{"id":3133,"date":"2019-08-14T11:14:49","date_gmt":"2019-08-14T11:14:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lex100.com\/?page_id=3133"},"modified":"2022-07-26T14:45:11","modified_gmt":"2022-07-26T14:45:11","slug":"the-student-column-10-top-tips-on-how-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-vacation-scheme","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/career-clinic\/top-tips\/the-student-column-10-top-tips-on-how-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-vacation-scheme\/","title":{"rendered":"10 top tips on how to get the most out of a vacation scheme"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A vacation scheme is essentially a one or two-week long interview. But remember that it’s just as much for you to find out if you like the firm as the other way round. Follow these tips to soak up as much of the firm as possible during your vacation scheme.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1) Know what you want<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before starting the process of applying for vacation schemes, be clear in your own mind what it is you\u2019re looking for. Take some time to look into the firm and think about what you hope to learn and gain from spending time there. If a firm does a lot of commercial litigation and you have no interest in that, then it probably isn\u2019t one you should be applying to!<\/p>\n

2) Ask questions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whether at the interview stage or once you\u2019ve started your vacation scheme, ask clear questions. More often than not, people are happy to explain things, and it shows that you are eager to learn and understand the firm\u2019s work. It is better to ask than risk doing something wrong, especially if you\u2019re really unsure about a task you\u2019ve been assigned.<\/p>\n

3) Be enthusiastic<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is obvious you want to be there, otherwise you wouldn\u2019t have applied and accepted the offer, so show it! Be positive both about the work you are given and those you are working with. It goes a long way and will encourage colleagues to involve you in interesting pieces of work. A vac scheme is a great way to show that you can fit in with the teams, and if you are being negative it will not come across well to the people that provide your feedback.<\/p>\n

4) Apply your skills<\/strong><\/p>\n

The firm believes in your ability, so use the skills you have shown throughout your academic life. They are looking for the skills you already possess and how you can apply them to a legal situation, so use them and trust in your ability to complete the work you are given.<\/p>\n

5) Get involved<\/strong><\/p>\n

If an event is put on then embrace it and make the most of what the firm is offering. They want to impress you as much as you do them, so take the opportunities that arise during this short time at the firm. Get to know as many people as possible and interact with them away from the work environment when the chance comes.<\/p>\n

6) Get to know your fellow vac schemers<\/strong><\/p>\n

You may well end up working with your vac scheme peers one day. It\u2019s important to get along with those you\u2019re working with as the firm will want to see that you are a team player. You\u2019re all experiencing the scheme together and it\u2019s worth bonding whilst there. It isn\u2019t The Hunger Games!<\/p>\n

7) Be confident<\/strong><\/p>\n

Try not to shy away from the experience and show those around you that you\u2019re up to the task. Don\u2019t get into arrogant territory, however, as this is a turn-off for the firm, despite some misconceptions about lawyers and big egos!<\/p>\n

8) Use your time wisely<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you find you have completed a task earlier than expected and are awaiting instructions, make use of the resources at your disposal. Check the firm\u2019s intranet, look at the latest relevant cases to the seat you\u2019re in and read up on what\u2019s happened in the business world that day.<\/p>\n

9) Get to know Practical Law Company (PLC)<\/strong><\/p>\n

This extremely useful online database can often provide answers and give good direction to a task you may have been given. Its comprehensive base of material will help you, so try to become familiar with how it works.<\/p>\n

10) Make sure you are professional and polite<\/strong><\/p>\n

Each day you go into the office you will be meeting and working with solicitors and partners and first impressions mean a lot. This can include what you wear, tone, manner and what you are speaking to people about. Maintain an air of professionalism at all times.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A vacation scheme is essentially a one or two-week long interview. But remember that it’s just as much for you to find out if you like the firm as the … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “10 top tips on how to get the most out of a vacation scheme”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":107,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3133","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"featured_image_urls":{},"appp_media":null,"appp":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3133"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3133\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9604,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3133\/revisions\/9604"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}