Hey
@Unknowncabbage ,
This question is a really good one. Just as
@Ram Sabaratnam had said, the length of the seat is not as important as the specific experiences you had during that seat. What I believe is additionally valuable in your case, is that in addition to the indirect shadowing experience you got, you carried out specific research tasks. The way in which I would personally leverage this in an application is to (i) highlight what the research was on, (ii) how it contributed to wider departmental efforts, (iii) what you learnt, (iv) what you enjoyed and why, (v) why you feel you are more likely to work in this firm’s finance practice, than at other firm’s. I will touch on each of these in turn by highlighting their importance. Just as a granular point, you don’t need to cover all 5 points explicitly, you just need to find a way to weave them in given the word count of most applications. Some will also require more detail than others; for example, (i) and (v) are more important than point (ii).
(i) Highlight what the research was on: Simply, this helps provide more context and sets a foundational tone for the subsequent link of demonstrated interest you are about to show.
(ii) How it contributed to wider departmental efforts: This may be a bit difficult to establish as I appreciate that confidentiality rings and all, may mean that interns are not involved in the heavy tasks. However, the research your supervisor gave you will have definitely been used by them in a wider deal/ problem they were working on. What was this? What part did the research play in bringing it all together? Any feedback you got?
(iii) What you learnt: A rather funny point and a given of course, but it stands to confirm that you understood the work of the practice area and that you understand its general intricacies/ what is expected of lawyers in this realm. It also shows you are open to learning new things - key trainee qualities.
(iv) What you enjoyed and why: Another given, but you will need to touch heavily on this and why it appealed. At the end of the day, you should be applying to firms with practice areas you are
genuinely drawn to. It’s difficult to show demonstrated interest if you don’t show the
excitement part.
(v) Why you feel you are more likely to work in this firm’s finance practice, than at other firm’s: As
@Ram Sabaratnam mentioned, what aspect of their finance practice appeals; clients, work scope, etc. Many firm‘s have finance practices.. what is it about X’s own
specifically that appeals. This is what ties all the above points together and creates a solid answer.
You also briefed a supervisor. Highlight this too. It shows you can translate written work into an actionable presentation. Overall, this helps show good communication skills. Being affluent in a written format is great, but being affluent in both written and oral scopes is an asset. This is one thing a mentor of mine once said and has stuck with me ever since.
