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06. June 2015

How do I stand out during my vac scheme?

The winter vacation scheme season is in full swing. If you've been lucky enough to secure a coveted place on a scheme, here's what you need to do to succeed and turn that week in the office into an offer of a training contract.

1. Eyes on the prize. Vacation schemes are many firms' preferred way of screening and selecting potential candidates for a training contract. With that in mind, do your best to contribute to the team you are assigned to, whatever the task. Vac scheme students can be a tremendous asset, helping with trainee tasks and generally chipping in, or a complete liability, getting under everyone's feet and needing near-constant entertainment. Be proactive in seeking out work, but mindful that you may be at a loose end at times. Remember that the team you sit with will certainly be asked for feedback on your work. It can be awkward coming into an unfamiliar office, but smiling and showing enthusiasm for your work goes a long way.


2. Speak to as many trainees and junior associates as possible about the firm. Do they like the work they're doing? Does HR consider their seat choice requests? What do they like (and dislike) about the firm? Take the opportunity to speak candidly to people - most are very happy to offer guidance and support.


3. Take part in social events. Law firms, particularly larger ones with established graduate recruitment programmes, will typically hold evening events for vacation scheme students and sometimes trainees - anything from drinks at the local pub through paintball and ice-skating. Join in, even if the long winter nights make you want to hibernate. You don't need to turn it into a big night out (especially if you're meant to be at work the next day), but you do need to show off your social side.


4. ... but not too much. Christmas party season is in full swing, and you may well be invited along. Remember that a work party is still work, so go easy on the wine and spirits - you need to show that you can conduct yourself properly.

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"Very prompt reply, great work on my CV and cover letter."

"My applications were really hit-and-miss before, and I couldn’t see what I was doing right or wrong. You’ve been really helpful […] I’ve got a set of targeted vacation  scheme applications ready to go now. I really just needed someone to point out all the silly mistakes that brought my applications down."


"As a result of you looking over it I would definitely say that [my CV] has improved, so thank you. You were fast and very efficient and although I was rather dubious sending the email I have been delighted with the results!"


"I appreciated the level of detail in Natalie’s feedback on my CV. It was apparent that she had read, and thought about, every word I had written. I received tailored, informed and clear advice about how I might improve both structure and content which I feel confident will make a real improvement for future applications. The advice was from someone who had once been in my shoes and was now working in a law firm, rather than the rather academic environment of the University careers office."


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