 

A short course lasting between 2 days and a few weeks, might be all you need to set you on an alternative career path, nail that dream job – or even change your life.

Sometimes a short course can circumvent the need for a second degree.

The government wants to turn career guidance into a regulated profession. CareerBalance backs this initiative. Simon Broomer, CareerBalance’s Managing Director gives his view:

We think that women in the UK have come a long way since the suffragettes fought a century ago for the right for women to vote. However, reports from the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Office for National Statistics confirm that women are being paid between 16.4% and 12.2% less than men. Perhaps we need another health dose of Suffragette-inspired fighting spirit.

Ever thought of working with your hands or wanted to see your designs gracing a red carpet? Two major initiatives are transforming career options in the British jewellery industry.

The founders of Notting Hill and Islington-based FRAE yoghurt decided there was more to life than a career in the law and instead chose… frozen yoghurt.

The seemingly elusive answer to work life balance can be found in small, subtle changes, apparently.

In a recent session at The School of Life on How to Balance Work with Life participants were asked to write headlines summing up their lives.  Responses included ‘Pressurised Manager Desperate For Dating Time’ and ‘Professional Hits The Wall Due To Deadline Pressure’.

Sound familiar?

The average time it takes to find a job is longer than it used to be. But here’s the good news. The state of the UK job market is far better than most people think, says Simon Broomer, Managing Director of CareerBalance Ltd, the Career Planning & Job Search specialists.

The latest Labour Market statistics from the Office for National Statistics show that there are 29.16 million people in employment in the UK. “Why should we be disheartened?” asks Simon. 

Many lawyers in their 40s face a difficult predicament.

As partners, they are typically earning well. But between the demands of meeting fee targets, managing and inspiring people, long hours, taking risks and bringing in new business, their responsibilities are unrelenting. Against a backdrop of fierce competition, firms are being forced to take on more work for less money. For lawyers who are not passionate about what they do, the job can be even more stressful.

Many lawyers love their jobs. But many others want to break free and crave more fulfilment. One 40-something lawyer we recently saw at CareerBalance sat down and said: “If I don’t stop, it will kill me”.

Have you started the New Year feeling overworked, worn out and unconvinced about your future in the law? If so, you’re not alone.

While firms that expanded rapidly during the boom have been laying off staff, they’ve also been burdening those left behind with piles of extra work, longer hours and the pressure of bringing in new clients. A decade ago, young lawyers achieved partnership by their early 30s. Today equity partners eager to hold on to their slice of the cake for longer are drawing out this process - many lawyers now only become partners in their late 30s. In the meantime, many live with the frustration of serving as a small cog in a very large wheel. Employee Rewards, Benefits and Savings survey by Mercer's recently found that employee engagement amongst lawyers is on the wane. http://insight.badenochandclark.com/legal/30/11/2010/employee-engagement-waning-for-those-in-roles-such-as-legal-jobs-survey-shows/4599/

But the good news is, lawyers have choices. You’re not tied to being a lawyer just because you qualified as one.

At CareerBalance we’re finding that despite both the fragile economy and the £500,000 to £1 million salaries partners can expect to earn, many young lawyers are now putting their quality of life first. After careful consideration, some of our newly qualified lawyer clients have either secured in-house or training and development roles, moved to smaller firms where they are part of the bigger picture, switched to a business career, or taken time out to travel or trade shares. Some of our clients are moving out of the law completely – doing an MBA, a Masters in War Studies before returning to law, or embarking on a career in speech and language therapy.

If you’re considering making a career change and you’re in your early 30s, now is best time to start preparing. We firmly believe there’s still work out there – good people are finding jobs. At CareerBalance, our strength lies in showing you the options and rewards available

to you. Happy New Year!