By: Anna Grover, Compliance Professional
Building on the journey explored in the first article, transitioning from a legal role to a Compliance position requires intentional strategies, practical steps, and a mindset shift. Here’s how aspiring professionals can make this leap effectively:
- Leverage Your Legal Skills and Operational Awareness:
Begin by mapping how your legal expertise aligns with Compliance skillsets and practice areas. When updating your resume, drafting cover letters or preparing for interview:- articulate how drafting contracts, interpreting regulations, and advising on legal risks translate well into developing Compliance policies, conducting audits, and managing risk assessments.
- emphasize your ability to collaborate across departments, engage stakeholders, and design practical solutions. In Compliance, success often hinges on implementing risk-based programs that balance legal adherence with business realities. No program is going to be perfect and it will not have unlimited funding.
- Network Strategically:
Engage with Compliance professionals through platforms like LinkedIn, industry conferences (such as those from the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics), and webinars. Seek mentors who have made a similar transition to gain insights into challenges and opportunities. Networking is invaluable in understanding the nuances of Compliance roles and accessing hidden job opportunities. Be prepared to be vulnerable and reach out to contacts or “friends of friends”, or to Compliance colleagues in your current organization, and gain insights on what their “day to day” looks like. Get to know “the good, the bad and the ugly” so you can make an informed transition. - Gain Compliance Knowledge:
Based on feedback from the contacts you have gained by networking, or based on your current professional interests, identify which areas of Compliance could be of interest to you. Compliance is a broad field and can encompass diverse areas such as enterprise policy management, gifts/entertainment/conflict of interest review/approval, export compliance, privacy, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering. Familiarize yourself with Compliance frameworks relating to your topic(s) of interest and if you don’t yet have a particular favorite, try to learn as much as you can and stay as broad as possible. Consider certifications such as Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) or Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) to demonstrate commitment and build credibility. The preparation for these professional certifications can be obtained either through organized courses or self-study and the study (and exam) can be completed within a few months, rather than years. - Seek Hybrid Roles:
Consider hybrid roles, such as legal counsel with Compliance responsibilities, to make a gradual move into Compliance. Many organizations value professionals who can straddle both functions effectively. - Adopt a Growth Mindset:
Compliance requires continuous learning – there are always new regulations being rolled out, new guidance from regulators and enforcement agencies and new cases and technologies to consider. Compliance professionals may need to “forecast” how the regulatory and industry winds may blow, as well as advise on decisions despite incomplete or developing information. Embrace challenges as opportunities to deepen your impact within an organization and offer to help out when you can.
Key Takeaway: Transitioning into Compliance is not just about shifting roles but embracing a broader operational and strategic perspective. With the right preparation and focus, legal professionals can thrive in Compliance, becoming trusted advisers to their businesses on a range of topics, gaining a deep understanding of the business and enhancing their career trajectory.