{"id":1578,"date":"2015-07-13T09:23:03","date_gmt":"2015-07-13T08:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/klsemployability\/?page_id=1578"},"modified":"2021-08-26T16:18:37","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T15:18:37","slug":"open-days-workshops","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/getintolaw\/open-days-workshops\/","title":{"rendered":"Law Fairs, Open Days etc."},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #3366ff\">Why is it important to engage with law firms before applying for a training contract?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Make the most of opportunities to attend Open Days, Careers Events and Vacation Schemes.\u00a0 \u00a0There are many reasons why this is a good idea:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Gain an understanding of the firm to see if you like them and can see yourself working for them.\u00a0 By meeting with the firm before making applications you can find out about their specific application process and what they are looking for.<\/li>\n<li>Many firms now recruit a large % of their trainees from people whom have previously been on their vacation scheme.\u00a0 In some firms 80%, 90% or even 100% of their recruiting is done in this manner.<\/li>\n<li>It&#8217;s good for you to become known by the recruiters.\u00a0\u00a0Build up a good rapport with them and they may well then remember you when they receive your application.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- Item fulltext --><\/p>\n<div class=\"itemFullText\">\n<p>Subsequently, if you apply to a firm you have previously interacted with\u00a0mention, in the application, that you have attended relevant events and name the people you have met with.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #3366ff\">Law Fairs<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Law Fairs before Covid were always in person and usually in the autumn term.\u00a0 At a law fair legal employers, educators, publishers, governing bodies etc. take a stand in a large (usually noisy) hall in order to speak with you about who they are and what they can offer you.\u00a0 It is a chance for you to find out:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>about different firms\/chambers and their training opportunities and the areas of law they practice in;<\/li>\n<li>nab a freebie (but be polite)<\/li>\n<li>pick up useful information:\u00a0 firms brochures\/ books such as &#8220;The Training Contract &amp; Pupillage Handbook&#8221; \/ sign up to newsletters etc.<\/li>\n<li>speak to providers of legal education to find out about the requirements\/costs\/deadlines etc, for vocational courses i.e LPC\/SQE\/BVC<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Virtual Law Fairs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As a result of the social distancing restrictions during the pandemic many law fairs went on-line.\u00a0 There are a growing number of large law fairs on line and it looks like this may be the future of the fair.\u00a0 \u00a0It&#8217;s important to know that the exhibitors at these fairs WANT INTERACTION from attendees.\u00a0 \u00a0See the below for how to prepare.\u00a0 \u00a0We&#8217;ll provide you with details of the Careers Fairs you can attend on the\u00a0 Events &#8211; off campus tab on this blog.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How to prepare for a law fair<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawcareers.net\/Explore\/LawFairs\">Law fairs | LawCareers.Net<\/a> &#8211; addresses &#8216;virtual&#8217; fairs and includes a short video<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutlaw.co.uk\/stage\/law-fairs\/how-to-prepare-for-a-law-fair\">How to prepare for a law fair | AllAboutLaw<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.burges-salmon.com\/careers\/careers-blog\/law-fair-advice-from-the-other-side-of-the-table\/#:~:text=Law%20fairs%3A%20advice%20from%20the%20other%20side%20of,of%20any%20information%20you%20think%20is%20particularly%20helpful.\">How to prepare for a law fair \u2013 5 tips from the other side of the table (burges-salmon.com)<\/a> &#8211; an insight from a law firm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #0000ff\"><strong>LAW FIRM OPEN DAYS &amp; INSIGHT DAYS<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #333333\"><strong>What are they?<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<p>Quite simply, it&#8217;s a day at a law firm.\u00a0 \/<\/p>\n<p>An <strong>Insight Day<\/strong> is generally aimed at students who are in the early stages of thinking about a legal career.\u00a0 It&#8217;s a chance to learn more about the legal profession and the legal industry.\u00a0 \u00a0Usually, Insight Days are open to 1st year law students and 2nd year non-law students.<\/p>\n<p>An <strong>Open Day\u00a0<\/strong>is usually targeted at students who have decided that a legal career is right for them and they have decided that this firm is one they are interested in.\u00a0 The aim of the open day is to encourage the attendees to apply to the firm.<\/p>\n<p>Whichever day you attend <strong>the agenda<\/strong> will be made up of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #333333\"><strong>Meeting key people at the firm including lawyers, trainees and the graduate recruitment team<\/strong>.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 You will first encounter them as presenters or panellists but some of them will also be &#8216;mingling&#8217; with you during lunch.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0 There will be talks about the firm and what they do and why they are a good firm to work for including their ethos and culture (you always need to know about a firm&#8217;s culture for applications so take note of this!\u00a0 \u00a0Don&#8217;t forget that, an open day is a &#8216;sales pitch&#8217; &#8211; the firm will be presenting all of their positives.\u00a0 Use your time their to consider carefully if this is the place for you and ask the questions that haven&#8217;t been addressed.\u00a0 Over lunch there is usually time for informal chat &#8211; ask the trainees if things have lived up to their expectations etc.\u00a0 \u00a0 You may also get to look around some of the premises.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #808080\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelawyerportal.com\/free-guides\/law-work-experience\/law-firm-open-day\/#:~:text=A%20law%20firm%20open%20day%20is%20an%20event,law%20firm%E2%80%99s%20working%20environment%2C%20general%20ethos%20and%20culture.\">Law Firm Open Days: The Ultimate Guide | The Lawyer Portal <\/a>&#8211; an overview<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawcareers.net\/Explore\/BlogPost\/Matthew-Dow\/The-Benefits-of-Open-Days\">The benefits of open days &#8211; LCN Blogs (lawcareers.net) <\/a>&#8211; the benefits<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawcareers.net\/Explore\/BlogPost\/Joe-Defries\/Attending-your-first-Open-day\">Attending your first open day &#8211; LCN Blogs (lawcareers.net)<\/a> &#8211; what to do at your first open day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #333333\"><strong>When should I apply?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Open days can take place at any time during the year.\u00a0 \u00a0Each firm will set their own application window.\u00a0 So, it&#8217;s really important to know which firms (or types of firms) you want to visit ahead of the start of term so that you can have a list of when to make your applications.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #808080\"><strong>Open days listing\/deadlines:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>You will find overlap on all of these listings but, occasionally one may have a listing that another doesn&#8217;t so it can still be worth a quick look at each listing.\u00a0 Listings will be fluid &#8211; they&#8217;ll only include the details of an open day once a firm has announced it.\u00a0 So, you should dip in and check at least once a month.\u00a0 Alternatively, if you specifically know which firms you want to visit then take a look at their website (they will always have either a &#8216;careers&#8217; \/ &#8216;work with\/for us&#8217; tab or a separate careers website)<\/p>\n<p>I recommend the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelawyerportal.com\/deadlines\/law-firm-open-day-deadlines\/\">Law Firm Open Day Deadlines | The Lawyer Portal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawcareers.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LawCareers.Net<\/a>\u00a0lists open days but the link changes every year.\u00a0 So I&#8217;ve hyperlinked their home page\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawcareers.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>\u00a0&#8211; use the search facility for &#8220;open days&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff\"><strong>How should I prepare for an open day?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawcareers.net\/Explore\/Features\/22062021-How-to-prepare-for-law-firm-insight-days-and-presentations-virtual-and\">How to prepare for law firm insight days and presentations \u2013 virtual and in person &#8211; Features (lawcareers.net)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>TOP TIPS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t be shy to ask questions.\u00a0 The person who doesn&#8217;t speak will be noticed and is unlikely to be considered any further (yes, they do take notice of this).\u00a0 \u00a0All questions will be welcomed but it&#8217;s worth while ensuring that you don&#8217;t ask questions that have already been answered (make sure you are listening at all times) or the answer is obvious.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t be afraid to be a normal human being during lunch!\u00a0 Whilst it is a good time to ask your questions about their jobs and the law firm it is also OK to talk about normal life i.e. the weather, last night&#8217;s sporting fixture &#8211; essentially, you just need to be interested, interesting, personable and nice.\u00a0 \u00a0That&#8217;s what people remember!\u00a0 (They also remember &#8216;not nice&#8217; but you won&#8217;t be that person!)<\/p>\n<p>Do not use your telephone unless it is part of a task or you are using it to record notes &#8211; but make sure that this is obvious to the firm (I would err on the side of caution and use a tablet or paper for note taking &#8211; that way nothing can be misinterpreted).\u00a0 The only time you should get your telephone out is if you have been asked to do so or you have stepped away from the group.\u00a0 If there is a reason to have your telephone out i.e. there is an absolutely critical call that you are waiting for.\u00a0 \u00a0 I do know of recruiters who will strike you off the &#8216;follow-up&#8217; list if they think you are using your phone when you should be listening.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why is it important to engage with law firms before applying for a training contract? Make the most of opportunities to attend Open Days, Careers &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/getintolaw\/open-days-workshops\/\">Read&nbsp;more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34794,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/getintolaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1578"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/getintolaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/getintolaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/getintolaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34794"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/getintolaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1578"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/getintolaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1578\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3779,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/getintolaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1578\/revisions\/3779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/getintolaw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1578"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}