Effective Legal Applications ~ Tips for Success

1. Effective Legal Applications ~ Tips for Success Kay Barbour Careers Consultant 24 September 2015

2. I will cover: • Presenting yourself on paper/online - practicalities • Preparing for applications • Researching what firms want • Self assessment – your evidence • Approaches to answering questions • Brief outline of CV writing • Other Careers Service resources

3. Application formsGet the basics right – make it look good! • Download and draft • Read instructions thoroughly • No spelling mistakes • Take your time – allow time for technical hitches • References - academic and legal-work related if possible • Keep a copy • Make it look good and easy to read! • Check – and check again!

4. What are law firms looking for? • Good academics • Understanding of the law, the legal profession in general - and their areas in particular e.g. commercial, private client, criminal • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing • Team-working skills • Personal responsibility • Initiative • Analysis and problem-solving skills • Career motivation • Commercial awareness • Leadership

5. Preparing for Applications What have I done ? • in my course? • work experience • interests/activities? So what?...What does this say about me? • What skills/qualities have I developed? • What insights have I gained? • What difference have I made? • What is my level of expertise? • Why would a law firm recruiter care?

6. Preparing for Applications – Researching the job/organisation • Brochures and application form • Presentations/Fairs/Open evenings (mention contacts!) • Firm’s publications and web pages • Law Society of Scotland, Legal 500, Law Journals etc • www.lawscot.org.uk • www.legal500.com • Directories – White Book 2015 • Green K files at Careers Service + TargetLaw take-away brochure • MCH https://mycareerhub.ed.ac.uk (links from Law School careers web page www.law.ed.ac.uk/careers - Careers and Employability section

7. General questions… • Why have you chosen a legal career? • What for you are the important features of a traineeship? • Why do you want to work for our organisation? • What have you gained from your (part-time/vacation) work experience? • Please mention any positions of responsibility you have held at school or university or any notable achievements during your academic career

8. Analytical Questions... • Describe a significant achievement in your life and why it is special • Describe how your personal planning and organisation resulted in the achievement of a personal or group task • Give an example of a problem requiring analysis. What methods did you use; what conclusions did you reach? • Describe an occasion when you communicated your ideas effectively to influence the outcome of a situation • Describe a major challenge you have faced and how you responded • Give details of a time when you successfully operated as a team • Give an example of a time where you had to use your initiative? What was the situation? What action did you take? What was the outcome?

9. Answering analytical questions • Make examples varied – plan your answers • Use more recent examples where possible • Focus on process and achievements - CARL– Context, Action, Result, Learning • Include your input (especially on teamwork) • Make sure you analyse the situation and are not purely descriptive, i.e. say why you took a particular course of action • Be positive

10. Sample ‘essay’ Q&A, using CARL… Q. Describe a challenge you have faced, how you overcame it, and what you learned? C I have always been interested in listening to classical music, and although I could read music, I had never found it easy to play an instrument. When I moved to Edinburgh I made the decision I was going to learn to play an instrument to a standard where I could play with others in public. A I decided to learn the clarinet; I like the sound and they are easy to transport. I placed an advert in the music school for a tutor and a music student took me on. I made time for individual practice each day, and also set up a beginners group by advertising in the university and via networking websites. As a result a small group met each week, taking turns to set pieces to practise then perform together at the weekly group session. We gradually made progress and increased our repertoire. RVia my tutor I learned of a small orchestra who were happy to have enthusiastic novices play with them. I went along, joined in their practice sessions, and have now played in the local church at their Christmas concert. I also continue to practise with my original music group. LOrganisation, time-management, commitment and networking were key to succeeding in my ambition learn to play an instrument to a standard where I could play in public. Playing an instrument is great relaxation, being part of a group develops great camaraderie, and it is exciting to be part of a public performance.

11. Open-ended questions... • Tell us what you would bring to the firm • Detail any further information about yourself which you would wish us to take into account in assessing your application • Please provide any further information you feel may be relevant • Detail in 100 words why we should ask you for interview

12. Answering open-ended question… • Detail why you are interested in a role with this firm • Key skills & qualities you can bring to job + evidence • Relevant work experience or course work • Invitation to argue your case! • Summary • Enthusiastic tone • Structure – sub headings/clear mini-paragraphs – no stream of consciousness! • NB – a cover letter to enclose with a CV will have a similar structure

13. Q. What is a CV for? A. To get you an interview! • Must be targeted at the job and employer • Must reflect the skills and experiences required • Must create a positive first impression • Must make the selector’s job easy: • no hunting for information (what, when, where) • no assumptions need to be made • no ambiguity or big ‘gaps’

14. 1 or 2 sides quality paper and print no mistakes – consistent font/format no unexplained time gaps (3 mths +) reverse chronology – most recent first consider bullet points judicious space allocation – to emphasise relevance Consider ‘themeing’ work experience sections E.g., ‘relevant’ and ‘additional’ headings use your name as heading – not ‘CV’ Always sent with cover letter – unless advised Your CV - practicals

15. Your CV – purposeand structure • To inform (Headings) • name and contact details • education • work experience/employment history • practical skills – IT, languages etc • achievements/positions of responsibility/interests • availability of references • To persuade • skills development – teamwork, negotiation etc • relevant sector experience – motivation and insight • Achievements and impact – differentiator …to persuade an employer, using facts as evidence, that you are highly suitable for the job

16. Conclusions • Preparation - researching what the firm is looking for, and analysing how you match up • Presentation - getting the practicals right • Persuasion - writing persuasively to convince the firm of your suitability, by matching yourself to what they are looking for

17. Further help from the Careers Service • Website – www.law.ed.ac.uk/careers > Careers and Employability > CVs, Applications and Interviews • Application/CV feedback at Careers Service • Advice on Firms’ websites • Reference/takeaway material Careers Service, Third Floor, Main Library Building.