Make the most of law fairs to kickstart your graduate career

Forward planning will help you to focus your research and time on the law firms that particularly interest you when you attend a law fair, so make sure you find out in advance which graduate recruiters will be attending the careers fair. If you make a good impression on legal recruiters you'll be a step closer to your desired training contract or vacation placement.

Find out in advance which law recruiters will be attending so you can use our Employer Insights and employer profiles to research firms. Your law department or careers service should be able to provide you with the exhibitor list of graduate recruiters in advance or they may publish it on their website. If not, you should be given a programme on the day: take a copy of TARGETjobs Law with you so that you can research firms on the spot, using the organisational profiles, and talk to recruiters with confidence.

Think about what you want from a firm – do you want to work in the City on large transactions, or with a smaller team where you have more contact with the client? Having considered these questions in advance will help to distinguish you from the crowd and show recruiters that you’ve taken the time – and initiative – to prepare.

Some graduate recruiters, university law departments and careers services run talks on how to prepare for careers fairs. Attending one beforehand will be good practice for the day itself and will help keep key points fresh in your mind.

Look the part of a lawyer at your university law fair

First impressions count. Recruiters need to be able to picture you in the role and polished shoes and a smart appearance can go a long way towards helping them to imagine you in the job. Waiting your turn to talk to the recruitment team and being polite might sound obvious but with so many excited students buzzing around, a lot of queue jumping occurs. Exhibiting patience and good grace will be noted by the team – you’d be surprised how important etiquette is and how much it is looked for and valued by recruiters.

Make a good first impression

The fact that the recruitment team has travelled to a particular university is a clear sign they’re interested in recruiting its graduates. Recruiters do remember informed candidates – many will ask impressive students to get in touch regarding an interview for a vacation placement or even training contracts – so it’s vital not to ignore these opportunities. Don’t make a beeline straight for the sweets and freebies, ignoring the recruitment team.

Speak to current trainee solicitors

A law fair may be your only chance to ask questions only those already working at your chosen firm can answer. Trainees are the best source of information about the realities of life at the firm, so don’t ignore them in favour of the graduate recruitment representatives. Asking about a firm’s annual trainee intake will not impress but enquiring about opportunities for early responsibility or secondments abroad, for example, will. By asking consistent questions to all the firms you meet you can compare answers and make a considered decision.