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Career Planning with a Masters
In Law (LLM)
Mark Armitage, Careers Consultant
Employability and Graduate Development
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
Tel: 01392 724493 Email:
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
r
I I Is law like this?
The Present and the future?
Why am I doing this LLM and where will it
take me?
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
“If post-graduate qualifications are
undertaken for the right reason and
graduates are able to explain their worth to
prospective employers, they can be very
worthwhile additions to a CV“
Carl Gilleard
Former Chief Executive of the Association of
Graduate Recruiters.
Skills and Knowledge
What sort of skills and expertise
will I have to offer?
LLM Skills • Critical and analytical thinking
• Research methodologies
• Planning and organisational skills
• Project management
• Problem solving
• Data analysis
• Time management
• Presentation skills
• Excellent written skills
• Self direction/motivation
• Group work/team skills
• High level IT skills
Plus Specialist law expertise.
LLM Options UK Based Law Professional
Solicitor ---LPC---Training Contract
Barrister---- BPTC---- Pupilage
Paralegal?
Options abroad? LLM giving advantages
Government and Public Sector
European Commission
Graduate management programs
NGO’s research and consultancy(Think Tank)
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
Solicitor Training
Vacation Schemes Summer 2014
Open/Insight Days in vacations
Training Contract applications for 2016
LPC application November 2014 for
entry in 2015
Applications
University based e.g. Legal Services Help Desk
Mini Pupilage
Work shadow/local firms.
Open days
Court Visits
Pro Bono and law advice centres
In house law
Networking
Linked In /Twitter
Gaining Experience
“As a business, we are looking for bright, motivated and
interesting candidates to apply for our vacancies. We recruit
50% law graduates and 50% non-law graduates each year. In
terms of transferable skills we really value – and look for –
examples of team working, use of initiative, problem solving,
analysis and practical work experience. Candidates should
give examples from their university life, extra-curricular
activities and work experience (legal and non-legal). All work
experience is valuable – paid, unpaid, voluntary. In terms of
understanding the legal sector and commercial matters,
candidates need to be genuinely interested in becoming a
lawyer and interested in economic and political issues affecting
the UK and global economy, so doing research into both is
very important. However, we teach you a lot of what you need
to know on the job. What we cannot teach, however, is
motivation and interest. “ Caroline Lindner | Trainee
Development & Recruitment Manager
Norton Rose Fulbright LLp
Norton Rose Fulbright
• The England and Wales Solicitor Qualification:
• International access and competitive advantage
• The SRA’s Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme (QLTS) now recognises lawyers from
over 90
• jurisdictions – ranging from Argentina and Brazil, South Africa and China, to Russia,
Indonesia
• and Jordan.
• The SRA and the Law Society would like to invite you to a seminar and informal drinks reception to
• explore the opportunities arising from dual-qualification in England and Wales, the processes involved
• in applying and the competitive advantage for law firms, universities and industry in promoting
• opportunities in this sector.
• Date: Tuesday, 19 November 2013, 5.30-8pm
• Light refreshments will be available from 5pm
• Venue: Reading Room, The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL
• (There is no charge for this event)
• RSVP: [email protected] stating your name, designation and organisation by 12 November
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
LLM skills in other contexts
Fast Stream Civil Service
• Decision making - Analyses information quickly,
comprehensively and effectively to produce a sound
evidence base for giving advice and making decisions
and recommendations; accepts the responsibility for
taking decisions based on the best available evidence,
and has the self-confidence to take calculated risks.
Constructive thinking - Thinks imaginatively and
creatively whilst keeping the goal in mind; understands
the bigger picture and sees relevant links between
issues; shows an open and agile mind and the
intellectual curiosity to generate innovative ideas and
develop practical solutions from them.
LLM Options
Further study? Professional LPC / BPTC
Academic PhD--- research/teaching
Teaching eg PGCE , Teach First
Prospects
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/law_qualifications_master_of_laws_llm.htm
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/your_masters_what_next_getting_a_job.htm
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
• To sell yourself effectively to an employer
in order to get an interview
• To enable employers to compare you and
what you have to offer with other
applicants
• NB Greatest ‘weeding out’ stage of the
recruitment process so you need to
impress!!
Purpose of Application Form
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
• Personal details – name, address,
education, work history, personal interests and
achievements
• Supporting Personal Statement or Competency
questions
• Administrative information – referees, medical,
disability, ethnic monitoring, gender, equal
opportunities
Content of a typical form
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
• Be prepared. A good form will take
hours to complete
• Know what you are applying for and why
• Know what you have to offer
• Good presentation is of paramount
importance
Key points
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
Many people find this the most difficult question to answer
– especially if they are applying to a number of broadly
similar organisations.
Focus on positive points – the culture training and career
development rather than material factors such as salary
and location but don’t just quote the brochure back at
them. Personal experience of the firm e.g .Law Fair but be
careful name dropping.
The answer might focus on why YOU feel this
organisation is the right one for YOU and what you have
to offer.
Why have you chosen to apply to
Strangely Strange & Oddly Normal ?
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
Law Firm website – law areas/seats/clients
• Recruitment brochure / annual report
• Information at Career Zone
• Directories Prospects Law Target Jobs Law
• Press latest news stories (Lawyer 2b)
• Attend law fairs / employer presentations
• Use any contacts / Alumni Exepert scheme:
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/exepert/
Preparation - What do you know about
the law firm?
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
Supporting / personal statements are used by some
employers such as Freshfields and involve an open
question inviting you to promote yourself e.g.
“ Please describe your experience, skills,
abilities, achievements and responsibilities
which are most relevant to the post”
Be aware of any word
limits.
Supporting/Personal Statements
www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
Commercial Awareness
Resources http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report
www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_planner_login.htm
www.icould.com/buzz/
www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice/studentships/1399/what-should-i-do-
after-my-masters-course/
http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/will-
masters-degree-improve-your-employment-prospects
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/your_masters_what_next_getting_a_job.ht
m
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationandGuidance/Documents
/MastersDegreeCharacteristics.pdf
Employability & Graduate Development Career Zone, The Forum
Phone: (01392) 724493
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
Opening hours:
Term time: 9.00am-5.00pm (Monday - Friday)
Vacations: 9.00am-5.00pm (Monday-Friday)
Mark Armitage Careers Consultant
................................................
Contacts
