Networking Tips for Trainee Solicitors: How to Build Confidence and Connections

Whether you are a student, have had the opportunity to gain legal experience, or are considering a career change into the legal profession, you have almost certainly heard of networking. You may feel a sense of dread at the thought of networking, or maybe it’s a prospect you feel well-suited to. It’s normal to feel like part of the “I’m dreading it camp”, especially in the early stages of your career.

Networking is ultimately a skill and while it is essentially speaking to people (something that may seem quite basic), it is something that many would agree does not necessarily come naturally and requires some work to master.

I am by no means a networking guru: while Machins is a great workplace for providing opportunities for people to build networks and supporting people with this, I am still very much in the process of growing my networking skills. That said, having attended a fair few networking events over the last few years, there are some lessons I have learnt which could be helpful to those who are new to networking or feel they want to grow in this area as aspiring trainee solicitors.

The “I’m dreading it camp” is an easy camp for one to find themselves in and it can be a difficult one to leave, but you do need to find a way to leave that camp. The crux of it for many is the fear of not being able to make a good impression or that they will be judged negatively while being in a room full of expert networkers. With networking, like many things, it’s easy to fear the worst. There are a couple of things to bear in mind though: everyone in the room will be human and we all make mistakes. What may seem like a biggie to you, is not likely to be a biggie for someone else and may even go completely unnoticed.

There is a lot to be gained from networking. It’s a good way to gain useful insights into key industry developments. Law firms, like many businesses, also rely on networks for work. While leaving the “I’m dreading it camp” may seem like a big undertaking, being able to connect with the positives networking brings also helps embrace it.

Practical Networking Tips

It is important for solicitors to be able to optimise networking. Whilst it is more of an art than a science, here are some practical tips that have helped me embrace networking as a trainee:

• Back yourself! By gaining experience and learning about a given area of law, you will have something to talk about. Many in the same or related industries will be able to relate to your experience and see the value you can bring.

• Have an open mind. Taking on board insights from others to expand your practice is a top way to grow as a professional.

• Know your goals. Having a strategy will help you make the most of networking. Whilst an early strategy may be to attend as many events as possible to gain confidence and get your name out there, in the long-term you may want to target events that best match your goals, whether they relate to specific interests or markets.

• Maintain your relationships. Cultivating a network is done by attending particular events regularly and having a LinkedIn presence. Building a personal brand is really important for growing a practice and maintaining relationships is how it is done.

• Be yourself! You will gain the most from networking by letting your authentic self shine through.

Embark on your Legal Journey with a Training Contract at Machins

At Machins, we understand that networking is a vital skill for trainee solicitors – not just for career progression, but for building a strong professional profile and lasting connections. That’s why we provide our trainees with opportunities to attend events, grow their networks, and develop confidence in building relationships.

If you’re ready to start your career in a firm that invests in your development and supports you every step of the way, explore our Trainee Hub to learn more about our recruitment programme and discover how you can thrive at Machins on your path to qualification.

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