Practising law, as an Egyptian, will have you bound by certain legislation that has hardly changed in time. Making it easy, and essential, to know them (Civil Code, Commercial Law, Criminal Code, Criminal Procedures, Code of Civil & Commercial Procedures),
you have to grasp as much knowledge as possible about specializations, different career paths, industries, and markets
understand that your preference and passion might help you make a decision.
Knowing exactly where your passion belongs in the law is very important, as being a generalist as a lawyer at the start of your career is important, but focusing on where you see yourself will make you choose where you want to apply, who will admire your passion will make you know where to look and who to approach to start your career on the right track.
Read, read and read
Diversify your readings between legal readings (laws, cases, codes, treaties, etc.), technicalities (books about medicine, automotive, sports, finance, economics, etc.), and character-building (philosophy, art, religious, spiritual, etc.)
These readings are made in order to gain enough information to build and develop your style.
You have nothing if you don’t have knowledge; you won’t be able to hold a conversation with decision-makers, even if you have the opportunity to do so at an event or online through debates on legal opinion posts or news. Lack of knowledge will prevent you from all these opportunities that might give you the chance to show your hand and make you more attractive to recruiters.
Be aware of your surroundings.
As a legal practitioner, you must be aware of the elements that shape the world you serve.
For business law, you must be aware of the new happenings in business, finance and economics. For employment, you must be familiar with employment trends, etc.
For certain practice areas, you must also have a reliable source of news that sheds light on your peers (legal 500, IFLR, The Law Magazine, GAR, WWL)
Awareness is your key. Knowing what is happening every morning will always give you a step ahead to be more active in the market. You will only know the opportunities with full awareness. Allow yourself at least 30 minutes per day to examine what is going on in Egypt’s legal, economic, and political systems.
Networking and building connections
Events, seminars, conferences, online debates, movies, and any sort of activity that allows you to exist in a room with a complete stranger are the most valuable assets for building connections. The more you interact, the higher the chances of your own development and potential findings.
Make use of social media: follow people and entities that do not help kill time, but make use of it.
Volunteering, internships, and extracellular activities can help you meet new people and learn new things. Not one of them alone.
Networking is the best way to circulate your CV. Much better people to know you than reading you. CVs aren’t as appealing as a real connection, which allows you to communicate your goals, knowledge, and skills directly, and which, of course, will stand out from a standard CV application.
Showcase your skills and build a realistic market position
Share your thoughts and achievements with your peers and critiques. Having feedback on opinions, pleadings, writings, and even conversations helps you understand where you stand in any given field and where you are from your target inside it.
Competition starts from where you stand, not from where you plan to go. Meaning, that if you plan to get hired by a magic circle law firm, your competition is not potential candidates for that firm, but rather the same people with the same credentials as yours.
Be active in what you desire. Attend events, conferences, and seminars, read and debate law books, and post articles, reviews, and opinions on LinkedIn.Connect with people from your industry. follow them. For instance, if you are interested in arbitration, follow organizations like Crcica, join and go to their events, and share useful content on social media.
Break into the hiring process.
If anything in the world, all the above would require testing. Sooner or later, you must know if there is a missing component. That’s why you must always be in check by updating the recruiters’ view on your credentials.
check WUZUF, The Law’s ACD, LinkedIn jobs, Facebook jobs, and Facebook groups. There is always something for you. Or at least, something that tells you what to add up.
Apply in the ‘right way’ (understand the employer).
When writing a hiring material, remember two things:
1) understand what the employer seeks in its candidates, regardless of whether there is a vacancy or not.
2) Be sincere in every word and reflect on your actual expectations, points of negotiation, and strengths. Your cover letter and CV must be tailored to each opportunity.
Keep a template but do not use it everywhere. Templates are jump starts, not a go-to solution for applying.
Conduct good research on the employer, its people, culture, and objectives.
Never make a template CV. Each opportunity is different. You have to be genuine and sincere and passionate about each opportunity you are willing to apply for.
Bonus: Be Patient.
Embrace patience. Competition is tough and fair judgment takes time. Your frustration is real, but so are the consequences that follow it. Everything can be built, destroyed, and rebuilt.
Ziad Ali 