QOTW: should I be applying for training contracts? May 9, 2012
Posted by travisthetrout in Job hunting, Law LLB, QOTW, Training Contracts, Vacation Schemes.add a comment
This week I’ve taken my question of the week from a law student that I met while celebrating one of my best friends birthday, rather than an email request.
The law student in question was a penultimate year law student applying for vacation schemes/training contracts at large international firms in London. He is expected to get a first, attends a top 10 law school but has no work experience or positions of responsibility. He asks simply for advice.
Despite being recommended that you apply for training contracts during penultimate year of your LLB I think it is time that the university careers service took a realistic approach and also said that the recruitment process can take time, and that it is rare these days for someone to get their training contract while doing their LLB. Yes, larger firms recruit 2 years in advance, but having worked with trainees and vac scheme students at a large international law firm I can say – the majority were second degree or second career and all had work experience. So today the question is whether as a penultimate year LLB student you should be applying for training contracts? Or whether it is a waste of time?
vacation schemes and /or training contracts?
Personally I would say apply for vacation schemes (and vac schemes that combine TC application) but if you have no work experience, the stand-alone TC application is most likely a waste of your time. Now if the alternative is watching tv I would say drop in a few TC applications, but the time you use for applications (and TV watching) could be used to make your CV stronger for your upcoming applications – voluntary work, part time job, law clinic, CAB or even simply writing letters to local firms for ad hoc days.
I am not saying it it not hard to get the work experience – time and effort is required. But there are only so many hours in the day, you want to maximise your potential. A few half baked applications to the say top 5 law firms in the country when all you have done is ticked the law degree box is a waste of time, as the time can be put to a much better use.
But maybe i’m just cynical. Feel free to add your thoughts to the matter in the comments.
As always if you have a question for my question of the week series email me at travisthetrout[at]hotmail[.]co[.]uk
QOTW: Vacation Schemes – just for university students? February 16, 2011
Posted by travisthetrout in QOTW, Vacation Schemes.1 comment so far
A two part question today on Work Experience and Vacation Schemes.
1. WHEN SHOULD YOU BE CONSIDERING WORK EXPERIENCE?
As soon as possible is the easy answer.
We recently had a 14-year-old in on work experience. She assisted both our trainees and myself with a number of tasks over her week with us. While I have seen (and supervised) a number of Vacation Scheme Students at my firm it was a first to enjoy the company of someone so young who was still very much undecided about her career choice (and rightly so). Nevertheless I think she got a lot out of the experience however, unless you know someone who is a lawyer it is unlikely that many firms (particularly the large ones) will regularly allow young students in on work experience.
- It is always helpful to have work experience in law (and your other career options) before you commit to pursuing such a career.
- Work Experience before making a subject choice for university is essential (although this may be harder to get)
- A summer scheme or further work experience is also highly recommended whilst studying your degree.
- I have also discussed Mentoring Schemes – which are another excellent thing to take part in.
2. I’M ALREADY WORKING – SHOULD I STILL BE CONSIDERING WORK EXPERIENCE / VAC SCHEMES
One question the crops up continually from those who come to law a little later in life (or are still looking for a training contract post LPC) – is whether if they are already working should they still apply for Vacation Schemes. A lot of deadlines have already passed (so apologies for getting back to blogging so late) but there are still a fair number on their way.
I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to this question as it purely depends on the circumstances.
There is no doubt about the many advantages to vacation schemes – you get a trial run of the firm, get to show case your skills, extended interview for a training contract and something else for your CV.
For some people the job they are in is a much more valuable experience (whether in law or otherwise) and for those of us who are busy workaholics it is difficult to take time off – some friends are of the opinion if you are going to take time off you might as well get a holiday out of it (or at lease a lie in) and do not like the idea of taking time off just to go do a week’s work experience.
Vacation schemes are aimed at university students which I know has put off a couple of friends who have come to law later in life and therefore they have not applied for Vacation Schemes (I know when we had our last round of students came in they felt so young) but maybe this should be changing with the times – after all people are coming to the profession later. Easter/Winter Schemes tend to encourage more mature candidates.
But I will say a vacation scheme is not a prerequisite to getting a training contract. Many firms will value your actual experience in your job more. In my opinion if you choose to do a vacation scheme do it for yourself (e.g. to learn more about the firm and to see if it is a good fit) not just in the hope that it will pick your CV up a bit. Plenty of people get training contracts without doing any vacation schemes and some colleagues and friends have done as many of 5 summer vacation placements and still had no luck with a training contract.
Readers – anyone taken the time off work to do a vacation scheme? If you are still looking for a training contract, would you consider it?
