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Most sought-after legal skills revealed
A new report has highlighted the skills legal heavyweights are looking for in their new recruits.
Emma Musgrave
According to the latest Hays Quarterly Report, relevant experience is not enough to secure a job in 2017, with employers looking for employees who “go above and beyond a job description and offer something more”.
“In compiling our list of skills in demand, one common trend was employers’ requests for candidates who can add extra value,” said Nick Deligiannis, managing director of Hays in Australia and New Zealand.
“That could be through previous experience in a related discipline, prior process improvements or efficiency gains, additional tickets or qualifications or advanced digital or systems skills, all of which allow a candidate to perform supplementary duties. Any candidate who offers additional value stands out.”
The report found that among the skill sets in demand throughout the legal profession are mid- to senior-level construction and property lawyers, property paralegals, and banking and finance lawyers.
“Current construction and infrastructure projects and active property markets in certain locations create demand across the in-house, private practice and government sectors,” Mr Deligiannis.
In terms of the active sectors for 2017, Mr Deligiannis said there are a few to watch.
“Infrastructure projects are driving the construction, engineering and property markets, professional services is active, the focus on cyber security and big data keeps the IT industry busy, and the continued emphasis on risk, compliance and financial planning fuels the banking industry,” he said.
“The rapid rise in robotics and automation will start to increase job opportunities in the industrial robotics and service robotics sectors, the NDIS is creating a huge need for front-line case managers, and qualified childcare staff are still in short supply in education.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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