Clifford Chance at the TARGETjobs National Graduate Recruitment awards. | Photo: TARGETjobs Awards
Law firm Clifford Chance won big at the TARGETjob Awards in London last week (28 March).
Held at Grosvenor House, the 2018 TARGETjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards is the largest early careers recruitment awards in Europe with over 1500 graduate recruiters in attendance on the night.
Clifford Chance is one of the world’s pre-eminent law firms with significant depth and range of resources across five continents. They teamed up with National Student Pride as the headline partners of the awards to raise awareness and attendance of National Student Pride among the student LGBT+ community.
Clifford Chance has also been Gold Sponsors of National Student Pride for four years now.
Nearly 100,000 undergraduate apprentices and school leavers vote for the winners of the awards.
Clifford Chance win Best Graduate Website. | Photo: TARGETjobs Awards
Laura Yeates, head of graduate talent at Clifford Chance said: ‘We know that people perform better when they can be themselves and we recognize that creating an inclusive workplace is not only the right thing to do, but is also crucial to our success.
‘This partnership highlights our ongoing commitment to raise our profile as an LGBT employer of choice that is dedicated to recruiting and supporting diverse talent,’ she said.
‘We’re very passionate about the jobs we do’
Shortlisted in six categories, Clifford Chance came out on top in three.
They won Best On-boarding Experience, Best Graduate Website and Best Work Experience Programme for First Year Springboard (a category they were double-shortlisted in). They were also runner up for Most Popular Recruiter in Law and Best Diversity Strategy.
According to Aasha Tikoo, Graduate Recruitment Marketing Manager at Clifford Chance, the First Year Springboard scheme is ‘a unique offering we have for first year law students.’
She continued: ‘It’s a week-long, paid, work experience placement in the firm and includes a visit to an international office. It can also lead straight to an interview for a training contract at the firm.
‘We are the only law firm to offer a paid work experience opportunity like this to first-year students,’ she said.
Joanna Lumley presenting the TARGETjobs Awards. | Photo: TARGETjobs Awards
Best On-boarding Experience refers to the overall experience newly recruited graduates have with the firm. The award assessed them on their offering, from looking at their induction process, training, support and mentoring programs.
Tikoo said: ‘Basically from the moment they accept the offer through to when they start at the business.’
She added: ‘We care very much about every individual who comes into contact with the business. We put a lot of time, energy and resource into ensuring every aspect of our processes are as tailored, structured and efficient as they possibly can be and we were very proud to win these awards as we’re all very passionate about the job we do.’
‘Find somewhere that appreciates exactly who you are’
Over the course of the night, Clifford Chance also raised £8,000 (€9,160 $11,230) for the Albert Kennedy Trust.
Claire Linacre at Albert Kennedy Trust said: ‘AKT was delighted to be involved in such a fantastic and fun event.
‘The raffle was a triumph and the £8,000 raised on the night will help us provide safe homes, mentoring, training, advocacy and support to young people who are homeless or living in a hostile environment.
She added: ‘We want to say a huge thanks to everyone involved.’
Drag performers Mary Mac and Danny Beard performed on the night. Actress Joanna Lumley hosted the ceremony and presented each winner with their awards.
Danny Beard at the TARGETjobs National Graduate Recruitment awards. | Photo: TARGETjobs Awards
Tom Guy, founder of National Student Pride said: ‘I always say to students, no matter what your dream job is, find somewhere that appreciates exactly who you are.
‘Being able to be out as LGBT+ at work is so important.
‘Just like our event, these awards champion organizations and people who want to empower and inspire young LGBTI people. It is also a fantastic opportunity to enhance our existing relationship with Clifford Chance, who continue to prioritize and deliver diversity in the workplace,’ he said.
GTI, organizers of the TARGETjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards said: ‘Not only will we be partnering with these two great institutions… we will also be working with them to raise awareness of National Student Pride directly among the more than one million students in our TARGETjobs community.’
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Clifford Chance is a sponsor of Gay Star News.
