How to convert internships into training contract offers

Given that many of are now undertaking internships, I thought I'd offer some advice on how to demonstrate your commitment, approach the work you're set, and ace any team-based exercises you might come across during a vacation scheme. But first...

1. Brand ambassador programme 2024/25

OUR 2024/25 BRAND AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME IS NOW LIVE!

We’re looking to recruit highly motivated, articulate brand ambassadors who want to become an integral part of our team throughout the next academic year.

We’re looking for people who want to be part of a growing start-up, with the potential to have a significant impact on others’ career journeys.

People who have a creative streak, and the drive to make things happen.

People who love brainstorming ideas, get excited about putting those ideas into practice, and have the confidence to offer honest feedback on an ongoing basis.

And above all, people who are passionate about legal careers and marketing.

The deadline is midnight on 28 July 2024. We’re recruiting on a rolling basis, capping it at 25-35 ambassadors for this year, so please get your application in as soon as possible if you’re genuinely interested in applying. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

Apply via this link

2. University society partnerships

*** CALLING ALL UNIVERSITY SOCIETY EXECS ***

Last year, we worked with dozens of leading law and commercial awareness-related societies from a broad range of UK and European universities.

Their members benefitted from access to a comprehensive range of free expert-led resources and career support, including best-selling books, critically-acclaimed courses, and more.

We're now looking to set up our 2024/25 society partnerships, so if you're on an exec committee, please email us via [email protected] (or DM Jake Schogger ) so that we can send over the details of what we're offering.

If you know someone else who's on an exec, please tag them in this post to help spread the word!

3. FREE live commercial law applications masterclass

On 15 July (5pm - 7pm) we’ll be running an in-depth masterclass on how to approach commercial law application questions, filled with highly practical advice, personal examples and insightful anecdotes, followed by a workshop during which Jake Schogger will go through volunteers' applications live on air and answer questions from attendees.

We'll also be offering attendees a full, free month's access to www.commerciallaw.academy during the event (new customers only, terms apply)!

Register via this link.

Now, back to internships...

Demonstrating a deeper commitment to the firm and the career

Throughout internships, firms will look for a genuine commitment to your chosen career. They will want to see that you have shown a real interest in the work and the firm more broadly, as they would rather not invest in you if you’re likely to leave soon after qualification.?

Ask lots of carefully considered questions - to supervisors, graduate recruiters, people you meet during socials, and people that give you presentations - as this can really help to demonstrate your interest. In addition, when carrying out the work, it's really important that you keep an open mind and approach all tasks with enthusiasm.?

Try to recognise the learning opportunity in everything you do, including the more menial or administrative tasks. If your first task is to proofread a long, complex document, don’t simply sulk and act as if the work is beneath you. Instead, be thankful that the task isn’t beyond your capabilities, maintain a positive attitude and be as helpful as possible.?

End-of-internship interviews

Internships typically involve some sort of final interview towards the end. For some firms, this interview has a significant impact on the outcome, whereas others treat it more as a casual debrief. Either way, by the time this interview comes around, your motivation for wanting to join the firm should be fully formed and well-articulated.

Having spent a number of weeks immersed in a firm's culture, meeting various employees and engaging in real work, your reasons for wanting to work at the firm will have to be more personal, more substantive and less derivative of the firm’s marketing materials.?

Be ready to talk about the people you’ve met, the work you’ve completed, the events you’ve attended, and your general opinions of how the internship went. Keeping a work/internship diary throughout (whilst remaining mindful of confidentiality!) can enable you to refresh your memory as the interview approaches.

How to effectively approach the work you are set

If you cannot do the work to the standard expected by the firm, they will be unlikely to offer you a job. Whilst some pieces of set work will be harder than others - and minor mistakes may be completely understandable - you should always strive to demonstrate strong attention to detail.?

Proofread your work multiple times (you could even ask colleagues to have a read if you think this might be appropriate) and make sure there are no spelling, grammatical or formatting errors. Essentially, avoid any easily-avoidable mistakes!

Check to see whether there are particular fonts, templates or settings in Word or Excel that firms use as part of their “house style” and where possible, adhere to these. Also, make sure that you always consider the intended recipient of your work.?

If it’s for a client, then ensure it is short, concise and to the point (unless you are told otherwise) and that the language is not too technical or full of jargon and acronyms.

Taking instructions from a supervisor

Whenever you meet with someone during an internship, always bring along a pad and pen so that you are ready to write down instructions if they set you a new piece of work (or in case they give you useful guidance or insights about the firm).?

Once you have received instructions, you could start by summarising them back to your supervisor to check that you have understood them correctly. Ask questions if you are unclear on a particular instruction, but listen carefully; asking the same question twice will waste your supervisor’s time and reflect negatively on you.?

If any issues arise once you have started the work, try to figure out as much as possible yourself through research. Failing this, rather than repeatedly interrupting your supervisor with questions (which can be frustrating and disruptive for them), consider listing out questions that arise overtime, then asking them all at once when your supervisor has a free moment.?

How to approach team-based assessments

Tackling group presentations

Internships typically include a team-based exercise to test the way in which candidates interact with others on a mutual task, and this can involve researching and delivering a group presentation.

For example, I was tasked on multiple occasions with delivering a group pitch to a fictional client that focused on the firm’s capabilities, experience, and ability to offer greater value for money to clients.?

If you’ve been tasked with preparing a pitch or presentation as a group, check whether there will be a question and answer session at the end. If there will be, then make sure you know each other’s work and research inside out.?

You may be allowed to defer an answer to a colleague, but equally you may be expected to answer questions on your colleagues’ work. If you are clearly familiar with each other’s input, then this will indicate to your assessors that you have worked effectively as a team.?

Tackling negotiation exercises

If you are participating in a negotiation exercise during an internship, avoid acting in a manner that could be construed as aggressive, overbearing or single-minded. Listen attentively to others, encourage team members to contribute, take people’s options into account, and work with others to create solutions that everybody can get behind.?

If you have the opportunity to prepare in advance as a team, make sure you all agree on the points that you absolutely cannot concede, would ideally not concede and can concede if necessary, as well as any thresholds or ranges that you need to stick to (e.g. price ranges).?

Complete our “Succeeding during internships” course and pick up our Training Contract Handbook to better understand how to prepare for internships, demonstrate enthusiasm and professionalism, organise yourself, effectively tackle the work and any team-based exercises, and ace your final interview.

As a reminder,?Commercial Law Academy?offers 22 in-depth courses, covering: insights into legal careers, firm profiles and interview insights, expert advice on writing applications and tackling psychometric tests, dozens of example (verified) successful cover letters and applications, resources to help you prepare for interviews and internships, example interview case studies, practical content to help you understand and confidently discuss commercial concepts and current affairs, plus tips on how to network, negotiate, deliver presentations and write professionally. Check out this?animated explainer video?for more information.