Work Placements – How they work at DG
They last for one week and give you the opportunity to sample every department a paralegal would work in prior to their Training Contract.
These are:
- First Response
- Credit Control
- Costs Department
- Media & Marketing
At some firms you will be asked to have a similar workload to their own Trainees – undertaking legal research or attending seminars, conferences or even court.
Why bother?
Although words like ‘voluntary’ and ‘unpaid’ might not sound like much fun, especially when most students have a mountain of student debt to pay off, a one-week placement can be highly beneficial and provide a clear insight into what legal sector you wish to work in. Volunteering and work shadowing doesn’t have to get in the way of your paid work either (or your social life!), it can be flexible and can be done at evenings and weekends as many law firms stay open late and are open on Saturdays.
“Seeing how many cases come in each day and how many enquiries are received was very eye-opening. I don’t think I had ever imagined the scale of work that is done each day in a law firm!”
Kirsty North
A placement or even a day shadowing can also help answer any questions or concerns you may have. A legal career is a huge time and financial commitment and a placement can clarify what it actually means to be a solicitor and whether a career in law is right for you.
Future employers will expect to see that you have taken the initiative to organise a placement and it will show you are committed to a career in law. The more hands on experience you have, the more likely your CV will be picked from the pile and you will be asked to attend an interview.
“After this I was in the costs department, now to be in this department you have to have a very ‘there’s no messing with me’ tone to your voice”
Stephanie Sales
We have had very positive feedback from people who have been here on work experience who have found their time with us very beneficial.
“I had a great time in Duncan Gibbins Solicitors and it was good to see the effort and time each individual puts in different departments and the efforts they go to, to make students familiar with the process in the best possible way.”
Maryam Barzegar
So what are you waiting for?!
Advice when there
- Many firms use placements as a ‘long interview’ so grasp the opportunity with both hands and make sure you work as hard as you can
- Look the part – smart clothes are appropriate for most firms
- Do your research! Find out about the firm and their practices beforehand
- Always ask questions and voice your own opinions, law firms are looking for confident people
- Network – speak to the trainees about their experiences and don’t be afraid to ask them for help or advice
- Use initiative – always offer yourself to help if you have the time
- Sell your experience on your CV – impressive tasks undertaken on a placement can really help catch an employer’s eye
- Watch our video for our advice on how to make the most of your work experience
Current vacancies – ‘Off-Peak and Peak’
At Duncan Gibbins Solicitors we have two separate work experience schemes. During our ‘off-peak’ times which is term time at university we are currently taking students on a first come, first served basis as long as their CV is of a decent standard.
For our ‘peak’ times – Christmas, Easter and Summer – we have an application process where students have to send in their CV, cover letter and dates of availability before the set deadline. These placements are extremely popular and we have to select the best suited students for our placements.
We currently have stopped taking applications for our summer vacation scheme as the deadline has now passed.
However we are hoping to start accepting students for an ‘off-peak’ work placement again after September so if you are unsuccessful for a ‘peak’ work placement you can always re-apply at a later date.
If you are successful in obtaining a work placement then please make sure you read our guide before attending your work experience.
What we are doing
- Offering placements to Students who perform well at certain universities (prize for high marks, mooting, quantum competition)
- We will be looking in particular at students who attend for ‘shadowing’ to identify top performers to come back for placements.
If you’re interested in a work placement follow us on twitter@DG_Academy or like our Facebook Page for constant updates and vacancies. Alternatively email Beth Nunnington at academy@duncangibbins.com
It is also worth a visit to your career advisor at university to see availability of placements.
