What counts as work experience?

[Joe Pagett]

... for applications, as some of the following advertised themselves as such but I don't feel as if they can be included?

-Aspiring Solicitors workshop at Dechert LLP (it was mainly focused on applications, interviews, commercial awareness, Dragons Den type competition etc.) so I am not sure if it counts? Although hosted at the firm's office with a couple of their lawyers present, the day was organised by Aspiring Solicitors

-volunteering (if there is not other section)

-firm presentations on campus

-firm workshops on campus (eg. components of a deal)

Which of these can be put under the 'work' experience area in application forms? Or should I just include the most relevant throughout the prose questions

Cheers in advance

 

[Demna87]

Hey Joe, for my own applications I only include presentations on campus if that is the firm that I'm applying to but I usually put it in the cover letter or why this firm section. I haven't been on many open days so I will include those in the work experience section even if it's not the firm i'm applying to. I think your aspiring solicitors workshop does sound like it would fit in the work experience section. It sounds like it gave you some good skills that you would want to include.

I have quite a lot of volunteering experience so I include one position in my work experience section because it is more like a regular job but I just do it for free. My other volunteering positions I usually mention in the extracurriculars section if there is one.

So, I personally think you last point is correct - about including the most relevant throughout the prose questions.

 

[Naomi]

I tend to put all my legal experience under one work experience heading, unless it's a vac scheme or more formal internship type role.
For example, mine includes Shearman & Sterling Women in Law Conference, firm open days and networking dinners and workshops and an example of something I have learnt or why I was interested in each.