City employability events 2019/20: The City Law School

Academic excellence for business and the professions

The City Law School

Employability events 2019/20

Sponsored by

www.city.ac.uk

Welcome from

Sponsors of The City Law School Employability events guide 2019/20 South Square are delighted to sponsor The City Law School Employability events guide.

Many of our junior tenants have studied at City and we believe this is a testament to the talent that exists within the student body.

South Square is a highly respected and successful commercial set involved in complex and high-profile international and domestic commercial litigation. Members are recognised as leaders in their fields in all the key legal directories and have acted in some of the most important commercial cases of the last decade – including Lehman Brothers, MF Global, Madoff, Saad, Carillion and BHS. Chambers UK Bar Guide describes South Square as having “members with unrivalled talent” and “excellent in everything they do.”

South Square’s work is mainly focussed on financial and banking issues. We are the market leader for restructuring and insolvency and widely recognised for our work in banking and finance litigation. Members also specialise in commercial litigation, company law and civil fraud related disputes. South Square’s work has a significant international focus and members regularly appear in the courts and tribunals of international jurisdictions, notably the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Each year Chambers looks to recruit up to three high calibre pupils with a strong academic record and the potential to become outstanding commercial barristers. Pupils are selected from a broad range of backgrounds and experience, whether recent university graduates or those seeking a second career at the Bar. Pupils are welcomed into all areas of Chambers’ life and are provided with a structured programme designed to train and equip them for a successful practice in a dynamic and challenging environment. Pupils sit with a number of supervisors for periods of six to eight weeks to experience a range of practices and work.

Pupillage is not run as a competition between pupils and Chambers’ approach is to recruit all pupils, who meet the required standard, as tenants.

All applications for pupillage should be made through the Pupillage Gateway www. pupillagegateway.com. We also offer five-day funded mini-pupillages carrying an award of up to £750 and two-day unfunded mini-pupillages. Please see our website for further details southsquare.com/join-us/pupillage.

William Mackinlay Chambers Director

We are delighted to present our programme of employability events for The City Law School 2019/20, designed in collaboration with the School.

These events aim to give you an insight into a range of career options and the skills you will need to successfully apply for work experience, pupillages, training contracts, graduate and postgraduate jobs within the law sector.

You will have numerous opportunities to hear from and network with a range of professionals, employers and alumni from the School.

This guide will help you identify what you want from a future career, choose a sector or role that interests you and help you to explore and achieve your career goals and maximise your student experience at City.

ALL

This event is relevant to all Law students

LLB

This event is relevant to undergraduate Law students

LLM

This event is relevant to postgraduate Law students

BPTC

This event is relevant to students studying Bar Professional Training Course

GDL

This event is relevant to students studying Graduate Diploma in Law

LPC

This event is relevant to students studying Legal Practice Course

GELLB

This event is relevant to all Graduate Entry LLB students

Email enquiries careersevents@city.ac.uk

Telephone enquiries +44 (0)20 7040 8093

Follow us on facebook.com/cityunicareers

Follow us on twitter.com/cityunicareers

Find out more at www.city.ac.uk/careers

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Help with your career Pupillage Advice Service (PAS) The Pupillage Advice Service offers pupillage advice appointments and mock interviews of 45 minutes at the Gray’s Inn campus.

All of the PAS advisers are or were practising barristers who have been or are involved in the selection of pupils. They have had the benefit of seeing large numbers of application forms from students and which of those have generated interviews.

Appointments are allocated on a first-come, firstserved basis. Do not wait until you are invited for an interview to book an appointment.

Find out more and book an appointment +44 (0)20 7040 8093

Meet your careers consultant The careers consultants deliver specific careers workshops throughout the year for all Law students including offering general career advice and CV and application checking. These can be booked online via CareersHub. For postgraduate students on the BPTC, LPC, LLM and GDL there are appointments during term time at the Grey’s Inn campus on Tuesday afternoons.

Marlon Gray Careers Consultant +44 (0)20 7040 8093 careers@city.ac.uk Marlon can equally support BPTC, LPC, LLM, GDL and undergraduate LLB and GELLB students.

Events Programme 2019/20 The location for each event will be published on careershub.ac.uk.uk/students once they are confirmed.

Pupillage at Erskine Chambers networking event

Applications workshop by Osborne Clarke LLP

Tuesday 1st October 2019, 18:30 – 20:00

Tuesday 8th October 2019, 11:00 – 12:00

This informal networking drinks event is for students interested in applying for pupillage at the Commercial or Chancery Bar within the next year.

Erskine Chambers consider candidates with both law and non-law degrees and are the pre-eminent company law set and a leading set in the connected fields of insolvency, commercial dispute resolution (including civil fraud) and financial services. Erskine combine technical expertise with a pragmatic approach to legal issues.

GDL

Osborne Clarke is an award-winning multinational law firm with offices across Europe and Asia. In this workshop they will provide you with tips on improving your application and helping it stand out in the competitive legal industry.

This session will cover the following: • Hints and tips on how to improve your application • How to make your application stand out • How to tailor your application to the firm you are applying to.

LLB

LLM

LPC

GELLB

BPTC

BPTC CV drop-in Tuesday 1st October 2019, 13:00 – 16:00 Tuesday 8th October 2019, 17:00 – 20:00 This is a great opportunity for you to pick up practical tips as well as review the content and structure of your CV. These 15 to 20-minute appointments will focus on the following in relation to your CV: • Suitable look and feel and effectively describing your skills • How to tailor your CV for different job opportunities • The quirks of a legal CV. BPTC

Off-campus careers events Throughout the year employers open their doors to students by offering insight opportunities, presentations and networking opportunities at their offices.

View the off-campus careers event listing on City CareersHub.

Find out more careershub.city.ac.uk/students 4|5

The Civil Service Fast Stream: Preparing for recruitment tests Wednesday 9th October 2019, 18:00 – 19:30 Graduates from the Civil Service Fast Stream will give an introduction to the programme and their experience of it. They will talk you through the application process and provide advice on preparing for each stage, especially the recruitment tests and where they use them during the recruitment process.

By attending this event you will: • Understand what opportunities the Civil Service Fast Stream has • Have a clear understanding of what the application process looks like •U nderstand how to maximise your chances of success when it comes to tackling recruitment tests.

ALL

Explore options with a law degree panel Thursday 17th October 2019, 18:00 – 20:00 By studying law, you have developed a range of transferable skills highly valued by employers. In this panel, you will have the opportunity to listen to high profile employers who studied law and have either pursued a career in the legal sector or chose a very different career path.

Speakers will cover: • Entry routes and requirements • Soft skills, academic qualifications and work experience that students need in order to secure a placement or graduate position • Top tips for applications, interviews and assessment centres for vacation schemes or graduate opportunities.

Demystifying commercial awareness with Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) LLP Wednesday 16th October 2019, 16:00 – 17:00 This interactive session will be hosted by Michael Anderson, an M&A partner at BCLP with over 25 years’ experience working on M&A and investment transactions across various sectors. In this workshop, Michael will talk through a number of real-life transactions which will be used as case studies to understand what is meant by commercial awareness. Michael will focus on how to demonstrate commercial acumen during the recruitment process and the importance of continuing to do so throughout your career as a trainee and beyond.

ALL

ALL

Pupillage meet and greet with South Square Thursday 17th October 2019, 18:00 – 20:00 South Square are offering students an opportunity to meet members of the commercial chancery Bar. This event will be attended by South Square’s Head of Chambers, a number of silks, senior juniors and all junior members under ten years’ call. A junior barrister will give a short presentation about pupillage at South Square, followed by an informal reception which will provide you with an opportunity to socialise and ask further questions.

GDL

BPTC

Dos and don’ts when applying to law firms: Application hints and tips

M&A case with Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP Tuesday 5th November 2019, 18:00 – 20:00

Tuesday 22nd October 2019, 18:00 – 19:00 Find out what law firms are looking for when applying to them for training contacts and learn how best to complete the all-important application form. This event is delivered by talent development organisation Aspiring Solicitors. They will be going through the ‘dos and don’ts’ of completing law firm application forms and offering hints and tips on submitting successful applications.

Aspiring Solicitors aim to provide candidates from a range of diverse backgrounds an equal playing field so their success is measured only by their talent and drive.

LLB

LLM BPTC GDL

LPC

GELLB

Qualifying as a US attorney with BARBRI Thursday 24th October 2019, 13:00 – 14:00 If you are studying or practicing law you may be eligible to sit for a US Bar Exam and become a US attorney. BARBRI enables you to qualify as a US attorney, providing the only International Bar Review programme specifically tailored to the needs of non-US law graduates and lawyers.

They provide flexible learning opportunities where you can choose from their innovative home study online course or a classroom-based approach in London, Dublin, Paris or Dubai.

LLB

LLM

GDL

GELLB

ICAEW business challenge Thursday 31st October 2019, 18:00 – 20:00 The ICAEW business game is designed to give students an insight into the role of an ICAEW Chartered Accountant as well as helping you develop key employability skills such as decision making, problem solving and professionalism. A typical business challenge will involve in-depth analysis of an organisation followed by exercises to recommend and advise on future business strategies. The session will also give an insight into the types of tasks you’ll be set during your ACA training agreement.

LLB

GELLB

This session is an interactive workshop based around an M&A case study. The session, led by a senior associate lawyer, aims to consider legal and commercial issues that might be relevant to a client, debate these and possible solutions around the table and then present on them to the rest of the room. There will be feedback and guidance given throughout the evening by the session leader and each facilitator. The firm intends to offer short work placements to students who impress on the day.

LLB

GELLB

Meet and greet with Travers Smith LLP Thursday 7th November 2019, 18:30 – 21:00 Travers Smith are looking for law and nonlaw students who are interested in becoming solicitors in the future to join them at their offices for a short presentation about the firm. By attending this event you will: • Learn more about the application process for both training contracts and vacation schemes • Network with partners and trainees over drinks and canapes • Discover why Travers Smith have one of the highest staff retention rates in the City.

ALL

How to break into international development: Speed networking with LIDC Wednesday 13th November 2019, 18:00 – 20:00 This interactive event is an opportunity for students to learn from development professionals about options and career paths in the sector. On a table-by-table rotation students will be able to sit with international development professionals and hear about their career experiences and top tips for success. There will also be time for mingling afterwards. Registration required.

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CAREERS ESSENTIALS The following workshops are delivered by careers consultants and are open to all students from any degree discipline. They are designed to cover the essential information you will need to plan your career. All events can be booked through CareersHub: careershub.city.ac.uk/students.

Finding part-time work Wednesday 25th September 2019, 12:00 – 13:00 Do you want to earn while you learn and develop your skills? Join us to find out more about City’s Unitemps service and other ways to find part-time work on and off campus. We will look at what makes an effective CV and covering letter for part-time work and you will gain practical tips and resources to support you in gaining part-time work during your studies.

All

Understanding yourself and your career choices Wednesday 2nd October 2019, 12:00 – 13:00 The first step in making an effective career plan is to understand yourself and what you want from your career.

This session will help you reflect on your skills, strengths, values, interests and how these will impact your future plans. By the end of the session you will have a clearer sense of what you want from your career, which will support you in your future research.

All

How to find an internship, placement or volunteering opportunity Wednesday 25 September 2019, 13:00 – 14:00 th

This session will help you understand the value of internships, placements and volunteering and how to find and secure opportunities. You will learn about resources that can help you with your search, understand what the recruitment process might involve and make more effective applications. By the end of the session, you will have gained tips and resources which will support you in gaining relevant professional experience.

All

Planning your future Wednesday 9th October 2019, 13:00 – 14:00 Making career decisions can be a difficult and complex process. This session will help you to identify resources which can help you with your career research and discuss factors which might influence your decision making. You will consider different models of decision-making and consider which might be most appropriate for you. By the end of the session you will have produced a basic career plan.

All

CVs, covering letters and applications Wednesday 16th October 2019, 12:00 – 13:00 This workshop will help you recognise the key factors that make an effective application, looking at both content and structure. This is a great opportunity to pick up some practical tips which will set your application apart from the others. By the end of the session you will be able to write an effective CV, covering letter and application.

All

Interviews and assessment centres Wednesday 6th November 2019, 12:00 – 13:00 In this session, you will learn how to prepare for interviews and how to answer competency, strengths-based and tricky questions. We will also look at the various activities that could take place at an assessment centre and what employers are looking for in each of them. The session will help you to present with confidence and minimise your anxiety about going to interviews and assessment centres.

All

Developing and demonstrating commercial awareness Wednesday 23 October 2019, 13:00 – 14:00 rd

Commercial awareness is a term you may have heard and be unsure exactly what it means. This session will help you understand what commercial awareness is, how employers assess it and how you can develop it. Crucially, you will also learn how to demonstrate your awareness to employers during the recruitment process.

All

Networking and making professional contacts Wednesday 30th October 2019, 15:00 – 17:00 Being able to network in a confident and effective way is important for building personal brand and increasing employability. This session will explore the benefits of networking and developing strong professional relationships. You will learn what makes effective networking and will increase your confidence in handling all kinds of networking scenarios.

All

International students: Working in the UK Thursday 7th November 2019, 13:00 – 15:00 This session, run in conjunction with the International Advice team, is for current students on a Tier 4 visa who wish to stay and work in the UK after their course. It will provide an insight into the options for working in the UK for international graduates, what employers are looking for and highlight advice and support open to students.

All

Mock assessment centre Wednesday 20th November 2019, 13:00 – 16:00 Try out some of the practical exercises which employers use at assessment centres and receive feedback about your performance. This session will help you prepare both practically and mentally for an employer’s assessment centre. You will feel more confident about taking part in assessment centres and understand their role in recruitment and selection.

All

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CAREERS FAIRS

Careers Fairs

Fairs offer a unique opportunity for you to meet a vast range of organisations in just a couple of hours who offer graduate and postgraduate roles as well as first year, placement and internship opportunities.

By attending, you will have the chance to network with representatives from a range of public and private sector organisations; including law firms, charities, barristers’ chambers, banks, tech and engineering firms and more, depending on the Fair you attend. You will also have the opportunity to hear from representatives about their responsibilities and personal experiences.

Accessibility hour The first hour (14:00 – 15:00) of the Fairs will be designated as an Accessibility Hour, allowing students who have access needs and requirements advance access to the employers available, in order to have uninterrupted and meaningful conversations about the roles on offer.

Business, Finance and Economics Fair sponsored by Mazars Wednesday 2nd October 2019, 14:00 – 16:30 Find out more https://buff.ly/2vveQot Law and Social Sciences Fair sponsored by Pinsent Masons LLP Wednesday 16th October 2019, 14:00 – 16:30 Find out more https://buff.ly/2PAZHv7 Engineering and Technology Fair sponsored by Tata Consultancy Services Wednesday 6th November 2019, 14:00 – 16:30 Find out more https://buff.ly/2URHiLo Graduate Jobs Fair 2020 Wednesday 24th June 2020, 14:00 – 16:30 Find out more https://buff.ly/2GYeg93

Gain fast track entry to the Fairs: The Careers Service, in partnership with Fair sponsors, will be hosting Fair preparation sessions ahead of the Fairs, to give you their best networking tips and discuss best practice for making the most of the Fair.

Students who register and attend the Fair preparation session will be given a fast track pass which will allow priority entry to the corresponding Fair (30 minutes before general entry).

Fair break-out sessions Making the most of the Business, Finance and Economics Fair Monday 30th September 2019, 13:00 – 14:00 Find out more https://buff.ly/2ZW0kUz Making the most of the Law and Social Sciences Fair Monday 14th October 2019, 13:00 – 14:00 Find out more https://buff.ly/2H00Eu4 Making the most of the Engineering and Technology Fair Monday 4th November 2019, 13:00 – 14:00 Find out more https://buff.ly/2JeTgga

A select group of organisations will deliver break-out sessions during each of the Fairs, aiming to enhance your careerreadiness, confidence and motivation to succeed in your career search. The breakout sessions will explore topics such as commercial awareness and how to write winning application forms to specific industries. The sessions are a great opportunity to get direct tips from the employers exhibiting at the Fair.

During the Fair, there will be a free CV checking service. If you have a CV that you would like reviewed by one of our careers consultants, bring it along.

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Employability Skills Programme The Employability Skills Programme, sponsored by ProjectSet, will prepare you for your transition from education to work, exploring all aspects of the selection and recruitment process. These sessions will cover the skills that are most valued by recruiters, how you can reflect on these and how to articulate your experiences clearly when talking to employers.

Date

Time

Event title

Tuesday 1st October

13:00 – 14:00

Part 1: What skills are employers actually looking for?

How to develop these through the ESP Programme with HSBC

Tuesday 1st October

18:00 – 19:00

Part 2: Online applications: Tackling them and what happens next with KPMG

Tuesday 8th October

13:00 – 14:00

Part 3: Phone and video interviews: How best to prepare with Transport for London

Tuesday 8th October

18:00 – 19:00

Part 4: In-person interviews: What do employers really want to hear with Barclays

Tuesday 15th October

13:00 – 14:00

Part 5: Commercial awareness: What is this and how to develop it with Linklaters

Tuesday 15th October

18:00 – 19:00

Part 6: Case studies: How to prepare and ace them with Capco

Tuesday 22nd October

13:00 – 14:00

Part 7: Assessment centres: How to get noticed by the recruiters with Experian

Tuesday 22nd October

18:00 – 19:00

Part 8: Identifying your strengths: How to demonstrate them in the workplace with EY

Tuesday 29th October

13:00 – 14:00

Part 9: Personal branding: How to develop your network with Allen and Overy

Tuesday 29th October

18:00 – 19:00

Part 10: What to expect from the workplace: Your first month with Accenture

If you attend eight of the ten sessions and complete a reflective review you will receive a certificate of participation presented on Tuesday 12th November, 18:00 – 20:00 by our sponsor, ProjectSet.

EVENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR Spring term

The following events are planned for the spring term 2020. The date and time has not yet been confirmed for some of the events. More information will be provided on City CareersHub at careershub.city.ac.uk/students.

Pupillage applications 1:1 review clinic Tuesday 28th January 2020, 18:00 – 20:00 Wednesday 29th January 2020, 18:00 – 20:00 The Pupillage Advisory Service (PAS) and City’s Career Service will be running a careers clinic at Gray’s Inn campus focused on pupillage applications. This is an opportunity for you to have your pupillage application form reviewed by a barrister in a one to one appointment.

BPTC

SQE information session Thursday 30th January 2020, 13:00 – 14:00 This session will review the routes to qualification, with a particular focus on the solicitor and barrister routes. It will be an opportunity to discuss the next steps following completion of your undergraduate studies and consider how regulators are looking to change how qualification is attained. Some key areas covered are: • Qualifying as a solicitor • Qualifying as a barrister • The changes currently under review by the SRA and BSB. LLB

LLM

GDL

Worldwide careers opportunities panel event (part of International City Week) February 2020, 18:00 – 20:00 As part of International City Week, this panel event will provide you with useful insights into the breadth of opportunities available globally to help broaden your scope when applying for jobs globally.

This event will enable you to: • Network and connect with like-minded individuals and industry professionals • Appreciate why international experience is an incredible advantage for graduates in today’s job market • Understand the benefits and challenges of pursuing an international career.

ALL

GELLB

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Commercial awareness in law panel Wednesday 5th February 2020, 18:00 – 20:00 This panel aims to develop students’ understanding of and ability to articulate key aspects of commercial awareness to support applications and future practice. As well as giving you top tips for applications, interviews and assessments speakers will cover: • How commercial awareness is key to their daily working life • W hat aspects are most critical for their sector • How you can develop your own commercial awareness.

ALL

Surviving or thriving: Mental health awareness in the workplace Friday 7th February 2020, 13:00 – 15:00 In this panel you will hear from professionals across various sectors discussing how you can survive and thrive in your professional life with a mental health condition. The aim of the event is to raise awareness on mental health in the workplace, inform you of the types of reasonable adjustments that exist postdisclosure and discuss what well-being is in a practical sense. All students, whether you have a mental health condition, are interested in the subject or would just like more information about reducing stress are welcome to attend.

ALL

LGBT+ workplace equality: Increasing inclusion Monday 10th February 2020, 18:00 – 20:00 This event is aimed at the LGBT+ community at City, their friends and allies to discuss ways to create an inclusive work environment. Discover different models of LGBT+ inclusion in diverse sectors with this event hosted by City’s Careers Service in collaboration with the Students’ Union. There is an opportunity for you to participate in a Q&A forum and listen to a range of professionals from top organisations, followed by a networking reception.

ALL

Law alumni networking Wednesday 12th February 2020, 18:00 – 20:00 Don’t miss this unique opportunity to build and develop your network with The City Law School alumni who have embarked on successful careers in law or outside the legal sector.

This event aims to help you: • Make more informed career choices • Get top tips from your predecessors • Build career and skills development plans.

ALL

Lawyers vs. journalists: The challenges around media law regulation Wednesday 26th February 2020, 18:00 – 20:00 In this event you will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with a solicitor, barrister and journalist discussing the challenges they face in their professional lives with regards to the legal regulation of the media. By attending you will: • Discover the importance of having knowledge of media law when working as a journalist • Get top tips on how to apply as a solicitor in media law • Network with alumni who all have moved on to a successful professional role.

ALL

International Women’s Day: Successful women in the workplace Friday 6th March 2020, 13:00 – 15:00 To mark International Women’s Day, the Careers Service is hosting a panel which has an exciting line up of highly successful women in a variety of sectors. The event aims to help women plan, progress and become more successful in their chosen careers. There is an opportunity for you to participate in a Q&A forum and listen to a range of professionals share their thoughts on what success looks like to them, followed by networking.

ALL

More events to be confirmed throughout the year.

Find out the latest information and updates careershub.city.ac.uk/students 14|15

Academic excellence for business and the professions

Industry Insights

Improve your employability skills and explore new industries and sectors by visiting companies on their premises.

You will have the opportunity to: Broaden your knowledge of industries and related sectors Find out more about the most recent Industry Insights and apply at careershub.city.ac.uk

Experience an employer’s culture and ethos Gain the confidence to approach working professionals Develop your professional network

Sponsored by

Practice your writing and interview techniques Re-examine your academic progression and career choices.

www.city.ac.uk

Notes

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Notes

Academic excellence for business and the professions

The City Employability Award A new award designed to boost your employability and help you stand out to employers throughout the job application process.

Discover more at www.city.ac.uk/ employability-award

www.city.ac.uk

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Pupillage 2019/20 Your future in commercial law

Pupils are drawn to South Square for our reputation as a top commercial set and the opportunity to learn from leading lights at the Bar. Our barristers advise on a wide range of commercial disputes and have acted in many of the most high-profile insolvency, restructuring, banking, company and fraud-related cases of recent times.

We are looking to meet exceptionally talented and ambitious candidates for our various pupillage programmes.

VISIT US AT THE LAW & SOCIAL SCIENCES FAIR TO FIND OUT MORE.

+44 (0)20 7696 9900 pupillage@southsquare.com www.southsquare.com