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Vacation Placements

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Reply 80

Lewisy-boy

Hah, yup... we all have to get used to that some time I guess.

Reply 81

Purple

Lewisy-boy

3-6 months? I'd say that would give you a pretty good chance, an internship is a vac scheme... every other sector calls them internships, law firms are different for some bizarre reason. Just out of interest which firm is that? Also, what stage are you at to have a random 6 months lying around.

I ask because I've never heard of a firm which would give an internship this long.

It depends where the firm is at as I noticed that in America they do internships which are a few months long rather than a vacation scheme which is 2 weeks long.

Reply 82

Purple

tiger306

Iv been offered a 3-6 month internship with an american law firm, starting in summer. Do you think this would increase my chances of getting a tc with the firm in the same way that a vac scheme would (they don't offer vac schemes, only internships)?

I would expect so, it would probably help you with other firms to, having 3-6 months experience most other candidates wont have.

Reply 83

The Messiah

Why do you think firms ask if you know someone at the firm on application forms?

Reply 84

superdillon

The Messiah

Why do you think firms ask if you know someone at the firm on application forms?

I was wondering about this as well. I worked at a city firm before starting university and spent a lot of time with this particular woman who had attended the same school as me. I reckon that if the firms want to know whether you know somebody working there already is for the obvious reason that they could provide some sort of reference. I don't really see how putting down the fact that your best friend's uncle already works there is going to help you or the employer. Anybody reckon I should put that woman's name down on the application form? Of course, I will probably have to contact her beforehand to let her know that I have done so.

Reply 85

Lewisy-boy

It's because they want to know if ur applying because you think your partner relative will get you in. To make sure you don't end up being interviewed by people you know etc. Also, some firms have a poolicy against their kids ever working there. One of the girls in my year at uni's dad is the Worldwide Managing Partner of a Magic Circle firm, and for that reason can never get a job with them: it's in the company policy. I think it's the same if your parent, or even uncle, has worked for them in any position.

I would think that you should only put them down if you actually KNOW them, this is very different to knowing of them.

Reply 86

~ o ~

Ah, I was also wondering whether or not to put down that my cousin works for Clifford Chance - thats is if I was going to apply to them. Don't think I'm even going to bother, so guess thats sorted xxx.

Reply 87

Lewisy-boy

If ur cousin is a solicitor then yes put it down, but I'm not too sure about if they work in any of the other depts such as, for instance, IT ... obviously if they work in HR lol.

Reply 88

~ o ~

Lewisy-boy

If ur cousin is a solicitor then yes put it down, but I'm not too sure about if they work in any of the other depts such as, for instance, IT ... obviously if they work in HR lol.

He works in the banking sector - thats enough to put me off :rolleyes:

xxx.

Reply 89

emmings

I'm just starting to look into vacation schemes now (I'm a second year law student). I've been to quite a few presentation evenings etc from the big firms. The trouble is, all they've done is confirm for me that I don't want to work in a big commercial City firm. My real interests lie in criminal and family.

But yesterday when I began to compile a list of firms I might like to apply to, I found it difficult to find many which actually specialised in these areas. Most tend to be smaller, more high-street firms which don't always offer formal vacation schemes, or if they do, tend to be by way of CV and covering letter.

I'm thinking of applying to Manches LLP who have a large specialised family division, but I'm not sure if they will expect me to have a commercial interest as well. I'm also considering the CPS, and I will be applying to the smaller firms too. But I guess my basic question is, am I likely to find any large family and criminal firms? My parents think I should give it a go at a City firm anyway, but I don't think I'd be able to fake an interest throughout an hour-long interview.

Thanks for any help.

Reply 90

Lewisy-boy

First of all the important thing is that if you dont want to go into City law don't let your parents push you. However, if ur still not totally convinced applying for a few and just doing a few weeks would be a good way of you showing to other types of firms that you ruled it out through experience, and that ur good to have got onto the scheme in the first place.

There are some larger firms of crim + family, but as you say most tend to be smaller. As for Manches... they would probably require you to do some seats in commercial depts during TC to make it up to the quota... and then qualify into a dept, I don't know anything about them though.

Reply 91

chandni

Here's another stupid question from me... because basically I don't have a clue what I'm doing! When asked what my expected degree result is what do I put because my uni hasn't told me anything about that!

Second unrelated question is law fairs...important for anything other then geting free stuff?

Reply 92

Lewisy-boy

Speak to firms representatives, often they will send grad rec who might interview you and if so, might (doubt it) remember your face. Also use them to get a feel for the people, what are they like etc?

Expected degree result, just put down 2:1, most will ... of course if your grades are like striaght 40% for year 1 they will just be like "pah, nope".

Reply 93

ova_stryt

Is it too late for 3rd year stiudents to apply for vacation placements. I really want to apply but am worried that as im a third year I wont be accepted. I have no previous experience in anything at all. :confused:

Reply 94

superdillon

chandni

Second unrelated question is law fairs...important for anything other then geting free stuff?

Law fairs are also good for checking out how hot the female trainees are at the particular firm. :wink:

Reply 95

Lewisy-boy

True dat! On a related note to the topic, am I the first person to have secured a vac scheme for next summer... it's with a US firm.

Reply 96

dragon_1706

chandni

Second unrelated question is law fairs...important for anything other then geting free stuff?

It doesn't do any harm to be able to say in an application that you met a representative from the firm at a law fair and were impressed by what they had to say. Try and make a note of the name of whoever you spoke to as well.

Reply 97

superdillon

I believe I 'scored' with an Allen & Overy trainee with whom I had a long conversation about life generally. It was obvious that she was interested because she was doing that thing that girls do with their hair (wrapping it around one finger). I made her blush as well...damn should have got some contact details!
The Baker & McKenzie rep was immune to my passes however, though I believe that she is gay because she was feeling her co-trainees arse quite a lot (seriously they couldn't get their hands off each other), either way she was married. And not my type...thats one less firm to apply to!

Reply 98

ellewoods

superdillon

Oh yeah, you're definately in there :rolleyes:

You do know we also do that when we're embarassed and uncomfortable in a situation and desperate to get away? :wink:

Reply 99

Lewisy-boy

Yeah true, but it's normally pretty obvious which one it is, unless super's a deluded fool :wink:

. And anyway, it;s not like the trainees have any say on the matter! You need to get the recruitment partner and make her want some younger man :wink: