LAW CAREERS SEMINARS

for second-year studentsNo. 3, 29th November 2011

Jenny Keaveney, Careers Advisory Service

The slides from this and the two previouspresentations are available at

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

How to apply for vacation work training contracts and

pupillages• The selection process• What employers look for in

applications• How to complete an application form• CVs and covering letters

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Application FormorCurriculum Vitae + Covering Letterthen?InterviewperhapsSelection Centre

WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR ?

• We are not looking for academic achievements alone but rather for people who enjoy working as part of a busy team, respond positively to a challenge and have what it takes to deliver results to clients (DWF)

• “You need to be able to deal comfortably with a client with a limited understanding of the law who may be in a stressful situation, such as a police cell” (Criminal practice)

• “The key attributes I look for in prospective trainees are character and evidence of ability to react and think on their feet” (Farrers)

• “Intellectual ability is only part of it: a successful barrister must have confidence, ambition, common sense and an ability to get on well with clients, solicitors, other members of Chambers and the clerks”

WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR ?

SUMMARY• Academic ability• Awareness of what being a lawyer

involves• Awareness of the environment in

which the firm/chambers and its clients operate

• Motivation and commitment• Competencies

COMPETENCIES

• Written communication• Verbal communication• Analytical and problem-solving skills• Teamworking• Working under pressure• Adaptability/flexibility• Planning and organising

TYPES OF EMPLOYER APPLICATION FORMS

No application form

Just the facts

Autobiographical

Structured

Combination

“JUST THE FACTS”

Much the same information as on a CV But don't underestimate them! There may be just one nasty question -

but this could be the decisive one!

e.g.

“Why do you want to work for us?”“What is your greatest achievement?”

WHY ARE YOU APPLYING TO US?

THE REAL QUESTION

• Have you prepared properly?

• Have you read the information we produce for applicants, thought about what we are seeking and what you have to offer us?

• Are you committed to this career?

SOME POSSIBLE ANSWERS

The firm's reputation among clients and as an employerThe opportunities it offers for training and career developmentInformation you have gathered from reading the business or legal press or searching the InternetInformation you have gathered from talking to people who work for the firm, or its competitorsPersonal experience of the firm, e.g. through an open day or insight courseFor large employers, the “True Picture” section of the Chambers & Partners guide may give some inspiration! http://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/

WHY THIS FIRM?

• “I have chosen to apply to X because the firm offers varied and challenging training opportunities in a friendly and supportive environment. The firm’s trainee programme is well respected and I believe that a training contract at X would be an excellent start to my legal career”

• “The relatively small trainee intake (40 trainees per year) makes X particularly appealing to me. I want to train in an environment where I do not simply feel like a small cog in a large wheel. I was also interested to read that X won The Lawyer’s award for ‘Excellence in Training’ last year, and as such I believe that the firm would offer me a first class training experience”

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL

• Just one big section for everything beyond the basic facts

• You will need to select the appropriate information, decide how much weight to give to each item and structure them into a narrative

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL

Example: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

"Please write about yourself in no more than 850 words. You may wish to mention any posts of responsibility held at school or subsequently, any regular employment or other work experience, any sporting or other achievements and any particular interests and personal qualities which are relevant. Please also state briefly why you are making this application”

STRUCTURED APPLICATION FORMS

These work on the principle that:

PAST PERFORMANCE IS THE BEST PREDICTOR OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE

The selector will therefore be seeking examples of past behaviour that provide him/her with

concrete evidence that you have the necessary competences to succeed in the job.

STRUCTUREDLook for evidence of the personal qualities which you will need to do the job well

Example: Ward Hadaway

Please give details of any important contribution you have made to any group of which you were a member. Outline how your contribution helped the group achieve its goals

THE REAL QUESTION

How do you get on with other people? What role do you take in a group? Are you able to focus on goals and targets?

Some possible examples: • Putting on a drama or music production Planning a holiday with a group of friends A business game or “Young Enterprise” scheme Working in a fast-food restaurant Sports teams and university committees

SOME OTHER QUESTIONS …

• Describe an event which has recently been in the news and explain why this has been of interest to you (SJ Berwin )

• What three key attributes do you think clients expect from their legal advisors? (Mishcon de Reya)

• Who would be your ideal dinner party guest and why? (Taylor Wessing)

DOs AND DON’Ts

DO• Read the question• Use plain English• Pay attention to

spelling and grammar

• Proof read• Keep a copy of your

application

DON’T• Leave gaps in your

work experience or academic history

• Cut and paste from one application to another or use one answer to fit several application forms

• Leave it until the last minute to apply

QUOTES

“Most applications for mini-pupillages come from quite young and inexperienced candidates – we mostly have to select on the basis of academic results and anything original or unusual in the application”

“Be concise – a few well-chosen words or sentences, properly spelt and punctuated, are preferable to long rambling essays”

CVs FOR APPLYING TO LAW-RELATED EMPLOYERS

Personal details

Education and qualifications

Work experience

Interests

Practical skills

Referees

PERSONAL DETAILS

• Your name! (use this as the heading)• Your contact details:

– Postal address(es)– Phone number(s)– Email address

• You may also include (but don’t have to): – Nationality– Male/female (but only if this isn’t clear from your

name)

LEE GALLIGLE

Home Address: 10 London Road, Middlemarch, MM2 6AZ Term Address: 1a Wildwood Court, Park Wood, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7SZ

Tel: 01789 12345 Email: lg299@kent.ac.uk

Nationality: British Sex: Female

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

• Combine both: head each section in this category with the name of the university/school/college, then the subjects studied and exams taken there, with dates

• Law firms like detail: list all your modules/subjects and grades

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

2010 to date The University of Kent LL.B. Law - expect to graduate June 2013

First year: Introduction to Law (Distinction); Legal Process

(Merit); Constitutional and Administrative Law (Merit); Obligations I (Distinction)

Second year: Criminal Law; Company Law; Obligations II; Property Law

2003 - 2010 Casubon High School, Middlemarch

2010 A-levels: English (A); French (B); History (C)

2009 AS levels: Music (B); Media Studies (B)

2008 GCSEs: English Language (A); English Literature (A); French (A); German

(B); Mathematics (C); History (A); Geography (C); Biology (B); Music (A)

WORK EXPERIENCE• If you don’t have much experience at

this stage, list it all – even if you don’t feel it’s “relevant” – and highlight the skills you have gained from it

• If you have a lot of experience, you may:– Separate it into “law-related” and “other”– Summarise the less-relevant experience

• “Experience” doesn’t just mean “paid work” – include volunteering, work-shadowing etc if you like

WORK EXPERIENCE

Summer 2011 Bulstrode Insurance Ltd, Lowick

Clerical Assistant: data inputting, liaison with clients; general office dutiesThis developed my skills in dealing with business customers, chiefly over the telephone, and in working accurately under pressure.

Summer 2010 Hawleys, MiddlemarchTwo-week work placement with a partner in the property department of a general practice solicitors' firm. I carried out research in relation to a boundary dispute, attended Court and observed interviews with clients.

2008 - 2010 Flora Motley Ltd, High Street, Middlemarch

Saturday Sales Assistant in fashion store: customer service, stock control, cash handling. This involved me in advising and assisting customers, coping with problems and unexpected situations (such as a fire alarm) and taking responsibility for counting up and banking money.

INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES

• Anything a bit “different” or “interesting” in this section can help you to stand out from other candidates

• These can also demonstrate your skills and competencies

• Don’t worry, though, if you have little to put in this section provided that other sections (especially work experience) can compensate

• Make your interests interesting!

INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES

Music I play the violin in the University orchestra and was leader of the school orchestra.

Sport Badminton (member of the University badminton club); tennis (played for the school team) swimming; trampolining.

Car Looking after my twenty-year-old Mini and Maintenance meeting other Mini owners at rallies

Travel Summer 2011 - two-week international voluntary workcamp in SpainOne month Inter-Railing through France and Italy in summer 2010Tours with school orchestra to France, Belgium and Norway.

SKILLS

Languages Good command of French and German

Computing Familiar with Windows packages including MS Word, MS Access and Internet Explorer

Driving Full, clean driving licence

SKILLSThis section should include just your practical,

relevant and work-related skills, such as:

REFERENCES• Give the name and contact details of

two referees • If you have run out of space on the CV

you can just say “references available on request”

• Ideally, one academic and one work-related or character reference

• ALWAYS ask permission before giving someone’s name as a referee!

COVERING LETTERSIntroduce yourself:

- what are you applying for?- where did you hear about the firm?

Sell yourself:

- your motivation- your past experience- your skills- your knowledge of law/of this firm- your ability to communicate effectively in writing!

Provide essential information:

- your availability- refer the reader on to your CV/form

FURTHER HELP AND INFORMATION

• Making Applications - Careers Service booklet

• Making Applications - AGCAS booklet • AGCAS DVDs - Looking Good on Paper (CVs)

and Your Job’s On-Line (application forms)• www.kent.ac.uk/careers/interviews/lawAppsIVs.htm

• TARGET Jobs http://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/law-

solicitors/applications-and-interviews advice from graduate recruiters in the legal sector

GOOD LUCK!

Careers Advisory ServiceOpening hours: 9am - 5pmMonday – Friday

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers