You've graduated and are now facing the "big dilemma" of law graduates: practicing law or taking a civil service exam. First of all, there's no right or wrong path. There's the choice – based on your personal profile, your experience, and your expectations – that can bring you the greatest professional fulfillment.
In this article, we will present some key points to help you make this very important choice.
Self-knowledge: for practicing law or public service exams
First and foremost, neither path is easy, there are no shortcuts, and both will require visceral determination.
However, based on who you are, who you would like to be, and how much you would like to have, we will analyze the profile that best aligns with your career path.
Furthermore, if you have interned in the field, it is worth considering the aspects that you like and dislike.
Advocacy
In short, if you:
- seeks opportunities and has initiative;
- has persistence;
- Accepts taking some risks to achieve higher profitability;
- It seeks quality and efficiency in its procedures;
- Keep up to date;
- is committed;
- either has a network of contacts or is persuasive;
- likes challenges;
- wants to have independence and flexibility;
- prefers a more dynamic routine;
- and has self-confidence.
So, with planning and goals, you can do very well as a lawyer.
Similarly, success in the legal profession can also be closely intertwined with the development and improvement of entrepreneurial characteristics.
Above all, it's important to emphasize that professionals need patience and a genuine passion not only for practicing law but also for enjoying their careers, because in addition to providing good service to current clients, it's crucial to always be on the lookout for new ones.
Public contest
In short, if you:
- It has a high capacity for resilience;
- seeking stability;
- She has a lot of persistence;
- is able to cope with disappointments and frustrations;
- wants good pay;
- You want to be able to plan weekends and holidays with more peace of mind;
- seeking more equal opportunities for all competitors;
- seeking a better quality of life;
- There's no problem with well-defined routines;
- and has time available for many hours of study.
So, with planning, you can do very well in the public service exam.
Certainly, holding public office can require many changes – even moving to a different city – and involve a lot of frustration with rejections.
It's important to note not only that administrative reform is coming, but also that you necessarily need time : for studying, for waiting for the announcements (which aren't published every year), and for the appointment process, which can take up to four years.
Stability
Advocacy
First of all, the early years can be extremely difficult. Establishing authority can take a while.
Although, over time, in addition to higher compensation based on the complexity of some cases, there may be an organization of fixed clients and higher monthly fees.
Public contest
Above all, for those who choose to take a civil service exam, this is one of the main advantages: job security.
There is no doubt that knowing exactly how much money you will earn each month is a major attractive point and should be considered.
However, the road to approval can be quite long, you need to be prepared.
Compensation
Advocacy
First of all, one positive point is that, financially, the sky's the limit.
If salary instability is less important than the chance of higher compensation in the medium to long term, then investing in law practice may be worthwhile.
Public contest
Secondly, public sector jobs for law graduates generally have quite generous salaries and benefits.
However, there will always be a ceiling and there are also various deductions, so it is always very important to look at the net salary for the position.
So, should I practice law or take a civil service exam?
Undoubtedly, whichever path you choose will be a difficult one, whether it's practicing law or taking a competitive public service exam, one that will require a great deal of persistence.
Lawyer Maria João Rolim, magnificently recognized as Lawyer of the Year 2020, said in an interview :
" Whatever you do, you'll have to do it very well! And to do it well, you'll necessarily have to enjoy what you do, and if you enjoy it and do it with dedication, it will work out regardless of the field ."
Finally, if you realize that the choice doesn't match your expectations after making a decision... that's okay, you can always rewrite the path.