Sharer: Yao Hong
Occupation: the largest law firm in the Asia-Pacific region, insurance lawyer, foreign lawyer.
Coordinates: Shenzhen
Transformation experience: engaged in insurance loss assessment industry 12. At the age of 37, I decided to transform and pass the teacher at one time. At the age of 39, he got a lawyer's license and really became a lawyer.
Transition year: 20 13
Transitional age: 37 years old
How long does it take to transition to a relatively satisfactory state? 4-5 years, from preparing for the judicial examination to taking over several cases and getting satisfactory returns.
Proudest thing: after studying for more than four months, I passed the general exam at one time and continued to practice ballet 1 1 year (starting from scratch after 30 years old).
The hardest thing in the process of transformation: kick down the ladder completely. Starting from zero experience, I have made many mistakes and been accused or even reviled by the parties, but I believe that setbacks teach people to grow up, manage their emotions and continue on the road.
The first half of my career-
Your transformation experience?
Yao Hong: I studied science and engineering myself and went to Shenzhen after graduation. I started to work as an insurance adjuster at the age of 25, and I have been working for my former employer, an insurance adjustment company. When I left, my employer was already the largest insurance adjuster in China. I have worked in this company for twelve years. Later, for various reasons, I felt that this job was not what I really liked. At the age of 37, I offered to leave my job. After more than four months of preparation at home, I passed the judicial examination at one time and transformed into a lawyer.
What is the reason for your leaving?
Yao Hong: The company is developing very well. When I entered the company, there were only 20 people. There were two thousand people when I left, and the boss was very kind to me. I was very motivated to do business in the first few years, but later, especially after I was 30 years old, I felt that I was muddling along when I became familiar with the business. Another problem is that I feel the limitations of the current development of this industry, so I am worried about the future development; In addition, I like foreign languages since I was a child, hoping to give full play to the advantages of English, but I don't use it much at present, so I have plans to resign in this state.
The dividing line of transformation-
What opportunity made you make up your mind to quit your job and switch to law?
Yao Hong: I was moved by several reasons. First of all, I have always been interested in English and insisted on learning. At that time, our company began to expand its foreign business after it became bigger. Because I know English and my major, my boss took me abroad to participate in these international businesses. Once, the goods of a Korean company had an accident in transit in China, and the Korean insurance company that underwrites the goods entrusted us to inspect the goods at the scene to determine the damage. I realized that we can not only help Korean insurance companies to inspect the site, but also help them to file subrogation claims with logistics companies. Finally, through my communication, we helped the Korean insurance company recover the compensation. In this process, because many things are closely combined with the law, I came into contact with lawyers in this line, which inspired me-I have professional accumulation and know foreign languages, and I think it may be a good choice to be a lawyer.
The final decision came from a German partner who visited China. On March 28th, 20 13, a German partner came to visit us. Its founder is almost over 80 years old and gave us a wonderful business lesson. "A person so old is still so passionate", which is a shock to me who was "muddling along" at that time. Maybe years of confusion have accumulated to a point. After listening to the class, it was only two days.
Are there any entanglements in the process of leaving the company?
Yao Hong: Of course. On April Fool's Day, the leaders thought it was a joke. I have been working hard together since my boss started his business. My boss still attaches great importance to it. After receiving my application for resignation, my boss also put forward what I want to do. As long as I am on the platform of the original company, he fully supports me. I was a little tangled at that time, mainly because I grew up with the company for so many years. I watched it grow step by step and had feelings for the company, but in the end I still wanted to pursue the working state I wanted. After this was clear, I didn't struggle.
Transformation is risky. Have you ever thought that you might waste a year not being admitted to a lawyer?
Yao Hong: I thought about it, but I didn't pay much attention to it. First of all, I have no family support and my own house, so I don't have to worry about the housing problem. Although it is not rich or expensive, it is enough to eat. Prepare for another year. You know, even many people who study law don't pass the departmental exam at once, so I am psychologically prepared.
Some girls are very concerned about their age when they change careers. You were 37 years old when you changed. Do you have any age concerns?
Yao Hong: It's never too late to start as long as you want to learn. I first came into contact with ballet at the age of 30. I have never practiced dancing before. At that time, I was holding the ballet dancer's pointed shoes and thought, "I can't wear them in my life. It's too difficult to stand." But through years of continuous practice, I can also dance some simple movements in pointed shoes. As long as you want to learn, age is not a problem, and you are not old in your thirties or forties.
Turn a new page-
How did you become a foreign lawyer?
Yao Hong: 20 13 left his job in early April, and the handover was completed in one month. I didn't really start preparing for the exam until May Day. I have never been exposed to the law, starting from scratch. From May to mid-September, I took part in the national examination and almost never left the gate of the community. Keep studying for more than ten hours every day, and dare not slack off any day. I reviewed it three times. The first time in the true sense is not a review, but a beginner. Familiar with the second time, consolidate the third time. I have done all the real questions over the years, about ten times. I remember that165438+1October 2 1 was the release date. I called to ask-passed! Very happy! I remember that day when I was walking on the small road in the community every night during the review stage (at that time, I was listening to the teacher with headphones while walking every night), and I was very touched by the hardships of preparing for the exam for more than four months while walking.
Passing the department exam is only the first step. After one year's internship, I got a lawyer's license and transferred to the largest law firm in Asia-Pacific. I've been a lawyer for almost three years now.
How's it going now?
Yao Hong: This industry was basically studying in the first three years. Originally, I was just making a living. Gradually, my business increased and my income improved qualitatively. Let me tell you a happy thing. In a successful case I handled before, the losing party contacted me this morning to confirm the payment as soon as possible. After nearly three years of hard work, I can finally get a large amount of compensation for the foreign party, and my lawyer's agency fee will also be in place.
How does this development rate compare with the industry?
Yao Hong: I don't compare with others. I only compare with myself in the past. It can be said that the feeling now is much better than the previous work! But we must work hard.
Is there any pain in the transition and how to overcome it?
The first is economic pain. I used to work in a company, and I had a fixed income every month, but I switched to be a lawyer, and I didn't have any income for half a year in the preparation stage; As a trainee lawyer, because you can't practice independently, you can only help others, and your income is almost negligible. This stage is at least one and a half years; Getting a lawyer's practice license after passing the internship means that you have no income, and you have to bear the social security fees, booth room fees, law firm management fees, bar association membership fees, etc. And it costs a lot, and the pressure can be imagined. Therefore, when you switch to a lawyer, don't expect too much from your economic income at first, but plan to live a hard life without income for three years first;
The second is a blow to self-confidence. Starting from scratch is doomed to be a struggle. My coping method is to spend money on classes, cooperate with others and sum up experience to get through this accumulation stage. I spent tens of thousands of my first year's income as a lawyer on classes, and felt that it was worthwhile to make progress; Secondly, most of the cases I take are in cooperation with old lawyers. Although I want to share my income with others, I can learn valuable experience from old lawyers. Finally, think more, constantly sum up experience, improve business level and enhance confidence.
Finally, the pain of novices is that customers question your ability. Sometimes customers send their grievances to you; Sometimes the customer's request has no legal support, but you are blamed for incompetence; Sometimes you will make mistakes because of lack of experience, and customers will question your ability ... This process still needs self-guidance. At this time, I thought, "You should be happy that this mistake will never be made again, and your adaptability has improved."
Self-assessment—
Do you like the profession of law?
Yao Hong: I am satisfied. Although it is hard to be a lawyer, I firmly believe that I made the right choice at the age of 37.
Besides major, what other abilities do you think need to be strengthened at present?
Yao Hong: Marketing ability, you should let more customers know your ability and do a good job in customer maintenance; I have also made a breakthrough in speech, writing and reading, which is also my goal next year.
What previous experiences helped you become a lawyer?
Yao Hong: First, he can bear hardships and know how to pay. To understand "delayed satisfaction", try to do or not do things that can bring you "pleasure and satisfaction" immediately. Only with previous efforts and efforts will there be a satisfactory life in the future.
There is also being good at finding opportunities at work and looking for possible ways of transformation in the future. The experience of going abroad to talk about business in the previous company not only broadened our horizons, but also accumulated some relationships, which laid the foundation for the transformation.
What qualities do you have to help you complete the transition smoothly?
Yao Hong: I am very self-disciplined. Never slack off when preparing for the judicial examination. During those four months, I didn't relax for a day. I'm a lawyer now. I try to get up early and go to the office to read books, learn English or handle cases before eight o'clock. I feel that I have much more time in the morning and can do a lot of things.
What advice do you have for 30+ women who are exploring the road to transformation?
Yao Hong: First of all, we should not blindly transform. We should combine the resources, experience and hobbies accumulated in previous work to choose. Secondly, switching to a new field is bound to go through a very difficult lonely period, so we must stick to it.
Finally, I want to send you a sentence: your life now was decided by you five years ago. Think about the life you want in five years, and then make a decision now.
Ok, thanks for sharing. It's wonderful!
Interview Testimony: Someone once described ballet as "the brilliance on tiptoe is the brilliance portrayed by years", and every elegant standing, turning and jumping on the stage is earned by countless efforts. I want the rainbow to impress me, just like her favorite ballet-gentle and elegant. For example, she is very approachable and always takes care of my interview pace. The grievances and entanglements in the whole transformation were photographed in a very relaxed tone. At the same time, she has the strength of ballet-excellent logical ability, firm goal and self-confidence. I hope her story can inspire you too.