Applying from abroad

Dear Oracle

I am a penultimate-year non-law student on a year abroad and I'm looking to apply for training contracts during the summer application period. Many firms only accept applications from final-year non-law students and hold assessment days which, because I am abroad, I could not attend. Would firms allow me to do a telephone interview?

The Oracle replies

Many firms do indeed only accept applications from final-year non-law undergraduates and the high number of candidates competing for vacation scheme places can make it hard to find formal work experience before you've got to this stage. Furthermore, running vacation schemes for undergraduates in their final year fits in with many firms' preference to recruit two years in advance.

If you are studying in Europe, could you make arrangements to travel to the United Kingdom for an assessment day? Provided that you can get a (cheap) flight, many firms will cover the travel expenses for the purpose of an interview/assessment day - but make sure you check whether they will reimburse you for expenses first! Research firms which will reimburse candidates for their travel expenses - there are many out there.

You should also bear in mind that telephone interviews are pretty common as so many students take gap years in their penultimate undergraduate year - graduate recruitment departments are aware of this and would likely try to work around your availability. Also, some firms don't interview for vacation schemes.

One option you could choose would be to get some local work experience this summer - perhaps in a high-street firm - and then make sure that in the autumn term you focus on gaining a place on a vacation scheme. Go to law fairs, presentations and open evenings to meet graduate recruiters, trainees, associates and partners. There are plenty of vacation schemes taking place over the winter and spring holidays which are specifically targeted at both final-year law and penultimate-year non-law undergraduates, as well as graduates.