Unleashed | The search for employment

Nowadays hardly anyone uses the post, so instead as managing partner I get a stream of emails. These break back into those who know what they are doing (a good covering letter which is relevant to my firm and a well-constructed CV) to no covering letter and CVs with a particular bte noir of mine, the dodgy photograph. Finally there are those that just write a two-line letter with no CV.

The truth is there is a remarkable similarity between most of the CVs I see, especially among those requesting solicitor jobs: the traditional clutch of GCSEs, a 2:1 degree and a range of jobs hither and thither. Looking at CVs can be quite boring so it is interesting when something sticks out from the crowd. Recently, I employed an intern who had spent a whole year teaching English to tribes people in Tanzania. That showed a degree of commitment and tenacity which I was looking for.

The covering letter has to be relevant to my firm. When someone writes to me saying they have a passion for banking law and wants experience of international disputes I know that they have just sent out 500 emails to law firms on a list and have done no preparation work of any kind. Why not do a bit of research in advance? I have a website which describes in detail what my firm does, and no I do not touch with the longest of barge-poles banking or international disputes.

As to the dodgy photographs these fall into the male photo - often wearing sunglasses and a sharp suit and the female photos which always seem to have long blonde hair. One seemed not to be wearing much and in her CV she boasted about her experience as a croupier at a local casino.

Apprentice appreciation

Another modern development is the quest by sixth formers (or whatever they are called these days) looking for work experience while still at school. They invariably write an email (very few have a CV) looking for a work placement between two specified dates and seem to think you will be able to just "slot them in". I employed a lot of these some years ago. Friends, relatives and local schools all prevailed upon me to take their children for a couple of weeks of "real lawyering". The problem is that most 15 year olds can do very little in the modern solicitors office. Oddly enough with the introduction of texting and "text-speak" they have all lost the ability to write a letter or prepare a note of a meeting. They find a 9.00-5.30 day exhausting and when sent to a court to sit with a fee-earner and counsel find it difficult to arrive on time. Some of the work is just too harrowing for them to witness. As a result we no longer take on sixth formers, which on the one hand is a bit of a shame but on the other it prevents them from being put off the law for life.

The new buzz-word is, of course, apprenticeships. This is a scheme that has been given quite a push in the press and there is the lure of a 1,500 cash incentive for each apprentice taken on. But look in the small print. The average weekly wage of most apprentices is 170 a week. That's 8,840 a year. Most young people may be excited by such a salary for a few weeks but when they hear about their working colleagues earning very considerably more that can be a rather potent source of problems. On the other hand I have taken on school leavers in the past - with varying degrees of success and the difference with the new apprenticeship scheme is probably a much more highly structured learning regime which can be "bolted-on" to the employment.

It's interesting to note that apprentices only have to work a 30-hour week so as to allow time for college. This maybe a way to avoid the problems of burn-out and tiredness which I have had in the past. I will be looking into the whole scheme in more detail and may take on an apprentice later this year. Watch this space.

Dog-friendly

Occasionally there is a real gem among the email stream. A personal letter setting out reasons why they want to do the work that I do. Showing a real understanding of my firm and a CV which shows some flair and has that little bit extra which as an employer I am always seeking.

It's nice when you see that and it's at that point that I think about offering an interview.

Interviews are always a bit tense. You are relaxed. They are desperate for the job. Of course it helps if they turn up on time; when a young lady begged me for a 6.30pm interview slot and then didn't turn up until 7.15 I was not impressed. It also helps if you are dressed for the role. Tattoos and tongue studs don't impress me. Do they impress anyone?

The best letters are the ones that start by saying they want to work in a dog-friendly office.

They go on to say that they have seen the picture of Cosmo (the office Labrador) and they were attracted to a job in my firm as I have such an animal friendly office.

They don`t always get the job - but it helps!