Helpful tips

Before the fair

Preparation is vital as you will not have much time with chambers' representatives. Read TARGETjobs Law, explore chambers’ profiles on the targetjobs website and pupillages.com and look at the exhibitors' own websites to find out more about them and what areas of practice members specialise in. Think about what you are going to say beforehand and note down some questions if you think you might be tongue-tied.

Think about your sales pitch to each set, too. What attracts you to the set, what can you offer and what experience do you have in their specialist areas?

What to do when you arrive

First you’ll need to register, check in and pick up your programme and Pupillages Handbook. If you’ve PRE-REGISTERED you’ll need to bring a copy of your confirmation e-mail.

Spend some time looking through the programme to make sure you have time to fit in meeting exhibitors with hearing any talks that interest you.

Make notes so that you've got all the details you need to follow up contacts when you get home.

On the day

Treat the fair as a fact-finding mission, and don't forget that this is your opportunity to ask questions about the realities of the Bar. Exhibitors are unlikely to want to collect CVs from everyone interested in pupillage at their chambers. Instead you can make an impression by asking pertinent and focused questions related to your career aspirations and how they match the work of the set. Above all, make sure you ditch your pre-conceptions. It’s fine to target sets you would like to join but keep your options open. The most fantastic opportunity for you might come from a set you had never previously considered. Try to talk to everyone!

After the event

Make sure that you follow up with each set within a week of the fair and consider attaching a copy of your CV to remind them who you are.

Resources

targetjobs.co.uk/law
Find out more about careers in law, read profiles of graduates working in law, explore legal work experience and look up careers advice from leading barristers.

targetjobs.co.uk forum
Share your career problems, or maybe you can help someone out?

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