Vacation? What Vacation?
updated on 13 December 2005
Time gentlemen, please
Firms offer vacation schemes to second-year law students and final year non-law students during the Easter, Summer and Christmas breaks. You must plan well ahead. Generally, the larger and more prestigious firms have the earliest application deadlines for both vacation schemes and training contracts, with a view to sorting the organised eager beavers from the mainstream student rabble. Be one of the more informed applicants and keep up-to-date with closing dates via LawCareers.Net's exhaustive database of vacation scheme deadlines.
A number of firms have pre-Christmas deadlines. For others, use the Christmas break to do as much research as possible so you know who you'll be applying to before the distraction of coursework kicks back in the New Year.
Decisions, decisions
Try to apply selectively to firms and areas of practice in which you have a genuine interest. The main issue for you to consider is the sort of firm you're drawn towards. Are you looking for experience (and to secure a training contract) with one of the larger commercial firms? If so, do you know which one? Alternatively, are you keen to use vacation schemes to try out various different types of firm (eg, commercial, mid-tier, high street)?
If you are mulling over different types of firm, bear in mind that usually only the bigger commercial firms have formal vacation schemes in place - but over 300 firms on LawCareers.Net are listed as offering vacation schemes.
With smaller firms, prepare to be resourceful: think local; use family, friends or other contacts to network your way into a firm; or offer your services for free. It may even be an idea to try to get some sort of experience after your first year so you have more chances to try out different firm types.
Do as much research as possible for the larger firms, especially if you are in the happy position of having more than one offer on the table. Being on a scheme at a firm will inevitably increase your chances of getting a contract there (provided you shine) so it's worth confirming they are serious prospects.
Whatever your choice, remember to retain some sort of work/life balance. You'll be considered very strange indeed if you've done nothing with your vacations other than one law firm placement after the next.
Shine on
Good academic qualifications are assumed, with a minimum 2:1 and a good report from your tutor required. Some firms use application forms to choose students for vacation schemes, but an increasing number conduct interviews too.
During your placement, the way in which you interact with colleagues and clients
is most important. Make an effort to make yourself indispensable and that effort
will be noticed and noted for the future. Ask questions (recruiters want to
see an interest in how a firm operates) and take every opportunity to get involved
in both work and social events.
Suit you sir?
The placement gives you the chance to see whether the firm's culture suits you, but bear in mind that firms are going all-out to impress. They know that canny students are comparing firms even at this early stage of their careers. Don't be so dazzled that you forget to look beyond the firm's glossy image. From some placements you might be forgiven for thinking that a legal career comprises an endless round of cocktail parties with just the occasional spot of work thrown in …
You want me to do what?
Talking of work, you may be lucky and find yourself placed in the department(s) of your choice (subject to availability). Some firms follow a structured programme primarily involving 'real' work of the type that a trainee would undertake. In addition, you may take part in some formal assessment exercises and perhaps attend client meetings.
Remember that a vacation scheme is only the first rung on the career ladder.
If you fail to secure a placement, fear not - recruiters realise that it can
be something of a lottery, and many firms also run open days with lectures and/or
training sessions for you to attend. Some regional firms give informal talks
and tours of their offices on request - they will be impressed if you have the
initiative to write and ask. Otherwise, any remotely relevant work experience
will count in your application for a training contract.
Straight from the horse's mouth
Daniel Natoff, who is studying law at the University of Bristol, recently completed a four-week vacation placement at magic circle firm Linklaters. After a somewhat inauspicious start to proceedings following a fall down some stairs and three hours in an X-ray department - "although I was joined by the very nice graduate recruitment woman" - Daniel spent two weeks in the firm's London office and two weeks in the Brussels office.
He says: "In addition to the day-to-day research, writing and reading work, we were asked to do a project on a corporate takeover and then a group presentation in the style of a client pitch. We also attended lectures and departmental meetings, took documents to other firms (and when in Brussels, to the European Commission building), enjoyed cake afternoons and a fortnightly Friday afternoon drinks trolley, and much more. And then there was the social side of things: we were treated to a welcome barbeque, treasure hunt, comedy club, bowling, swanky dinner, nice lunch, informal drinks - I could go on! The rule, I think, is that as long as you don't do anything overtly crazy (ie, you should try and keep your clothes on!), you should feel free to have a few drinks and a few laughs. These events are a chance to mix with people and show that you're able to socialise." It would of course be indiscreet to mention the time that Daniel was so socially able that he missed the last train home after a night out with some of his new Linklaters buddies!
Daniel has this advice to give: "Get stuck in to the work; you're not going to know what you're doing, but I was certainly made to feel that I could ask amateurish questions - people were just so kind and helpful. Also get to know the people, from your fellow vac schemers to the graduate recruitment team to the associates and partners. Go to as many of the social events as you can. You're trying to work out whether that firm is right for you, so make the most of your time there. The scheme is a two-way process for them to impress you, as well as you to impress them. It has certainly helped me make up my mind about (a) practising law, and (b) working at Linklaters. I found it extremely beneficial and really good fun." Daniel also makes the point that it takes you one step closer to a training contract, as most firms will guarantee you an interview if you attend their vac scheme.
I've got you under my skin
In summary, you will get as much out of your placement as you are prepared to put into it. Seek out people to talk to, ask questions of a range of people and look under the skin of the firm (if that's not too creepy!). Each firm has its own unique character and you need to find out whether it matches yours. Would-be lawyers should be questioning and inquisitive, taking nothing at face value.
