Hiya
@LiveLaughLawyer
Congratulations on the scheme! Completely understandable to feel a bit unsure, but I think you can definitely strengthen your odds by making the most of the scheme. Here are some suggestions I'd keep in mind:
Engage with the firm’s core work: Try to get exposure to the kind of work the firm is best known for. That doesn’t mean you need to be in the thick of everything straight away, but it helps to understand how your department’s work fits into the wider firm. Be curious about how other teams interact and ask questions about how different matters fit together. This is great for showing commercial awareness and demonstrating genuine interest in the work done by the firm.
Tailor your approach to how the firm assesses candidates: Different firms have different approaches to deciding who to offer TCs to. During one of my schemes, an associate told me that the firm places a lot of weight on certain tasks and that I should prioritise those. At other firms, I learnt that the firm cared more on the quality of your work or how well you engage with the team. I think you'll get a clearer picture of what's particularly important by speaking with your trainee buddy or supervisor early on.
Pace yourself: There’s often a temptation to say “yes” to everything that comes your way, but it’s much better to manage your capacity realistically. One of the more common mistakes I’ve been guilty of is taking on more than I could handle, becoming overstretched in terms of my capacity, and then submitting work that fell short. If you’re ever in doubt, I'd just speak with your trainee buddy/supervisor to get a sense of how long certain tasks could take.
Avoid common pitfalls: Having spoken to a variety of people, particularly Jess Booker, I'm told that it's important to avoid pitfalls that can sometimes undermine a candidate. These include:
- Coming across as over-confident or dismissive of others;
- Seeming uninterested in the work or doing tasks mechanically without asking questions or following up;
- Prioritising networking over doing good work (e.g. too many coffee chats can be a red flag if they come at the expense of your core responsibilities).
- Being unwilling to ask for help when stuck; people would much rather you clarify something early than spend hours going off in the wrong direction.
Be thoughtful about how you build connections. It’s great to meet people from across the firm, but there’s no need to force it. Rather than aiming to meet everyone, focus on having meaningful conversations (particularly within your department). If someone is very busy, they’ll appreciate you being considerate of their time. Go in prepared and ensure that any questions you ask are tailored to their background, and don't just ask questions that you could technically ask anyone at the firm.
Be socially conscious. Try to get a feel for how formal or relaxed the environment is and follow the lead of those you’re working with. Some situations will call for a more professional tone; in others (like a social or a more informal session) it’s fine to let your personality come through.
Finally, remember that you don’t have to be the loudest or most confident person to make a strong impression. I'd say just aim to be reliable, thoughtful, curious, and kind. That will often be enough to get noticed.
Wishing you the very best of luck with your scheme!
