LAW CAREERS SEMINARS for second-year students No. 3, 29th November 2011 Jenny Keaveney, Careers Advisory Service The slides from this and the two previous presentations are available at

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 Form or Curriculum Vitae + Covering Letter then? Interview perhaps Selection 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 employer The opportunities it offers for training and career development Information you have gathered from reading the business or legal press or searching the Internet Information you have gathered from talking to people who work for the firm, or its competitors Personal experience of the firm, e.g. through an open day or insight course For large employers, the “True Picture” section of the Chambers & Partners guide may give some inspiration!

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.

STRUCTURED Look 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) – 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: 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 dateThe 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

Casubon High School, Middlemarch 2010A-levels: English (A); French (B); History (C) 2009AS levels: Music (B); Media Studies (B) 2008GCSEs: 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 2011Bulstrode Insurance Ltd, Lowick Clerical Assistant: data inputting, liaison with clients; general office duties This developed my skills in dealing with business customers, chiefly over the telephone, and in working accurately under pressure. Summer 2010Hawleys, Middlemarch Two-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.

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 MusicI play the violin in the University orchestra and was leader of the school orchestra. SportBadminton (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 TravelSummer two-week international voluntary workcamp in Spain One month Inter-Railing through France and Italy in summer 2010 Tours with school orchestra to France, Belgium and Norway.

SKILLS LanguagesGood command of French and German ComputingFamiliar with Windows packages including MS Word, MS Access and Internet Explorer DrivingFull, clean driving licence SKILLS This 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 LETTERS Introduce 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) TARGET Jobs solicitors/applications-and-interviews advice from graduate recruiters in the legal sector

GOOD LUCK! Careers Advisory Service Opening hours: 9am - 5pm Monday – Friday