This important initiative will assist solicitors who have not been involved in legal work for some time (typically because of family care responsibilities) and who now want to return to work - or to plan a future return.

Overcome barriers to returning to work

Returning to work can appear to be a daunting prospect, especially if you have been away for some time. This programme will focus on how you can make the transition back to work by identifying and selling your skills to an employer.

Your work experience remains relevant, even if some time has passed since you gained that experience. Re-connecting with it in a positive way can increase confidence and motivation  and enable you to set achievable career goals.

Interactive workshops will help solicitors with family care responsibilities to manage demands on their time, focus on their personal priorities and to match all these elements to the requirements of employers who are seeking staff in the job market.

The workshops will be interactive and afford you the time and space to focus on re-discovering your career goals and how to achieve them. You will benefit from the face to face communication   and exchanges with others in a similar situation. Learning and connections will be established through the group work and help you to network going forward.

Programme outline

The workshops will run for three full days on Tuesday 2, 9 and 16 of April in Blackhall Place.

Day 1 – Know Thyself

• Achieving balance.
• Understanding the stages of personal transition.
• Goal setting and values.

Day 2   - Strategy for progression.

• Re-connecting with your competencies.
• CV writing
• Job searching and applications.
• Networking

Day 3 – Excelling at interview

• Interview preparation.
• STAR stories

One-to-one career coaching sessions will also form part of the programme and will be scheduled once the programme commences.

Programme outcomes

On completion of the programme participants should:

• Understand how goal setting and values can support the job search.
• Understand how to identify their skills, achievements, knowledge and experience.
• Understand the job search process and know how to implement the steps.

Online delivery

People are also invited to register interest for online workshops at a later date.

Should you have any questions about the programme or to participate in this programme in April, please contact Returners@lawsociety.ie.

Find out more

An Information Session will take place in Blackhall Place on Tuesday 26 March from 10.00am to 11.30am. Further information will be available on the programme and you may register to participate.

Testimonial

“It was a daunting task to get back in to work after seven years at home with my kids but having the Law Society career support services was an enormous help both from a practical point of view and to boost my self -confidence. The weekly Workshops were extremely useful and it was wonderful to meet other people in the same situation as me.”

Sara Bloomber, Data Protection Consultant, Pembroke Privacy

Register for free

Participation in this programme is free of charge. To register, please contact Returners@lawsociety.ie.