1. LAW CAREERS SEMINARS for second-year students No. 3, 30th November 2010 Jenny Keaveney, Careers Advisory Service The slides from this presentation are available at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

2. How to apply for vacation work and training contracts The selection process What employers look for in applications How to complete an application form CVs and covering letters

3. THE SELECTION PROCESS Application Form or Curriculum Vitae + Covering Letter then? Interview perhaps Selection Centre

4. WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR ? We are not looking for academic achievements alone but rather for people who enjoy working as part of a busy team, respond positively to a challenge and have what it takes to deliver results to clients (DWF) “You need to be able to deal comfortably with a client with a limited understanding of the law who may be in a stressful situation, such as a police cell” (Criminal practice) “The key attributes I look for in prospective trainees are character and evidence of ability to react and think on their feet” (Farrers) “Intellectual ability is only part of it: a successful barrister must have confidence, ambition, common sense and an ability to get on well with clients, solicitors, other members of Chambers and the clerks”

5. WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR ? SUMMARY Academic ability Awareness of what being a lawyer involves Awareness of the environment in which the firm/chambers and its clients operate Motivation and commitment Competencies

6. COMPETENCIES Written communication Verbal communication Analytical and problem-solving skills Teamworking Working under pressure Adaptability/flexibility Planning and organising

7. TYPES OF EMPLOYER APPLICATION FORMS  No application form  Just the facts  Autobiographical  Structured  Combination

8. “JUST THE FACTS”  Much the same information as on a CV  But don't underestimate them!  There may be just one nasty question - but this could be the decisive one! e.g. “Why do you want to work for us?” “What is your greatest achievement?”

9. WHY ARE YOU APPLYING TO US? THE REAL QUESTION Have you prepared properly? Have you read the information we produce for applicants, thought about what we are seeking and what you have to offer us? Are you committed to this career?

10. SOME POSSIBLE ANSWERS The firm's reputation among clients and as an employer The opportunities it offers for training and career development Information you have gathered from reading the business or legal press or searching the Internet Information you have gathered from talking to people who work for the firm, or its competitors Personal experience of the firm, e.g. through an open day or insight course For large firms, the “True Picture” section of the Chambers & Partners guide may give some inspiration! www.chambersstudent.co.uk/SearchResults.aspx?Type=TruePicture

11. AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL Just one big section for everything beyond the basic facts You will need to select the appropriate information, decide how much weight to give to each item and structure them into a narrative

12. AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL Example: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer "Please write about yourself in no more than 850 words. You may wish to mention any posts of responsibility held at school or subsequently, any regular employment or other work experience, any sporting or other achievements and any particular interests and personal qualities which are relevant. Please also state briefly why you are making this application”

13. STRUCTURED APPLICATION FORMS These work on the principle that: PAST PERFORMANCE IS THE BEST PREDICTOR OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE The selector will therefore be seeking examples of past behaviour that provide him/her with concrete evidence that you have the necessary competences to succeed in the job.

14. STRUCTURED Look for evidence of the personal qualities which you will need to do the job well Example: Rickerbys Please describe a situation where you have worked as part of a team. What was your own contribution, what did you learn and what was the outcome?

15. THE REAL QUESTION How do you get on with other people? What role do you take in a group? Are you able to focus on goals and targets? Some possible examples: Putting on a drama or music production  Planning a holiday with a group of friends  A business game or “Young Enterprise” scheme  Working in a fast-food restaurant  Sports teams and university committees

16. SOME OTHER QUESTIONS … Describe an event which has recently been in the news and explain why this has been of interest to you (SJ Berwin ) What three key attributes do you think clients expect from their legal advisors? (Mishcon de Reya) Who would be your ideal dinner party guest and why? (Taylor Wessing)

17. DOs AND DON’Ts DO Read the question Use plain English Pay attention to spelling and grammar Proof read Keep a copy of your application DON’T Leave gaps in your work experience or academic history Cut and paste from one application to another or use one answer to fit several application forms Leave it until the last minute to apply

18. CVs FOR APPLYING TO LAW-RELATED EMPLOYERS Personal details Education and qualifications Work experience Interests Practical skills Referees

19. PERSONAL DETAILS Your name! (use this as the heading) Your contact details: –Postal address(es) –Phone number(s) –Email address You may also include (but don’t have to) : –Nationality –Male/female (but only if this isn’t clear from your name)

20. LEE GALLIGLE Home Address: 10 London Road, Middlemarch, MM2 6AZ Term Address: 1a Wildwood Court, Park Wood, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7SZ Tel: 01789 12345 Email: lg299@kent.ac.uk Nationality: British Sex: Female

21. EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS Combine both: head each section in this category with the name of the university/school/college, then the subjects studied and exams taken there, with dates Law firms like detail: list all your modules/subjects and grades

22. EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS 2009 to dateThe University of Kent LL.B. Law - expect to graduate June 2012 First year: Introduction to Law (Distinction); Legal Process (Merit); Constitutional and Administrative Law (Merit); Obligations I (Distinction) Second year:Criminal Law; Company Law; Obligations II; Property Law

23. 2002 - 2009Casubon High School, Middlemarch 2009A-levels: English (A); French (B); History (C) 2008AS levels: Music (B); Media Studies (B) 2007GCSEs: English Language (A); English Literature (A); French (A); German (B); Mathematics (C); History (A); Geography (C); Biology (B); Music (A)

24. WORK EXPERIENCE If you don’t have much experience at this stage, list it all – even if you don’t feel it’s “relevant” – and highlight the skills you have gained from it If you have a lot of experience, you may: –Separate it into “law-related” and “other” –Summarise the less-relevant experience “Experience” doesn’t just mean “paid work” – include volunteering, work-shadowing etc if you like

25. WORK EXPERIENCE Summer 2010Bulstrode Insurance Ltd, Lowick Clerical Assistant: data inputting, liaison with clients; general office duties This developed my skills in dealing with business customers, chiefly over the telephone, and in working accurately under pressure. Summer 2009Hawleys, Middlemarch Two-week work placement with a partner in the property department of a general practice solicitors' firm. I carried out research in relation to a boundary dispute, attended Court and observed interviews with clients.

26. 2007 - 2009Flora Motley Ltd, High Street, Middlemarch Saturday Sales Assistant in fashion store: customer service, stock control, cash handling. This involved me in advising and assisting customers, coping with problems and unexpected situations (such as a fire alarm)and taking responsibility for counting up and banking money.

27. INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES Anything a bit “different” or “interesting” in this section can help you to stand out from other candidates These can also demonstrate your skills and competencies Don’t worry, though, if you have little to put in this section provided that other sections (especially work experience) can compensate Make your interests interesting!

28. INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES MusicI play the violin in the University orchestra and was leader of the school orchestra. SportBadminton (member of the University badminton club); tennis (played for the school team) swimming; trampolining. Car Looking after my twenty-year-old Mini and Maintenance meeting other Mini owners at rallies TravelSummer 2010 - two-week international voluntary workcamp in Spain One month Inter-Railing through France and Italy in summer 2009 Tours with school orchestra to France, Belgium and Norway.

29. SKILLS LanguagesGood command of French and German ComputingFamiliar with Windows packages including MS Word, MS Access and Internet Explorer DrivingFull, clean driving licence SKILLS This section should include just your practical, relevant and work-related skills, such as:

30. REFERENCES Give the name and contact details of two referees If you have run out of space on the CV you can just say “references available on request” Ideally, one academic and one work-related or character reference ALWAYS ask permission before giving someone’s name as a referee!

31. COVERING LETTERS Introduce yourself: -what are you applying for? -where did you hear about the firm? Sell yourself: -your motivation -your past experience -your skills -your knowledge of law/of this firm -your ability to communicate effectively in writing! Provide essential information: -your availability -refer the reader on to your CV/form

32. FURTHER HELP AND INFORMATION Making Applications - Careers Service booklet Making Applications - AGCAS booklet AGCAS DVDs - Looking Good on Paper (CVs) and Your Job’s On-Line (application forms) www.kent.ac.uk/careers/interviews/lawAppsIVs.htm TARGET Jobs http://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/law- solicitors/applications-and-interviews advice from graduate recruiters in the legal sector

33. THIS THURSDAY … MAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE BAR Mini-pupillages Pupillages BPTC Thursday 2nd December 6.00 pm, KLT3

34. GOOD LUCK! Careers Advisory Service Opening hours: 9am - 5pm Monday – Friday http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers