If you have tended to favour less than legal pursuits on your travels so far (nothing worse than jay walking I’m sure) it might be time to turn over a new leaf.
Working in the legal sector could prove well worth it, providing a great way to earn a good wage, work towards sponsorship and buff up your CV.
And let’s get one thing straight early on, legal work is not just for law graduates.
Besides lawyers, law firms look to hire anyone from legal secretaries and paralegals to mail room clerks and receptionists.
“With the unemployment rate low and the skills shortage across the legal industry, there has been great demand for legal temps in all states,” explains Sherri Hodson from Legal Eagles.
Rates of pay tend to be high for law temping as well, with the average legal secretary earning around $24 to $32 an hour at the start.
Depending on previous experience and actual job duties you could earn more.
And while some experience is helpful, of course, it is not always necessary.
“We look for someone who has a keen desire to work. Being enthusiastic and willing to work is more important than the qualifications and experience,” says Sally Higham from Legal Personnel.
With most firms offering in-house training you do not need to knows the ins and outs of Aussie law.
That said, a general understanding of law is helpful. “The rest is easy to pick up,” we are assured by Higham.
And if you’re hoping to stay in Australia after your Working Holiday visa runs out, legal work could lead you to sponsorship opportunities and the chance to stay.
So go dust off your CV and get yourself to court. Just remember not to jay walk on the way.
