Hey
@Abbie Whitlock,
I am a long-time observer but first-time commenter on this forum. Thanks to everyone who comments, as it has been super helpful over the years!
Basically, I had two in-house internships lined up (one 10-week and one 12-month) after fighting tooth and nail for them. But both have fallen through this year due to reasons beyond my control. I am at a loss about what my next step should be.
I have applied for other positions (albeit sparingly because of being extremely bummed out), making sure they are tailored and that I am actually interested in the work. I have also been networking hard to see if there are any opportunities someone can refer me to. However, no luck yet
I am now a graduate, so some VSs and even open days in private practice exclude me at this stage. Any tips to land some sort of role this year would be appreciated. Further, is it even worthwhile mentioning these opportunities in future applications to explain the gap in my resume? If so, where?
Edit: I am currently volunteering and working retail.
Hi!
Firstly, I'm really sorry to hear that happened as it sounds incredibly frustrating, especially after securing not one but two opportunities and then having both fall through for reasons outside your control.
From what you have written, I think you are doing a lot of the right things already - being selective with applications (+ making them tailored), continuing to network, volunteering, and working rather than waiting passively for something to appear.
In terms of next steps, I would perhaps widen the net slightly beyond just formal legal roles or internships. Depending on your longer-term goal, I'd have a look at:
- Legal assistant / paralegal roles (including fixed-term or temp positions)
- In-house legal operations / compliance / contracts roles
- Graduate schemes that have a legal or commercial element
- Smaller firms and off-cycle opportunities that recruit ad hoc, rather than in a set cycle
I would also add that it doesn't necessarily have to be a legal role in a big commercial firm to be worthwhile! Even an admin or assistant role, whether in a law firm or another professional environment, can still help you build a lot of the skills firms look for in trainees (such as attention to detail, organisation, and taking ownership of work). I was an admin paralegal at a boutique commercial property firm for my placement year, and the things I learnt in that year were so valuable when I was making applications last cycle.
I also wouldn't write off vacation schemes or open days completely, as there are still plenty that are open to graduates - it might be worth taking a look at direct TC applications too!
In relation to mentioning the opportunities later, I probably wouldn't frame it as explaining a gap in your CV as the volunteering and retail already mean there isn't really a gap. However, if relevant, you could mention briefly in an application's additional information section that you had secured those internships but they were cancelled/deferred externally. I'd just make sure that you keep it factual and short, as you are using it to provide context rather than as a justification.
Lastly, securing both a 10-week and a 12-month internship suggests your applications were already doing really well! I know it probably doesn't feel like it right now, but that is evidence that you are a competitive candidate, even if the timing has been rough.
Wishing you the best of luck - please do feel free to keep posting here, as I'm sure people will share any information that is useful!
