1. Effective Legal Applications ~ Tips for Success Kay Barbour Careers Consultant 24 September 2015

2. I will cover:  Presenting yourself on paper/online - practicalities  Preparing for applications  Researching what firms want  Self assessment – your evidence  Approaches to answering questions  Brief outline of CV writing  Other Careers Service resources

3. Application forms Get the basics right – make it look good!  Download and draft  Read instructions thoroughly  No spelling mistakes  Take your time – allow time for technical hitches  References - academic and legal-work related if possible  Keep a copy  Make it look good and easy to read!  Check – and check again!

4. What are law firms looking for?  Good academics  Understanding of the law, the legal profession in general - and their areas in particular e.g. commercial, private client, criminal  Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing  Team-working skills  Personal responsibility  Initiative  Analysis and problem-solving skills  Career motivation  Commercial awareness  Leadership

5. Preparing for Applications What have I done ?  in my course?  work experience  interests/activities? So what?...What does this say about me?  What skills/qualities have I developed?  What insights have I gained?  What difference have I made?  What is my level of expertise?  Why would a law firm recruiter care?

6. Preparing for Applications – Researching the job/organisation  Brochures and application form  Presentations/Fairs/Open evenings (mention contacts!)  Firm’s publications and web pages  Law Society of Scotland, Legal 500, Law Journals etc  www.lawscot.org.uk www.lawscot.org.uk  www.legal500.com www.legal500.com  Directories – White Book 2015  Green K files at Careers Service + TargetLaw take-away brochure  MCH https://mycareerhub.ed.ac.uk (links from Law School careers web page www.law.ed.ac.uk/careers - Careers and Employability sectionwww.law.ed.ac.uk/careers

7. General questions…  Why have you chosen a legal career?  What for you are the important features of a traineeship?  Why do you want to work for our organisation?  What have you gained from your (part- time/vacation) work experience?  Please mention any positions of responsibility you have held at school or university or any notable achievements during your academic career

8. Analytical Questions...  Describe a significant achievement in your life and why it is special  Describe how your personal planning and organisation resulted in the achievement of a personal or group task  Give an example of a problem requiring analysis. What methods did you use; what conclusions did you reach?  Describe an occasion when you communicated your ideas effectively to influence the outcome of a situation  Describe a major challenge you have faced and how you responded  Give details of a time when you successfully operated as a team  Give an example of a time where you had to use your initiative? What was the situation? What action did you take? What was the outcome?

9. Answering analytical questions  Make examples varied – plan your answers  Use more recent examples where possible  Focus on process and achievements - CARL – Context, Action, Result, Learning  Include your input (especially on teamwork)  Make sure you analyse the situation and are not purely descriptive, i.e. say why you took a particular course of action  Be positive

10. Q. Describe a challenge you have faced, how you overcame it, and what you learned? C I have always been interested in listening to classical music, and although I could read music, I had never found it easy to play an instrument. When I moved to Edinburgh I made the decision I was going to learn to play an instrument to a standard where I could play with others in public. A I decided to learn the clarinet; I like the sound and they are easy to transport. I placed an advert in the music school for a tutor and a music student took me on. I made time for individual practice each day, and also set up a beginners group by advertising in the university and via networking websites. As a result a small group met each week, taking turns to set pieces to practise then perform together at the weekly group session. We gradually made progress and increased our repertoire. R Via my tutor I learned of a small orchestra who were happy to have enthusiastic novices play with them. I went along, joined in their practice sessions, and have now played in the local church at their Christmas concert. I also continue to practise with my original music group. LOrganisation, time-management, commitment and networking were key to succeeding in my ambition learn to play an instrument to a standard where I could play in public. Playing an instrument is great relaxation, being part of a group develops great camaraderie, and it is exciting to be part of a public performance. Sample ‘essay’ Q&A, using CARL…

11. Open-ended questions...  Tell us what you would bring to the firm  Detail any further information about yourself which you would wish us to take into account in assessing your application  Please provide any further information you feel may be relevant  Detail in 100 words why we should ask you for interview

12. Answering open-ended question…  Detail why you are interested in a role with this firm  Key skills & qualities you can bring to job + evidence  Relevant work experience or course work  Invitation to argue your case!  Summary  Enthusiastic tone  Structure – sub headings/clear mini-paragraphs – no stream of consciousness!  NB – a cover letter to enclose with a CV will have a similar structure

13. A. To get you an interview!  Must be targeted at the job and employer  Must reflect the skills and experiences required  Must create a positive first impression  Must make the selector’s job easy:  no hunting for information (what, when, where)  no assumptions need to be made  no ambiguity or big ‘gaps’ Q. What is a CV for?

14. Your CV - practicals  1 or 2 sides  quality paper and print  no mistakes – consistent font/format  no unexplained time gaps (3 mths +)  reverse chronology – most recent first  consider bullet points  judicious space allocation – to emphasise relevance  Consider ‘themeing’ work experience sections  E.g., ‘relevant’ and ‘additional’ headings  use your name as heading – not ‘CV’  Always sent with cover letter – unless advised

15. Your CV – purpose and structure  To inform (Headings)  name and contact details  education  work experience/employment history  practical skills – IT, languages etc  achievements/positions of responsibility/interests  availability of references  To persuade  skills development – teamwork, negotiation etc  relevant sector experience – motivation and insight  Achievements and impact – differentiator …to persuade an employer, using facts as evidence, that you are highly suitable for the job

16. Conclusions  Preparation - researching what the firm is looking for, and analysing how you match up  Presentation - getting the practicals right  Persuasion - writing persuasively to convince the firm of your suitability, by matching yourself to what they are looking for

17. Further help from the Careers Service  Website – www.law.ed.ac.uk/careers > Careers and Employability > CVs, Applications and Interviewswww.law.ed.ac.uk/careers  Application/CV feedback at Careers Service  Advice on Firms’ websites  Reference/takeaway material Careers Service, Third Floor, Main Library Building.