The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a large number of candidates getting in touch with us to discuss their future. We are finding that these volatile and uncertain times have focused the minds of those who have previously chosen to ignore underlying concerns and overall unhappiness, causing them to reassess what they want from their career and their personal life.
Some people are clear that they want to earn as much money as they can in the next ten years, with the aim of retiring early. Others want to find a better fit, some have been made partner at the firm they have been with for a number of years, following tremendous hard work, only to find that their “dream” has not quite become a reality. We are also seeing instances where lawyers simply feel that working for a law firm is no longer the right career option for them and they are looking to move to an in-house role, or even decide in the extreme case that leaving the legal field is the only way forward for them. I think, what they all have in common is that they are looking to find their “Why”, how and where they fit in, and what their futures should look like.
There is no “one size fits all” solution, and in this unpredictable climate for the world economy, for our health (both mental and physical) and wellbeing, possibly there is no better time or opportunity to consider what the future should like for us and how we might get there.
At Cadogan James we are an independent boutique, which means we are equally happy to help a candidate conclude that they are best off staying put (even if that means making no commission) as we are helping a solicitor make a lateral move to a firm which perhaps has views and beliefs more consistent with their own. Often, our candidates have been with the same firm since their training contract, or even a very short time, only to realise the firm does not suit them for any number of reasons. As high performance and life coaches, we assist our candidates to look a little deeper, to really determine whether they are best off where they are after all, or conversely, that it would indeed be the right time for their move.
Our coaching is complimentary for all of our candidates, and is helping candidates on many fronts. We also recently created a Diversity & Inclusion programme, whereby we provide pro bono mentoring and coaching to the leaders of tomorrow to help them develop outstanding communication skills, commercial awareness, networking, public speaking, confidence and interview technique, assisting individuals to gain a foothold on the legal career ladder and go on to develop successful careers.
Helping our candidates is our passion, and by doing so we provide substantial added value to the law firms we work with.
For a highly confidential discussion please email on neil@cadoganjames.com or call 0203 874 2090.