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Aspiring Lawyers - Applications & General Advice
Applications Discussion
Ask 4 future trainees ANYTHING! *New TCLA Team Members*
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<blockquote data-quote="Ram Sabaratnam" data-source="post: 182695" data-attributes="member: 36738"><p>Hey <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>Although I haven’t had to answer this exact question for an application, I did have to answer something similar during an interview. I also remember thinking that it felt quite tricky to answer a question like this since I hadn’t worked at the firm yet. But when they ask how you’ll "contribute," they’re not expecting you to outline massive changes—they’re more interested in how your skills, experiences, and personal qualities align with what the firm is looking for in a trainee. The key here is to be realistic and show how you can add value by drawing on what you already bring to the table.</p><p></p><p>That being said, I think it's worth keeping two things in mind when answering a question like this:</p><p></p><p><strong>1. Firm-Specific Knowledge and Cultural Fit</strong></p><p>Show that you’ve done your research by highlighting key aspects of the firm—whether it’s their practice area strengths, presence in certain regions, culture and values, or even the size of the firm and its trainee cohort. Tailoring your answer to these elements shows genuine interest and will allow you to highlight your research into them. Since the question is also linked to the broader question of why you've chosen to pursue a training contract with them, reflecting on a firm's unique qualities will allow your answer here to standout.</p><p></p><p><strong>2. Reflect on Your Skills and Experience</strong></p><p>Think about what unique skills, experiences, or perspectives you bring that match key aspects that differentiate the firm. If the firm has a strong presence in a particular sector or practice area, you can discuss how your background or interests would allow you to stand out or contribute. For example, a friend of mine with significant paralegal experience in disputes linked this effectively to a disputes-focused firm she applied to. Similarly, when I applied to certain US-headquartered firms, I highlighted my experience working in lean teams, emphasising how this developed the proactive, independent skills particularly valued by such firms, given their quite small trainee intakes.</p><p></p><p>By linking your research about the firm with your own skills, experiences, and backgrounds, you should be able to convincingly answer this question and concretely discuss what you can contribute as a trainee. Good luck!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ram Sabaratnam, post: 182695, member: 36738"] Hey :) Although I haven’t had to answer this exact question for an application, I did have to answer something similar during an interview. I also remember thinking that it felt quite tricky to answer a question like this since I hadn’t worked at the firm yet. But when they ask how you’ll "contribute," they’re not expecting you to outline massive changes—they’re more interested in how your skills, experiences, and personal qualities align with what the firm is looking for in a trainee. The key here is to be realistic and show how you can add value by drawing on what you already bring to the table. That being said, I think it's worth keeping two things in mind when answering a question like this: [B]1. Firm-Specific Knowledge and Cultural Fit[/B] Show that you’ve done your research by highlighting key aspects of the firm—whether it’s their practice area strengths, presence in certain regions, culture and values, or even the size of the firm and its trainee cohort. Tailoring your answer to these elements shows genuine interest and will allow you to highlight your research into them. Since the question is also linked to the broader question of why you've chosen to pursue a training contract with them, reflecting on a firm's unique qualities will allow your answer here to standout. [B]2. Reflect on Your Skills and Experience[/B] Think about what unique skills, experiences, or perspectives you bring that match key aspects that differentiate the firm. If the firm has a strong presence in a particular sector or practice area, you can discuss how your background or interests would allow you to stand out or contribute. For example, a friend of mine with significant paralegal experience in disputes linked this effectively to a disputes-focused firm she applied to. Similarly, when I applied to certain US-headquartered firms, I highlighted my experience working in lean teams, emphasising how this developed the proactive, independent skills particularly valued by such firms, given their quite small trainee intakes. By linking your research about the firm with your own skills, experiences, and backgrounds, you should be able to convincingly answer this question and concretely discuss what you can contribute as a trainee. Good luck! [/QUOTE]
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