Hi all,
I graduated from Cambridge in 2020 with a high first in a non-law degree.
However, it took me four years to obtain my degree rather than three as I intermitted in my final term of third year on mental health grounds. I returned to studies the following September and graduated with strong grades.
I've now been working in a FTSE 100 company for three years and my company is sponsoring me to study a law conversion part-time, with the intention of qualifying inhouse. However, due to organizational change there is significant job insecurity, and I'm also aware that private practice training would give me broader experience and provide varied clients.
This is my first round of training contract applications and I'm a little nervous about approaching a couple of issues given this non-conventional route and wondered if I could have some guidance on how to address these in an application.
1) Do I overtly address intermission for mental health grounds in my CV; or to avoid overemphasizing this do I only mention this in extenuating circumstances?
2) Is there a recommended way to spin this in an application/or for competency based questions to demonstrate resilience - is it safer to keep it an extenuating circumstance?
3) How to address transitioning from a sponsored inhouse training route, as I don't want to appear disloyal to my current company.
4) I haven't done a Vac Scheme before, however instruct and work with external solicitors in my current role, even though I sit outside of the Project's Legal Team. Would you recommend applying for a direct Training Contract or do I need private practice experience?
In advance, many thanks for your consideration on these matters, and apologies for the lengthy post.
I graduated from Cambridge in 2020 with a high first in a non-law degree.
However, it took me four years to obtain my degree rather than three as I intermitted in my final term of third year on mental health grounds. I returned to studies the following September and graduated with strong grades.
I've now been working in a FTSE 100 company for three years and my company is sponsoring me to study a law conversion part-time, with the intention of qualifying inhouse. However, due to organizational change there is significant job insecurity, and I'm also aware that private practice training would give me broader experience and provide varied clients.
This is my first round of training contract applications and I'm a little nervous about approaching a couple of issues given this non-conventional route and wondered if I could have some guidance on how to address these in an application.
1) Do I overtly address intermission for mental health grounds in my CV; or to avoid overemphasizing this do I only mention this in extenuating circumstances?
2) Is there a recommended way to spin this in an application/or for competency based questions to demonstrate resilience - is it safer to keep it an extenuating circumstance?
3) How to address transitioning from a sponsored inhouse training route, as I don't want to appear disloyal to my current company.
4) I haven't done a Vac Scheme before, however instruct and work with external solicitors in my current role, even though I sit outside of the Project's Legal Team. Would you recommend applying for a direct Training Contract or do I need private practice experience?
In advance, many thanks for your consideration on these matters, and apologies for the lengthy post.