• Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training Contract
    Now half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
    Join Premium →
  • Office Hours with BCLP (Live Q&A)
    17 December 2025 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (UK) Hosted on TCLA TV
    Join Isabel Elsey, Legal Recruitment Manager at BCLP, for a live Q&A session. Get details on secondments, innovation, growth areas, and everything else you’ve wanted to ask about life at BCLP!

    📺 View Event →

Linklaters Get Ahead - Cover Letter help

floral.tcla

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Aug 15, 2024
143
176
hey! I was just wondering if anyone in the past has applied for this/if anyone would be happy to share advice on how to ensure this is successful - I'm great at the watson glaser but terrible at written answers. I've applied to a lot of VSs at international firms and I know they're very competitive but the written questions are my weak point, so it'd be great to hear from others (and helpful for others). thanks!

it should just be one page, outline why linklaters and why commercial law, and it should be:
  • specific to the firm
  • specific to you
the application form advises:
'
  • Brief overview of academic, extra-curricular and work achievements
  • Why are you interested in a career in commercial law?
  • Why Linklaters?'
 

Amma Usman

Legendary Member
Staff member
Future Trainee
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 7, 2024
1,492
1,589
Hi,

It’s great you’re considering applying for that programme. I’ve linked some guides I made in the past to help. Let me know if you have any follow-ups at all.


 

floral.tcla

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Aug 15, 2024
143
176
Hi,

It’s great you’re considering applying for that programme. I’ve linked some guides I made in the past to help. Let me know if you have any follow-ups at all.


Thank you Amma!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Amma Usman

q

New Member
Premium Member
Mar 2, 2025
3
6
I attended the Get Ahead Application Workshop for the 2025-26 application cycle and can share the following tips on writing your cover letter based on the discussion held:
  • Briefly explore the work that Linklaters does as a firm that differentiates it from their competitors.
  • Explain why you are applying, what you hope to achieve if successful, why you are interested in commercial law, and why you've chosen Linklaters.
  • Reference a recent deal/transaction the firm has worked on and why you find it interesting.
  • You should demonstrate understanding of aspects of the Agile Mindset framework.
  • Reference any interactions you've had with Linklaters - this can include Forage.
  • Mention how your motivations to apply align with the practical aspects of the programme structure.
  • Limit the letter to one side of A4. Size 12 font is fine.
 

Amma Usman

Legendary Member
Staff member
Future Trainee
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 7, 2024
1,492
1,589
I attended the Get Ahead Application Workshop for the 2025-26 application cycle and can share the following tips on writing your cover letter based on the discussion held:
  • Briefly explore the work that Linklaters does as a firm that differentiates it from their competitors.
  • Explain why you are applying, what you hope to achieve if successful, why you are interested in commercial law, and why you've chosen Linklaters.
  • Reference a recent deal/transaction the firm has worked on and why you find it interesting.
  • You should demonstrate understanding of aspects of the Agile Mindset framework.
  • Reference any interactions you've had with Linklaters - this can include Forage.
  • Mention how your motivations to apply align with the practical aspects of the programme structure.
  • Limit the letter to one side of A4. Size 12 font is fine.
This is very supportive and kind of you! I’m sure some of our members that are applying will find this really useful!
 

floral.tcla

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Aug 15, 2024
143
176
I attended the Get Ahead Application Workshop for the 2025-26 application cycle and can share the following tips on writing your cover letter based on the discussion held:
  • Briefly explore the work that Linklaters does as a firm that differentiates it from their competitors.
  • Explain why you are applying, what you hope to achieve if successful, why you are interested in commercial law, and why you've chosen Linklaters.
  • Reference a recent deal/transaction the firm has worked on and why you find it interesting.
  • You should demonstrate understanding of aspects of the Agile Mindset framework.
  • Reference any interactions you've had with Linklaters - this can include Forage.
  • Mention how your motivations to apply align with the practical aspects of the programme structure.
  • Limit the letter to one side of A4. Size 12 font is fine.
Thank you so much for this! :)
 

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.