Five Insights from the Inside: Getting Success from a Secondment
Hello! I’m Kim Strachan, an EDI representative for Birmingham Solicitors’ Group. I qualified as a corporate solicitor in October 2021, and work at Gateley plc, in the Birmingham team.
It has now been five months since I first started my secondment. Until recently, I had only ever known private practice. So, getting the opportunity to work in-house for one of the UK’s largest house builders has been a complete game-changer!
For those who are unfamiliar with secondments, this is essentially a temporary assignment from your current employer to another business for an agreed period of time. A perfect opportunity to get a real feel for ‘in house’ working and gain an insight into the business.
As I draw closer to the end of my secondment, I wanted to share five key lessons I’ve learnt so far:
- Embracing on-the-job learning
From the outset, I was working on projects that encompassed a multitude of areas; some of which I had not dealt with before. I found that maintaining access to my legal resources (Practical Law, Lexis Nexis, my firm’s Professional Support team and the like) was useful. In short, do not forget your logins while on secondment! I have been fortunate that the resources I needed, such as precedents and guides, were made available to me from the outset from the business. Finding where to locate resources early on really does make a world of difference, especially when working in a fast-paced environment.
- Stepping out of your comfort zone
Not only was I working outside of Birmingham for the first time (hello London living) I was also working in a new company. I started my secondment with an open mind and with the expectation that I would be delving into unfamiliar territory. I had to push past intrusive thoughts of “what if I put myself forward for a piece of work and it falls short of expectations?”
By stepping outside of my comfort zone, I’ve tackled interesting and complex issues, and formed connections with new colleagues that will certainly continue long after my secondment comes to an end.
- Asking questions
A five-month secondment really does fly by. On the basis you may only get this opportunity once, find out as much as you can, while you can! I’ve found that asking questions is essential. Inquiring about different projects and updates has given me a deeper understanding of the business and its strategic direction. Never be afraid to ask; it’s a key part of the learning process and showcases genuine interest.
- Getting a healthy dose of that commercial awareness
Understanding the broader business context in which legal advice is provided is a key skill anywhere. So, having the chance to observe how legal decisions align with overall business strategies has been effective. By immersing myself in the company’s daily activities and understanding its strategic goals, I’ve gained a clear sense of what drives their business decisions. Another personal plus for me was getting to grips with the many acronyms used (without secretly googling them!)
- Enhance Your Communication Skills
We all know that effective communication is paramount. Whether it’s explaining complex legal concepts to non-legal colleagues or presenting updates to senior management, clear and concise communication has been key here. Don’t be afraid to switch up your communication style to fit your audience!
Overall, this secondment has been a transformative experience, with practical insights and skills that will undoubtedly benefit my future career. If anyone is considering putting themselves forward for secondment or would like to know more, please feel free to get in contact.
Birmingham Solicitors' Group 