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Aspiring Lawyers - Applications & General Advice
Applications Discussion
Ask Alice G (Future Trainee at Freshfields) Anything!
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<blockquote data-quote="Alice G" data-source="post: 26990" data-attributes="member: 1160"><p>Congratulations on your scheme!!</p><p></p><p>I think my biggest tip is to enjoy yourself. I think I was able to come across as more confident on my second scheme because I went in with a far more positive mindset and I was more focused on just enjoying my time than anything. This helped me to stay relaxed and more confident in myself I think and my focus was less on the end result that way too because I find that can be all-consuming and worrying.</p><p></p><p>The other tip is to be positive and smiley. If you have those thoughts of self-doubt creeping in then give yourself a pep talk in the bathroom (have done it plenty of times- don't worry) or speak to family and friends when the day is done - when you are in the offices and around everyone, just try to push through and maintain the positivity and enthusiasm if you can <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>With work - get clarity on the task when it is given. Ask the questions you feel are pertinent at that time and then give things a good go. Try and be resourceful where you can but there is no harm in asking questions. Just make sure you ask your supervisor politely if they have five mins to spare to ask a few Q's and make sure you have genuinely tried to source the answers for yourself. Be succinct when asking questions but maybe offer your thoughts and some of the research you have found in relation to your question to show you have tried to do it independently. But do not be scared to ask at all - they are there to help and some vac scheme tasks are tricky so do not feel like asking questions and for further clarity into a task will disadvantage you at all!</p><p></p><p>I would also say be proactive generally but definitely do so in seeking feedback. Maybe on your second to last day in the seat you are in, ask your supervisor if they’d have time to give you some feedback for how you can improve going forwards on your last day <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> </p><p></p><p>One nice practical thing to do which I actually heard at an AS presentation is to make a copy of your timetable for your supervisor and give it to them on the first day and say you just wanted to provide them with this so that they know where you are. I also used to leave post-its on my monitor if I was away at a talk or for a meeting saying what time I should be back.</p><p></p><p>The other thing I would say is to make an effort with everyone - hopefully, this would come naturally but everyone in a law firm is vital to its operation and can give you really amazing insights into the firm you are looking to join. I am still in touch and had lunch a few weeks back with one of the legal secretary’s I befriended from one of my schemes and she is just a wonderful person and has been an incredible source of moral support to me throughout my journey so it's nice to make lasting connections and friendships. Though I did not convert my vacs, I am forever grateful for the incredible people I met on them <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>Lastly, and do not underestimate this as it is the most important point, be yourself! I alluded to this in an earlier post but I personally think it is best to be rejected for being you and because perhaps you would not fit with that firm as well as others might than to lose out on your dream firm by pretending to be the person you thought they wanted. To get the firm which is best for you, you have to be truly you <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Alice G, post: 26990, member: 1160"] Congratulations on your scheme!! I think my biggest tip is to enjoy yourself. I think I was able to come across as more confident on my second scheme because I went in with a far more positive mindset and I was more focused on just enjoying my time than anything. This helped me to stay relaxed and more confident in myself I think and my focus was less on the end result that way too because I find that can be all-consuming and worrying. The other tip is to be positive and smiley. If you have those thoughts of self-doubt creeping in then give yourself a pep talk in the bathroom (have done it plenty of times- don't worry) or speak to family and friends when the day is done - when you are in the offices and around everyone, just try to push through and maintain the positivity and enthusiasm if you can :) With work - get clarity on the task when it is given. Ask the questions you feel are pertinent at that time and then give things a good go. Try and be resourceful where you can but there is no harm in asking questions. Just make sure you ask your supervisor politely if they have five mins to spare to ask a few Q's and make sure you have genuinely tried to source the answers for yourself. Be succinct when asking questions but maybe offer your thoughts and some of the research you have found in relation to your question to show you have tried to do it independently. But do not be scared to ask at all - they are there to help and some vac scheme tasks are tricky so do not feel like asking questions and for further clarity into a task will disadvantage you at all! I would also say be proactive generally but definitely do so in seeking feedback. Maybe on your second to last day in the seat you are in, ask your supervisor if they’d have time to give you some feedback for how you can improve going forwards on your last day :) One nice practical thing to do which I actually heard at an AS presentation is to make a copy of your timetable for your supervisor and give it to them on the first day and say you just wanted to provide them with this so that they know where you are. I also used to leave post-its on my monitor if I was away at a talk or for a meeting saying what time I should be back. The other thing I would say is to make an effort with everyone - hopefully, this would come naturally but everyone in a law firm is vital to its operation and can give you really amazing insights into the firm you are looking to join. I am still in touch and had lunch a few weeks back with one of the legal secretary’s I befriended from one of my schemes and she is just a wonderful person and has been an incredible source of moral support to me throughout my journey so it's nice to make lasting connections and friendships. Though I did not convert my vacs, I am forever grateful for the incredible people I met on them :) Lastly, and do not underestimate this as it is the most important point, be yourself! I alluded to this in an earlier post but I personally think it is best to be rejected for being you and because perhaps you would not fit with that firm as well as others might than to lose out on your dream firm by pretending to be the person you thought they wanted. To get the firm which is best for you, you have to be truly you :) [/QUOTE]
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