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Week 2 – CVs and covering letters

Getting an apprenticeship with a law firm can seem daunting but over the next few weeks we will be sharing some useful tips to help you kick start your legal career. Last week we looked at how to identify the right role and register for vacancies. If you haven’t read it yet click here.

This week we are looking at CVs, covering letters and how to “get through the door” of a potential employer.

Before we start though, key points to remember:

1. An apprenticeship is not a course; it is a job with training.
2. To be an apprentice you need to get a job.
3. A specialist legal apprenticeship provider can help, but can never guarantee, to get you a suitable job role.
4. Apprenticeships in popular sectors such as law and accountancy are over-subscribed, making competition fierce.
5. There is no apprenticeship funding for graduates and so if you are a graduate an apprenticeship is unlikely to be for you.
6. Almost all law firms are looking for good GCSEs (at least 5 A* to Cs) and many look for good A levels as well.
7. Think about a backup plan if you are not successful. This can make you feel less stressed and actually help you during the application process.

CVs and application forms

Having a well-written CV is vital. Sadly, many good applicants never get beyond the first stage because their CV is poorly set out, contains spelling mistakes or doesn’t include relevant information. Fortunately the National Careers Service has some excellent support materials to help you write your CV or complete an application form here. Just a few tips from us though:

• Get a few people you trust to read it – a teacher or, even better, an employer.
• Include any relevant skills. Employers are looking for people who:
  • Are organised
  • Can work as part of a team
  • Can build relationships
  • Can cope with responsibility

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t yet been able to demonstrate these skills in a job. But you might have:

• Organised an event
• Played in/managed/coached a sports team
• Done some voluntary or charity work

It’s the skills that count, not where you obtained them!

Finally: read it, read it again, get some people that you trust to read it and don’t send it to anyone until you know it is perfect. You won’t get a second chance to make a first impression!

Covering letters

This is your opportunity to really stand out. Some applicants send their CV to employers with no covering letter or email or (even worse) a standard letter that has clearly been used for lots of different jobs. It does take time, but it is worth it. Again, there is really good advice on how to write a covering letter on the National Careers Service website here. You can also see how to lay out your letter.

Some extra top tips:

• Parts of the legal sector are quite traditional. If your handwriting is clear, write your covering letter by hand and send it by post or, even better, drop it in personally. If you are smart and well presented this might be fed back to the decision maker!
• Most law firms are (or were) partnerships rather than companies. If you are writing to a firm of solicitors always talk about your “firm” not your “company”. Attention to detail is vital for lawyers and even something as apparently small as this needs to be right!
• Always research who you should send the letter to and address it to that person. If you are not 100% certain, send it to the senior partner or managing partner of the firm (you will usually find this on the firm’s website).
• Legal apprenticeships are new and the firm may not have heard of them. If it is a speculative application you may want to add an initial paragraph such as:

“I am writing to see whether you may have any opportunities for legal apprentices with your firm? The legal apprenticeship pathway is a new way for firms to recruit ambitious people into administrative roles and then receive training that can enable them to progress into fee-earning positions in the future. If you were to take me on the cost of the training would be [met by the Government in full] [if you are under 19][subsidised by the Government] [if you are 19+ with no qualifications higher than A level]. Your firm may also be eligible for a £1,500 grant if you haven’t recruited apprentices in the last year.”

Good luck!

Next week – work experience.

Week 3 – Preparing for interview

Week 4 – Interview technique

Week 5 – Becoming an apprentice if you already have a job in the legal sector.

Week 1 – The Basics

Getting an apprenticeship with a law firm can seem daunting but over the next few weeks we will be sharing some useful tips to help you kick start your legal career.

Before we start though, key points to remember:

1. An apprenticeship is not a course; it is a job with training.
2. To be an apprentice you need to get a job.
3. A specialist legal apprenticeship provider can help, but can never guarantee, to find you a suitable job role.
4. Apprenticeships in popular sectors such as law and accountancy are over-subscribed, making competition fierce.
5. There is no apprenticeship funding for graduates and so if you are a graduate an apprenticeship is unlikely to be for you.
6. Almost all law firms are looking for good GCSEs (at least 5 A* to Cs) and many look for good A levels as well.
7. Think about a backup plan if you are not successful. This can make you feel less stressed and actually help you during the application process.

As with all job hunting, good planning is essential and can greatly increase your chances of success. Over the coming weeks we will guide you through the process to give you the best possible chance of finding a legal apprenticeship.Once you have done your research on the legal sector and have decided first, that it’s for you and, second, what kind of law firm you want to work for, you need to find some potential vacancies. Your first step is to think about the kind of role that will suit you at the outset and then to find a law firm that might have a vacancy…

Identifying the right role for you

It is far better applying for ten vacancies at the right level than one hundred at the wrong level. Although your aim will likely be progression to the Higher Apprenticeship in Legal Services and perhaps beyond, most entry level roles are not at this level.

For most GCSE and A level leavers, the work that you will be carrying out in year one is likely to focus on administrative support to more senior staff and solicitors. This may include some legal work such as research and work on case files but you will not be managing cases or advising clients. Consequently your starting point may well be either an Intermediate Apprenticeship in Legal Administration or (once it is launched in mid-2013) an Advanced Apprenticeship in Legal Services.

Registering for vacancies

1. Register with the National Apprenticeship Service’s “Apprenticeship Vacancies” site here. NB: because the legal apprenticeship pathway is new you won’t find many opportunities here yet but it is still wise to register.
2. Register your interest in the Higher Apprenticeship in Legal Services here.
3. Follow @LegalApprentice on Twitter for news on legal apprenticeships.
4. “Like” Legal Apprenticeships on Facebook to receive updates concerning legal apprenticeships, particularly vacancies.

Increasing your chances of finding a vacancy

With 10 or more applicants chasing every vacancy, the basics won’t be enough to get many apprentices a place. Here’s how to increase your chances:

1. Use your school or college. Ask whether your school/college knows any firms of solicitors. Are any of the governors solicitors? If your school/college has a law or careers department start here.
2. Research firms of solicitors near you. Find out who is in charge of recruiting trainee solicitors (it’s usually on their website). Do not forget the smaller solicitors’ firms. Although they may have fewer vacancies there is also likely to be less competition.
3. You can find law firms near you by searching the Law Society’s database here.
4. Ask friends and family whether they know any solicitors and see if you can get an introduction to them.
5. You never know who has a vacancy and is yet to fully advertise it; you have nothing to lose by asking!

Next week - CVs and covering letters, how to make the approach.

Week 3 – Work experience

Week 4 – Preparing for interview

Week 5 – Interview technique

Week 6 – Becoming an apprentice if you already have a job in the legal sector.