Mistakes successful graduates avoid in applications for solicitors' training contracts

Law is an intensely competitive field, and recruiters have so many graduates to choose from that small but fundamental mistakes can mean applicants miss out on the chance of a training contract. Stephen Trowbridge, graduate recruitment and development manager at Ashurst LLP, says there are a number of common mistakes that graduate job hunters should avoid at all costs.

Avoid spelling mistakes when applying to law firms

‘Don’t spell the firm’s name incorrectly or make reference to another firm on your application form,’ Stephen says. ‘We get this all the time, and that is no exaggeration. We are commonly referred to as Ashrust or Ashurt in covering letters and applicants also write things along the lines of “In conclusion, I think that Allen & Overy would be the ideal firm at which to train”.’ 

Avoiding spelling mistakes can also move your application further up the pile: ‘Two of my (non-rude) all-time favourites are “I am able to remain clam under pressure” and “I pay great attanetion to detail”,’ says Stephen.

Maintain a professional tone for job-hunting success

While it’s important to make your application stand out, it’s just as important to use an appropriate tone. Some recruitment sectors value creativity as part of their application process and may reward candidates who send CVs printed on purple paper or attached to a frying pan, but such an approach will not impress legal recruiters. Professionalism is essential to the legal sector and you can show just how clearly you understand this through your language and your approach to applications.
‘A number of covering letters are now coming in with “text speak”, smileys and overuse of exclamation marks,’ says Stephen. ‘Remember that an application form is your way of showing off your written skills, so ensure that the information you provide is presented in a formal and professional way.’

A number of covering letters are now coming in with “text speak”, smileys and overuse of exclamation marks

Humour is also a widely-misunderstood tactic. You may feel that a joke scattered here and there within your application form will brighten a recruiter’s day, but it’s hardly the professional tone law firms call for and is unlikely to lead to a training contract. Stephen recalls one applicant referring to work experience as a lavatorial attendant at a golf club who quipped: ‘Flushed with success, I was promoted to barman.’

Law firm vacation placements help set the tone

Vacation schemes and work experience can help you overcome your nerves and put you in the mindset of the recruiters themselves. Observing lawyers and other professionals at work, seeing the way they dress and listening to the kind of language they use gives you the chance to replicate the same professionalism in your application and interviews.

Vacation placements are also a great opportunity for you to impress recruiters and create a good impression as firms can interview vacation placement students for training contracts at the end of their placements.