{"id":1917,"date":"2019-02-05T10:44:47","date_gmt":"2019-02-05T10:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/student.multisite.legal500.com\/?page_id=1917"},"modified":"2024-06-18T15:24:08","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T15:24:08","slug":"vacation-schemes-what-they-are-and-why-they-are-worth-pursuing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/career-clinic\/vacation-schemes-what-they-are-and-why-they-are-worth-pursuing\/","title":{"rendered":"Vacation schemes: What they are and why they are worth pursuing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As pre-training contract legal experience goes, vacation schemes are the big one. Now well-established and ubiquitous in the industry, vacation schemes are a great way to experience first-hand life at a law firm, and to see if the employer, and career, matches your interests. It\u2019s also an opportunity to impress and enhance your prospects, with several vac schemes also offering training contract interviews at the end of the placement. All that said, it still requires giving up two weeks\u2019 precious holidays, during which you will have other commitments including, perhaps ironically, working hard towards securing the impressive academic grades so valued by law firms! So in signing up for a vacation scheme, what exactly are you getting in return?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The legal job market is highly competitive and these days it is not enough to simply have a solid academic background. Recruiters are looking for much more than a 2(1) and AAB at A-level, and with so many applicants to choose from, students face an incredible amount of pressure to impress in the search for training contracts. This has resulted in an increase in the number of students taking part in vacation schemes, meaning it can be as difficult to get a vacation placement as it is to bag a training contract!<\/p>\n

Nowadays it is seen as the norm for law students to give up at least two weeks of their holidays to gain work experience, with some students taking part in as many as four vacation schemes over the summer. Is this really necessary? The answer has to be yes \u2013 in moderation. It is beneficial to you in helping you choose the type of firm which suits you, and it will look good on your application form \u2013 showing employers that you are serious about a career in the law and willing to put yourself out during the precious holidays. Firms take vac schemes very seriously too, and guaranteed training contract interviews at the end of these schemes are now increasingly common. Some firms are also moving towards recruiting their trainees solely through their vac scheme pools. \u201cDon\u2019t underestimate the value that firms place on these schemes\u201d, says one recruitment head, \u201cand make sure that you do your research, you\u2019re clear about why you want the vacation scheme, you\u2019ve demonstrated the skills that they\u2019re looking for and your application is free from typos. But also remember that this is a great opportunity for you to find out more about your shortlisted firms, their cultures and values, and importantly whether they are the right fit for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The benefits of work experience for any job are obvious, but it is particularly important for a legal career where there are so many different types of law firm and practice areas to choose from, and where so much time and money goes into training. Maybe you\u2019ve always dreamed of being a real estate lawyer, but do you know what a real estate lawyer actually does? Maybe the thought of criminal law entices you, but you may be a fortnight\u2019s work experience away from falling in love with M&A. Many vacation schemes allow you to spend time in the departments in which you have an interest, so you can find out if you\u2019re going to hate it after the first week, before it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n

So what do the vac schemers themselves say? Firstly, take a look at the \u2018why did you choose this firm over any others?\u2019 question in our trainee survey, and see for yourself how many trainees cite their vacation scheme as an important reason for making their training contract choice. One person who completed a vac scheme and will soon train at the same firm says that \u201cmany firms treat vacation schemes as extended interviews to determine if candidates can complement their businesses. Although this may sound intimidating, to the contrary, a scheme is the perfect opportunity to showcase your abilities, personality and enthusiasm. Remember too, firms do actually wish to attract the best candidates! It\u2019s likely by being selected for a vacation scheme you\u2019re already in contention, so have confidence and enjoy yourself!\u201d Wise words worth remembering on your first day.<\/p>\n

And what if you haven\u2019t managed to get yourself on any vacation scheme? Don\u2019t give up \u2013 you could always try offering your services to firms for free (even for a couple of days at a time) \u2013 or approach your local law centre where you\u2019ll witness real legal problems and advice administered first-hand. These approaches show potential employers that you have imagination and are serious about a career in the law. If all else fails, head off for some voluntary work (at home or abroad) and gain some real-life experience, while learning more about yourself at the same time. It will also give you something different to talk about at your interview.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As pre-training contract legal experience goes, vacation schemes are the big one. Now well-established and ubiquitous in the industry, vacation schemes are a great way to experience first-hand life at … <\/p>\n

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