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Aspiring Lawyers - Applications & General Advice
My Training Contract Journey
Clifford gave me a Chance (A now SQE Journey)
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<blockquote data-quote="LillyandSilver" data-source="post: 179405" data-attributes="member: 31510"><p><strong>Part 1 in the Interview Series. </strong></p><p></p><p>(Please note these are just ways I've broken down hard questions. It <strong>shouldn't </strong>be taken as Gospel, but I do hope they might help someone. The examples I have used are very robotic and <strong>shouldn't</strong> actually be used but I just wanted to put them in to show sort of what I mean.)</p><p></p><p><strong>Introduction.</strong></p><p></p><p>You want to act the part. Communication is essential for all law-based jobs. You need to come off as someone they want to work with. Everyone says be yourself but that is hard, especially since you often feel the need to be the best version of yourself.</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Taking a deep breath helps. Before you go in sit down with your back straight and try box breathing. (Exhale to a count of four. Hold your lungs empty for a four-count. Inhale to a count of four. Hold the air in your lungs for a count of four. Exhale and begin the pattern anew.)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">You almost have to convince yourself you don’t actually want the job, so you don’t lump all this pressure on yourself and then crumble.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Don’t be someone you aren’t but know what they are looking for. I play up the perky and personable side of myself because most of the roles I go for are very client-facing. It is ok to be nervous, but they want to see how act when you are nervous. Try to show that you can be nervous without being crippled by it.</li> </ol><p><u><strong>Why the firm?</strong></u></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Break it down. I normally pick three parts.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">I’ve always started by saying "These X things drew me to your firm." Then go through them in greater detail just like you would in an essay. It shows that you think logically and in a structured way.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Side note: This structure works for any questions that sound like "What things do you think you need to have to be a Lawyer?" Overview of the main points and then expand on them afterwards. It also means you don't forget anything.</li> </ul> <ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Work: First because it feeds into training nicely.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Training: Second because it feeds into Culture.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Culture: Last because I can talk about all of the wonderful things I know about them outside of the work that they do.</li> </ol><p><strong>Work:</strong></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The "work" part of why you want to work there is where you get to show them that you've done your research.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What do they specialise in, have they done anything big in your area of law? Every firm likes to hear they are at the cutting edge, but if you can evidence it from their news and insight page, they will love you.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">LinkedIn à What are they promoting? Are they proud of partnering with X foundation or charity to help solve X legal issue? Do you like that legal issue can you provide some experience to show this?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Are there any cases you know about that they have been involved in?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><strong>Way to search this if you are a law student/have access to Westlaw.</strong><br /> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><strong>Go to "case search".</strong></strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><strong>If you go to the bottom "advance search" will show up. Click on it.</strong></strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><strong>Scroll down to "Search by representation".</strong></strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><strong>Click on the drop-down box and select solicitor.</strong></strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><strong>Type in the name of the law firm.</strong></strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><strong>A list of cases will show up.</strong></strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><strong>Filter by date, court level and legal area.</strong></strong></li> </ul></strong></li> </ul><p><strong>Training </strong>- what about their programme is good.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">For example, on-the-job work, getting stuck in and client facing which other firms don't let trainees do.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Have you talked to any people to tell you what the training is like?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Example: I know you pride yourself on partner-led work in small teams. This appeals to me because I like the support it gives and the opportunity to learn and build connections from the start of my career. It allows trainees to learn without compromising on client care….</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Seats: are there seats you like the look of, or any unique opportunities to sit on committees: feed this into the culture section.</li> </ul><p><strong>Culture:</strong></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Outside of work what do the trainees do, are there parties, networking events, clubs, and committees that you can join?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Are you interested in taking part in that charity event they do every year where you have to walk around the coast of England!? Really get creative here.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How have the trainees and everyone at the firm made you feel?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What can you tell about the firm from its hiring process that makes the culture so much better than other places?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Law firms say they have a good culture can you show them where you have noticed it?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Example: Just looking at how people interact with each it is clear to see you have worked really hard to create a supportive community which allows you to grow. This is something I am looking for.</li> </ul></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="LillyandSilver, post: 179405, member: 31510"] [B]Part 1 in the Interview Series. [/B] (Please note these are just ways I've broken down hard questions. It [B]shouldn't [/B]be taken as Gospel, but I do hope they might help someone. The examples I have used are very robotic and [B]shouldn't[/B] actually be used but I just wanted to put them in to show sort of what I mean.) [B]Introduction.[/B] You want to act the part. Communication is essential for all law-based jobs. You need to come off as someone they want to work with. Everyone says be yourself but that is hard, especially since you often feel the need to be the best version of yourself. [LIST=1] [*]Taking a deep breath helps. Before you go in sit down with your back straight and try box breathing. (Exhale to a count of four. Hold your lungs empty for a four-count. Inhale to a count of four. Hold the air in your lungs for a count of four. Exhale and begin the pattern anew.) [*]You almost have to convince yourself you don’t actually want the job, so you don’t lump all this pressure on yourself and then crumble. [*]Don’t be someone you aren’t but know what they are looking for. I play up the perky and personable side of myself because most of the roles I go for are very client-facing. It is ok to be nervous, but they want to see how act when you are nervous. Try to show that you can be nervous without being crippled by it. [/LIST] [U][B]Why the firm?[/B][/U] [LIST] [*]Break it down. I normally pick three parts. [*]I’ve always started by saying "These X things drew me to your firm." Then go through them in greater detail just like you would in an essay. It shows that you think logically and in a structured way. [*]Side note: This structure works for any questions that sound like "What things do you think you need to have to be a Lawyer?" Overview of the main points and then expand on them afterwards. It also means you don't forget anything. [/LIST] [LIST=1] [*]Work: First because it feeds into training nicely. [*]Training: Second because it feeds into Culture. [*]Culture: Last because I can talk about all of the wonderful things I know about them outside of the work that they do. [/LIST] [B]Work:[/B] [LIST] [*]The "work" part of why you want to work there is where you get to show them that you've done your research. [*]What do they specialise in, have they done anything big in your area of law? Every firm likes to hear they are at the cutting edge, but if you can evidence it from their news and insight page, they will love you. [*]LinkedIn à What are they promoting? Are they proud of partnering with X foundation or charity to help solve X legal issue? Do you like that legal issue can you provide some experience to show this? [*]Are there any cases you know about that they have been involved in? [*][B][B]Way to search this if you are a law student/have access to Westlaw.[/B] [LIST] [*][B][B]Go to "case search".[/B][/B] [*][B][B]If you go to the bottom "advance search" will show up. Click on it.[/B][/B] [*][B][B]Scroll down to "Search by representation".[/B][/B] [*][B][B]Click on the drop-down box and select solicitor.[/B][/B] [*][B][B]Type in the name of the law firm.[/B][/B] [*][B][B]A list of cases will show up.[/B][/B] [*][B][B]Filter by date, court level and legal area.[/B][/B] [/LIST][/B] [/LIST] [B]Training [/B]- what about their programme is good. [LIST] [*]For example, on-the-job work, getting stuck in and client facing which other firms don't let trainees do. [*]Have you talked to any people to tell you what the training is like? [*]Example: I know you pride yourself on partner-led work in small teams. This appeals to me because I like the support it gives and the opportunity to learn and build connections from the start of my career. It allows trainees to learn without compromising on client care…. [*]Seats: are there seats you like the look of, or any unique opportunities to sit on committees: feed this into the culture section. [/LIST] [B]Culture:[/B] [LIST] [*]Outside of work what do the trainees do, are there parties, networking events, clubs, and committees that you can join? [*]Are you interested in taking part in that charity event they do every year where you have to walk around the coast of England!? Really get creative here. [*]How have the trainees and everyone at the firm made you feel? [*]What can you tell about the firm from its hiring process that makes the culture so much better than other places? [*]Law firms say they have a good culture can you show them where you have noticed it? [*]Example: Just looking at how people interact with each it is clear to see you have worked really hard to create a supportive community which allows you to grow. This is something I am looking for. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]
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