I didn’t get onto a vacation scheme – what are my work experience options?

Dear Oracle

I applied for places on a few summer vacation schemes but was unsuccessful. What other work experience can I pursue to boost my CV and future applications?

The Oracle replies

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Remember that all work experience is evidence of valuable transferable skills – it doesn’t all have to be related to the law. Make sure that you include all your experiences in your CV and applications, as roles such as waiting tables and working in retail can demonstrate great qualities that recruiters look for, such as the ability to deal with clients face to face and work in a team.

Use our key skills checklist as your guide!

However, some legal work experience is important – both for you to work out if law is the right career for you, and to show recruiters that you have knowledge of the law in practice. Work experience can also help you work out the right kind of role and working environment for you.

What can you do?

While larger corporate law firms will often only run formal vacation scheme placements, smaller high-street firms are often able to provide more ad-hoc work experience. Contact local firms in your area to ask whether you can shadow one of their lawyers for a couple of days. You may not be attending meetings with clients alone, but you’ll experience the work, culture and environment of life as a solicitor and gain exposure to a working law firm.

You should also investigate pro bono opportunities – many law departments and student law societies have relationships with pro bono initiatives, so this could be a good place to start. You could also consider volunteering at an organisation such as Citizens Advice or a legal advice clinic – all of these will improve your credentials and give you a better chance of success when applying for future vacation schemes or training contracts.

Read more on how your student law society can help you in this LCN Says.

We asked a former graduate recruiter and careers adviser for their thoughts on securing work experience, which is always a hot topic amongst students. Our recruiter says: “In my opinion there are three types of work experience that can boost your CV and future applications.

“The first is gaining work experience relating to a law firm’s specialist sectors. For example, if you’re interested in applying to a commercial law firm and its sector specialisms include retail or telecoms, completing work experience in retail or telecoms organisations’ in-house legal departments can give you exposure to the challenges and strategic plans of the firm’s key clients. This is invaluable experience and will make you stand out.

“The second type is gaining work experience in firms with similar practice areas, for example high-street, regional firms or firms in other international jurisdictions.

“The third type is gaining work experience in organisations that can improve your skill set. For example, volunteering at a citizen advice bureau or legal advice centre will improve your research, drafting, client handling and communication skills. Alternatively, working in industry in non-legal roles such as customer service will improve your commercial acumen, team working and time management skills.

“Finally, open days are a very good way to demonstrate your interest in a firm and find out what they’re looking for in their future trainees. A word of advice – complete your application for an open day as if you were submitting your application for a training contract. Open days are an opportune way for law firms to identify top talent. Impress at these events and this could boost your chances of making it past the first round of screening!"

Remember – law firm recruiters understand it can be difficult to secure formal legal work experience (ie, a vacation scheme) but there are plenty of opportunities out there for you to experience the law. From volunteering to working in a high-street firm, or even completing work experience online and demonstrating transferable skills from extracurricular activities and part-time jobs, the key is to make the most of the experience you do have and use it to demonstrate your key skills and commitment to a legal career.

Read these top 10 tips for vacation scheme applications to help you on your way.