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Mixer events: talking to people with your dream career, all the while you haven’t even got around to watching this week’s tort law lecture recordings. These events are a daunting, but important, experience.

From personal experience, when you’re looking for work experience or advice, solicitors can be very hard to get hold of. These mixer events are the perfect opportunity to talk to people who’ve been where you’re standing and have experienced everything you have questions about. This means that they’re crucial for building relationships within your local area and getting an insight into the careers of people who’ve done what you’re hoping to do.  

It's important to make the most out of these events – here are some key questions and topics of discussion that’ll help you do just that.

Has anyone here passed the Bar? 

There’s always a range of legal professionals at events who’ve had varied career journeys. It’s great to talk with people who’re passionate about the same parts of law as you and have experience in the field that you’re looking to get into.  

If this event is university organised, then it’s likely that the lecturers at the university will be familiar with many of the faces present. Ask your lecturer “Is there anyone here who practices [insert legal area]?” “Do you know who would be good to talk to about the [insert brutal law exam]?” This instantly gets you onto the right track and talking to people who know exactly the answers that you need to hear. 

If the event is run by your university, it’s likely to be organised and laid out. This means that you can know where to go and who to talk to by just having a general walk around. Though, if you have done your research, you’ll know which firms to talk to. 

I know you! 

While I certainly wouldn’t recommend saying “I know you” to someone at a mixer, doing your research into the firms who’ll be present is a great way to prepare yourself. For example, going to a local mixer is a great opportunity to do research into local firms. Detailed research will allow you to find out key information about firms, such as size and practice areas. Reading a firm’s ‘about’ page will lay some foundations for an informed conversation. 

These events are just as much about getting your name known amongst local practitioners as they are about getting your questions answered. So, make a good impression and show you know what you’re talking about. For example, if you know a lawyer specialises in conveyancing, and this is an area you’re passionate about, let them know.

Even knowing the sorts of graduate schemes firms offer is very useful for these discussions. While you should avoid laying it on too thick, ask about the opportunities they offer and if, for example, they offer funding for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). How many graduates do they usually take on? What does the training programme look like? Information that shows your interest and your knowledge, without coming across like you’re begging for a training contract. 

Do you have LinkedIn? 

Yes, your lecturer’s favourite social media, LinkedIn. It’s simply a fact that in the law, networking is  massively important. LinkedIn provides a tracked account of which practitioners and firms you’ve personally interacted with that you can add to your repertoire. As I’ve said, getting your name known is massively important in the law. If a local practitioner sees your post about your great SQE result, or your completed work experience with another firm, that may be enough to stick in their head so remember they your name when it appears on an application.  

For more networking advice, read ‘LawCareers.Net’s guide to networking’.