As you may already be aware, the major training contract deadline of 31 July is now only days away!
Hopefully, if you are looking for a training contract in a commercial law firm for 2018, you haven't left your applications until the last minute. It's often a lot more involved than just updating your CV and dusting off a covering letter you wrote a while ago and changing a few names!
Each law firm will need to be researched thoroughly before you even start applying. Some will let you upload a CV and covering letter as part of the application and others won't want to see your CV at all. These firms will want you to fill out their application form and answer specific questions, usually within a given word limit.
Here are a few tips to help you with your applications:
- Quality really is better than quantity! Do fewer applications but do them well.
- Take your time over each application
- Research each firm thoroughly
- Be accurate re grades etc
- Remember the STAR technique when answering questions:
- S ituation
- T ask
- A ction
- R esult
- Vary the examples when answering competency-based questions
- Prepare your answers in Word and then copy and paste into the form
- Think very carefully about why you want to be a commercial lawyer and why you want to work at that firm
- Always keep copies of your applications
- Check each application very carefully before submitting. One typo can be enough to get yourself rejected!
If you need help with your applications please contact me at careers@chester.ac.uk
Careers and Employability at the University of Chester offers its services to graduates free for 3 years after graduation.
