Career Clinic: How can I make the most of my vac scheme?

Good question.

I usually see such people for about five seconds as they are whisked around the office and then left to sit photocopying or doing some other task which involves little interaction with anyone who would care. Certainly, I cannot remember anyone who has ever spent those two weeks with us.

A partner once said to me that the point of interviewing, interns and CVs is to dismiss people who annoy you immediately, so don't annoy anyone and approach it for what it is, a brief glimpse into the legal world, but few will care enough to remember you and those that do probably have no say in whether you are asked back or not.

Go with the flow, enjoy it and don't make a fool of yourself. Common sense really. Good luck!!

Me -20 May 2010 | 15:15

Do:

- Make an effort with EVERYONE you come into contact with.
- Be keen to take on work no matter how boring or tedious.
- Be cheerful and friendly.
- Be interested in the business.
- Ask questions about the work/case/business.

Do not:

- Be stuck up or arrogant.
- Think you are above any task given to you.
- Make controversial comments.
- Criticise.

You're there to learn about the firm and the departments you'll work in. You're not expected to be a legal/business expert. The firm will be assessing whether you have any common sense and whether you are someone colleagues could work with.

Metallica -20 May 2010 | 15:58

vac scheme

I did an Easter vac scheme which resulted in a training contract, so something must have gone right. I'd say the most important thing is to be enthusiastic and genuine. Try to get involved with as much as you can, e.g if there's a court case going on see if you can go along with another trainee, or ask if there are any client meetings you can go along to.

You've done well to get the vac scheme so you've impressed so far, now they just want to know they get along with you as a person. It's great to try to meet as many different people at the firm as you can, from trainees to partners, and remember that whilst the partners may be higher up in the firm, its more likely to be the trainees that give HR feedback from your two weeks!

Hope that helps and best of luck!

Gabriel -20 May 2010 | 15:59

I’d disagree with the first comments and agree with everything Gabriel said apart from the very last point; although that probably just reflects how different firms approach these things.

At my firm, the vac scheme is key to our trainee recruitment - and everyone comments - secretaries, trainees, solicitors, partners and other members of staff.

As Gabriel has said, you have done well to get the place and the firm clearly thinks that you're the sort of person who will fit in. My tips are:

(i) Be yourself.

(ii) Be keen and personable.

(iii) When you’re given work to do, make sure you understand what’s being asked of you and what the deadline is. We do give students on vac schemes real work.

(iv) Don’t be competitive with the other people on the scheme – just concentrate on how you are doing.

(v) And remember it’s a two-way process. You are also trying to find out if the firm in question is the sort of place where you’d like to train and, ideally, work at on qualification.

Also, I wouldn’t worry about any of it until you’ve got your thesis out of the way (and do get your thesis out of the way) and remember it’s supposed to be fun. I wish you all the very best.

Partner, Regional Firm -20 May 2010 | 16:18

The first poster is right - these schemes are exercises in weeding out annoying people from a huge pile of candidates who look good on paper.

As a mature student you need to try a bit harder to make sure you fit in with the ranks of immature students - so make sure you join in the social events rather than going home to the wife and kids/cat. Any hint of looking to leave at 6pm will be a black mark.

P Benedict -20 May 2010 | 16:27

Be careful around your "buddy"

Different firms have different approaches, but it's fair to assume that the friendly young (probably younger than you) lawyer that they stick you in a room with will have to complete a stock form for HR at the end of their time with you.

Be assured, some of the vac schemers will make crass errors which are easily avoided. Some samples from my old shop:

- spending the day on your mobile arranging your social life before nipping into the disabled loos at 5pm to change into hot pants before heading out to the West End. This nearly caused one of the partners at my previous practice to choke to death on his tea and french fancy. Candidate in question was Oxbridge 2:1 on paper, in person, looked like she must have done a chemistry degree with a thesis specialising in the application of hydrogen peroxide.

- overdoing it at the social events. This caused one personable chap (who up till then I thought would have been a decent hire) to vomit over the steps leading up to our main entrances. And then sink to his knees before being rescued (and black balled) by a kindly partner who arranged for an ambulance. Remember, some HR girls like a drink or 20, so be very wary into getting into doing shots, particularly if they look, shall we say, a bit stout.

- telling the lawyer you're sat with that you're doing this vac scheme to bulk up your CV but really you'd rather work elsewhere (the candidate in question wanted to go to a US firm because my MC firm didn't pay enough - they don't (relative to hours), but hey, don't say that if you want a job).

- don't toady too much. Show an interest in what they are doing, but try and come across as normal. I mean, you may meet the odd freak in the corridors of a law firm, but they've already proved their worth. Try and show you are grounded, and willing to work hard - but don't bang on about how hard you've worked already, because the likelihood is that the jaded junior you're sat with will believe that they work harder than a marine in battle. "Anything I can help with to help you get out the door earlier" is a good line to use (to juniors only).

- be nice to the secretaries, and indeed everyone you meet.

- turn up early - if they start at 9:30, get there at 9. And as others have said, go to the social events. But don't get totalled.

- don't pull, tempting as it is.

Good luck - the vac scheme is a great route in to a TC and you'll likely pick up a TC interview shortly thereafter if you don't do anything stupid.

Stupot -21 May 2010 | 12:02