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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ram Sabaratnam" data-source="post: 182705" data-attributes="member: 36738">Hey there! I’m so glad you’ve found this thread insightful. These are great questions, and I’ll try my best to answer each one clearly:1. Work Experience SectionIt’s great that you’re already reflecting on the skills you’ve gained from your roles. While the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can be helpful for highlighting key achievements, it’s not necessary—and it can sometimes limit your ability to make the best use of the word count. Instead, focus on describing what you did in each role in a concise and clear way. Where possible, tie your experiences to commercial law by showing how the tasks you undertook in each role helped you develop essential competencies, such as attention to detail, problem-solving, written communication, client service, and teamwork. You don’t need to mention all of these for each entry; just use examples that showcase how you’ve developed a few legally-relevant skills that were really fostered in that role.2. Research for ApplicationsI completely understand the balance you’re trying to strike here. When I first started applying to firms, I also found it tricky to know whether I'd collected enough research. That said, I think 2-3 hours per firm is a solid amount of time. Beyond that, the returns can diminish, especially with the limited word count most applications have. When carrying out research, I’d recommend focusing on the essentials—understanding the firm’s core practice areas, their culture, and any recent high-profile deals or cases. This targeted research will help you craft a more tailored application while giving you time to focus on other commitments. 3. Dealing with RejectionFirst off, you’re definitely not alone in feeling this way. As a career changer in my 30s, I remember feeling frustrated at how opaque the process could seem. The rejections could sometimes completely undermine my confidence to pursue a career in commercial law. But the fact that you’re now fully committed to commercial law and putting in the work is the important first step. When dealing with rejection, I’d recommend asking for feedback whenever possible (though I appreciate it’s often hard to get this at the application stage). If you’re finding the application writing process challenging, it can be really helpful to have someone else review your answers or even take a short break before submitting. A fresh pair of eyes—whether your own after a break or someone else’s—can give you a clearer perspective and help you spot things you might have missed.4. Your Grades and ChancesA mid 2:1 is a strong achievement, and you should definitely be proud of the progress you made in your final two years <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> It's also worth noting that a handful of 2:2 grades won’t necessarily hold you back, especially since you’ve shown clear improvement. If you had any mitigating circumstances, it’s worth mentioning those in your applications. Most firms take a holistic approach and they’ll consider your work experience, motivations, and fit with the firm, not just your grades. I'd encourage you to focus on showcasing your strengths and the progress you’ve made.I hope this helps and was clear. You're doing great - keep going!</blockquote>

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