Employability Handbook

2015/16

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Introduction

Hello and welcome to the fourth edition of The Edward Bramley Law Society Employability Handbook! This handbook is designed to help by providing information, hints and guidance to students of all years about applying for jobs, work experience or open days. The Employability Handbook contains specific information for those wanting to pursue a career in the legal sector, covering work experience and training contract applications, as well as more general information and advice, which can be used by students applying to a huge range of professions and careers. In addition to this handbook, students are reminded that the Edward Bramley Law Society will offer a wide array of opportunities in the upcoming year. For example, Ed Bram will be running talks and workshops on skill development, specific employer events and CV and work experience advice clinics. Ed Bram will also be continuing the annual Careers Dinner, where you will get the opportunity to meet and network a range of employers in the evening, in a relaxed setting. Events will also be run through the Employability and Skills Initiative, which contributes heavily to the law school by providing careers sessions, workshops and talks that provide transferable skills. Thank you and good luck to all those who are applying for jobs, work experience or open days! If you need further assistance with academic or career issues, please do not hesitate to get in contact! Sam Van Besouw SVanBesouw1@sheffield.ac.uk Edward Bramley Law Society Careers Secretary 2015-2016

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Index

Careers List 4

Introducing the Careers Service

5

CV Tips and Templates

6-10

Covering Letters

11-13

Application Forms

14-15

Assessment Day Tips

16

Commercial Awareness

17

Social Media Profile

18

Networking

19

Timeline

20

Tops Tips for Aspiring Barristers

21

Useful Website List

22-23

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Useful Books CV Boosting Societies CV Boosting Activities in the Law School Get Involved

24-25 26-27 28-33 34

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CAREERS LIST

A Law degree is one of the most highly-regarded by employers. As well as being an academically challenging, it also teaches students a wide range of transferable skills. It opens the door to a huge variety of professions, some of which are listed below, and may require further study or professional development. It is also worth remembering that there are a whole range of companies and organisations who have graduate schemes you can apply for with a law degree - be it working as an intelligence officer for MI5 or earning over £40,000 in your first year as an area Aldi manager.

• Barrister • Managerial Positions • Solicitor • Legal Secretary • Paralegal • Stockbroker • Investment Banker • Contracts Officer • Accountant/Auditor • Licensed Conveyancer • Actuary • Patent Agent • Academic • Police Force • Risk Analyst • HM Prison Service • Advertising Executive • Trading Standards Investigator • Marketing Consultant • Insurance Broker • Public Relations Executive • Court Reporter • Civil Servant • Financial Planner • Victim Support Worker • Human Resources Officer • Journalist • Corporate Trainer • Tax Adviser • Trademark Attorney

For more information about these and various other careers some good websites to visit are: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm https://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors

You may also find the following university careers webpages useful: http://www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/degree/law on ‘Careers with my degree’ http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/law on Careers in Law.

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INTRODUCING THE CAREERS SERVICE The University of Sheffield Careers service offers support and guidance to all students and will continue to support you up to three years after your graduation. They offer a wide choice of services and can be extremely useful in helping find the perfect career for you! Here are a few examples of help they offer:

• myVacancies: myVacancies is provided by the Careers Service to help you find full time or

causal work, internships and placements at your time during and after university

• What's On: Search the What's On Diary using "law" as the keyword for an extensive range of talks, workshops and employer presentations as well as one of the largest law fairs in the country

• E-mentoring Scheme: Network with a professional doing a job that interests you and gain

expert advice, and an opportunity to develop your skills

• Appointments in the Law School: Individual guidance interviews to discuss personal career plans

• Graduate Case Studies: This website has a whole range of case studies on Sheffield

graduates, and allows you to search by degree type and current job: http://careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/casestudies/index.php

The Careers Service is open Monday-Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm (except Tuesday when we open at 11.00am) and they are situated at 388 Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2JA. You can also use their email enquiry service available on the website: http://www.shef.ac.uk/careers/aboutus. Tel: 0114 2220910

 ALSO  ON  HAND  TO  HELP:  

LOUISE  GLOVER  L.Glover@sheffield.ac.uk

Louise is our very own dedicated careers adviser for the Law School based in Bartolome House, working closely with the University Careers Service and local firms of solicitors and organisations linked with the legal profession. Louise is a qualified solicitor with City and regional experience and has also taught law and legal practice at the School of Law. She helps with tactics for obtaining training contracts, preparing CVs and covering letters. She also helps with applications to solicitors firms and interviews and ways of ensuring that diplomats can in due course become solicitors.

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CV TIPS AND TEMPLATES

CV TIPS

Some companies and firms may require a CV and covering letter: smaller firms and companies ask you to email the documents whilst larger companies may ask you to upload them as part of an online application form. Recruiters read through hundreds, if not thousands of applications a year, so your CV and covering letter should create a powerful first impression. Here are some handy tips to make sure you stand out:

WHAT TO DO:

• Adapt your CV to the organisation you are writing to and make it relevant to the job you are applying for. One of the most important requirements for recruiters is too see that an applicant has taken the time to learn about their company and that they understand its values and aims

• Think about the skills the employer is asking for - Don't just make a list of skills you have, provide examples of where you have learnt them and when you put them into practice.

• All sections of the CV are important and should be completed accurately.

• Sell yourself - To do this, describe your key achievements in work, study and other experience, not just your responsibilities. Employers want to know what you can add to their company.

• Consider using bullet points along with short sentences and action verbs.

• Check your grammar, spelling and punctuation. • Keep your CV to two sides and make it is well presented and inviting to

read. • Keep a copy for future reference.

WHAT NOT TO DO:

• Leave dates unaccounted for- if you do, it leaves the employer guessing.

• Invent information, you could be asked to discuss it in the interview. • Waffle - Long paragraphs and sentences will take too long to read. • Make it too short by giving the bare essentials of dates and job titles.

Don’t just make a list of skills that you have gained. You need to provide evidence of them using examples from your experience.

• Use fancy typesetting or exotic paper, it will distract from what you are trying to say.

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CV TEMPLATES This example demonstrates a CV tailored towards the legal profession

Sophie Lawler 123 Fake Street, Sheffield, S10 9QR

Tel: 01234 56789 Email: Fakeaddress@hotmail.co.uk Education and Qualifications

2011 –  The  University  of Sheffield Law with Criminology 2014 University LLB –  2:1

2009 –  2011 Canon Slade Sixth Form A Levels: Law A*, Mathematics with Statistics (B), English Literature (B), General Studies (A), AS Level: Psychology (C)

2004 –  2009 Canon Slade Secondary School –  GCSE’s: 4 A*s, 5 A’s and 1 B

Legal Work Experience

August 2013 –  Russell, Jones & Walker Solicitors (two week placement) Personal injury law. Main responsibilities included researching individual claims, making accurate calculations and reaching conclusions to evaluate individual cases. Liaising with clients and third parties by telephone and in writing.

July 2013 –  Latitude Law Solicitors (one week placement) Immigration and public law. Key roles included accurate minute taking at meetings, preparing bundles for court and preparing applications to remain in the UK, working under pressure to meet strict deadlines.

Sept 2012 –  April 2013 –  Volunteer, FreeLaw, University of Sheffield Legal Clinic. Worked as part of a team to help local charities support their clients by performing complex legal research in areas of social welfare law. Regularly staffed the Legal Clinic dealing with requests for legal information from the public and writing an accurate summary of my research for the client.

July 2011 –  Lupton Fawcett LLP (one week placement) Commercial law. Observed a different department each day, gaining an insight into a variety of legal sectors including employment, commercial litigation, corporate, real estate and trusts, wills and estates.

July 2010 –  Bury Magistrates Court (one week placement) Court. Gained a valuable insight into the work of solicitors, court clerks, probation and other administrative staff.

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Additional Employment Experience October 2011 –  September 2012 –  The University of Sheffield Accommodation and Commercial Services Tour Guide: Represented the University at student open days, planning and delivering campus tours, making a short presentation to potential students and answering questions from parents.

August 2008 –  September 2010 –  Smithills Coaching House Restaurant Ltd. –  Waitress/Receptionist: Progressed within the restaurant gaining more responsibility in a variety of roles, from answering phones and handling large sums of money to overseeing the seating plan of the restaurant to ensure that sittings ran smoothly and training new staff.

Awards and achievements

❖ Canon Slade School recognition of achievement –  top of class for Law A Level (2010) ❖ National Academy of Gifted and Talented Youths student (20082010)

Interests and Activities ❖ President, University of Sheffield Edward Bramley Law Society 2012/2013 –  chairing committee meetings, delegating key tasks to others within the committee to meet our objectives and representing the Society both within the University and publically. ❖ Publicity Secretary, University of Sheffield Edward Bramley Law Society 2011/2012 –  responsible for the design and delivery of publicity campaigns which led to an increase in student membership of the Society and a rise in the number of legal employers organising on campus events through us. ❖ Mentor, University of Sheffield 2011/12 –  providing one to one support to help new students settle into university life. ❖ Student tutor, 2011/12 –  working as part of a team to provide academic support to fellow students. ❖ Race for life participant (2011) raising over £150 for Cancer Research UK References

Helen Raby (Personal Tutor) Nikki Midgley University of Sheffield The University of Sheffield (ACS) Bartolome House The Edge Winter Street 34 Endcliffe Crescent Sheffield Sheffield S3 7ND S10 3ED

Tel: 0114 2226870 Tel: 0114 2224488 Email: H.S.Raby@Sheffield.ac.uk Email: N.Midgley@sheffield.ac.uk

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This CV example is someone who studied law but might be looking for a career outside of law

 

Annie Patel Flat 10A, 99 Sheffield Road, Sheffield, S1 2AL, 07971 109572, anniepatel@live.co.uk Education University of Sheffield, LLB Law and Criminology (2013-2016) Currently on track to gain a 2.1. In addition to subjects required for the Qualifying Law degree I have also undertaken modules in Criminological Research Punishment and Penal Policy and Responding to Crime. Edmonton Sixth Form College (2011 -2013) A-Levels: Law (A) History (B) Sociology (A) AS Level Spanish (B) Edmonton Green High School (2005 -2011) 11 GCSE’s gained including English and Maths (both grade A*) Work Experience Student Mentor (September 2014 – present) University of Sheffield Transitions Team I mentor three first year students who are the first in their family to go to university. This role involves forming strong relationships with my mentees, supporting them through their transition to studying at university. This experience has provided me with good time management skills, the ability to show empathy and compassion and offer advice whilst remaining impartial. Victim Support Volunteer (November 2014 –present) Victim Support Sheffield Upon completion of the organisations training programme, I am qualified to work with and support victims of crime. I have developed good listening skills, am able to respond to people sensitively and work effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds. I also offer practical advice on issues such as making insurance claims and implementing measures to prevent crimes occurring and improving personal safety.

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Part-time Store Assistant (December 2011 – present) Next, Edmonton High Street Branch I worked part-time for Next whilst studying for my A-Levels and have continued to work for the same store during university vacations. This job has helped develop strong customer service skills, demonstrates that I can successfully manage my time, particularly during my A-levels when I was working 15 hours per week and studying at the same time. Interests During my spare time I enjoy salsa dancing and regularly attend a local salsa group. I recently helped organise a short trip to Southern Spain for the group where we took part in a salsa festival in a local town. Using my Spanish language skills I organised the group’s accommodation and set up a Facebook group, which I then used to inform the group about the trip and what arrangements had been made. References Available upon request.

If you would like further help with your CV or covering letter, the University of Sheffield's Career Service is on hand to help! They run CV and covering letter review appointments during term-time between 12.00 - 2.30pm, Monday - Friday. You can book up to five working days in advance by visiting the Careers Service or by calling them directly on 01142220910

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COVERING LETTERS

Usually, when asked to apply by CV, you will also be expected to send an accompanying covering letter. This letter acts as the advertising campaign for you and it should draw the recruiter’s attention to the good match between what you have to offer and what they need; what motivates you about the post; and your interest in their organisation. This is partly done through the evidence you have provided in your CV but the letter brings all the key elements together. You will often be judged on the quality of the letter you write – some recruiters may not read your CV if your letter fails to impress.

Below are some handy do's and don'ts, a suggested framework and a draft covering letter to help you construct the perfect letter!

WHAT TO DO: • Use one side of white A4 paper and word process it unless you are asked to

send it handwritten. • If possible, address it to a person by name - usually the head of graduate

recruitment, but just call the organisation and ask if it's not clear elsewhere. • Set out your letter as a formal business letter. If you are not sure how to do

this, look at the examples available to download. • Check for spelling and grammatical errors. • Use the same font as your CV so that they look consistent. • Deal with a problem area if you feel that it needs to be raised, for example, a

retaken year or a health problem. Try to be brief and positive and don't draw attention to something which is minor.

• Tailor your covering letter to each application and try to highlight skills and experience that are relevant to the employer.

WHAT NOT TO DO:

• Waffle. Make the employer want to read your CV. • Be overly humorous or too informal - you want to be taken seriously. • Underplay your skills or make negative comments about yourself

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Below is an example of the ‘formal’ framework you should use to set out your covering letter along with the key points you need to cover when you write:

Dear Mr Smith,

Re: Sprocket Marketing Trainee (job ref: AB123)

Start your letter with a short introduction: Say why are you writing to the recruiter. If it is in response to an advertised vacancy, say where and when you saw it advertised. If you are making a speculative enquiry be clear about the type of work or opportunity you are asking for.

Include a paragraph about why you are a good candidate: Referring to the evidence in your CV, state clearly how you match what the recruiter is asking for in the advertisement (skills, experience, qualifications, etc). With a speculative application, think about what you would expect them to be looking for given the nature of the opportunity that you are seeking.

State why you’d like the job / study / research opportunity and describe what motivates you and attracts you to the opportunity. Show that you have a realistic understanding of the role and can draw parallels with positive experiences you have already had, whether in a similar role or in a completely different setting.

Be clear about why you have chosen to apply to them: Say why this organisation appeals to you. Draw on the research you have done (eg, their website, brochure, contact with one of their representatives at careers events, work experience etc) and outline what appeals to you about the recruiter. If you can change the name of one organisation with another and what you have written still makes sense, you haven’t been specific enough about why them. Don’t waffle or make it up.

End with a positive conclusion: Your final words obviously depend on the context within which you send your letter but, most likely, it will be appropriate for you to express your expectation of a reply, eg, “....I look forward to hearing from you in due course.” If appropriate, indicate when you are/are not available for interview.

Yours sincerely Anne Other Anne Other (Ms)

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DRAFT COVERING LETTER

Joe Doe Southstar Cottage

Wold Newton Driffield

East Riding of Yorkshire YO23 4RQ

LexisNexis UK & Ireland Central Office Halsbury House 35 Chancery Lane London WC2A 1EL

RE: Student Associate: University of Sheffield

Dear LexisNexis,

Lwa10ehjn@shef.ac.uk

I am currently a second year student on the LL.B. Law course at the University of Sheffield. I would like to be considered for the role of LexisNexis student associate.

I feel I have the relevant skills to continue the fantastic work completed by the current student associate, Emmi Wilson. Due to my position, for the past two years, of teaching on the Understanding Law I module and my role as a coordinator of the Student Ambassador Scheme, which involved liaising with library staff and the previous student associate Felix Evans to run citation and legal research workshops, I believe I have good experience to assist students in developing their legal research skills.

Further to this, due to my extensive involvement in a vast array of different extracurricular activities within the law school, I am well known by the majority of the student cohort, both within my own year but also by the first and third year students. I also feel that I am confident and approachable as for the past two years I have given talks in lectures, such as Initiative’ to provide a guest lecture to students on employability in the legal world.

I feel that personally I would gain a great deal from this experience and I would relish the opportunity to enhance my own knowledge of LexisNexis, as well as the chance to support and assist other students.

Thank you for considering this application for the University of Sheffield student associate 2015-2016

Kind regards,

JOE DOE

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APPLICATION FORMS Application forms come in a variety of styles and it is important to assess exactly what the prospective employer is looking for with their particular form. They are typically used by larger firms, and whilst some can be as simple as attaching your CV and covering letter, others can be far more onerous, requiring extensive research into both the firm you are applying to and current commercial news and wider issues.

Below are some top tips when approaching application forms:

WHAT TO DO:

• Research, research and more research. An extremely common problem

with application forms is that they read as if the applicant really does not know much about the firm they are applying to. You should keep up to date with the news and ensure that you read any graduate requirement material properly. Tailor your application to the firm and make sure it is clear you have taken the time to learn about and understand the organisation you are applying to, including an appreciation of their culture and values

• Check your applications properly. Everyone makes mistakes and

employers are aware of this. One mistake will not stop a good application, however a few will really start to cast doubt in the mind of the prospective law firm. This means not only rereading your application but also getting friends or family to read over it, just to make sure.

The firm’s name is arguably one of the most important to get correct. For example, Freshfields also includes Bruckhaus Deringer, so make sure to use their full name the first time you mention it in your application . Also Slaughter and May is called exactly that, not Slaughter & May! Equally they are not an LLP; therefore don’t just add that on presuming all law firms share this common business structure (this is more important due to the introduction of ABS in the legal world).

• Sell yourself. There is a time and a place for modesty and the application

form is certainly not it. Don’t be complacent, don’t be arrogant, but do ensure you sell yourself and really show the skills that you have to offer. The graduate market is saturated and you need to be able to stand out from the crowd in order to give yourself the best possible chance.

• Provide the personal element. There is no doubt that reading statement

after statement can be a trying task for a graduate recruitment team so it is important that you show personality in your application. This doesn’t mean doing anything too bold but making sure that they remember your application after they have finished reading it is extremely important. This is often achieved by having some unique extracurricular activities etc.

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• Make clear statements about your relevant skills and experience and present them with supporting evidence. Statements such as ‘I am good at time management’ or ‘I have good communication skills’ need to be supported by examples that show the employer instances in which you applied these skills. Don’t expect employers to read between the lines of an application form or make assumptions about you.

Read more about this and the 'STAR approach' on the University Careers Service website: http://www.careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/interactive/star/engage.html

WHAT NOT TO DO:

• Don’t use a standard form. It is common, especially when students have to

write so many applications, to use ‘copy and paste answers’ where you just have to change the name. Whilst this is easier, it is not recommended, as recruiters can often tell if a standard answer has simply been taken from another application form and used for their one

• Don’t produce applications unless they are of good quality. Applications

with errors, bad English, no passion for the firm and other mistakes simply should not be sent, as they are a waste of time both for you and the person who ends up reading the application. A lot of candidates who are successful only write a handful of applications

• Don’t throw in current news and firm facts to look clever. A simple party

trick for students submitting application forms is to include a recent news story or a topical issue that has affected the firm. This can be extremely beneficial for an application form; however, if they are used without proper thought and just thrown into the application form then they are worthless. For example, saying Slaughter and May use a best friends network rather than having international offices is an interesting fact but unless you show how that is relevant to you and your decision to apply there then all you are doing is showing you have the ability to spend 5 minutes researching a firm and then regurgitating information from their website – hardly an impressive skill!

• Don’t apply for firms you don’t want to work for. This may sound odd,

however, when in the application frame of mind it is easy to fall into the trap of applying for more and more firms, even those that you would not really be interested in. You shouldn’t apply for firms just because your friends like them or they are good in certain league tables; as an applicant you need to have a passion to work for that firm.

For more advice on applications, visit the University Careers Service’s Briefing on Law applications at www.careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/pdf/lawapp.pdf

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ASSESSMENT DAYS In order to secure a vacation scheme or training contract many companies require you to attend an assessment day so that they can meet you in person, see how well you work in a team, and determine whether you are able to think innovatively and on your feet. The calibre of fellow applicants will be high at these events, as everyone who is there has already made it through the first round of application. Here are a few tips to make sure you stand out from the crowd and impress on an assessment day.

• Dress for success - You want to project a professional, business-like image, so dress modestly and smartly - it is always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. Remember that your assessor will be considering whether they would be happy putting you in front of a client. Choose something comfortable though - it could to be a long day!

• Do your research - You should already know about the law firm from the online application stage - however it is advisable to refresh your memory and try to remember a few key facts and figures about the firm so you can show that you know your stuff

• Prepare properly - Look at sites like www.wikijob.co.uk or www.thestudentroom.co.uk, which often have forums or pages where previous applicants give information about the type of tasks you are likely to be doing. http://www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/gettingajob/assessment has useful information about common tasks such as icebreakers, giving a presentation, mock negotiations, report-writing and role play exercises

• Practice beforehand - Having some idea of what you have to do in a task before you are given it is invaluable - https://www.assessmentday.co.uk/ has a large range of practice exercises you can try. For psychometric tests, which many candidates find difficult, look at http://www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/gettingajob/psychometric

• Be commercially aware - Look at recent cases the firm has been involved in and read publications like the Financial Times or The Lawyer. There are often mental agility tasks designed to test your commercial awareness, so make sure you focus on delivering a commercially practical result, rather than only addressing the law. There is more info on this on the next page

• Get involved - No matter how odd or silly these activities seem, have a go and enter into the spirit of the task; your attitude and approach are under observation. Be aware that it is not a competition within the group, you are all aiming to do well. All of you may get through or none of you

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COMMERCIAL AWARENESS

After attending a few employer events, you will undoubtedly come across the term 'commercial awareness'. It is one of the most sought-after assets by employers, yet it is difficult to actually get a clear understanding of what it is. Here are a few tips:

• It's just what it says it is. Commercial awareness is simply being aware of the commercial world, and more specifically having an understanding of the wider environment in which a business operates.

• It's more than just the law. Whilst at University you will be used to approaching problems in a purely theoretical manner, meaning you don't have to think about the practicalities of a specific course of action. This is not the case when working in practice - you will have a large number of other considerations, for example, would it be more sensible to try and settle the case than undertake costly litigation, even if you have a seemingly strong case based on the facts.

• It's thinking about the business. A common question on applications and at interviews is something along the lines of 'How can our firm expand in the next 5 years?'. To answer this requires knowledge of the organisation you are applying to, as well as current market trends and an understanding of past cases.

However it is not enough just knowing what commercial awareness is - you also need to be able to demonstrate to employers that you have it. It isn't something that can be learnt in a few hours, but rather is built up over months and years of experience.

• Get hands-on experience. The best way to increase your commercial

awareness is to actually work for a business. Whether this is an internship at a global law firm or a Saturday job at the local supermarket, you will gain an understanding of how the company operates, why it has certain practices and, most importantly for businesses, how it makes a profit!

• Read relevant articles. The Financial Times is a good place to start, but there are a whole host of other resources - legal magazines such as The Lawyer and Legal Business have a great range of articles that will get you thinking about law as a business.

• Research the employer. If you are applying for a vacation scheme or training contract it is crucial that you can demonstrate to the recruiter that you have a good understanding of their business. The best place to start is their website - look at their values, areas of work and recent press releases to gain an understanding of the business. Another way to find out about the organisation is to speak to them, with the easiest way to do this being at recruitment fairs such as the University of Sheffield Law Fair, where trainees are available to answer your questions about what it is like to work at that company.

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SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILE Social media is a huge part of our everyday lives, and allows us to express ourselves freely and stay well connected with our online network. Everything you post on social media sites, such as last night's photo on Facebook or your latest updates on Twitter all go to creating your 'digital footprint'. Many employers use social media to screen applicants and will reject you if you create a bad impression, so don't let your digital footprint stamp out your chance of success!

So, here at 5 top tips for social media success:

1. LINKEDIN:

As a student or graduate, LinkedIn is an incredibly useful social media site. You set up a professional profile and build your network of useful contacts, you can join groups for inside knowledge and even use it to search for jobs and opportunities. Remember to market yourself positively and professionally at all times!

https://www.linkedin.com/ 2. SECURITY SETTINGS:

Social media sites, such as Facebook, change their privacy settings regularly so it is recommended that you also check yours regularly! Remember that even if you made your post private, it does not mean it will stay that way as social media is about sharing so always think before you post. Try searching for yourself online once in a while to see what comes up.

3. GET INVOLVED:

If you are decided on a particular industry, you need to get involved to show your interest! Start liking, commenting, retweeting and conversing on hot topics and commentators within that industry, as well as engaging with social media accounts of firms you are interested in. It will also help keep you up to date on the relevant issues.

4. BLOGGING:

Give employers something positive to read about! Blog about what you have learnt at university or particular topics that interest you. It will really help you build your web presence.

5. NEWS CHANNELS

Follow news channels and twitter accounts to keep up to date with general current affairs and the latest issues, so you can impress employers with your relevant knowledge!

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NETWORKING Networking involves making connections and building mutually beneficial relationships within your sphere of work. All students should be aware of the importance of networking, although it can often be difficult to identify what precisely you should be doing in order to network effectively. Here are a few tips to helping you make those all-important connections

• Start easy. Don't jump straight into trying to make contacts with an unknown

company when you have plenty of opportunities around you. If you have family connections and friends they are a great way to get yourself introduced to people in the area you want to work in. If you don’t already have connections, don’t worry. The Careers Service offers lots of opportunities for students to meet employers and start their network, including: - Recruitment and Placement Fairs, networking events and employer presentations, including many law-specific events. See Employers On CampUS for more details www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/events/oncampus - E-Mentoring, where you can tap into the experience of someone doing the type of work you're interested in www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/careermentoring - Join the University of Sheffield LinkedIn network with up to 3000 students, graduates and employers https://www.linkedin.com/grp/home?gid=4305759

• Ask questions. Whenever you get the chance to speak to somebody, whether is through meeting them at an event or simply requesting a meeting, make sure you show an interest in them and their work. Most people will relish the opportunity to talk about themselves for a while, so make use of this and try and get as much information as you can from them

• Get yourself out there. You're simply not going to make lots of contacts if you just sit at home. You could meet somebody useful in the most unexpected circumstances, so make sure you're trying new things and making the most of opportunities available to you. For example, at speaker events you often get the chance to go and talk with them after they have finished, so make the most of this by having a word and getting your name known

• Project a positive image. Instead of trying to pitch yourself to everyone you meet, be more natural and focus on building a relationship. Show passion for your subject or sector, smile a lot and present yourself as a friendly, professional person

• Follow up. There is no point having a great conversation with someone if they then don't remember your name or you haven't got their contact details. Ask your conversation partner the best way to stay in touch - one of the most popular ways in LinkedIn, which is covered in the Social Media Profile on Page 18. Another option is to have your own business cards printed - this is pretty cheap if you use online printers. Make sure to include your full name, e-mail address and phone number

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PRE-UNIVERSITY

Before starting university many students will have had some relevant work experience, as well as a good CV with a strong academic record and extra-curricular activities

FIRST YEAR

Work hard and focus on getting the most right from the start. Strive to get good grades and get involved in extra-curricular activities. Keep any eye out for opportunities such as open days, insight events and first year work experience, which are offered by firms throughout the year

SECOND YEAR

Good grades and a range of extra-curricular activities are even more important now - remember that your grades now count towards your degree classification. As well as working hard for exams, second years should also be applying for vacation schemes over the Christmas period, as the process usually closes at the end of January. Students should be applying for training contracts in June and July after their second year, as most application deadlines are at the end of July - early, yes, but most commercial firms recruit two years in advance

THIRD YEAR

Tailor your module choices - make sure they reflect your interests, and what you want to do in the future. For those unsuccessful in their second year the hunt for vacation schemes and training contracts starts again - generally the dates will be the same, but make sure to check each firms website to be sure. Barristers should now be applying for pupillage - deadlines vary between chambers, but there is also the Pupillage Gateway which is commonly used for applications

TIMELINE

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TOP TIPS FOR ASPIRING BARRISTERS

Becoming a barrister is a difficult. The market is extremely saturated, more so than even that of potential solicitors; however, Sheffield thankfully has a strong pedigree for producing some phenomenal barristers and judges. If you want to stand out and stand a chance then here are some important tips.

● Mooting: A moot is in essence acting the role of a barrister in a pretend court.

More information on mooting can be found towards the end of this document in the extracurricular activities section. Students aiming for the bar need to moot and they need to moot well. Entering internal, external, national and international competitions all show how capable a student can be as a future barrister. Mooting competitions often also come with work experience prizes that are extremely useful.

● Mini•pupillage: In essence a mini pupillage is work experience for potential

barristers. They can be assessed or un-assessed but either way they provide an insight into what being a barrister is like. They are also essential for students to see whether that particular set of chambers or area of law is of interest to them. Unlike vacation schemes, where students will most likely not have more than two or three, those aiming for the bar should have a long list of mini pupilages under their belt by the time they graduate. It is not uncommon for graduating students to have at least ten by the time they actually start applying for a full pupillage.

● Academics: Every student at university should be working hard to get good

grades but if you are considering being a barrister then it is even more important. A first class degree is often standard on a future barrister’s CV and therefore a 2:2 will simply not suffice. For those aiming for the most prestigious sets of chambers and especially the top end commercial chambers a good first, most likely with postgraduate education at Oxford or Cambridge is frequent; therefore grades need to be strong and consistent.

● The Innocence Project: More information on Sheffield’s Innocence Project can

be found later in this handbook; however, it is a very useful project for those with aspirations of going to the bar. It means you will work with barrister in an attempt to aid individuals currently serving custodial sentences. Although aimed towards criminal work, the skills learnt from the Innocence project will serve any future barrister well.

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USEFUL WEBSITE LIST

This section contains some websites that students may find useful when looking for legal work experience and applying for training contracts, as well as other careers and professions. N.B. Never ever write anything online about assessed or non assessed coursework. This is plagiarism or collusion and the University will take serious action against anyone who does this.

Legal Week http://www.legalweek.com/ Useful legal news articles about what is going on in the legal world. Certain articles have limited or no access but it is still generally very useful.

The Lawyer http://www.thelawyer.com/

Another legal news website, slightly slower to update than Legal Week, but still useful for the larger stories.

The Student Room http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=28 A useful place to ask questions about law and legal issues. This can be useful for training contract applications, questions about applications, module choices etc.

Roll on Friday http://www.rollonfriday.com/ A legal news website with a forum for people to ask questions about training contracts etc. Please beware this website is populated by solicitors and they often speak their mind, this can be direct and crude. Ask questions openly but beware of a brutally honest answer.

Inside Buzz http://www.insidebuzz.co.uk/home.html A useful website with a good deal of information on a wide range of different careers. Far more than just law, very useful – slow to be updated though.

Law Careers.Net http://www.lawcareers.net/

Lots of careers information plus a handy guide on deadlines for training contracts and vacation schemes.

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Guardian Law News http://www.guardian.co.uk/law Good website for recent news on wider legal issues. Topical and informative; it is useful for academic purposes, as well as career development reasons.

Chambers Student Guide http://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/

Student guide on different firms and chambers: very useful with plenty of insightful info.

Prospects http://www.prospects.ac.uk/ Contains careers information on a huge range of professions. A useful website for those looking for alternative careers away from law.

Lex 100 http://www.lex100.com/ A website that ranks law firms on a number of criteria. It is a useful website to see how different firm rate in certain areas, it has recently changed the layout, which is unclear.

Legal 50 http://www.legal500.com/ Similar to the above, although it also contains recommendations on different solicitors etc

All About Law http://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/ Not the best website, however, it is designed to provide a bit of information for people and a forum for those seeking to ask questions to each other – other websites are better.

Target Jobs http://targetjobs.co.uk/ Great website offering advice on careers in several sectors as well as employer insights. It’s sections on ‘how to get hired’ can be extremely useful and offer great tips for specific employers on how to sell yourself in your application and at interview. For information on non-law careers, they have a great section on different career sectors, which can be found at http://targetjobs.co.uk/career•sectors.

Grad Diary http://www.graddiary.com/ A great website that offers information and tips on careers in several industry sectors. It has great features such as interviews with employers and work experience students and past interview questions. It also has a calendar to help you keep up with application deadlines

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USEFUL BOOKS

Whether you are a budding barrister, wannabe trainee or just a law student looking for more information about law and the legal profession, these books could be of interest to you.

Letters to a law student:

“This is an absolutely amazing book for law students. This is almost like a bible for every law student, you will find yourself keeping it handy from the day you are deciding whether you should do law to the day your law exam results are out. For those who aren't professional, knowing virtually nothing about law, this book helps you to build your basic moral views and understand some basic law principles, most importantly, in English.” http://www.amazon.co.uk/Letters-Law-Student-Studying-University/dp/1447922654/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442231968&sr=8-1&keywords=letters+to+a+law+student

Law and Disorder: Confessions of a Pupil Barrister

“An absolute joy of a book - very cleverly structured, beautifully written, and finding a neat balance between the entirely plausible and jaw-dropping absurd. BabyBarista will ring all too familiar bells for those who've been there and done all that, and gives the rest of us a fascinating glimpse inside the archaic (and astonishing) world of the English Bar.” http://www.amazon.co.uk/Law-Disorder-Confessions-Pupil-Barrister/dp/1408801140/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442232029&sr=8-1&keywords=law+and+disorder+confessions+of+a+pupil+barrister

All you need to know about the city

“The global financial crisis has made what goes in the City of London's financial markets more important and relevant than ever. What is the credit crunch and sub-prime lending? What are toxic tranches and SIVs and why do they matter? If you're working in, or are thinking of working in the City, this book gives you the answers. Designed to be a quick and easy read, it explains what everything is and how it all connects.” http://www.amazon.co.uk/Need-Know-About-City-2009/dp/0955218632/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442232058&sr=8-1&keywords=all+you+need+to+know+about+the+city

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What Not to Write: An A-to-Z of the Dos and Don'ts of Good English

“Do read this book from cover to cover; after doing so you'll be left in no doubt as to its usefulness. It is interesting, useful and sensibly laid out, and as with a dictionary, all offices should have access to such a book.” It should also be noted this book is provided to all Freshfields trainees as a must read book. Therefore, highly recommended doesn’t quite do it justice. http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Not-Write--Z-English/dp/0955279801/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442232126&sr=8-1&keywords=what+not+to+write+an+a+to+z

21st Century Solicitor: How to Make a Real Impact as a Junior Commercial

Lawyer

“There is no doubt in my mind that if you want to learn how to communicate effectively, increase your personal brand and commerciality to impress your colleagues, then you should take the time to read this book. While there is no manual, 21st Century Solicitor does a lot to bridge the gap so that paralegals, trainees and newly qualified solicitors can rest assured that not only are they making an impression, but that it is the right one and one that will be remembered for the right reasons. It is safe to say that this book is a must read for anyone working as a paralegal, trainee solicitor or newly qualified (and quite possibly could educate a few people who are already qualified)” http://www.amazon.co.uk/21st-Century-Solicitor-Impact-Commercial-ebook/dp/B00U3RJ6Y6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442232165&sr=1-1&keywords=21st+century+solicitor

The Rule of Law

“In this brilliant short book, Britain's former senior law lord, and one of the world's most acute legal minds, examines what the idea actually means. He makes clear that the rule of law is not an arid legal doctrine but is the foundation of a fair and just society, is a guarantee of responsible government, is an important contribution to economic growth and offers the best means yet devised for securing peace and co-operation. He briefly examines the historical origins of the rule, and then advances eight conditions which capture its essence as understood in western democracies today. He also discusses the strains imposed on the rule of law by the threat and experience of international terrorism.” http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rule-Law-Tom-Bingham-ebook/dp/B0057WLMTY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442232194&sr=1-1&keywords=the+rule+of+law

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CV BOOSTING SOCIETIES

Below are just a handful of societies you may wish to consider joining in order to enhance your CV. Practically any society can benefit your CV if explained properly - therefore feel free to do what is best for you and what you will enjoy!

Experience Sheffield has links to other societies and activities available at the University of Sheffield: www.shef.ac.uk/experience

Edward Bramley Law Society Needless to say the best society out there, hosts careers events and workshops, socials (including a trip aboard) and numerous competitions and activities. Countless events for all students studying law, not just those who wish to go into the legal profession.

Website: http://edbram.union.shef.ac.uk/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/edbram/

Any sports society Being a part of any sports society is an extremely marketable aspect to have on your CV. It shows teamwork, cooperation and generally just a willingness to get involved.

http://www.shef.ac.uk/union/get•involved/sport/

Amnesty International Demonstrating a charitable side to you is something that never hurts to appear on a CV. Plus, with so many companies and law firms desperate to show their willingness to enter into CSR projects, it can be a good way to connect with a prospective employer.

Website: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/sheffielduai/

BarSoc If you have an interest in advocacy then why not find out more information about being a barrister. BarSoc host competitions and events to help provide students with a flavour of what being a barrister is actually like.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/166297653382810/

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Canvas A student publication focusing on political stories: become a writer, reviewer or researcher for them. Enhancing your writing skills is a great quality for any future career. Website: http://canvas.union.shef.ac.uk/wordpress/

Forge Forge collectively encompasses a range of different mediums, from newspapers to television and radio. For all those with an interest in journalism a useful society/ student body to be a part of.

Website: http://forgetoday.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ForgeTV

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) With a vast array of projects available, SIFE has something to offer any student who has an entrepreneurial or charitable side.

Check out their website for more information: http://sheffieldsife.org/

Sheffield Raising and Giving (RAG) Once again, demonstrating a charitable side is extremely beneficial to a CV and with RAG there are so many activities to get involved in.

Website: http://www.sheffieldrag.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SheffieldRAG

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CV BOOSTING ACTIVITIES IN THE LAW SCHOOL These are just a few of the things that you might wish to get involved in during your time here at Sheffield. They all help to enhance the CV and demonstrate certain skills. These are only very limited examples and often there are plenty of other opportunities out there for people who want to get involved.

FreeLaw

The University’s free legal advice clinic, FreeLaw, is designed to provide free legal advice to members of the public through pro bono support from students, staff and qualified solicitors.

FreeLaw means students get a chance to do real legal research and work on genuine cases, often being the first point of contact for clients. Legal issues are constantly varied and, for those who wish to become a solicitor in the future, being part of FreeLaw is a brilliant first step. FreeLaw is very, very beneficial on the CV.

For more information please visit: http://lodgenews.group.shef.ac.uk/freelaw/

N.B Applications for FreeLaw are conducted at the start of the year by means of a written application and further to that an interview with one of the more senior members.

The Innocence Project

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Another pro bono project ran by the Law School. The Innocence Project is part of INUK(http://www.innocencenetwork.org.uk/), which works on miscarriages of justice. The project consists of approximately 50 students who volunteer their time to work on the caseload, researching and investigating a particular case as part of a group.

For those with an interest in criminal justice, or for those who have hopes of going to the bar to deal with criminal matters, the Innocence Project is very useful and most beneficial to have on your CV.

For more information please see: http://lodgenews.group.shef.ac.uk/innocenceproject/

N.B Applications for Innocence, like FreeLaw, are conducted at the start of the academic year. However, unlike FreeLaw, they do not require an interview and will be assessed via the written application that is submitted.

Student Ambassador for the Law School

The student ambassador programme is designed to allow students to fulfil their own goals and aims that they think would benefit the law school. Designed to help with issues within the law school, student ambassadors fill the gap where the students have shown an issue that needs to be resolved. Examples in the past have included citation clinics and legal research workshops. This position needs students who are dedicated and proactive.

This will enhance a student’s CV by showing that they are dedicated and enthusiastic and can think of new ideas and then carry them out to reach a suitable conclusion. The project is meant to have designated recruitment times, however, this is more flexible and it might be possible to join at times other than the start of the year.

For information on this project feel free to email staff contact for this scheme, Penny Russell (p.russell@sheffield.ac.uk). Applications occur at the start of the academic year.

Course Representative

Each course requires representatives to ensure the student voice on that course is heard. There are normally a number of representatives for each course due to the size of the student population within the law school.

Applications are near the start of the year. It is the undergraduate office who will deal with this project but please refrain from contacting them until you receive any email about applications.

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Paid Representative

LexisNexis Representative, Westlaw Representative, BPP Representative and College of Law Representative are all positions available to you.

These are all paid positions that will benefit students massively. More than just additional income, these positions show that students can balance their job with their studies. They are always useful as they can often open doors to certain events and meetings. Emails regarding these roles are normally sent out near to the end of the academic year, so please keep an eye out for them.

Mooting Participant Mooting is in essence a student activity where you can practice being barrister in our Moot Court. This involves research skills (as you need to have prepared arguments) and then great advocacy skills to present them to staff whom often act as judges, or in certain competitions real judges.

Competitions are run throughout the year and are open to both members of Ed Bram and BarSoc. They are designed to be welcoming and to accompany them students also get the chance to do workshops to help hone their skills.

Absolutely essential on the CV if you hope to consider being a barrister and still useful if you want to be a solicitor.

For more information about how to get involved please contact the current master and mistress of the moot. For 2015-16 they will be Matt Sumpton, (mlsumpton1@sheffield.ac.uk) and Rachel Ronald (rronald2@sheffield.ac.uk!)

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Negotiation Participant

Perhaps mooting is not quite your thing and you want something more active and free flowing? Then the negotiation competition that is open to Ed Bram and BarSoc members is a brilliant opportunity.

A fantastic CV booster for anyone who wants to go into being either a barrister or a solicitor, it shows the ability to create an argument and response to another’s, all the while ensuring that your actions are calculated and will serve the client in the end.

For more information please contact the BarSoc, the president of which is Lauren Elliott via their facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/BarSoc/)

Understanding Law - Student tutor

Understanding law is a compulsory module for all first year law students; however, there is also the option for other years to assist and actually teach on the module. brilliant experience and something highly prized by employers, being a student tutor looks good on the CV.

Being a student tutor allows you to demonstrate great communication skills and how you can relate complicated information in a simple and clear manner to the students.

If you wish to know more then first years can contact their tutor directly. Second and third years (who are staying on next year) should contact the course conveyor for Understanding Law.

Applications for the role of student tutor occur at the end of the academic year. Until this point please do not contact members of staff involved, they will likely be too busy. If you have any questions about the role please contact former student tutor Clare Mattin at cemattin1@sheffield.ac.uk.

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SURE Researcher While not technically a law school activity every year second year students can apply to do projects, either ones they have created themselves or ones which the law schools runs. These are supported by central university funding meaning a student will receive just over £1,000 for a period of six weeks work on their project..

General information can be found at: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/sure The application period is near the end of the academic year and students will be informed of this via email

Amicus Student Representative/ Member

Amicus is a well known international human rights organisation based in London. Amicus works on cases involving death row prisoners and is designed to help those who are unable to afford the help that they deserve.

Derived from the notion of “amicus curiae” the project involves assisting individuals either by working out in the United States or by doing casework and raising awareness in the UK.

For more information on Amicus please see: http://www.amicus•alj.org/index.php You can join Amicus as a member; however, the bigger CV enhancer comes in the form of being the student representative for Amicus. Applications are usually at the end of the academic year. There is normally also an amicus talk at least once per year conducted by Mark George QC at the School of Law.

Sheffield Graduate Award

The Sheffield Graduate Award is open to all students at the University of Sheffield; however Ed Bram is currently the only society to work in association with the Sheffield Graduate Award team, meaning the society offers students tailored course assistance. Advice and help will be offered to Ed Bram members on all aspects of the award.

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The Sheffield Graduate Award is in effect an umbrella award, which links together all the other activities you have been involved with during your time at university. More general information and information about the exact requirements for the award can be found on the following website: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/thesheffieldgraduateaward

Information about Ed Bram’s involvement will be posted on our Facebook page at the start of the year.

Employability and Skills Initiative

The Employability and Skills Initiative is not a society or club but instead a programme of events, workshops and informative talks designed to give Sheffield students a wide array of transferable skills to aid them in finding future employment. Be sure to look out for events being ran under this initiative.

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GET INVOLVED

The information provided in this handbook should act as a starting point, to give students some ideas about getting involved with a range of societies and activities this year. A great place to find out about some of the societies mentioned in this handbook is at the Activities Fair, which is being held in the Octagon on 24th September between 10:30 - 15:30. The Edward Bramley Law Society will be running a range of events throughout the year, including careers talks, mooting competitions and volunteering activities. Students can keep up to date with Edward Bramley events through our website and social media: Website: http://edbram.union.shef.ac.uk/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/edbram/ Twitter: @EdBram_Law If you have any further questions about academic or careers issues, please do not hesitate to get in contact. Sam Van Besouw SVanBesouw1@sheffield.ac.uk Edward Bramley Law Society Careers Secretary 2015-2016

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THANK YOU FOR READING

Website: http://edbram.union.shef.ac.uk/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/edbram/

Twitter: @EdBram_Law