Open Days/Networking Events - My Recommendations & Strategy
- By D
- Applications Discussion
- 28 Replies
In my first year, I'll unashamedly admit - I was an open day and networking event regular. Any excuse to visit a firm, eat some canapes and enjoy some free drink - I was there!
Having experienced countless talks and spoken with what seemed to be an infinite amount of graduate recruitment representatives and trainees, I feel I have a good idea of what your goals should be at these events and how you can get the most out of them.
So, here are my key takeaways to ensure you can utilise these events to your advantage.
KEEP A DIARY OF YOUR ENTIRE TIME AT THE FIRM
I have capitalised this as it is the most important. I cannot stress this enough. Anyone who gives a speech, write their name down and summarise the content. If you speak to a trainee, note their names down and the conversation you had. If you engaged in a negotiation exercise, write down what you did and what you learnt. When you finish the day, go home and type it up into a document. I have docs and docs and docs of open day notes for firms.
The reason you do this is for when you are making your applications. Given that firms receive thousands of applications for a handful of jobs, you need to stand out. You do not want to be the applicant who recites what is posted on their website or on Chambers Student. If you can tie something back to a tangible experience when writing an answer, you are ahead of the game - "I want to work at X as I heard that trainees get higher levels of responsibility. This was affirmed when I attended the open day and spoke with X who mentioned working on X...." It's more compelling, it shows you have engaged with the question/competency and it also shows that you care about the firm (as you have been there before). Likewise, when speaking about a transaction, it is incredible to mention the presentation given by X partner and what you learned from it as opposed to rattling off some press release you read. A prime example is the "HSF - Inside the Headlines" event. It's gold-dust.
Start attending events ASAP
You'll soon realise that these events generally run from October - March. You want to gain as much information as possible from these events to use in your decision-making for where to apply and to substantiate your claims in your application form. So, when Clifford Chance et al close their applications in December, you don't want to be attending an open day in February. My advice is to attend as many as you can in the first year to ensure you have gained the knowledge pre-application. Further to this, open days take time and commitment to attend. Your first year at uni counts for nothing so it really is the ideal opportunity go to them.
You are not going to be offered a job on the open day.
There is no need to act smart, competitive, or engage in one-upmanship. The truth of the matter is that open days and networking events are there for you to learn a little bit more about the firm. Enjoy it. One of the most embarrassing experiences I had is when a partner had to come to our table during a negotiation exercise and tell the other "team" that they had misidentified the point of the exercise - to negotiate (as they consistently low-balled and refused to budge in an effort to show off at the end when the deal needed to be struck). It was ridiculous. Don't be that person!
Use these events to achieve your goals
There really is no need to prepare a list of fancy questions to ask in an attempt to sound smart. Use these events to achieve your own goals. You do not need to ask anyone, anything, if you do not want to. You can just soak up the atmosphere and get a feel for the firm. There is nothing wrong with that. But, the most productive events will be those for which you have a clear plan. During networking, I always wanted to ask GR a set of specific questions to my own application and to find out about the nuances of the process. I would then spend most of the time trying to get to know the trainees and ask them about life at the firm. The only questions I would ever really ask a partner would be if there was an interesting transaction/case they had worked on recently that was public that I could review as I wanted to spend my time wisely when researching firms (i.e, not reading about an obscure derivative transaction that would have probably gone over my head).
The best time to network is at the end
If you are attending networking drinks, the best time to network is at the end. Primarily, this is because most people have left and the leverage between attendees and partners/associates/trainees is much, much higher. Often, you are left with 4 firm employees to 1 or 2 attendees in each group. This way, you can ask your questions and get a response that isn't subject to the pressure of time. Earlier in the event, you will see swarms of people crowded around employees and they want to ensure everyone has an opportunity to ask a question so their responses are often shortened. Personally, I spend the first half having a drink, chatting to people at the event and simply networking. Then I'll usually see who is free to ask some questions to.
Everyone is in the same boat - Just say hi!
Everyone is in the same boat at these events. No-one knows anyone, save for those who have already met each other at previous open days (you'll be surprised how often this happens!). Be friendly and just chat with people. No-one wants to make that first move, but honestly, no-one is going to tell you to leave them alone. I have met so many people at open days who I have added on LinkedIn and consequently met at other events. It makes it so much easier when you see a friendly face at the next event!
Does anyone else have any top tips or views on the above? If so, I'll edit the post and amend accordingly
Having experienced countless talks and spoken with what seemed to be an infinite amount of graduate recruitment representatives and trainees, I feel I have a good idea of what your goals should be at these events and how you can get the most out of them.
So, here are my key takeaways to ensure you can utilise these events to your advantage.
KEEP A DIARY OF YOUR ENTIRE TIME AT THE FIRM
I have capitalised this as it is the most important. I cannot stress this enough. Anyone who gives a speech, write their name down and summarise the content. If you speak to a trainee, note their names down and the conversation you had. If you engaged in a negotiation exercise, write down what you did and what you learnt. When you finish the day, go home and type it up into a document. I have docs and docs and docs of open day notes for firms.
The reason you do this is for when you are making your applications. Given that firms receive thousands of applications for a handful of jobs, you need to stand out. You do not want to be the applicant who recites what is posted on their website or on Chambers Student. If you can tie something back to a tangible experience when writing an answer, you are ahead of the game - "I want to work at X as I heard that trainees get higher levels of responsibility. This was affirmed when I attended the open day and spoke with X who mentioned working on X...." It's more compelling, it shows you have engaged with the question/competency and it also shows that you care about the firm (as you have been there before). Likewise, when speaking about a transaction, it is incredible to mention the presentation given by X partner and what you learned from it as opposed to rattling off some press release you read. A prime example is the "HSF - Inside the Headlines" event. It's gold-dust.
Start attending events ASAP
You'll soon realise that these events generally run from October - March. You want to gain as much information as possible from these events to use in your decision-making for where to apply and to substantiate your claims in your application form. So, when Clifford Chance et al close their applications in December, you don't want to be attending an open day in February. My advice is to attend as many as you can in the first year to ensure you have gained the knowledge pre-application. Further to this, open days take time and commitment to attend. Your first year at uni counts for nothing so it really is the ideal opportunity go to them.
You are not going to be offered a job on the open day.
There is no need to act smart, competitive, or engage in one-upmanship. The truth of the matter is that open days and networking events are there for you to learn a little bit more about the firm. Enjoy it. One of the most embarrassing experiences I had is when a partner had to come to our table during a negotiation exercise and tell the other "team" that they had misidentified the point of the exercise - to negotiate (as they consistently low-balled and refused to budge in an effort to show off at the end when the deal needed to be struck). It was ridiculous. Don't be that person!
Use these events to achieve your goals
There really is no need to prepare a list of fancy questions to ask in an attempt to sound smart. Use these events to achieve your own goals. You do not need to ask anyone, anything, if you do not want to. You can just soak up the atmosphere and get a feel for the firm. There is nothing wrong with that. But, the most productive events will be those for which you have a clear plan. During networking, I always wanted to ask GR a set of specific questions to my own application and to find out about the nuances of the process. I would then spend most of the time trying to get to know the trainees and ask them about life at the firm. The only questions I would ever really ask a partner would be if there was an interesting transaction/case they had worked on recently that was public that I could review as I wanted to spend my time wisely when researching firms (i.e, not reading about an obscure derivative transaction that would have probably gone over my head).
The best time to network is at the end
If you are attending networking drinks, the best time to network is at the end. Primarily, this is because most people have left and the leverage between attendees and partners/associates/trainees is much, much higher. Often, you are left with 4 firm employees to 1 or 2 attendees in each group. This way, you can ask your questions and get a response that isn't subject to the pressure of time. Earlier in the event, you will see swarms of people crowded around employees and they want to ensure everyone has an opportunity to ask a question so their responses are often shortened. Personally, I spend the first half having a drink, chatting to people at the event and simply networking. Then I'll usually see who is free to ask some questions to.
Everyone is in the same boat - Just say hi!
Everyone is in the same boat at these events. No-one knows anyone, save for those who have already met each other at previous open days (you'll be surprised how often this happens!). Be friendly and just chat with people. No-one wants to make that first move, but honestly, no-one is going to tell you to leave them alone. I have met so many people at open days who I have added on LinkedIn and consequently met at other events. It makes it so much easier when you see a friendly face at the next event!
Does anyone else have any top tips or views on the above? If so, I'll edit the post and amend accordingly
Bakers AC - who is our competitors?
- By R203
- Interviews Discussion
- 9 Replies
Hi everyone! Could anyone advise on the above question and perhaps go into a mini-discussion? 
Interview Question: Why did you fail your vac schemes?
- By wwood
- Interviews Discussion
- 2 Replies
Hi everyone I'm not sure if this has been posted before. I've been getting this question "Why did you fail your vac schemes" recently. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on tackling this question? Frankly, mine was lacking confidence (leading to bad time management, not as proactive etc.) ... but I'm not sure if recruiters would like to hear that, given that job applicants should be confident. Would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thank you so much!
I'm not sure if this has been posted before. I've been getting this question "Why did you fail your vac schemes" recently. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on tackling this question? Frankly, mine was lacking confidence (leading to bad time management, not as proactive etc.) ... but I'm not sure if recruiters would like to hear that, given that job applicants should be confident. Would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thank you so much! Foreign Legal Experience vs Vacation Scheme?
- By QXW
- Vacation Schemes Discussion
- 2 Replies
Hello Everyone! I am a penultimate year student studying abroad in Hong Kong this year, and I am considering finding legal work in Hong Kong and Mainland China for the summer.
This is partly because I haven't been able to secure a VC in the UK and this seems to be my only option for gaining legal experience before my final year. (Regardless, I will also be applying for winter and spring schemes in my final year)
I was wondering if legal work experience in another jurisdiction is a sufficient replacement for a VC in terms of demonstrating knowledge about what legal work involves? i.e. how useful is a legal experience in another jurisdiction when it comes to applying for VCs and TCs in the future?
Many thanks!
This is partly because I haven't been able to secure a VC in the UK and this seems to be my only option for gaining legal experience before my final year. (Regardless, I will also be applying for winter and spring schemes in my final year)
I was wondering if legal work experience in another jurisdiction is a sufficient replacement for a VC in terms of demonstrating knowledge about what legal work involves? i.e. how useful is a legal experience in another jurisdiction when it comes to applying for VCs and TCs in the future?
Many thanks!
Failure... want to give up on law?
- By cmaj
- Applications Discussion
- 7 Replies
Hi all,
I've used this forum for a while but never posted on it... now is the time! I just received a rejection from my final law firm for this application season and I feel so crushed and don't know how to move forward from it.
I completed a vacation scheme last summer and was told me I'd been great during the scheme - my teams loved having me, they couldn't believe I was non-law, I'd done really well on all the assessments and my work etc. - and they told me that I MUST go into law. I am a graduate in full time work from a non-law degree and this scheme was three weeks long, sadly leaving me with no annual leave for the rest of 2019 to do a winter scheme or, well, anything.
This application cycle, I started preparing early in July doing my research and stayed late at work every night from September through to January to complete nine vacation scheme applications as best as I could. I spent weeks perfecting them until I didn't think I could do any better. Unfortunately I only had one assessment centre which, due to personal circumstances outside of my control, I could not focus on the day and did not perform very well. All the rest I received PFOs after tests.
I've found myself at the point of wanting to give up on law. I'm not sure how to go forward from here as I cannot do the GDL without sponsorship and I feel like I've got all the hard skills they ask for and tell applications they could gain: consistent grades, a range of extracurriculars, technology skills, languages, legal work experience, non-legal work experience, volunteering and charity work, etc... I'm not sure where I'm going wrong as no one has any time to give feedback and it is exasperating, especially after last year! I just don't know how to bring myself to put myself through this for a third year.
Has this happened to anyone else? How did you move on? What did you do? Is it worth last minute applying to training contracts?
Thanks all and I hope application season is treating you all better than it is me!
I've used this forum for a while but never posted on it... now is the time! I just received a rejection from my final law firm for this application season and I feel so crushed and don't know how to move forward from it.
I completed a vacation scheme last summer and was told me I'd been great during the scheme - my teams loved having me, they couldn't believe I was non-law, I'd done really well on all the assessments and my work etc. - and they told me that I MUST go into law. I am a graduate in full time work from a non-law degree and this scheme was three weeks long, sadly leaving me with no annual leave for the rest of 2019 to do a winter scheme or, well, anything.
This application cycle, I started preparing early in July doing my research and stayed late at work every night from September through to January to complete nine vacation scheme applications as best as I could. I spent weeks perfecting them until I didn't think I could do any better. Unfortunately I only had one assessment centre which, due to personal circumstances outside of my control, I could not focus on the day and did not perform very well. All the rest I received PFOs after tests.
I've found myself at the point of wanting to give up on law. I'm not sure how to go forward from here as I cannot do the GDL without sponsorship and I feel like I've got all the hard skills they ask for and tell applications they could gain: consistent grades, a range of extracurriculars, technology skills, languages, legal work experience, non-legal work experience, volunteering and charity work, etc... I'm not sure where I'm going wrong as no one has any time to give feedback and it is exasperating, especially after last year!
I just don't know how to bring myself to put myself through this for a third year.Has this happened to anyone else? How did you move on? What did you do? Is it worth last minute applying to training contracts?
Thanks all and I hope application season is treating you all better than it is me!
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