Are law firm open days important?

Nov 14, 2022

Written By Annika De Lathauwer

Open days are a great way of experiencing law firms, their employees and how they work. Aside from this, open days can also help you as an individual in a number of different ways. Here are eight reasons why visiting an open day will benefit you.

Networking

By attending an open day, you can hear and speak to people that either went through the same process that you are currently going through, or are responsible for reviewing applications. They will have a keen insight into how the application process works and will be able to provide you with guidance on this area.

Helpful tips

Sessions are often run specifically to offer tips on writing and submitting applications. You can also use this opportunity to ask questions about the process through your networking. Advice may vary from tips on how to formulate and structure your writing to how to stand out in an interview.

Ability to ask your own questions

Use this opportunity to ask your own questions. This means that you will be able to get answers to questions which may be difficult to find elsewhere, such as on the firm’s website. Asking interesting and useful questions will help you to stand out as an applicant.

If you are feeling nervous about asking your own questions, open days also allow you to hear the answers to other people’s questions, which can still prove to be quite helpful.

Learning important information

Not only will you learn important tips and tricks from those representing the firms, but open days can also provide a lot of practical information and can serve as a reminder for important deadlines, such as vacation schemes and training contract applications.

Figuring out which firm is right for you

Each firm is unique in its running and what it can offer. Therefore, you need to figure out which one is the best fit for you. Additionally, by knowing why you are more interested in a firm, your reasoning behind this will help you stand out in an application.

Figuring out career paths

Open days can be key to figuring out whether law is the right career path for you. This is especially applicable to non-law undergraduate students but may indeed be helpful to those currently studying law. It can also help you decide which areas of law you may be more interested in.

Making a good impression

This is your chance to make a good impression on the graduate recruitment team. Therefore, it is important to present yourself in the best way possible, whether this is how you dress or the way you address those you may speak to. If you do further research before the event and clearly know what you are talking about, you may be able to make an especially good impression on the team, which will help you stand out from other candidates.

Standing out in your application

By including in your application that you have visited the firm’s open day, this shows the firm that you are really interested in them. Graduate recruiters have hundreds of applications to read through, so any evidence you can give them as to why you are the preferred candidate for the role is essential. Therefore, do not forget to include attendance of open days in your CV and applications.

Law Firm Open Days