Editor's weekly: Holidays are coming

But before you switch to full-time party mode, don’t forget that most vacation scheme application deadlines close only four short weeks after New Years Eve.

And with exams and coursework deadlines now out of the way, it will give you plenty of time to get focused and to begin researching potential law firms and identifying any holes in your CV.

So why not create an excel spreadsheet listing the firms you plan to apply to, contact details for their graduate recruitment teams, any relevant deadlines and a few points about why they are on your shortlist.

Pull out the notes you have been making from your one-on-one conversations with graduate recruitment teams and trainees at the law fairs to avoid making any glaring errors.

And lastly do not underestimate the amount of time each application is likely to take - it may seem extravagant but recruiters often say to me that they expect candidates to spend at least half a day completing each.

The January 31st deadline may seem like an age away, but the preparation you do over the next few weeks is crucial if you want to stand a chance of landing that vital work placement in the summer.

laura.manning@lawyer2b.com

P.S. Don’t forget that the staggered postgraduate course deadlines for the GDL and LPC were scrapped this year - therefore do not panic if you think you missed the 1 December deadline, as applications are still open. (19 August 2011)

P.P.S. Lawyer 2B’s winter edition is now available so remember to pick up a copy from your law school or download the PDF version here.