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Law 1 st Year Students Kick Start Your Future Why Now ?. Darren Johnson Careers Adviser. 1 st Year Exam Results Do Matter To Employers. In particular: International commercial law firms – generally request these results by module on CV or application
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Law 1st Year StudentsKick Start Your FutureWhy Now ? Darren Johnson Careers Adviser
1st Year Exam Results Do Matter To Employers • In particular: • International commercial law firms – generally request these results by • module on CV or application • Will also pay close attention to tort and contract law modules when applying for vacation schemes in penultimate year. 2i is the ideal less than 50% could be an issue . • Same for commercial barristers chambers when applying for • mini-pupillage
The Current Graduate Legal Job Market • Applications for Vacation Schemes – many international city law firms have • seen applications double this year • Similar competition reported for mini-pupillage. • Implications: Important to consider Open Days in your 1st year to make you • stand out when applying for vacation schemes in your penultimate year
Getting Work Experience • International commercial firms - Open Days • What do these involve ? • How do you apply ? • How should you approach the application and if offered a place the actual • Day ? • See my blog article on Open Days at : • http://durhamlawcareers.wordpress.com/ for answers to these questions
What Employers Want Evidence and ability to articulate: • Achievement – drive and determination • Soft Skills- persuasion/negotiation/customer focused/attention to detail/problem solving/teamwork/leadership • Commercial Awareness for many career areas • http://l2b.thelawyer.com/what-is-commercialawareness/133838.article
STAR Skills Sessions • Often employer led • A great way to develop some of these skills on campus • Need to sign up on-line for sessions you are interested in , keep an eye on • The Events section of the CEEC website • http://www.dur.ac.uk/careers/events/
Articulating your experiences to employers • This is where PDP really is of value – https://duo.dur.ac.uk
Events Also On Facebook http://www.facebook.com/durhamcareers
Considering Solicitor: Taking Action in your 1st year • Epiphany • Research firms and apply to Open Days/ informal work experience (solicitors-online.com/ lawcareers.net/lawyer2B.com ) • Speculative Approach for Informal Work Experience = CV and cover letter / networking. Note: many of the larger firms will not offer this • Remember many firms will look at 1st year results as part of selection for future vacation schemes and training contracts • Get actively involved in the Student Law Society
Considering Barrister – Taking Action In Your 1st Year • Throughout the year • Research minipupillages/apply for non formal placement for vacations (www.lawcareers.net) • Construct a strong CV and cover letters for the above – get checked at CAS Applications Advice/Quick Queries • Become an active member of the student Law Society • Work hard at degree, sets will look at your first year results • Research Inns of Court • www.online-law.co.uk/bar/inns_of_court.html
Exploration Tips • http://targetjobs.co.uk/law
Law Commission Research Assistant Constituency Assistant for MP Police Trainee Chartered Accountant Law Librarian Executive Officer , Home Office Teach First Marketing P.R Recruitment Consultant (Banking and Finance Commercial Lender – Alliance and Leicester Alternative Careers To Solicitor/Barrister – Durham Law Graduate Destinations Recent Examples
Property Consulting Legal Publishing Investment Banking Civil Service Fast Stream Human Resources Lecturing Company Secretary HM Customs and Excise Compliance Charities/NGOs European Commission Research more atwww.prospects.ac.uk Other Popular Career Areas For Law Graduates U.K wide
Careers Employability & Enterprise Centre • 49 New Elvet (next to D.S.U) • Term Time – 10am – 5pm • Vacation – 10am – 1pm 2.15pm – 5pm • Tel: 0191 334 1424/1437 • careers- advice@durham.ac.uk • www.durham.ac.uk/careers-advice