Spring Vacation Scheme Student Review

Working from 9:30-17:30 each day, on a variety of different typical tasks for trainees on that seat. This included research notes, client memos, organising bundles, and making notes in client calls and in court. There were social events twice a week, as well as usually 1-2 graduate recruitment sessions to give more information about the firm as a whole. There was also encouragement to get coffee or lunch with your trainee buddy, supervisor, or any other lawyers at the firm. Each week, you had one big assessed task, which would be the primary focus of that week. The insight was about the firm and team culture, observing the work that members of the team were engaged in, learning more about the firm as a whole, networking, and getting a chance to try trainee work yourself.

Networking skills, particularly on how to show enthusiasm and how personable you are, are highly valued and thus developed on the scheme. Also, being hardworking but also productive - as you are expected to complete all work on time, but staying past 6/7pm is seen as a sign of not being so efficient with your work. Likewise, always being keen and asking for more work, or asking about matters your supervisor or trainee buddy is working on is encouraged. Your general corporate professionalism is also developed very quickly.

Incredibly interesting: there were talks from support lawyers, counsel, members of EGT, and partners. Of course there is an emphasis on making partner and pursuing a training contract progression, but the firm still gives information about a wide range of roles and directions you can take at HSF. There is a bit of a lack of information about paralegal roles, but that isn't surprising as it is still seen as a 'Plan B' to getting a training contract in law more generally. There's a lot of sessions with an emphasis on networking and understanding the business and clients of the law firm, as HSF values people who are both good lawyers but also good at understanding business and the commercial awareness needed to service clients.

Incredibly friendly and welcoming. All the graduate recruitment team, trainees, associates, and partners were friendly and genuinely interested in getting to know more about you. This is expected as your buddies and supervisors chose to take you on, but coming from the CEO and other partners is impressive to see. Also, your supervisor will generally expect you to leave at COB, and that's the case at trainee level as well as on the vacation scheme. From other people, I've heard some bad stories about supervisors being too demanding, but this is in the minority, and is no way a reflection of my experience on the scheme. You are expected to work hard and be enthusiastic, but if you're neither, then commercial law probably isn't the right career for you regardless.

Thoroughly enjoying. Not only was all the work interesting and challenging, but observing the matters my team in both seat were working on was incredibly rewarding (particularly going to court and sitting in on client meetings). Also, everyone else on the scheme was super friendly, and there was no competitive vibe among the rest of the vacation schemers. Graduate recruitment events were all incredible, and the firm really puts it's best foot forward in showing that they value and want you. Can't say I felt like there were really any downsides, aside from the stress of the performance review, but that is only to be expected when you're also being considered for a training contract at such a competitive firm.

Yes

Make sure you research the firm properly, and go to as many events and open days you possibly can at the firm. Network with lawyers as much as you can too, and when it comes to writing your application, treat it like a big 2,000 word essay you need to submit for an important module for university. That's the level of work and time you need to put into it. Get as many people to look over it before you submit, because you might only have that chance to properly be considered for a role (I was a final year when I applied). For AC, try to focus on building rapport with the partners - be yourself, and always ask questions that are intelligent but appropriate at the end. Make your answers in the competency interview personal and not too robotic. Be interested in the firm genuinely, but make it clear that you are a strong applicant with many options; the vacation scheme is just as much about the firm figuring out if you are a right fit, as you are deciding whether you like the firm enough to accept.