APPLYING FOR TRAINING CONTRACTS

24th May 2012

Jenny Keaveney, Careers & Employability Service

The slides from this presentation are available at

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

• The Job Market• Steps to getting a training contract• Finding out about firms• Choosing which firms to apply to• The selection process• What employers look for in applications• How to complete an application form• CVs and covering letters

• Highly competitive!• Fewer training contracts and

more graduates competing for them

THE JOB MARKET

STEPS TO GETTING A TRAINING CONTRACT

• Start early! • Do your research• Know which firms are recruiting now

…• … and what they are looking for in

candidates• Are they offering what you are

looking for in a firm?• Meet the deadlines!

Timeline

APPLY FOR TRAINING CONTRACTS(LARGE FIRMS)

APPLY FOR LPC

GRADUATE!

START LPC

APPLY FOR TRAINING CONTRACTS AND/OR PARALEGAL WORK(SMALLER FIRMS)

FINISH LPC START TRAINING CONTRACT

QUALIFY!

SUMMER 2012

OCT-NOV 2012

SUMMER 2013

SEPT 2013

SUMMER 2014

SUMMER 2016

FINDING OUT ABOUT FIRMS OFFERING TRAINING CONTRACTS

FOR 2014

Useful information sources:• Target Law• The Training Contract & Pupillage

Handbook• Prospects Law • Chambers & Partners Student GuideLinks to all the above from:

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/siteslaw.htmNB: Many deadlines are at the end of

July!

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Application FormorCurriculum VitaeplusCovering LetterthenInterviewperhapsSelection Centre

WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR ?

• 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

COMPETENCIES

• Written communication• Verbal communication• Analytical and problem-solving

skills• Teamworking• Working under pressure

TYPES OF EMPLOYER APPLICATION FORMS

No application form

Just the facts

Autobiographical

Structured

Combination

“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!

for example:

“Why do you want to work for us?”“What is your greatest achievement?”

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?

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 a vacation job or course

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

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL

Example: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

"Please write about yourself in no more than 4000 characters [approx. 750 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”

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.

STRUCTUREDLook for evidence of the personal qualities which you will need to do the job well

Example: Denton Wilde Sapte

Team working

a) Describe a time when you felt you contributed to the success of a team.b) What was your contribution to its success and what did you learn?

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

CVs FOR APPLYING TO LAW-RELATED EMPLOYERS

Personal details

Education and qualifications

Work experience

Interests

Practical skills

Referees

COVERING LETTERSIntroduce 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

What do firms say?

WHAT IF YOU CAN’T GET A TRAINING CONTRACT?

• You don’t have to have a training contract fixed up before you start the LPC

• Try and get work experience related to law, such as paralegal or advisory work ….

• … but any kind of experience will help you demonstrate people and/or business skills and awareness

• You could take your LPC part-time while working

WHAT IF YOU CAN’T GET A TRAINING CONTRACT?

• “Most law graduates assume you have to find a legal job in order to secure a training contract. Apply for anything commercial or challenging and it will get you a foot onto the job ladder. You may even find an alternative career! For instance if employment law interests you, why not try the recruitment industry? If you are interested in legal aid why not volunteer on an ad hoc basis within a charity? You will gain lots of transferable skills and insight into the market.”

FURTHER HELP AND INFORMATION

• Making Applications - Careers Advisory Service booklet

• Video - Looking Good on Paper • DVD - Your Job’s On-Line• www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applic.htm• www.prospects.ac.uk/

job_application_advice.htm• www.prospects.ac.uk/cvs.htm• www.prospects.ac.uk/law_sector.htm• www.gradjobsuncovered.com• www.traineesolicitor.co.uk• www.traineesolicitorsurgery.co.uk

FURTHER HELP AND INFORMATION

• What a training contract means

• Choosing a firm• Applications and

interviews

Available in Careers Information Room

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING NOW

• Thinking about yourself:– What you are good at– What you enjoy doing– What you want from your career

• Researching firms• Noting deadlines• Constructing a CV and/or preparing

answers to questions about your competencies

FURTHER HELP FROM THE C.E.S.

• Duty Careers Adviser:– Checking application forms and CVs– General help or advice on applications– (almost!) any other questions

• Advice by phone or email • See www.kent.ac.uk/ces/advice.html

for contact details

GOOD LUCK!

Careers and Employability ServiceWe are open all through the vacation!Opening hours: 9am - 5pmMonday - Friday

http://www.kent.ac.uk/cescareerhelp@kent.ac.uk