Leading Employability Support
At BARBRI, we understand that the path to a successful legal career is not always linear. The BARBRI Careers and Employability Service can help you make informed decisions about how to best progress your career. Whether it's finding the right job or internship for you, building your CV, or improving interview skills, we'll be there every step of the way.
We help you identify what areas of law, practice and environment are most suited to your interests and experience, develop an effective marketing strategy for yourself, and provide guidance on building strong relationships with future employers. We also offer advice on how to write an effective CV and cover letter, prepare for interviews, and negotiate salaries.
- ethics;
- professionalism and judgement;
- technical legal practice;
- working with others;
- managing yourself at work.
- on placement during a sandwich degree;
- working in a law clinic;
- at a voluntary or charitable;
- organisation such as Citizen Advice or a law centre;
- working as a paralegal (either in a law firm or an in-house legal department);
- on a training contract.
- a placement during a sandwich degree;
- volunteering in a law clinic or other charitable organisation;
- paralegalling (both in-house and in private practice); or
- a training contract.
No, but from an employability perspective, it would be sensible to avoid a lengthy gap between passing your SQE exams and your QWE. If you complete your QWE with more than one organisation, then a short gap between each role is unlikely to put you at a disadvantage. However, you must try to avoid lengthy periods away from work or studies. This is a risk as it makes you less attractive as a candidate, particularly for competitive roles with high-profile employers.
Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
At BARBRI, we are committed to opening opportunities to all and understand that navigating your journey through the SQE and obtaining QWE can be challenging. We have partnered with several industry-leading organisations to help you understand and secure QWE including CheekyLittleCareers, Strive, Little Law, Taylor Root, MLA, and Elevate amongst others, along with a job search engine powered by Indeed through the CareerHub.
For more on Qualifying Work Experience please visit our FAQ page.
BARBRI CareerHub
Whether you're just starting to plan your SQE journey or you're a seasoned professional looking for your next step, we want to support you in making the best moves for your career. That's why we've created the BARBRI CareerHub – designed to get you career-ready.
The CareerHub offers a wide variety of resources, including an AI-based CV checker, cover letter creator, interview simulator, psychometric tests, and a catalogue of careers focused content. It also includes a job board with a dynamic job search engine, which lists a range of vacancies across different sectors and practice areas.
BARBRI HeadStart
If you're not a BARBRI student yet, you can sign up to BARBRI HeadStart to get a sneak preview of CareerHub and use some of our career resources!
QWE Kickstart
We’ve partnered with The SQuarE Route to offer BARBRI students the opportunity to secure a quality and career-enhancing 6-month period of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) at top law firms and corporations.
Entries are now open for all BARBRI SQE1 20-Week Prep Course students who are preparing for the July 2024 SQE1 exam!
Support for Paralegals
We have signed an agreement with National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) to help prospective, current and alumni students to access the opportunities offered in the paralegal profession.
If you're a NALP member, you will be given a 10% discount towards your SQE1 at BARBRI. And if you complete our SQE1 Prep course and pass the exam, you will be given Associate Membership status with NALP, along with their careers-focused webinars and support services.
Our new professional development short courses and masterclasses, Legal Life Skills, have also been endorsed by NALP. These courses aren't just suitable for paralegals, but to all aspiring solicitors and young legal professionals.
