I am a 2022 graduate who passed out jobless. For around a year I did assesment internships but still unplaced. After that I'm currently working in a BPO for last one year. I'm completely fed up of this job and it's pay. Is it possible for me to switch and still get a job in the law field now.. or should I just quit and look for something else? I'm 26 and as much a I want to refuse accepting that my life has already been decided I want some realistic advice.

Ofcourse you can . You still have work experience take a job at a tier 3 law firm . You should be able to crack it and post that to Tier 1/2 firms. Ofcourse you would lose 2-3 years of seniority but that doesnt matter. There are 26 year olds that just graduate out of College .

No. Sadly, it's over for you. If you were not able to find any law related job in the 2-3 years after graduation, there is literally no chance unless you have solid contacts which ofc you don't seem to have. It may sound harsh but it's the truth. If I were you I would look for other careers. Keep the BPO job and prepare for CAT on the side.

Not impossible to get back in the saddle. Find a mentor at whatever Tier who will train you well and with whom you can grow. Accept lower pay for a while if you get good training but be clear that you want to be moving toward better comp. Can be a small law firm, need not be tiered. Ideal if you find a partner who eventually takes you to a better firm.

Transfer the skills you have learned at the BPO into law practice. Prove yourself by being a good mentee. Some serendipity is also needed here but I can say from experience that nothing is lost at 26. Be willing to ask for the help you need.

Of course it is! People make come backs all the time, people change streams and industries and sectors all the time and they do it at 30, and 35 and 40!

Look at smaller firms and don’t worry about PQE. Do a little research into areas of law you are interested in and find smaller firms that work in these areas. Work hard for lower pay (relative to your batch mates) for a year or two, and you’ll be on track to move to a Tier 2/3 within a few years.

Option 2 - Leave the law firm life behind and look at your options outside legal practice. Look up the kinds of jobs you want to do. Find people with the jobs you want, and start upskilling to match their skills and experience. Could be management, data analysis, or even BD/marketing. Start volunteering for teaching opportunities if that interests you, or pick up an online course that aligns with the kind of jobs you want to do.

You’re young, you’ve got years ahead of you - bottom line is, there’s always time for a comeback. Best of luck!!

Hi, sorry to hear that life hasn't worked as you wanted it to; however, you shouldn't consider this a sign of incompetence but of your perseverance. You currently have multiple options, and I will list some of these options for you. Firstly, you can start by applying to boutique firms such as Panag & Babu, DMD Advocates, Capstone Legal, SNG & Partners, HSA Advocates, etc.; I think there is a Legally India thread on boutique corporate law firms; search it up. Secondly, follow up on your application status at a reasonable regular interval. You can also apply to T2/T3 law firms (Again, search for the relevant LI thread); they will happily take you if you are willing to work and aren't too concerned about losing batch seniority. Coming to the batch seniority part, losing 2-3 years, even four years, doesn't matter in the long run. If you aim to become a Partner eventually, don't divert your energy towards this matter. Now, if you successfully get a job in a boutique/T3/T2 Law firm, you should work there for at least 2 years, & then laterally shift to a good T2 firm from T3/Boutique or a T1 Firm from a T3/T2.

Thirdly, if you want to earn a good salary from the get go, you can try writing CAT & join a decent IIM or a private institution for their MBA programme

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Program. I understand that an MBA is expensive. However, student loans are quite easily available & the ROI is decent for MBA programs from the Top 10 IIMs / FMS Delhi & private institutions such as XLRI, XIMB, etc.

So cheer up & work hard, you will eventually reach where you want to, life is too short to worry about things which can be improved upon by working smartly & diligently. Life is a marathon, not a 100 m/200m race.