“To be a good lawyer, you need to spend some time out of the library”

Those are the words of advice given to me at a law fair a few weeks ago. At a first glance, such words seem quite dramatic – particularly in the context of soliciting. However, today, the advice is invaluable. Of course, academic achievement is essential to being successful in law, but today, employers often look for ‘something special’ in their ideal candidate and thus place much importance on other aspects of your application as well as your grades.

We cannot deny that employment prospects are difficult at present, and indeed, there is little indication that matters will soon grow promising. Nonetheless, training contracts, tenancies and other legal roles continue to be offered. Rather, as a solicitor said to me during work experience last summer, it seems ‘with so many applications coming in, we are able to choose the best’. This triggers the question: ‘how do you define the best?’ Of course, no answer exists for such an uncertainty, but, opportunities exist to ensure your application stands out. Therefore, we need to consider experiences outside of academic study, as it is such experiences that will make your cv shine.

It must be remembered that a solicitors firm is a business, and so, when an employee makes a mistake, it costs the firm money. Therefore, when the firm recruits a trainee, they will consider which trainee is least likely to make mistakes. Accordingly, how can a firm predict which candidate will be the safest choice? Again, this whole idea is based on advice given to me at a law fair, and I was told that an applicant with experience is propitious.

Of course, when you hear ‘work experience in law’ you think: mini pupillages; junior work in a solicitors – filing and fetching coffee. However, other experiences exist which are tremendously impressive in the eyes of an employer. Such experiences are:

- Work in the citizen advice bureau. I have recently started working in a CAB as a ‘gateway assessor’. This work is not striking to an employer, but also interesting. The CAB advises on numerous issues such as: housing; income tax; employment; debt; family law; benefits, the list goes on! Additionally, the CAB can represent people at benefit tribunals, court and at child support tribunals. SO as you can see, working at a CAB is a very practical experience in law.

- Victim Support.

- Charities

- Anything which involves working with people – particularly advising and listening.

- Summer vacation scheme. This is basically working within a legal firm during the summer. You will observe the day-to-day duties of solicitors, experience the legal environment and learn basic daily routines. Therefore, solicitors place much significance on such experiences, and some even offer training contracts subsequent to the summer.

- If you have a field of interest in law, it is worth gaining experience in that field. For example, you can work in debt, insurance, in a commercial environment. This will give you an insight giving you wider knowledge of the area, and thus, better understanding.

- Experience within the U0niversity of Glamorgan. Today, many firms place importance on the ability to network, being a team member and enthusiasm. Therefore, they want to hire someone who will do all of these things. The best way to prove yourself as an ideal candidate is to show proof of such skills. Therefore, by getting involved in the University of Glamorgan, you are able to prove your eagerness and that you’re passionate about your commitments. For example, you could be a course rep, work in the union, join a society or become a student ambassador like me!

Therefore, within the upcoming months prior to your university experience, start to think of the sort of work experiences that interest you. Even part time jobs are valuable as they demonstrate good time management, communication skills and responsibility (to name just a few skills). It is even worth mentioning at your interviews the sort of commitments you hope to get involved with whilst at university – be them within the university or outside.