Vacation Schemes: Complete Guide & Application Assistance

Nov 14, 2023

Written By Lewis Ogg

Vacation schemes are synonymous with modern law firm application processes, with nearly all aspiring lawyers having to do at least one in their search for the elusive training contract. This article will walk you through each step of the vacation scheme process, offering tried and tested advice and assistance to break into the legal field.

What are vacation schemes?

Vacation schemes are structured work experience opportunities offered by law firms, where applicants get an insight into their culture and firms get a personal insight into your work. These internships are usually your first chance to gain practical legal experience.

Several established application periods exist for vacation schemes, with Winter, Spring and especially Summer being the most common. These internships are a microcosm of life as a trainee, with participants engaging in in-tray, negotiation, and presentation exercises. Interns are also usually well-compensated for this trainee work.

These schemes are overwhelmingly aimed at students in or after their second year of LLB or non-law finalists. They’re also open to graduates. While this might seem very early to be thinking about where you want to train after your SQE, remember that firms recruit two years in advance. Few applicants get a training contract on their first application cycle, so starting as early as possible is key.

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Researching law firms and opportunities

When applying for a vacation scheme, it is important to consider both what you want from a law firm and what law firms want from you. Think about the type of work you want to do, where you want to do it, and in what kind of working environment. Attending networking and insight events is a great way to get a feel for whether a firm's culture is right for you. It is also worth remembering that big firms often have minimum GCSE, A-Level, or University requirements that applicants must meet, although many take into consideration extenuating circumstances.

There is a huge variety of scheme opportunities, from the Magic Circle right down to high-street firms, and one of the hardest things for students is keeping track of the opportunities available. Law firm websites, legal job boards, career fairs and professional networking events are fantastic ways to hear about posting and get to know recruiters, which I would encourage any prospective applicants to embrace fully.

Networking is an integral part of the application process, as this is the best opportunity to establish whether firms fit the description of their working priorities and skills. Remember not all law firms are the same, and your application to and experience in them will differ significantly. For example, working at a transaction-heavy American firm like Kirkland Ellis in London will be very different to training at a regional-orientated full-service firm like Walker Morris in Leeds.

Crafting an effective application

The typical application process for a firm will start with an online application form (usually your CV and a cover letter) followed by a number of psychometric assessments. If you progress from this initial sweeping screening process, you will usually have a short phone interview. If successful, you will progress to an Assessment Centre with fellow applicants as the final stage.

Throughout applying, it is vital that students remain vigilant to deadlines, which can vary massively depending on the firm. A useful tactic for effective applications is to keep a clear spreadsheet that prioritises the firms you want to apply to and makes their deadlines clear.

CVs and cover letters can make or break your applications. With CVs, make sure you take the time to discuss the skills you developed and your responsibilities. It is not essential to have previous legal work experience; just make sure you discuss all your experience with an eye on having the skills of a good solicitor. With cover letters, research and personalisation are everything. Avoid copying and pasting; take the time to research every firm in detail and relate your experience to your findings.

Law firms are very passionate about their firm culture and the work that they do, so make sure you research both in-depth and give attention to them in your application. Every sentence in your CV and cover letter should be written to help the recruiter understand why you want to be a commercial solicitor and work at their firm.

Navigating the assessment process

Assessment centres have become a mainstay in the process because they allow firms to assess your skills in various ways. Common assignments during the day-long centres include: working in teams on presentations, doing written or in-tray tasks, rapid-fire interviews, or further psychometric assessments. Put together, these activities are designed to give firms a rounded picture of your skills and weaknesses.

When it comes to interviews, remember examples, examples, examples! It is hard to stress this point enough. Anyone can talk theoretically about their teamwork skills or their determination, but the best candidates can show rather than tell their interviewers that they possess these skills. Many people find this particularly difficult to recall on the spot. The best way to develop this technique is through frequent practice and writing down your essential experiences to make them easier to recall.

The key to any part of the application process is practice: whether it's for psychometric tests, assessment centres, or interviews, the only way to keep progressing is through targeted practice. If you want to refine your skills and techniques further, explore the Allaboutlaw website, where you will find a wealth of resources and guides.

Making the most of the scheme

Throughout the whole process, it is vital you remain positive and professional. Punctuality, body language, and correct spelling, punctuation and grammar can make a huge impression on recruiters. Possessing these skills demonstrates that you possess both the professional and social skills to fit in with their organisation.

As mentioned above, networking can be one of the most beneficial aspects of participating in a vacation scheme. Remember, you will not get a training contract from every vacation scheme, so by building your professional network, you can retain connections between opportunities.

Keeping notes is a beneficial habit to keep up with throughout your vacation scheme. Try to note what you have learnt and what aspects of the work you enjoyed. This will all come in handy if you have to make another application in future.

Usually, the goal at the end of a vacation scheme is to get a training contract. While this is a massive part of the process, remember that there is a huge variety of skills and experiences you can get from internships, you might find it takes a number of schemes before you secure a training contract.

Conclusion

Vacation schemes are an integral part of the application process and will be the final hurdle to securing a training contract for many. All of the guidance we’ve given is designed to allow you to slowly turn yourself into the best applicant you can possibly be and improve your chances of success.

Getting a training contract is a long process of development of which every aspiring lawyer is capable with enough time and dedication. Don’t let rejection frustrate or slow you down; it is a natural part of the process. Take stock of the advice in this article, keep growing and improving, and soon, you will excel in each stage.

Vacation Scheme