Legal apprenticeship: any tips on trying to find a trainee solicitor job

Re: Legal Apprenticeship: Any tips on trying to find a Trainee Solicitor Posn?

I notice in the big firms the partners love really good looking blonde apprentices who hang on their every word.:p
 
Re: Legal Apprenticeship: Any tips on trying to find a Trainee Solicitor Posn?

A bottle of Clariol it is so.....

Bit cheaper than a masters :)
 
Re: Legal Apprenticeship: Any tips on trying to find a Trainee Solicitor Posn?

Ralphie might be making a joke, but many legal firms are very image conscious. You don't need to be good-looking, but you do need to be polished and groomed. That means ( for women) - before the interview- get your hair done - sleek and professional is the look you are aiming for- so if you have long hair consider an 'up-do'. A good suit- not too much flesh showing- but you can be trendy. Good shoes. Get the suit pressed beforehand. Actually that probably applies pretty much to the men now too.
 
Re: Legal Apprenticeship: Any tips on trying to find a Trainee Solicitor Posn?

Actually, I'm deadly serious.
 
Re: Legal Apprenticeship: Any tips on trying to find a Trainee Solicitor Posn?

Hi all,

I have been called up for a couple of interviews next week with 2 of the smaller firms. The C.V. basically says I have worked in IT for the past 6
years, have I.T. qualifications, worked part-time in small law firm for past year.
I am obviously keen to make a good impresion and give a good account of myself at these interviews having failed to secure any interviews for '06 entrance to the law society(bad timing, no-one recruiting)
I am basically looking for a heads up on the style of questioning I may encounter and if I will be grilled on the work experience as obviously study and work took up the majority of my time leaving little room for the w/e

Thanks in advance
 
Re: Legal Apprenticeship: Any tips on trying to find a Trainee Solicitor Posn?

Would the below be of interest? You might even get your photo in the Gazettee! Har, Har!

FINDING YOUR TRAINING CONTRACT SEMINAR: DATE The Traineeship section of the Law School have set the date for the next Finding Your Training Contract Seminar.
Date: Friday 26 January 2007
Time: 12.30pm to 6.00pm
Venue: Law Society, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7
Fee: €40 (lunch included)
The seminar’s primary focus is to provide practical advice and assistance to anyone who is or who will be looking to secure a training contract. It is hoped that those delegates who attend on the day will leave the seminar better equipped in their search for that all important position. The seminar will also provide information on the job market generally and applying to the Law School.
More details about the seminar including a detailed programme and how to book your place will be posted on the Law Society's website (events section) on 1st December 2006. Bookings will not be accepted before this date.
 
Re: Legal Apprenticeship: Any tips on trying to find a Trainee Solicitor Posn?

Does anyone know when the best time to start applying for training contracts is? Ideally I'd like to go to blackhall Oct '07. I know the big ten all have their deadlines but what about smaller firms? Is there a best time? If I start sending in CVs now is that too early? I won't be available to start until next summer.
 
Miak,

From personal experience you will have great difficulty finding placement for Oct '07 if you can only start next summer reason being they seem to want you in the office for a year or so on low wages before they (supposedly) pay you for the nine month stint in Blackhall and presumably to see if you are any use. I was ready to go for Sept this year and was sending out C.V.s 4-5 months ago but didn`t get an interview. I have had 3 interviews in the space a week for the '07 entry but 2 were advertised like the one dats right mentioned (250-300 applications).So in short, they seem to be recruiting now for '07 but they would probably expect you to start now aswell.
 
is it ok though to submit up to the Firm's Nov 3rd deadline for entry to Blackhll in 07
 
Thanks for that audioline,

It was honest even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear! :) I think it does depend though, a friend of mine got a contract with the big ten and she is not starting with them until next summer so she is doing a masters in the meantime. I suppose the big ten do have a different set of rules. I'm slightly worried now, I am starting a Masters in 2weeks but I think I'd rather not do it if it meant postponing blackhall by a year... but then if I don't do it there is no guarantee that I will get a contract or that I would get one that would want me to start straight away! What to do!!! AAGGHH!!!
 
Examhell,

If it is one of the bigger firms who have the Nov 3rd deadline I think they might only be hiring for '08. Anyone who I knew who interviewed with them last year were all applying for '07!
 
I am starting a Masters in 2weeks but I think I'd rather not do it if it meant postponing blackhall by a year... but then if I don't do it there is no guarantee that I will get a contract or that I would get one that would want me to start straight away! What to do!!! AAGGHH!!![/quote]

I completed fe-1 earlier this year and had been offered a place on a Masters course for the Autumn which I would have loved to do. However after hearing from everybody how hard it is to get an apprenticeship when I eventually found one which would enable me to go to Blackhall next year I had to take it. It means forfeiting the Masters and working for the year on crap wages but at least I have a place secured. I am consoling myself with the fact that I can do the Masters when I have qualified. If I were you I would continue looking for a place while studying for the Masters and when you do get a contract you can evaluate all your options knowing what the solicitor will expect from you. They may not want you to start immediately or may want you part-time. Did you have to pay fees to do the Masters? If not then you have nothing to loose by doing it really....
 
Did you have to pay fees to do the Masters? If not then you have nothing to loose by doing it really....

What do you mean do you have to pay fees. Doesn't everyone have to pay fees. I think you should have asked - is he/she getting a grant if so the fees are paid for them by their local authority. Fees have to be paid by somebody - dont they?
 
Hi,

thanks for the replies above, unfortunately I do have to pay fees! Even more unfortunately because I'm doing the Masters outside of Ireland it is going to cost thousands. I am actually at the orientation week at the moment and I'm beginning to feel like I'm doing the wrong thing. If i'm honest it is really important to me to get to blackhall next Oct. I haven't actually paid my fees yet so I still have time to decide. It's funny, everyone I know that is in the same position as me feels that it's really important to do the Masters but any practising solicitor I have spoken to feels differently. I do have good work experience, maybe that would be enough!!?? I'm off to make an emergency telephone call to my old careers advisor...

Saudi,

The big ten are those firms who are regarded as being the biggest commercial law firms, predominantly in Dublin. They tend to pay the best wages for apprentices and will also pay your fees, that's why training contracts with them are so sought after.
 
Ya I would have had to pay fees also. (everyone is entitled to free fees for one undergraduate and one postgraduate course in Ireland). That was the clincher for me. When does your course finish? Have you applied to the "top 10" this year for entry next year? There will be a glut of applications for apprentices in December when October's Fe-1 results come out and also next May/June so at least you will some time advantage over them. Best of Luck whatever you decide. Things happen for a reason.....
 
Thanks Sheena1,

I know, it was sickening to think that I could have completed a Masters in Ireland for a fraction of the cost in the UK. Was just talking to a careers advisor in my old university and she suggested deferring for a while. She agreed that most people feel that their Masters didn't significantly enhance their career unless they wanted to go in to academia. She also felt that it was slightly more relevant for people who want to become barristers or highly specialised! Good luck with your training contract! I'm envious... :)
 
AFAIK you can only get your fees paid for a Masters if you qualify for the local authority grant or if the Masters is a research one funded by scholarship or industry.

I opted out of the Masters in the end too based on the info I got from qualified solicitors as I would like to go to Blackhall in 2007 too. I chose a Diploma course instead. I don't think however it alone will secure anything. Ive got all 8 exams now so Im just going to concentrate on securing apprenticeship.

I think the right attitude will help us all no end & is very important. I try not to listen to the un-well wishers .

Best of luck :)
 
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