We do not use a standard application form because we are not looking for standard applicants.
To apply for a work placement:
1. Register on our Jones Day Programme web page.
Log in and register your details.
2. CV
Attach your CV in either Word or PDF format. Remember to include a full breakdown of your university grades.
3. Covering Letter
Attach a covering letter. This should be addressed to: Trainee Solicitor Recruitment Manager.
Alternatively, if you are unable to access the internet, please send your CV and covering letter to: Trainee Solicitor Recruitment Manager, 21 Tudor Street, London EC4Y 0DJ.
Please note that as we recruit on a rolling basis for work placement schemes, we may complete our recruitment before the application deadline.
When to apply for a work placement
Our recruitment process
FAQs related to applying for a work placement
When to apply for a work placement:
For our Winter schemes we accept applications from the 1st August to 31st October.
For our Spring and Summer schemes we accept applications from the 1st November to 31st January.
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Recruitment process:
If you are selected for interview, you will be invited to one interview with a partner in London, which will last about 45 minutes. We reimburse all reasonable UK travel expenses. Students who are on a year abroad will be offered the option of a telephone interview if they are not planning to return to the UK during the interview period. After the interview, you will meet with a trainee or newly-qualified associate who will show you our offices and answer any questions that you may have about life at Jones Day.
The interview will focus on assessing your genuine interest in Jones Day and in corporate/commercial law in the City. We do not give assessment exercises or written tests to any of our candidates.
If you are successful at interview we will issue your offer by email and, as much as possible, we will offer you a choice of dates for your placement.
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FAQ's related to applying for a work placement:
Q. If I am doing a four-year law degree, when should I apply for your summer placement scheme?
A. We would prefer to take law undergraduates onto our summer schemes at the end of their penultimate year (i.e., at the end of the third year of a four-year degree). Therefore, if you are going to be in the UK in the summer between your penultimate and final year of study, you should apply to us during your penultimate year (between November 1st and January 31st). If you are studying abroad, we can organise a telephone interview with you. If you know that you will not be available during that summer, then please contact us to discuss.
Q. If I have already started the GDL/CPE or the LPC, can I still apply for a placement scheme?
A. Yes, but take into account that we recruit trainees at least two years in advance, so we would be unlikely to be able to offer you a training contract until one or two years after your course has finished.
Q. Do you take students who do not have a permanent work permit onto your placement schemes?
A. No. We are looking for potential trainee candidates amongst our placement students. It is difficult for us to obtain permanent work permits for trainees, as it is hard for us to convince UK immigration that we need to recruit outside of the EU for 15-20 trainees per year. Although applicants may have the right to do work placement schemes in the UK, it does not make business sense for us to accept applications from people who do not then have the necessary work permit to do a training contract with us.
Q. If I get a placement scheme at Jones Day, will I have more of a chance of getting a training contract?
A. Yes and no. Although all our placement students are guaranteed a training contract interview, they still need to convince the recruitment partners who interview them that they meet the requirements we look for in a trainee. There are obvious advantages to having done a scheme at Jones Day in terms of getting to know the culture of the Firm and understanding our training system so that you can demonstrate why you would be a successful trainee. However, there is obviously feedback given to the recruitment partners from people you work with and meet during the scheme and, if that is not satisfactory, it will not help your chances of getting an offer.
Q. What proportion of your trainees did a placement scheme with Jones Day?
A. Out of our current trainees, about 70% did a work placement scheme with us.
Q. Will Jones Day help me to find accommodation in London for the period of my work placement scheme?
A. We can provide the contact details for London university halls of residence who let out rooms to students during the summer break. If a student is struggling to find accommodation, we can find out if there is anyone in the office who has a spare room to rent.
Q. Will it benefit me if I apply before the application deadline?
A. As we process applications as they arrive, the earlier you apply the earlier you would be invited to interview if successful. Occasionally, we do fill our places for some schemes before we have been able to consider all applications. Therefore, yes, it is advisable to apply before the deadline.
Q. Are there any placement scheme opportunities in your overseas offices?
A. Not at present, although we are currently reviewing this.
Q. What if I haven't done very well in my first year exams?
A. Our minimum academic criteria for degree results is a 2.1 (or equivalent). However, we realise that some students have experienced mitigating circumstances that have led to a lower performance than expected. In this case, we would ask you to provide an explanation in your covering letter.
Q. What hours will I be expected to work?
A. Most people on a work placement scheme work from 09.30-17.30 each day with an hour's break for lunch. However, we advise people that they may need to be slightly flexible, as you may be invited to attend a client meeting outside these hours or be asked to get involved in an urgent piece of work that requires you to stay slightly later than usual.
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