📖 Contents

📅 Before the vacation scheme

🔍 Get prepared

• [ ] Research your practice area: Once you’re told which team you’ll be joining, look up their recent deals and key clients so you know what kind of work to expect.
• [ ] Review your firm research: Re-read your original notes from when you applied — it’ll help in conversations and interviews.
• [ ] Print your timetable + pack a notebook: Be ready from day one (you’ll probably get given a notebook, but it’s good to have your own anyway).
• [ ] Set up your calendar: Get familiar with Outlook and learn how to set reminders for key meetings.

💬 Reach out

• [ ] Message your trainee supervisor (if you know who it is): A short LinkedIn message to say “looking forward to working with you” is perfect.
• [ ] Speak to a former vac schemer: Use LinkedIn to ask someone for a chat. Prepare some specific questions (that makes it much easier for them to help than a general “chat”).

🧠 Get your mindset right

• [ ] Remind yourself — you’re not expected to know anything: Asking questions is a strength, not a weakness.

🗣️ During the vacation scheme

🔭 1. Find out how your task fits into the bigger picture

Curiosity is one of the strongest traits you can show on a vac scheme.

At this stage, firms aren’t assessing what you already know — they’re assessing how you think, how you learn, and whether you ask good questions.

Your curiosity (not your current knowledge) is an indicator for how quickly you’ll become technically strong as a trainee.

So, don’t be afraid to ask questions. In fact, not asking questions ****(and pretending to know things) is a red flag. If you try to bluff your way through a task (like saying you know what a “warranty” is when you don’t), it’ll backfire.