subject: Legal Training - An Ongoing Process That Helps Your Career Move Forward! [print this page] Legal Training - An Ongoing Process That Helps Your Career Move Forward!
Copyright (c) 2010 Sue RichardsonEveryone knows the benefits of additional training. But in the legal profession, ongoing training is both required and essential if your career is to move forward. So how do you plan your training to make the most of new opportunities?Training isn't something that you do just to fulfil your CPD obligations on a yearly basis. It can be a huge boost to your career, showing that you are constantly trying to better your skills set and your ability to deliver a high quality service to both your employer and your clients. Taking on additional training shows initiative and a desire to improve your standards, and that can be as important as the training itself to your career.Pick your training carefully.
But before you sign up for any old additional training, consider carefully what kind of training will best improve your position. If you already specialise in one particular field and are intending to remain in that area, then target your training accordingly. For example, if your speciality is family law, then additional training in criminal procedure is unlikely to be of any major benefit except in certain circumstances. However, extra training in property law may enable you to expand into cases where property disputes are a key factor.One of the biggest growth areas is in representation for clients involved in compensation claims. This has seen a massive boom over the past few years, as the public becomes more aware of 'no win, no fee' compensation thanks to extensive marketing. Additional training in this area can expand a firm's repertoire considerably, allowing them to take on additional work in a range of areas. Undertaking additional training in compensation law can help both you and your firm to widen their field, making sure that you don't miss out on an increasing marketplace.Freshen up your career.
Training can also keep you 'fresh' and interested in your career. If you feel that your career has stagnated then additional training can give you a confidence boost that can re-ignite your passion for the Law. A short training course could make you rethink your projections and direction, giving you a new path to follow that could lead to previously unconsidered opportunities.It is also a chance to network, meeting like-minded people who have an interest in the same areas as you. Learning from your peers is as much a part of training as the formal aspect. Real life experience is just as important as studying books, and being part of a group that are all united in the sole purpose of learning new ways of doing things and how they can be applied in real life can give you the motivation you need to make a new career choice.Finally, it can demonstrate to your employer that you are ready to take on additional responsibility and are ripe for promotion. For those who want to do more than just the bare minimum required CPD, additional training can also motivate those around you to start thinking about moving their careers forward as well. As they say, it's a win/win situation!
