Open day networking tips

Jul 08, 2022

Written By Robert Greene

For some people, networking comes naturally. For others, it can be daunting. But with enough preparation and practice, anyone can master the art of networking. Below are some of our top tips for networking effectively at law firm open days.

What is an open day?

A law firm open day is essentially an insight day (or half day) that gives you a first-hand feel for life in the firm. Attending an open day will give you a deeper understanding of what it is like to work at a firm and help you to gauge whether it is the right firm for you. But to get the most out of the day, you will need to harness your networking skills.

Have a goal

What do you want to achieve from the conversation? Are you hoping to get the answer to a burning question? Are you hoping to be connected with someone else in the firm? Having a goal from the outset means you’re less likely to walk away from the conversation wishing you had asked something else.

Be prepared

Networking can be daunting; not everyone enjoys talking to strangers. But doing your preparation before the open day can help you to avoid those awkward silences and give you the confidence to speak up.

When it comes to preparing, there are a number of things you should focus on:

- Logistics – make sure you know the schedule for the day, the location of the open day, and how to get there (if it is in person)

- Research – do your homework on the firm, the people who will be attending (if you are told in advance) and the questions you would like to ask.If you are given a timetable beforehand, a good rule-of-thumb is to prepare two to three questions per session. That way, if someone else asks one of your questions, you have a fallback question to ask.

- Outfit – the open day is likely to be your first interaction with the firm, so making a good impression starts with looking the part. Unless otherwise specified, it is best to err on the side of caution and wear business attire (a blazer and slacks or smart dress). Avoid wearing anything too casual – even if you are attending an online open day!

Say hello

Whilst it may be daunting, it is important that you introduce yourself on the open day. If you have done your preparation (particularly in relation to people who are attending the open day), you should feel more confident about approaching people. Make sure to introduce yourself by giving your full name and a one-liner about yourself, such as what university you are attending.

Whilst you might be nervous, try to smile and be polite and don’t forget to say thank you. Repeating the person’s name when you thank them (eg “Thank you for your time, Jane”) adds a personal touch.

Ask questions

There are likely to be a variety of people from the firm attending the open day and a range of sessions. As mentioned above, you should try to prepare two to three questions per session and/or person.By asing questions, you are more likely to make an impression and gain unique insights into the firm which can help you decide whether the firm is the right fit for you.

When it comes to questions, try to think outside the box. You may come across as underprepared if you ask questions which you can easily find on the firm’s website or a legal directory (e.g. how many training contract offers are made each year).

Talk to everyone

Not literally – that would be impossible. But try to speak to as wide a variety of people as you can. That means a range of people at the firm – including graduate recruitment, trainees, and qualified lawyers – as well as fellow attendees.

Successful networking is about building a rich and diverse network. That might sound obvious, but too often people focus on those people who they think can benefit them (e.g. partners), rather than a wide range of people from different backgrounds with whom they can build mutually beneficial relationships. A fellow open day attendee could be a future trainee at your dream firm; having them as part of your network could be invaluable when it comes to making your application.

Whilst you may wish to impress a partner, a trainee or a member of the graduate recruitment team might be able to better answer your questions. One of the keys to successful networking is treating everyone equally and showing an interest in everyone, not just the partners!

Be polite

There are likely to be a lot of other attendees at the open day and, depending on the format of the day, there may be limited time to network. It can be tempting to hog the microphone, but this is never a good look. It is better not to ask a question than to constantly ask questions without letting others speak or even worse, cutting over others whilst they are speaking.

Again, this may sound obvious, but this does happen (a lot) at open days. Sometimes the art of saying the right thing is saying nothing at all! Of course, if no one is willing to ask a question or there is plenty of time to network, feel free to ask all of your questions.

Write it down

Whether you’re attending an in-person or online open day, make sure you make a note of what happens at the open day. If you are having a one-to-one conversation, it is better to maintain eye contact and take notes after the conversation; though if the person says something particularly insightful you could ask them if it is OK if you make a note of what they said.

Having a detailed set of notes from the day – including the names of the people you spoke to, insights you gleaned from your conversations with people and interesting takeaways from the various sessions – will be a treasure trove when it comes to your vacation scheme or training contract application. You can elevate your application by mentioning something which you learnt at the open day.

Follow-up

One of the most important parts of successful networking is following up. Rome wasn’t built in a day – and neither are relationships. Drop the people with whom you spoke an email or LinkedIn invite after the open day and add a personalised message. This is where your notes are invaluable; thank the person for answering your question, for example, or taking the time to explain something to you.

Practice makes perfect

Unless you’re a natural networker, you may find the first open day doesn’t quite go to plan. Don’t panic; networking is a skill and as with any skill, practice makes perfect. Reflect on what went well, and what didn’t, and focus on those areas which you would like to improve. Each open day will be easier than the last. Good luck!

Law Firm Open Days