xeric - adj - devoid of moisture.
Put the kettle on petal, I'm xeric.
I know, but there's not much to choose from when it comes to the letter x unless you fancied a chemistry lesson.
I have spent hours trying to formulate a decent OLPAS application, but it's not the easiest task and the questions make me feel awkward. Some of the questions require similar answers and I feel that I've more or less duplicated certain information in parts. To date I have completed just 4 applications and need to get cracking this weekend with a few more, but I'm far from pleased with my efforts to date. What worries me most is the lack of certain extra-curricular activities such as mooting. I'm at a distinct disadvantage in that I have to work to earn money to pay the mortgage etc. and as such I just don't have the spare time to do things that perhaps more privileged or younger students have time to do. And of course living in the back of beyond doesn't help because I can't just nip out for an hour or two to do some extra curricular stuff in the evening. I guess I'm my own worst critic in some ways and the OLPAS thing just tends to make me feel quite inadequate.
To make matters worse, Swiss Tony, greedy boy that he is, has swiped all the lemon, orange AND lime OLPAS fruits, so I'm just left with strawberry. He's just showing off because he's already done negotiation at his school and I have yet to do any at mine, so I ended up with a raw deal. Oh well, I shall just have to be content in the knowledge that his teeth will drop out before mine, can't wait to see the look on the pupillage panel's faces when he gives them his 'winning smile':-)
10 comments:
Why don't you use your skills learnt at work as justification... people skills - dealing with people, communication - colleagues, members of the public, judgement, negotiation,public speaking (to a degree!), etc etc.
I am not sure what work you do, but I am fairly sure that you would have done most of the above. And in many ways they are more real than mooting!
AR, I have included all of my work related experience which goes back quite a few years, but I suppose I'm comparing my application to that of a 22 year old's and I realise that chambers will have to look at my application in a different light to that of a younger student. Having been self employed for many years, I have a fair amount of transferable skills, but I'm not sure that chambers will see it that way?
Well I hope that they do as I will be pretty screwed then too!
I have heard (I am not sure that this is true!) that OLPAS does not favour people that have experience (I guess mature students in summary). I am not sure that it is entirely true as I have have managed to work in the things that I have done in the past. I just hope that the chambers notice.
The things that I have focussed on are:
Communication
People skills
Problem solving
Proven ability
anything else that you can think of? If I was you, I would also try and work in the self employed bit in the past. You know what its like etc etc, motivation, finances (if you did these yourself), independence, will power. Sorry just typing as I think, so I hope that it makes some sense and is not all rubbish! :-)
My dear Maid,
If it's of any help,You are not the only one in a dark ( ish) place with respect to Stargate; as a crinklie OLD Minx I look at my CV at this time of year and cRINGE, quite frankly; it is fit only for use as Chip Wrapper, in comparison to the Sparkling ( and doubtless beautifully SCENTED) offerings of the Youngsters, but you have lifeskills unique to you; as Law Girl has pointed out, its a question of pitch, wording your stuff in such a way as to make it all stand out. Thats the tough part. Mooting and Debating? Meh. I have neither experience, and it didnt stop me getting four first and two second round interviews last year, so you GO girl, and stick it to your chosen chambers!!!
i thought olpas was effectively discriminating against me as an old git. but the stats last year were 6 olpas interviews from 12 and 1 non-olpas from 12 (and a load more unsuccessful non-olpas this year). go figure!
and anyway, you aren't going to change their attitude by worrying. if they don't want people with experience they won't interview you. do the stuff people have suggested above (and the stuff you know anyway); emphasise the direct application of your skills to work at the bar and you will sell the product as strongly as you can.
worrying is natural but it won't help us. you do your bit and chambers will do whatever they do. nobody understands what they want anyway, so we are all in the same boat in that respect, at least.
breathe, be strong and believe. it will either work or it won't.
good luck to all of you doing olpas. (must start soon myself...)
Thanks everyone for your words of advice and support. I'm just about to re-jig my application in readiness for this afternoon's OLPAS orgy.
I agree with the above BarMaid, if you can show that you have acquired skills by other means you should be ok!!
Best of luck with your applications!
The one area which I wonder over whether the wrinklies (and most especially those who have been self employed) fail to promote sufficiently is their ability to deal with clients. I mean this in a slightly different way from mere people skills, with the emphasis being on be able to win customers, maintain relationships and keep customers happy etc.
This does seem to be a whole aspect of being at the Bar, and therefore being self employed, which doesn't get enough attention. After all, you can be an ace lawyer, but if no one is instructing you, it won't count for much.
And, if you cannot get the work in, you are not much use to chambers because you will be taking up space whilst not being able to contribute to the coffers.
I find it difficlt to explain this succintly, but being able to demonstrate a proven commercial awareness is, perhaps, what I am trying to get at. This could, with a bit of spin, be one of the areas where the maturer candidates can put themselves at an advantage.
BM, Blimey, you KNOW that I offered you first dibs on the OLPAS Fruits, and I also believe that I threw in a comment about being a gentleman!
Negotiation I may be able to do, but I wasn't expecting the right hook and swiping of the bag that you did. BPP are a bunch of rogues.
I think that us older applicants have one thing that the youngsters don't have. Experience.
Commercial awareness, client skills, life experience, maturity, they are what sets us apart. If the chambers is looking for someone that will benefit them, we have it in bucket loads, so its what we have to sell ourselves on.
Comparing us to the kiddies is a waste of time. Have you ever spoken to any? I can't believe how uninteresting and vague most of them seem to be. Admittedly that blonde girl I sat next to at a lecture had my interest all evening, but you can cut the competition down immensely if you try and imagine yourself as their client representing you in Court.
Major on your experience, and according to Bar Boy, he tells me that you have more than most!
Swizzle chips
'Gentleman' my foot, *humph*.
I can't help being an old git, who's been knocking about forever.
Anyway, how was school? Mine was a bugger last time, did so much colouring in that I had to spit on my felt tips to keep em going.
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