Time to face up to face time
updated on 12 October 2010
They say it's the people who make the place and anyone who has had even a fleeting experience of a working environment can attest that this is true. So until you meet the people who populate a law firm or set of chambers, how can you be sure it's the kind of place you could happily kick off your legal career? Face time with potential future colleagues may be vitally important in assessing which firm or set of chambers is right for you, but it's also an excellent way to get you noticed and recruiters often look out for applications from students who particularly impress them at these events.
With opportunities to meet representatives from firms and chambers relatively hard to come by, you need to make the most of those on offer - think law fairs and firm presentations. This handy LC.N feature is a comprehensive guide to these events, revealing the secret of good preparation, how to impress when you're there and much, much more!
Law fairs
Law fairs are a valuable source of information about opportunities in the legal profession, both for those who are studying law and for non-law students who are toying with a legal career. The law fair season is upon us - it starts in early October and continues into January - so whether you're a budding solicitor or barrister, there's no time to lose if you're to turn up fully prepared and ready to wow potential employers.
Held at universities nationwide, many of the fairs are open to all. However, others restrict entrance to students of the host institution - be sure to check before you go.
Exhibitors
Firms
If you are interested in training as a solicitor, the fairs will give you an opportunity to talk informally to a range of professionals (from trainees to qualified staff). Some of the more obvious areas to explore are:
- the size and style of firm that might suit you;
- the types of client and range of business;
- the location (eg, London or the regions);
- the style of training and range of experience offered to trainees; and
- the opportunities for trainees in firms with overseas offices.
If you're still unsure, you might like to consider any advantages in training outside the traditional practices (eg, with the Crown Prosecution Service). Maybe you could ask them what they do that is unique?
Funding is another point to bear in mind. Not all firms will offer financial support for the GDL and LPC, so you should ask about this if it's something that will affect your choices.
If you are an international student, you may be keen to learn about special opportunities that are available to you - remember, not all firms will accept applications from international students.
Chambers
If you are interested in training as a barrister, you may wish to consider:
- the cost of training for the Bar and how you will fund yourself - all chambers now offer a minimum wage for pupillage, but not all offer funding;
- opportunities for mini-pupillages and pupillages; and
- how you feel about being self-employed.
Again, if you're an international student you may wish to look into any opportunities for you to complete your training in the United Kingdom.
Course providers
Many of the fairs will be attended by representatives of institutions that run the GDL, LPC and BPTC. When talking to course providers you may wish to ask the following:
- Approximately what percentage of students completes the course without either a training contract or pupillage?
- What type of firm/organisation approaches the course provider with vacancy information? (Remember that not all law firms advertise vacancies two years in advance.)
- How realistic is it to hope for backdated funding if I start a course without an offer?
- I am considering a year out; will the course provider defer entry in this case?
Preparation
With around 25 law fairs taking place nationwide, it's simply impossible (and pointless!) to attend them all. The trick is to be selective. Start by looking for the fair that's nearest to you, and find out from the relevant careers service which organisations will be attending. If you don't yet know what sort of law you want to practise, look for fairs with a good cross-section of firms, chambers and employers such as the Government Legal Service to get a broad overview. It may be useful for you to make a list of those exhibitors that you are most interested in seeing, so that your time at the fair is targeted and you don't find yourself on an aimless wander.
The best place for you to find out what's happening where and when is the LC.N Diary (to create a personalised diary of law fair and other important dates with MyDiary, sign up to MyLC.N). This provides dates of upcoming law fairs, including lists of exhibitors, and other events near you.
Questions
Don't approach potential employers with a casual attitude, as if you aren't really sure why you're there or as if the idea of a career in law is just a passing fancy. Questions like "So what do you do then?" or "Why should I consider working for you?" don't go down well with professionals who have given up valuable time for your benefit.
One idea that may be useful is the 'three-minute study'. Before approaching a firm's stand, spend three minutes of intense research looking at The Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook, other directories and the fair programme to cram as much information as possible about that firm into your brain. Your aim should be to come up with two intelligent questions and two facts on the firm so that they will be more inclined to take you seriously - this will help you extract much more from the encounter than if you approach them cold.
It's a good idea to take down notes after each chat, so as to clarify what you've found out and avoid the situation of all the practices blurring into one giant firm!
Attitude
Approach the law fairs with a professional attitude - after all, it's a profession that you are considering as a potential future career. Be confident in your approach - the firms are trying to impress you, so you have every right to bowl on up and start a dialogue. You might find it less intimidating to talk to the trainees, who occupy the very position to which you aspire.
Attire
It's not necessary to rush out and buy a new suit for the occasion. Law fairs are information events and unless you have pre-arranged a summer placement interview with an exhibitor, you need not dress formally. Accordingly, many of you will be attending a fair in the clothes you wear on an everyday basis, which is fine, although nothing too bizarre or outrageous is recommended!
Firm presentations
Law fairs may be a fantastic opportunity to meet lots of legal recruiters under one roof, but although they provide a good introduction to individual practices, what they do not offer is the in-depth knowledge it is possible to gain from a firm presentation. As presentations are devoted to a single firm, you are bound to come away will more detailed information about practice areas, international reach, ethos and the recruitment process. Plus, there is likely to be a wider cross-section of the firm's lawyers on hand to answer questions - for example, partners rarely attend law fairs but are often to be found at presentations.
The presentations themselves take place on university campuses, in swish hotels, or sometimes in firms' offices. Your careers service or student law society will have a calendar listing all the firm presentations, as does the LC.N Diary.
Before you attend, you must do some research into the firm by taking a look at its brochure and browsing its website. Prepare some questions before you go to ensure you get the most out of the experience and find out exactly what you want to know about training.
A firm presentation, especially one held in the firm's offices, is the perfect way to get a good initial look at the firm. Have a serious think about what you have heard and, put together with your own research, you'll soon realise whether you want to apply to the firm in question. When you are at the presentation, you might like to think about the following points:
- Does this firm match up with my way of thinking and doing things?
- Does this firm have a good reputation in terms of client care and staff development?
- Does this firm do the sort of work I am interested in?
- Does this firm accept applications from people with my academic grades?
- Does the location of this firm suit me?
- Do the representatives of the firm seem like the sort of people I could work with?
- Do I feel as if I would fit in here?
If you do decide to apply, remember to include the presentation on your application - ultimately, it's proof that when you say you'd like to work at the firm, you know what you're talking about.
Finally...
Don't waste your time at law fairs or presentations filling your pockets with freebies or cramming down sausage rolls and sandwiches at the free buffet; if used correctly, these events can help you to decide whether law is the right career for you and to identify your perfect firm or set of chambers. Not only are they ideal opportunities to meet professionals and address the issues that are relevant to you, they can also help you feel much more confident at the interview stage. After all, turning up on the day will be a lot less daunting if you've already met and chatted to your interviewers.
