Students pioneer new world: Jump starting legal careers under Covid

Legal career insight events in a virtual world are more than just a fad – they’re here to stay and worth embracing, argues Inderpreet Matharu, second year law undergraduate at Nottingham Trent University

Although virtual legal career events have been set up as a response to the Pandemic, they still offer a highly engaging snapshot into the operations of a successful law firm.

And if the 7000-plus attending Browne Jacobson and Young Professionals’ first two day virtual event under the firm’s FAIRE initiative (Fairer Access Into Real Experience) over Easter is anything to go by, they are likely to remain a firm fixture in any law firm’s calendar post pandemic.

The numbers attending can appear daunting at first but, similar to any career or networking event – virtual or not - you only get what you put in. Preparation is paramount so treat it just like a job interview. And don’t be late!

Make sure your research beforehand puts you in a strong position to ask insightful and specific questions that will help you get information to bolster your application

In doing so go beyond the firm’s website and look on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to see what the firm is saying and doing.

It is also important to have a different strategy for “working the room” if you get the chance. Make sure you register for any relevant workshops and streams or speeches well in advance.

Making a connection is understandably more challenging so use social media platforms such as LinkedIn post event to connect with attendees and speakers. Most people using LinkedIn ask to connect and then never reach out again – be the one that does!

Post-Pandemic may see us return to the “normal” in-person legal career event we are so used to but the virtual world is unquestionably here to stay and worth getting up close and personal with.

First published in Edward Fennell’s Legal Diary on the 16th April 2021 by Inderpreet Matharu.