The legal profession can be a highly competitive one, but it's little wonder when you consider the rewards that are achievable. Whether you're on the hunt for corporate law jobs in the north or senior legal jobs in the Midlands, it can be a tough process to stay abreast of what roles are available and how best to apply for them. Here are 10 simple steps that may help you find your next job on the legal recruitment ladder.

1. If you are currently working at a legal firm and enjoy the company, you may want to look internally before applying for roles elsewhere. If your company posts internal vacancies somewhere, such as on a notice board or an intranet, then that could be a great starting point. Otherwise, it may be time to talk to your employers, let them know your ambitions and put forward a compelling case for them to help you achieve it.

2. If you are planning on looking elsewhere, a simple point to begin at is with the companies you already know. Perhaps they are located nearby where you work now or have a strong presence in the industry. Contacting them or checking their website for vacancy news could be worthwhile.

3. If you're looking for jobs in a specific part of the country, such as Midlands' legal jobs, it may be sensible to check the local newspapers for job adverts. You may find that the local legal firms choose to reduce their recruitment costs by advertising in the regional papers.

4. However, many larger companies will be keen to maximise their reach within the talent pool by advertising nationally. National newspapers may therefore be a great place to begin your search. Find out which day corporate law jobs and other legal positions are advertised in the paper.

5. If you have friends who work in the legal sector, it may be worth asking them to keep an ear out for news of the type of vacancies you're looking for. That could include jobs at their company or roles they've heard about from friends of friends.

6. If you're serious about progressing in your career, you should be leaving no stone unturned in your quest for a better role. Do plenty of research on the legal firms that are performing well in the sector and those that are doing the type of work you're interested in. For every company that fits the bill, check their website for details of vacancies.

7. Reading the local trade press, both in print and online, could be very helpful to your job hunt. Not only will it help to keep you informed about what's happening in the sector, but in many cases, they will carry details on vacancies at top law firms.

8. There are many national recruitment websites that carry jobs for many different sectors, including legal. They could be worth checking out on a regular basis to see what's being advertised.

9. However, it may be more beneficial to register with a specialist legal recruitment firm. They will exclusively feature jobs for the legal sector and will often have a team of recruitment specialists that will proactively help you in your search.

10. Finally, it never hurts to build a strong reputation for yourself in the sector. One way to do this is to attend networking events and get to know influential figures within the industry.

Are you looking for Midlands legal jobs? How about corporate law jobs in London? Whatever you're searching for, why not take the hassle out of the process by registering with a legal recruitment specialist?