Pupillage

marluc

Don't know whether this is in the right area, but my daughter is about to apply for pupillages in London. We know the competition is stiff. She is from the North of England and has studied which barristers she wishes to apply for. Many of them take Oxbridge students. Her degree is from Manchester Uni and her Barrister's course is from London City Law School.
Has anyone got any advice for her application for my hardworking daughter, who just wants to be a Barrister and has done since she was 13 years of age.

melancholly

i'd imagine she still has access to the careers service at manchester and/or london city. i'd suggest she goes there any tries to see what additional info they have (they sometimes have contacts of previous students happy to give advice) or tries to get a mock interview. essentially, it's a tough thing to do - there will be a lot of rejections (for people from any uni - it's a very competitive area), but she's doing all the right things by reading up on who she's applied to.

Voyager2002

Good advice from Melancholly. I would just add that the really hard part of becoming a barrister is not so much getting a pupillage as being offered work once that has been completed!

Artytarty

My daughter is in the same position!
She has a mentor assigned to her from her Inn of court. They have met and she was able to give interview advice also a lead to a mini pupillage. She read over her C>V and personal statement section for applications. It is a good idea to format the application so the major achievements are near the beginning apparently, if they have to dig deep to find out what your unique selling points are, they may not bother.
her college hold mock interviews ( I think).
Please tell her that even to be shortlisted for a first round interview is something to be proud of. Its possible that she may have to wait a further year and try again.
You do know that the applications being made now are for pupillages starting in 2012?
Good luck to yours and mine!
Arty.

Cupcake_Ems

Sorry I'm a bit late to this one! My partner is a barrister. He did not attend Oxbridge, but did have a 1st class degree from an excellent northern uni, an MA from a prestigious London university, plus the LPC and BVC (from BPP). He worked in politics for a while, and then took a job as a paralegal until he got pupillage. Like @artytarty, his mentor was enormous help and he was able to do mock interviews when he did the BVC. He also did lots of mini-pupillages, which gave him a better idea of why he wanted to be a barrister and what kind of work is involved (and what he likes!). The paralegal work provided excellent experience and he has also been able to get work from the firm he worked at as a paralegal since starting pupillage. Overall, it takes a long time - at least 2/3 years of applying plus an additional year of wait time - to secure a pupillage. Generally, the first time around, being shortlisted for a first round interview is a good thing. I think the top tips are:
1) Network, network, network - do mini-pupillages, speak to your mentor, and get as much advice as possible.
2) If you can, live in London. Do paralegal work, attend industry events and talks, and really stay on top of the game.
3) Apply widely - you may be surprised by what chambers you like.
4) Be confident! Those interviews are hard. My partner got asked things like, "So, you did history. Were you just not smart enough for law?" Hold your ground.
5) Be patient. It will take time. Don't lose hope!

Good luck!