Here are some ideas about how to tackle those common online applications for training contracts and vacation scheme placements.

Activities, interests, positions of responsibility

Please give brief details of your key non-academic extra-curricular hobbies, activities, leisure interests, highlighting any positions of responsibility whether at school, university or otherwise.

Prizes

Please provide details of any academic prizes, distinctions, skills, scholarships and any other noteworthy achievements. In the case of skills please specify level of proficiency.

Sometimes the question will specify which “level” of your education these refer to, e.g. school, college or university.

Firm specification

Please explain why you think you are well suited to [], and have chosen to apply to [] for a training contract or vacation scheme placement? why you think you would make a successful trainee?

Again this question is trying to determine your commitment to a career and specifically your commitment to their particular law firm. Recruiters look for motivation, commitment and enthusiasm. So, why have you chosen them? Is it because you have spoken to trainees and like the sound of the firm’s working environment? Have you researched their work and found a specific case / area interesting? Do you have relevant industrial experience? Do you have a language or are from a country that they have clients / offices in? Is there something particular about their training that appeals to you? Show that you have done your research about the firm and that you are genuinely interested in them.

Despite the temptation to apply for as many different corporates as possible, it turns out from http://www.cvmailuk.com/user/main.cfm?rcd=160922 that law students do extensive research in fact into their choice of firm. The 2010 CVmailUK survey indeed provided these as the top ways in which law students ‘did their research’:

• Firm website (17.6%)
• LawCareers.net (12.4%)
• Training Contract Handbook (11.7%)
• Lex100 (10.4%)
• Chambers and Partners Students Guide (10.4%)

It’s also worth noting that @AllaboutCareers and @Allaboutlaw are also very helpful. LawCareers.Net and @AllAboutCareers also post the latest deadlines for training contract and vacation scheme placements on their websites. Some firms, such as @Eversheds, run a very active account such as @legaltrainee where law students are able to interact with a current trainee, to get an idea of the organisational structure, culture and training of that firm.

Career motivation

What qualities do you think you possess to be a successful lawyer at [X]? Which areas of law interest you and why?

Commercial awareness

Identify a current commercial article that you read or a recent event from the business world which has attracted your attention recently. Why do you consider it to be significant? Who are the key stakeholders in this situation and what are the implications for those concerned?

Commercial awareness is something that firms almost without exception mention as a desirable quality. Commercial awareness is generally defined as a candidate’s general knowledge of business. It can be summed up as an interest in business and an understanding of the wider environment in which an organisation operates: its customers and competitors. For corporates, this is about establishing “competitive advantage”, and it’s often interesting to work out how companies enter new markets (especially the BRIC emerging economies), and what barriers there might be for companies competing effectively in critical markets.

Commercial awareness generally means an understanding of a client’s business and the industry or sector in which it operates. It is a key competency for applicants. It involves not only keeping up to date with commercial issues and it is also about being able to demonstrate commercial awareness through any business/work experience and, specifically, the applicant’s understanding of the type of firm to which they are applying. Clients seek business solutions, presented in a way that makes sense. An understanding that a law firm operates in a competitive industry is also considered as being commercially aware.

As a result you may be expected to demonstrate an understanding as to how the firm markets itself to its clients. To know who the firm’s main competitors are. To explain how you would attract a potential client by explaining the unique selling points of the firm. For example, if you’re applying to a foreign firm, it’s not inconceivable you could be asked who the major players are in that particular market (e.g. the US market). In addition to this you will be expected to know about the practice areas in which the firm or chambers operate and to be aware of key changes in legislation and the economic market which may affect the way in which they operate.

Have you done a LL.M. in international commercial law where you might have gained important experience in drafting or case analysis in this particular field of law? A LL.M. can teach you a lot of basic international corporate law, practical drafting and commercial research case analysis skills. Have you even done a M.B.A. where you have studied business management in great detail? You could also think about participating in any student societies where you are doing the GDL or LPC – these are very active the vast majority of “learning providers”.

Mention any business/commercial experience you have had, including non-legal work and/or roles which involve dealing with clients or members of the public. Have you ever been a Director of a private limited company yourself? This can highlight your awareness of customer needs and expectations. Were you ever given the task of improving a current service or product? Did you add value to it? If so, how did you go about it, what factors did you have to take into consideration? Are you able to identify the long term and short term goals of an organisation or a project? Thinking in terms of a SWOT (the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of the firm or legal sector, or PESTEL, can be helpful.

Did you have a key role in any society committees at school or university? Were you given a financial role? Any of these can be good indicators that you have had to think about different perspectives in the market place.

Have you ever raised money for a charity, secured sponsorship for a key event? What process did you go through to secure the funds? ?Read the business press regularly. Try to know something about current leading stories/issues, and how they might have an impact on the firm’s clients. Look out for stories that will affect the firm to which you are applying, or its clients, directly or indirectly.

Look at the BBC news and business website. Read also publications like the Financial Times, the Economist, and The Lawyer. There are business related programmes on BBC Radio which are also available to listen again on-line and as podcasts such as:

The Bottom Line (with @EvanHD) http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/bottomline  “Insight into business from the people at the top. Evan Davis meets influential business leaders for a round table conversation about the issues that matter to their companies and their customers.”

www.lawcareers.net/Information/BurningQuestion/Introduction.aspx

http://targetjobs.co.uk/law-solicitors/articleview-48s_20a_2733.aspx

www.wikijob.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk/business

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law

www.realworldmagazine.com/law

www.thelawyer.com

www.legalweek.com

www.lawyer2B.com

Proactivity

 Describe an occasion when you spotted an opportunity to make an improvement in ‘going the extra mile’, and took action without being asked to do so. What steps did you take? What was the outcome? Explain why you think this attribute is relevant for a solicitor.

This question is testing your problem solving ability. Detail what the issue was, why it was difficult and then what you did to resolve it. If you are talking about a group activity, do not put ‘we’ – they are interested in what you did. As with all your answers use this question to differentiate yourself i.e. make it personal and substantiate what you say with specific examples.

Aspects of a good answer might be as follows.

• Use initiative to act on opportunities. Become a leader before other people view you as one. Healthy organisations often reward those who take the lead, not just those with formal management roles.
• Take responsibility for own objectives: set priorities. Display a “can do” attitude even in demanding situations. Try to solve problems, rather than to pass them on to other people.
• “Go the extra mile” when asked to do tasks. Go beyond your job description. Do work that gets you noticed. Show enthusiasm: this will be noticed and you will eventually be rewarded.
• Take ownership of problems: anticipate potential problems, take pre-emptive action and act quickly to resolve problems. Develop innovative practices. Value innovative thinking.
• Learn new skills that will enhance capability.

 Flexibility

Describe a time that you have had to change your approach to a project or task halfway through. What changes did you have to make? Why did you need to make these changes? What was the outcome?

This means that you are able to modify your approach to achieve a goal, and you are open to change and new information; you can rapidly adapt to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. Legal recuiters are often looking for the following aspects.

1. Values need for flexibility:

• Accepts that other people’s points of view are reasonable or valid.
• Acknowledges that people are entitled to their opinions, and accepts that they are different.
• Steps into colleagues’ tasks when needed or required.

2. Demonstrates flexibility:

• Works creatively within standard procedures to fit a specific situation.
• Understands policies and can work within them to meet office, work group, team or individual goals.

3. Adapts approach:

• Changes one’s approach as required to achieve intended outcomes.
• Prioritises actions effectively in order to respond to numerous, diverse challenges and demands.

4. Adapts strategy:

• Changes the overall service plan and implements new practices when original approach and assumptions are no longer valid.
• Able to shift strategic focus and activities quickly in response to changing organizational priorities.

Teamwork

Teamwork is considered crucial to functioning well as a trainee/junior in a corporate law firm.

 Please give an example of a situation where you were required to work in a team to accomplish an important objective and describe your role in achieving this objective

A law student who is good at teamwork might:

• Believe that working together with others or in teams gives higher synergies to self and the teams, and therefore is positive and enthusiastic about teamwork and team building.
• Contributes significantly when working as a member of a team or when working as a team leader to build a strong team; respects all the members of the team and cooperates with every team member and the team leader.
• Provides help and support to those team members who are in need of help and support, and shares relevant knowledge and information with all the team members including the team leader.
• Maintains the required level of communication in terms of quality, quantity and timeliness with the team members and the team leader.
• When working as a team leader, facilitates developing team goals with team members’ participation.
• Motivates the team members while working as a leader of the team or even when working as a member of the team, building up high team morale; creates a sense or feeling of cohesiveness among the fellow members.
• Is good at resolving the conflicts that might arise due to diverse personalities of various team members.
• When the members seem to err from the shared mission, goals and priorities, brings them back on the desired focus.
• Seeks for each and every member’s active and enthusiastic participation all the time and accordingly motivates the members who seem to be getting disinterested or tuned out from time to time.
• Makes every member feel that each one’s work or contribution is equally important.
• Shares credit for success of team with all the others in the team.
• Celebrates the team’s success together with all the others in the team.
• Makes sure that the various teams do not become islands in themselves and form unnecessary boundaries around them.

Defining qualities of the candidate

What can you tell us about yourself that sets you apart from other applicants, and which are convincing reasons why we should recruit you?

In a sense, your answer to this question is to some extent governed by your personal qualities not covered elsewhere in the form. Here are some further competences which might be relevant here.

Integrity

A trainee will be expected to upholds the principles of the current SRA Code of Conduct. Some aspects might include:

• Holds to a laudable value structure all the time and in all the situations.
• Practices integrity while dealing with everyone and therefore is regarded as trustworthy person.
• Does not turn and twist the information to gain something or to score a point in an underhand manner.
• Uses confidential information confidentially. Does not divulge the confidential information even under any body’s pressure.
• Does not indulge in any kind of corruption or corrupt practices.
• Motivates others to practice integrity by being an example to others.

Leadership

Some aspects might include:

• Can envision the advancement and growth opportunities.
• Possesses abilities for high degree of conceptualization, strategizing and analysis.
• Demonstrates high achievement orientation. Therefore, emphasizes commitment, accountability, action orientation and results.
• Adept at interpersonal relationships and puts emotional intelligence in action.
• Excellent communicator.
• Uses his excellent influencing skills for bringing out the desired consensus, decisions and actions.
• Very good at decision making processes and once decisions are reached, displays firmness and decisiveness in implementation.
• Displays required flexibility and adaptability in different situations and times.
• Is great team builder and team player. Provides necessary support and cooperativeness.
• Possesses high commercial awareness and business acumen.
• Develops many next line leaders.

[There are other competences discussed in this factsheet which might be relevant to this question as well.]

Communication skills

 All solicitors at [X] work with a wide range of people so need to be able to persuade, influence and display effective communication skills. Describe a situation when you have had to communicate effectively.

You should think of various forms of effective communications, e.g. oral presentations, written papers, written papers, drafting, interviewing or advising (on the LPC), practical legal research (on the LPC), blogging, participating in podcasts, and how you have adapted your method of communication according to the target audience. Your answer is bound to be more compelling if you can give concrete examples. Some related specific competences are given as below.

Persuasion

One scenario where persuading skills can be important is the job interview, but the following tips are valuable in many other settings.

• Focus on the needs of the other party. Take time to listen to them carefully and find out about their interests and expectations. This shows that you are really interested in them and they are then more likely to trust and respect you. It will also make it easier for you to outline the benefits of your proposal in terms they understand.
• Argue your case with logic. Do careful research on your ideas and those of your competitors (if there are any) and make sure that any claims you make can be verified.
• Use positive rather than negative language: instead of saying “You’re wrong about this”, say “That’s true but ….”, “That’s an excellent idea, but if we look more deeply …..” or “I agree with what you say but have you considered ….”.

Listening

 Some aspects might include:

• Believes that listening strengthens the quality of communication, interpersonal relations, human relations, emotional intelligence, conflict management and team management.
• Every interaction requires one to respond and since the quality of response depends on the quality of listening, tries to improve quality of his listening constantly.
• Thus, listens to understand the other person and not just to react, reply, control or manipulate the other person. By understanding the other person properly, can respond or act in the best possible manner.
• Generally respects other people and demonstrates openness and trust through his body language and spoken words.
• Then, paves way to influencing the people in right directions by diagnosing the issues and concerns of others in a better way for effective problem solving.
• Promotes a more participative style of managing by involving people.

Conflict and pressure

The success of [X] is built on the self-motivation and applied effort of all its employees, as demonstrated by their ability to work through setbacks coping effectively with conflict and pressure. Describe a situation when you have had to deal with conflict and pressure. Which other people involved? What did you learn about yourself?

Some aspects might include the observations that the law student:

• Recognises the fact that conflicts are quite natural in any organization and yet these need appropriate redressing to move on with apt solutions, thereforeis willing to take up the responsibility of managing and resolving the conflict.
• Can think through clearly in a conflicting situation.
• Keeps his eyes constantly on the desired goals and therefore, does not drift away from them despite conflicting arguments and points of views.
• Listens well and patiently all the conflicting arguments and presentations.
• Controls the people and their communication patterns in the discussions that takes place when resolving a conflict.
• Facilitates the innovative and creative thinking of the people caught up in the conflict.
• Does not take sides of any particular set of people or their thinking. Rather, tries to facilitate working out genuinely appropriate and optimal solutions.
• Contributes his own inputs, ideas, creativity and analysis to supplement the missing or erroneous information and thus uncover the real issues and reasons that led to the conflict. Then proceeds to help find the answers.
• Gains agreements without leaving behind any bitter taste or disrupting the human relationships.
• Is proactive and as far as possible anticipates the conflicting situations and dissolves them well before they turn into conflicts.

Commitment to excellence

 Describe an occasion when you have demonstrated commitment to a task or project that resulted in you exceeding expectations either for yourself or others. What steps did you take? What was the outcome?

You will be able to achieve the excellence in any skill or competency only if you rehearse or practice the learned skill a large number of times. Knowledge alone is no guarantee for achieving great levels in skills or competencies. For example, only if you start swimming, you will become a swimmer; mere knowledge of swimming or great theories of swimming will not automatically make you even an ordinary swimmer. Knowledge surely helps and is a must but without doing, it is of no use to you. Implementation of knowledge is the name of the game. Wisdom is in knowing what to do and how to do but the virtue is doing it.

It’s said that you should become both consciously and unconsciously competent in your strive for excellence. Consciously competent means gaining the knowledge about the skill to be mastered and begin practicing the knowledge gained (example: gaining knowledge on how to swim using proper styles of swimming and start swimming using the right styles of swimming). On the other hand, unconsciously competent means keep practicing the knowledge gained till you gain mastery in the skill (example: you have now become an expert swimmer since you have been swimming using the proper styles of swimming over number of hours and you can now give yourself 9 on 10 or even 10 on 10). For greater success in life, you should try to reach the unconsciously competent level in the skills required by you for your professional, personal, family and social activities/tasks/projects.

Personal challenge

 Describe a significant challenge that you have faced outside of your academic studies ideally from the last 2 years. How did you initially analyse the challenge? What approach did you take to solving it? What did you learn from this challenge?

Successful answers to these sorts of questions need to be as concrete as possible. Supply specific detail on the situation, the actions taken and the results achieved. Figures can be particularly useful in this context.Your example need not be “big”. Go for something you genuinely believe to be a real achievement rather than give them something you think they want to hear – it’ll be more convincing. The important thing is to set it in context. Explain why it was significant to you – if you’re unsporty, uncoordinated and broke your leg six months previously, learning to stay upright while sliding a few hundred metres downhill may well have been a major achievement. A useful device is the Trojan horse technique, which allows you to smuggle in other examples as in “ I considered selecting one of several achievements, including x and y. However I have chosen z because…….”

 Aspects of a convincing answer might include the following.

1. Recognises Lack of Success:

Acknowledges areas where expectations are not met, and provides reasons which may or may not involve self.

2. Remains Positive:

Re-energises after loss or failure or after encountering a significant hurdle to readdress the situation and to overcome it; approaches new situations with continuing positive outlook, despite previous disappointments.

3. Takes Responsibility:

Acknowledges personal responsibility for outcomes, even when not all elements of a situation are within direct control but could have been personally managed.

4. Learns from Mistakes and Successes:

Analyses situations on an ongoing basis to improve own performance; designs a personal action plan to address own issues constructively and decisively.

5. Shares Learning with Team:

Deals openly with failure by bringing team together to define specific problems and present solutions; may involve team in diagnosis and in developing solutions to effectively transfer knowledge into the organisation.

Mitigating circumstances

There may be good reasons why you ‘underperformed’, due to recent bereavement, or illness and disease, and these should be set out with reference to documentary evidence where possible.