High-profiled speaker shares her top tips for success with students

Vicky Brackett is the Chief Commercial Officer at Irwin Mitchell, which is one of England’s leading law firms; she has an impressive record of senior roles within law firms, covering responsibilities as diverse as recruitment, services for high net wealth clients and the strategic growth of the entire firm. She recently visited The Grove School and spent a valuable afternoon speaking to students. Firstly, all of Year 10 had an engaging presentation by Vicky, then she spent some time with our students who had applied for a bespoke Q&A session. Vicky finished her time talking candidly with Sixth Form students about her experiences in the legal profession and the opportunities available to those that are willing to be brave and to try new things.

Vicky’s Top Tips

• Do something you love, every day.
• Stretch and challenge yourself daily.
• Be free-thinking. Open your mind to where new opportunities may come from, whether that be learning another language or meeting new people.
• Be brave.
• Things change; mistakes can almost always be corrected. Dream big and do not let doubts or worries hold you back.

Vicky’s advice for interviews

• Be yourself.
• Be calm.
• Hold you head up high and be confident with who you are.
• Whoever is interviewing has already decided that they see potential in you – there is something that they like. This is why they have called you for interview. Know in your own mind that there is something positive you can bring to the company.
• Light up the room. (Interviewers can get tired during a long day, so brighten the day for them and they will remember you).
• Have two special things about yourself ready to share at any moment.
• Show that you really want the job and to work at that specific place.
• Do not be scared of saying ‘I don’t know’.

A big thank you to Vicky for giving up her time to share her brilliant advice with our students.