Law 1st Year StudentsKick Start Your FutureWhy Now ? Darren JohnsonCareers Adviser

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1st Year Exam Results Do Matter To EmployersIn particular:

• International commercial law firms – generally request these results bymodule on CV or application

• Will also pay close attention to tort and contract law modules when applying for vacation schemes in penultimate year. 2i is the ideal less than 50% could be an issue .

• Same for commercial barristers chambers when applying for mini-pupillage

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The Current Graduate Legal Job Market

Applications for Vacation Schemes – many international city law firms have seen applications double this year

Similar competition reported for mini-pupillage.

Implications: Important to consider Open Days in your 1st year to make youstand out when applying for vacation schemes in your penultimate year

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Getting Work Experience

International commercial firms - Open Days What do these involve ?

How do you apply ?

How should you approach the application and if offered a place the actualDay ?

See my blog article on Open Days at :http://durhamlawcareers.wordpress.com/ for answers to these questions

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Blog - Your Career In Law

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http://www.dur.ac.uk/careers/sector/

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What Employers WantEvidence and ability to articulate: Achievement – drive and determination

Soft Skills- persuasion/negotiation/customer focused/attention to detail/problem solving/teamwork/leadership

Commercial Awareness for many career areashttp://l2b.thelawyer.com/what-is-commercialawareness/133838.article

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STAR Skills Sessions Often employer led

A great way to develop some of these skills on campus

Need to sign up on-line for sessions you are interested in , keep an eye on The Events section of the CEEC website http://www.dur.ac.uk/careers/events/

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Articulating your experiences to employers This is where PDP really is of value – https://duo.dur.ac.uk

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http://www.dur.ac.uk/careers/events/

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Events Also On Facebook http://www.facebook.com/durhamcareers

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Career Focus Blog - http://durhamcasnews.wordpress.com/

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Considering Solicitor: Taking Action in your 1st yearEpiphany • Research firms and apply to Open Days/ informal work

experience (solicitors-online.com/ lawcareers.net/lawyer2B.com )

• Speculative Approach for Informal Work Experience = CV and cover letter / networking. Note: many of the larger firms will not offer this

• Remember many firms will look at 1st year results as part of selection for future vacation schemes and training contracts

• Get actively involved in the Student Law Society

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Considering Barrister – Taking Action In Your 1st YearThroughout the year

Research minipupillages/apply for non formal placement for vacations (www.lawcareers.net)

Construct a strong CV and cover letters for the above – get checked at CAS Applications Advice/Quick Queries

Become an active member of the student Law Society

Work hard at degree, sets will look at your first year results

Research Inns of Court

www.online-law.co.uk/bar/inns_of_court.html

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Exploration Tips

http://targetjobs.co.uk/law

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Alternative Careers To Solicitor/Barrister – Durham Law Graduate Destinations Recent Examples •Law Commission•Research Assistant

•Constituency Assistant for MP

•Police

•Trainee Chartered Accountant

•Law Librarian

•Executive Officer , Home Office

•Teach First

•Marketing

•P.R

•Recruitment Consultant (Banking and Finance

•Commercial Lender – Alliance and Leicester

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Other Popular Career Areas For Law Graduates U.K wide•Property

•Consulting

•Legal Publishing

•Investment Banking

•Civil Service Fast Stream

•Human Resources

•Lecturing

•Company Secretary

•HM Customs and Excise

•Compliance

•Charities/NGOs

•European Commission

•Research more at www.prospects.ac.uk

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www.lawcareers.net

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Careers Employability & Enterprise Centre

49 New Elvet (next to D.S.U)Term Time – 10am – 5pmVacation – 10am – 1pm 2.15pm – 5pmTel: 0191 334 1424/1437careers- advice@durham.ac.ukwww.durham.ac.uk/careers-advice