Job title
Graduate Recruitment Assistant
Organisation
Norton Rose LLP
What do you look for in graduates who apply to work at your organisation?
At Norton Rose we look for intelligent, ambitious, internationally focused and commercially minded individuals to drive our business. All applicants must have achieved at least AAB in their A-Levels or equivalent and be on course for (or already achieved) a 2:1 degree or above.
How important is the subject a graduate has studied? Do you employ graduates who have studied a subject not directly related to your industry? If so, why is this?
We take approximately 55 trainees each year, with a 50:50 law:non-law ratio. Therefore, we look for applicants from a range of disciplines, and welcome applicants who have studied a non-law subject. As non-law students will study a Graduate Diploma in Law and take the Legal Practice Course before starting as a trainee at Norton Rose, all applicants, whether law or non-law, will have received the training they need to start as a trainee solicitor at Norton Rose.
How can graduates prepare themselves for the graduate job market?
Many recruiters will deliver on-campus presentations throughout the academic year – these can be an invaluable source of information regarding graduate vacancies, the application process and life at the firm, and a chance to meet the employers face to face. Additionally, careers fairs are a great way to meet a number of employers in one place – it’s a good idea to come prepared by researching the firms you are interested in targeting, and preparing a few questions in advance to ask the recruiters on the day.
Register with the careers service on campus – firms and the careers service will run skills sessions such as CV clinics, mock interviews and competency workshops throughout the year – these are popular so sign up for email alerts regarding sessions.
What kind of work experience and extracurricular activities would you recommend students get involved in?
At Norton Rose, we look for a balance of legal and non-legal work experience. We look for those who take part in a range of extracurricular activities, demonstrating competencies such as leadership (through a role of responsibility eg society secretary), teamwork (eg through the Duke of Edinburgh Award) and resilience.