Networking tips for law students

Open evenings are incredibly important for students coming to the end of their law degree. Not only do you get to find out more about specific law firms, but they also give you a chance to stand out. Here are some top networking tips for prospective trainee solicitors.

1. The first and most obvious point is “be prepared”. There is no point whatsoever going to a law firm without any knowledge of the firm- what do they do and what are their specialist? Are you moving into private client or a large corporate law firm? If the firm specialises in a niche area this is good to learn about so you are informed when you talk to the solicitors there.
2. Have a few questions prepared in advance that you want to ask the lawyers, and it always pays to ask a question you know the answer to, which again means plenty of research.
3. There is usually a presentation about the firm so make sure you take a small notepad with you to record things that you can ask questions about or mention in interviews. Solicitors in big firms really believe in their job and company and if you can bring up things about the firm this will add weight to a serious application. It is important that you are passionate about a firm you are applying to so listen carefully.
4. Don’t drink too much; at the end of the day, it might make you feel relaxed, but you are going to be working in a professional environment, and you will be remembered for all the wrong reasons if you were drunk at the open evening!
5. Ask for a tour of the office as it gives you a feel of where you will be working, and again this will be useful information in an interview situation. If you are at an open evening, it will be good to note how many people are still at their desks to give you an idea of the hours the firm expects you to put in.
6. Make sure you take note of anyone’s name that you speak to- asking for a business card is the easiest way- you can then use this to contact them after the event, strike up a rapport and drop their name into interviews- a true cliché here: it’s not what you know, but who you know in law so never underestimate the importance of having a personal contact at a firm.
7. It is good to make contact with the trainees because they know exactly what you will be doing and will be very honest. They will happily give you their email so keep in touch: they have been through the recruitment process themselves recently, so they are often more informed than senior partners on what the firm is looking for!
8. If you find yourself stuck for something to say, lawyers just love talking about themselves- ask them where they went to uni, what they studied, what football team they support, why they joined the firm and what they love or loathe about the job.
9. Lawyers are asked constantly what makes their firm different or what they look for in a prospective trainee, so it is best to qualify this with, “I know your firm is strong in construction, so would you be looking for ...” or, “I am interested in ... do you think this would make me stand out as a potential candidate for your firm?”
10. This is a great opportunity to ask all the questions you have about the firm’s recruitment process. The graduate recruitment team will be there so make sure you talk to them and ask them any questions you have as they will be the people who assess your application if you go on to apply. They will have a wealth of information on the process and what they are looking for so take advantage of this.
11. Finally, after the open evening, write an email thanking the organiser for an enjoyable evening, mentioning some of the people you spoke to and the things that stood out about the law firm for you. Such notes will be kept on file and if someone remembers you, this is a great starting point for getting into a firm.