Law 1st Year StudentsKick Start Your FutureWhy Now ? Darren Johnson

Careers Adviser

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The Current Graduate Legal Job Market

Applications for Vacation Schemes – many international city law firms have

seen applications double this year

Similar competition reported for mini-pupillage.

Implications: Important to consider Open Days in your 1st year to make you

stand out when applying for vacation schemes in your penultimate year

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1st Year Exam Results Do Matter To Employers

In particular:

• International commercial law firms – generally request these results by

module on CV or application

• Will also pay close attention to tort and contract law modules when applying for vacation schemes in penultimate year. 2i is the ideal less than 50% could be an issue .

• Same for commercial barristers chambers when applying for

mini-pupillage

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Getting Work Experience

International commercial firms - Open Days

What do these involve ?

How do you apply ?

How should you approach the application and if offered a place the actual

Day ?

See my blog article on Open Days being posted at :

http://durhamlawcareers.wordpress.com/ for answers to these questions

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1st Year Vacation Schemes

Example :

Simmons and Simmons

26-30th March

16-20 April

www.simmons-simmons.com

Deadline 31st January 2012

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1st Year Spring Vacation Schemes

Hogan Lovells - February 15th deadline

26-30th March

http://graduates.hoganlovells.com/your_career/open_events/

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Blog -http://durhamlawcareers.wordpress.com/

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www.dur.ac.uk/careers/s/careerplanning/rc/cs/

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What Employers Want

Evidence and ability to articulate: Achievement – drive and determination

Soft Skills- persuasion/negotiation/customer focused/attention to detail/problem solving/teamwork/leadership

Commercial Awareness for many career areashttp://l2b.thelawyer.com/what-is-commercialawareness/133838.article

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STAR Skills Sessions

Often employer led

A great way to develop some of these skills on campus

Need to sign up on-line for sessions you are interested in , keep an eye on

The Events section of the CEEC website

http://www.dur.ac.uk/careers/s/events/

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http://www.dur.ac.uk/careers/s/events/

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Events Also On Facebook http://www.facebook.com/careersatdurham

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Career Focus Blog -

http://durhamcasnews.wordpress.com/

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Considering Barrister – Taking Action In Your 1st YearThroughout the year

Research minipupillages/apply for non formal placement for vacations (www.lawcareers.net)

Construct a strong CV and cover letters for the above – get checked at Career Centre - Applications Advice/Quick Queries

Become an active member of the student Law Society

Work hard at degree, sets will look at your first year results

Research Inns of Court

www.online-law.co.uk/bar/inns_of_court.html

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Exploration Tips

http://targetjobs.co.uk/law

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Alternative Careers To Solicitor/Barrister – Durham Law Graduate Destinations Recent Examples •Law Commission•Research Assistant

•Constituency Assistant for MP

•Police

•Trainee Chartered Accountant

•Law Librarian

•Executive Officer , Home Office

•Teach First

•Marketing

•P.R

•Recruitment Consultant (Banking and Finance

•Commercial Lender – Alliance and Leicester

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Other Popular Career Areas For Law Graduates U.K wide•Property

•Consulting

•Legal Publishing

•Investment Banking

•Civil Service Fast Stream

•Human Resources

•Lecturing

•Company Secretary

•HM Customs and Excise

•Compliance

•Charities/NGOs

•European Commission

•Research more at www.prospects.ac.uk

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www.lawcareers.net

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Careers Employability & Enterprise Centre

49 New Elvet (next to D.S.U)Term Time – 9am – 5pmVacation – 10am – 1pm 2.15pm – 5pmTel: 0191 334 1424/1437careers@durham.ac.ukwww.durham.ac.uk/careers-advice