Application tips & tricks
Hello everyone, as application deadlines begin to loom I thought I’d share the – genuinely – useful application tips that I’ve picked up through nearly three years of applications.
- Make the most of your part time job skills
Not having attended 100 open days, or been on three vacation schemes does not actually put you at a huge disadvantage when it comes to applications. I cannot emphasise this enough but law firms LOVE part time jobs. Whether you cleaned part time in a school, served on the tills in a shop or taught children’s sports groups in your spare time – these come with so many transferable skills which you can use to demonstrate some of the key skills companies are looking for.
Here’s an example of a key skill and how you can demonstrate it in an application:
Question: Please tell us about a time you demonstrated your ability to juggle multiple tasks at once
Example answer: When I worked as a shop assistant at Argos during sixth form I often had to juggle multiple tasks at once. For example, if I was picking items for customers from the stock room, I often had to put away deliveries, prepaid items and process returns whilst doing this. I had to prioritise these tasks depending on the importance of each. For example, I always picked customer items first, then prioritised prepaid items as customers often collected those on time, I would then focus on getting the delivery put away and finally, process the customer returns before the end of the day. This resulted in me enabling to deliver excellent customer service, ensure that prepaid items were ready to be collected quickly, put away the delivery in the stock room and process all customer returns efficiently before the end of a shift. This demonstrated my ability to juggle multiple tasks at once and to a high standard.
2. Personalise your application fully to the firm or chambers
Unfortunately, although it is so easy to copy and paste your previous answers, graduate recruitment can see straight through us! Despite it being time-consuming and sometimes difficult, you really should focus on tailoring your application to the place you are applying. It seems like a no brainer but even little things like referring to a chambers as a ‘law firm’ is a big no-no! Proof reading will be your best friend here, ask you mum, dad or flat mates to proof read something as we often have a habit of blocking out our mistakes (especially when we re-read our application for the 100th time!)
3. If you are applying to law firms, do the practice tests!
Watson-Glaser critical thinking test, logical reasoning test, verbal reasoning test, numerical reasoning test, the personality questionnaire, situational judgment tests – for even the best law students, these haunt people for many seasons of vac schemes!
I will be doing another blog post covering all of these tests commonly used by law firms and including my own personal experiences but for now, if you can, get practising because it will make it much easier when you come to be invited to undertake one of these tests. After speaking to training contract holders, trainees and associated, they recommended you begin practising 3-6 months before you could be invited to undertake one. Of course, the volume you undertake these tests at and how difficult/easy you find them may alter this so only use this as a recommendation.
If you’d like to look at these tests in further detail and familiarise yourself before you begin practising, have a look at the below links:
TIP: There are many many free tests available but sometimes you have to search the internet quite deeply as they are hidden amongst many paid programmes.
https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/logical-reasoning-tests/
https://www.123test.com/logical-reasoning-test/
4. Do research which runs deeper than the website
Anyone could read a website and come up with three reasons to apply to a firm – what law firms really want to see is that you have a genuine, deep interest in the firm. You should take a good amount of time to research the firm thoroughly and there are several things you can do to find out something which is not on the website. For example, speak to some trainees or solicitors who work there – do a linkedin search, connect with a few who have similar interests for yourself and drop them a message asking whether they would have some time to talk to you. Remember to be polite and if they do agree to speak to you, arrange a meeting, stick to the time and do not cancel! They are doing you a favour so make sure you are respectful, on time and grateful for the opportunity. Ask the questions about their training, what they like about the firm, why they chose the firm and you will soon start to learn something different about the firm.
You can also look at blogs or LinkedIn articles, firms usually post about wins of cases and updates on the firms and you can use this to find out more about the work they do and see if it interests you. This gives you something to mention on your articles and shows you taking a genuine interest in the firm.
Explore the website, LinkedIn and Instagram to see whether the firms are running any webinars that you can attend, actively engage and make use of the chat function if they allow and then use this to forge a connection with the host or staff of the firm and see whether you can learn something different.
5. Have a hobby!
Believe it or not, the recruiters are not looking for someone who eats, sleeps and breathes law! If you have a hobby that you are passionate about, use it at the interview. Show your personality and your interests outside of your academic studies – when you’re applying, they will see that you are academic based on your grades and academic achievements – but they also want to know what makes you different.
6. Keep a copy of your application!
Your recruiter may have your application in front of you whilst you’re being interviewed after you’ve applied. You should always keep a copy and remind yourself of what you’ve written (especially if you have a bad memory!) – obviously we should not be lying on our applications but sometimes its handy to know what you’ve written in case you get asked for more specifics!
7. Back up every claim you make about yourself with evidence
Anyone can say that they have excellent organisational skills or that they have great people skills but you need to prove it! Back up every claim with evidence and if you cannot think of a time you’ve displayed a certain skill you should not be including it in your application as they may ask you to explain how you’ve demonstrated excellent time management skill or a time where you had to resolve conflict. You should include real life examples and stick to techniques such as STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) – this is going to show that you recognise the skills they are looking for, and more importantly that you have these skills!
8. submit your application in good time – especially if it has a rolling deadline!
Applying earlier on in the application process gives you a greater chance of success as there are naturally going to be more spaces, often positions are considered and interview or assessment spaces can sometimes even be filled before the deadline closes – this is why it is so important to submit applications promptly to give yourself the best chance at succeeding.
If you have any questions or want to discuss anything at all please do email me or message me on Instagram @ussu.lawcareers