Do law firms value virtual work experience as highly as in-office vacation schemes?

Dec 09, 2021

Written By Natasha Jones

In 2020, when we were plunged in and out of lockdowns, subject to ever-changing restrictions, the whole world had to adapt. This included the legal profession, and so virtual vacation schemes were born. But just how much are they valued by law firms, and are they seen as equal to traditional ‘IRL’ schemes? Here, we explore the issues.

Virtual vacation schemes

Vacation schemes are a rite of passage for most aspiring solicitors at the moment, often being the last leg of the journey to a training contract.

In 2020 and 2021, as many UK employees were working from home, many law firms had to adapt their in-person vacation schemes to make them suitable for online attendance. Countless future trainee solicitors have now secured training contracts thanks to these programmes.

Although they were made mainstream out of necessity, virtual vacation schemes are now becoming more common. In fact, some law firms are even choosing to stick with the virtual model, whilst others are implementing hybrid schemes with both virtual and in-office days.

In short, the world is changing, and so are law firms. So, if you’re worried about how much your virtual vacation scheme will be valued, don’t be. As long as you can make yourself stand out, it’s still possible to impress enough on a virtual scheme to obtain a training contract. And if you can demonstrate what you’ve learned from the experience, a virtual scheme can still make your CV shine.

Virtual vs in-person

Although your virtual vacation scheme will still be highly valued, in-office vacation schemes do have their advantages. For example, it’s arguably much easier to network in person and build your profile within the firm if you’re seeing the same colleagues every day at the office.

That’s not to say that you’ll be at a disadvantage in a virtual vacation scheme, it just means you might have to work a little harder to make a real impression and make proper connections ??with others.

Virtual schemes have some advantages over in-person ones too: location is not a limiting factor, for example, and there are no travel costs to worry about.

An online experience can also demonstrate your remote-working credentials: this is likely to be important to many businesses in the future, and learning how to conduct business and work online will develop extremely valuable skills for the modern workplace.

Make the most of email

So, what can you do to make sure you impress at a virtual vacation scheme?

Our top tip is to make the most of the virtual world at your fingertips. Introduce yourself to the team by sending out an email, saying that you’re joining them and that you’re excited to get started on your work. If you’ve already been introduced, send them an email anyway, letting them know you’re keen to help in any way you can.

Tips for online meetings

In meetings, presentations and talks, make sure your camera is on and that you look interested at all times. Show that you’re engaged by asking questions or sharing your thoughts. This might seem intimidating at first, but your participation will be appreciated and noted.

You should also follow up afterwards by emailing a fellow participant about something you found particularly interesting, following up on points or even offering help where possible.

Go for a virtual coffee

If there’s a particular department you’re interested in and you haven’t had the chance to meet anyone from that team yet, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for a five-minute chat or ‘virtual coffee’.

People will be more than happy to accommodate and remember every conversation you have counts. Graduate recruitment may ask members of the firm if anyone has any feedback about the candidates: you want this to be glowing!

Make the most of your trainee buddy

Finally, at most vacation schemes – virtual or in-office – participants are allocated a trainee buddy. They are there to provide guidance and answer any questions you might have.

Ensure you keep in regular contact with them and try to establish a good relationship with them from the outset. If they like you and you’ve made a good impression, they will likely vouch for you to graduate recruitment.

More information

All in all, there’s no need to worry that virtual vacation schemes are not as highly regarded as their in-office counterparts. Despite presenting some minor challenges, virtual vacation schemes still provide you with opportunities to make your mark, as long as you actively seek them out.

For more information about how you can complete legal work experience from your own home, visit our virtual vacation scheme page.

Virtual Vacation Schemes