More than the law - skills that future employers will value

These days, a good academic record is just one part of the package that law firms expect from training contract applicants. And why wouldn't they want the lot? In today's market, there's no shortage of excellent candidates. To ensure you're one of them, take heed of the following advice - courtesy of Sue Clarke, careers adviser at Nottingham Law School.

Two of the most frequently asked questions from undergraduate students and those considering changing to a career in law are: what skills are law firms - in particular, commercial firms - looking for when recruiting trainees, and what is the best way to acquire those skills? The answers to these questions have become more important of late, given that the number of training contracts available over the next two years is likely to decrease - not least because of the amount of training contracts that have already been deferred until 2010 or beyond.

To stand the best chance of success, those wishing to pursue a career in law should start to acquire the relevant skills for practice on commencement of their undergraduate studies. While a degree is focused on academic study of the law rather than the practical application of it, there are ways to acquire the relevant skills. All too frequently, students who are already on the Legal Practice Course (LPC) seek advice about why they have not yet obtained a training contract. The reason is often that students have not given sufficient consideration as to what sort of lawyer they want to be and set about acquiring the relevant knowledge and skills for practice.

The right course

There are now a significant number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses available, so prospective students should choose carefully. At undergraduate level, there is the choice of a single or joint honours degree (eg, law with French, law with criminology or law with psychology); a 'sandwich' course (a four-year law degree with the third year spent in legal practice); or an exempting law degree (a four-year course encompassing a year in legal practice and the LPC). Many employers value the sandwich courses and exempting law degrees, as they give undergraduate students early exposure to practice management and client skills. There is also the option to study part time - to earn and learn - which again equips students with relevant skills.

Some students prefer to do a degree in a different discipline and then study the Graduate Diploma in Law before undertaking the LPC. These students should also identify the skills that are required and obtain paid or voluntary work experience.

What's expected?

What knowledge and skills do law firms and other recruiters expect prospective employees to have, and how can students acquire those skills?

A good knowledge of the law is important and many firms generally require a 2.1 degree as a minimum. However, other knowledge and skills are often seen as equally important. Even firms that generally impose a minimum academic requirement may be flexible - particularly if a candidate has experience, knowledge or skills that are valuable to the business. In addition, firms take into account the electives studied at undergraduate level and on the LPC, so these should be chosen with care. A City practice will expect students to have studied LPC electives such as mergers and acquisitions and debt finance and banking: whereas a high-street practice will expect subjects such as advanced criminal litigation and social welfare law.

Good communication and client skills are vital: a lawyer must be able to take accurate instructions from clients and give clear, concise advice, both orally and in writing. These skills can be acquired through paid or voluntary work experience (although not necessarily in a law firm). Many universities and law schools provide the opportunity to get involved in law clinics or street law projects, either as optional modules or as pro bono work. University law clinics also give students experience of writing business letters, undertaking practical legal research and drafting court and tribunal documents. There is no substitute for experience of dealing with clients face to face and giving legal advice.

Commercial awareness is also regarded as an important skill. This generally means an understanding of a client's business and the industry or sector in which it operates. A student wishing to work in the City should read the business press regularly, attend commercial awareness workshops - which are led by many commercial practices such as Eversheds and Nabarro LLP - and apply for vacation schemes at law firms or other relevant employers such as merchant banks. Work experience in any business context is always valuable (eg, working for a family business, setting up an internet business or working part time), especially if that involves dealing with members of the public.

Equally, for those students more interested in publicly funded work, it is important to show commitment to that area. Work experience with voluntary organisations, the Crown Prosecution Service, local authorities or the court service - as well as in legal practice - will help students to demonstrate their interest in working in public service.

Personal qualities

A range of personal qualities are also valued. Adaptability, resilience, initiative/leadership and team-working skills are some of the qualities that firms look for both during the application process and at assessment days. Students should get involved in student societies (being responsible for raising sponsorship for a student ball or other event can show a number of these qualities), sport, charity work or acting as a student ambassador for their university. Work experience abroad on a gap year or over a summer vacation can be used to exhibit these skills too.

Law firms and other organisations are also seeking to recruit individuals who will improve the growth and management of the business. Marketing and business development are two areas in which most lawyers are expected to contribute to a firm's continued success - good interpersonal and social skills are therefore a necessity. Students who gain experience representing their university or employer in any capacity - such as presentations, mooting or other advocacy - are likely to have the skills and confidence that law firms are seeking. In addition, membership of organisations that show a student's ability to network will be valued. Plus, if a student has an interest in a particular activity and it happens to match a firm's main practice area, so much the better.

In brief, to acquire the relevant skills for legal practice, students need to decide what sort of lawyer they want to be. It is then a question of identifying which relevant skills can be acquired during their studies. Paid and voluntary work experience should be sought to build on those skills, which includes applying for vacation placements. Finally, students should seek to enhance their personal qualities by taking part in a range of extra-curricular activities.

Career changers

A significant number of students are deciding later in life that a career in law is for them. These students may have already acquired many of the relevant skills in a non-legal context. A doctor, dentist or a civil engineer will have good communication and team-working skills; all will be accustomed to working under pressure, in a client-focused environment. Others may be magistrates or school governors and have a strong commitment to public service. Some will have been successful in business and will therefore have an awareness of the commercial world in general.

Therefore, many mature students, already have the skills that law firms are seeking and should not be daunted by the prospect of changing career. Examples of people who have recently obtained a training contract later in life include an air hostess, BBC researcher, physiotherapist, pharmacist, doctor, marketing director and professional sportsman.

Feedback from graduate recruiters tends to stress that they are looking at candidates in the round, which includes academic achievements, personal achievements, knowledge and skills. Some law firms prefer to recruit those who are worldly wise - in other words, candidates who have experience outside of university and academic life - rather than recent graduates. Others recruiters have no preference.

However, ultimately, all firms are looking for the same knowledge and basic skills. Successful candidates will be those who have worked hard to identify and acquire those skills.

Sue Clarke is head of postgraduate careers at Nottingham Law School.