Winter (vacation schemes) are coming...

As the days draw shorter and the air turns colder, for many of you the time has come to embark on your winter vacation schemes. To help calm your nerves and assist you during these schemes, I would like to suggest some key skills that you should consider focusing on.

W is for Well-rounded

You have no doubt heard that law firms want their trainees to be well-rounded individuals. Your winter vacation scheme is the best time to demonstrate that you are exactly that. Take the time to get to know the firm’s culture and get involved in work and extracurricular activities that showcase all the skills that make you an ideal trainee for the firm.

I is for Initiative

When you are assigned a task during your winter vacation scheme, always use your initiative and think of the bigger picture. For example, if you have been asked to complete a piece of research that you know will be sent out to client, ask your supervisor whether it would be useful for you to draft the information you find in a client summary note with an accompanying cover email/letter. This is by no means a suggestion that you should go off and create/complete unnecessary work – instead, it is intended to help showcase your interest in the work you are doing and hopefully enable you to be more involved in tasks. You will usually only sit in one or two departments during the scheme, so you should take the initiative to interact with as many people as possible across the firm. This will not only highlight your interest in the firm, it will let you decide if the firm is the right one for you.

N is Notepad and pen

Even if you have a fantastic memory, carry both of these items with you at all times during your winter vacation scheme. Without these, you will not look prepared – you will not be able to jot down: key information that you find out about the firm or individuals you interact with; details of the tasks that you are asked to assist with; or even show initiative (see these hints are all linked!) and be the minute taker for a client meeting or a teleconference call.

T is for Time management

During your winter vacation scheme you will be tested to see if you can handle the work of a trainee solicitor. This will involve you working on several different tasks and matters at any one time. Be sure to work towards deadlines and always keep your supervisors updated on your progress on tasks. Time management is a key skill of a trainee as you are expected to meet and exceed set deadlines – do your level best to demonstrate that time management is one of your strengths.

E is for Enthusiasm

You have clearly made a good impression by receiving an offer for a winter vacation scheme. However, you need to ensure this continues during the scheme itself. To do this you need to show your enthusiasm about working within the legal sector, the work that solicitors do and the firm you are completing your scheme with. However, always remember to have some self-awareness – too much enthusiasm could be mistaken for over-confidence or even arrogance. Your personality is quite often the deal maker – don’t let it be the deal breaker.

R is for Research

I have said this before, but I will say it again – do your research and do it well. Taking the time to gradually build your commercial awareness, knowledge of the firm and its recent updates will make the process of completing your winter vacation scheme far less daunting.  There are no excuses for leaving preparation to the last minute. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Believe me, this is true.

Be under no illusion, your winter vacation scheme is likely to be a testing experience. But just think, your Christmas present this year could be a training contract offer phone call/ email/letter… surely that would make for a very merry Christmas indeed!

Good luck.

Pardeep Lagha is a trainee solicitor at Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP. Follow the firm on Twitter at @SPB_Global and @SPB_Careers.