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Accountancy & financial management

Applications & interviews for this sector

Plan ahead for your training contract

Firms tend to recruit for training contracts up to two years in advance and although deadlines vary from firm to firm there's little room for negotiation. Make sure you’ve planned ahead so that your career gets started on schedule.

All in a day’s work – how to make the most of law firms' open days

Law firms' open days are just that: one day. That day could be your one chance to get a sneak preview into real-life law, so make sure you capitalise on it by knowing what to expect and how you can prepare.

The applications game – and how to lose it

There's a wrong way to apply for a training contract as well as a right one. Legal recruiter Stephen Trowbridge shares some wisdom on how NOT to fill in your application form and how to make it stand out for the right reasons.

Crack your training contract interview

If you've managed to secure an interview for a training contract it means you've impressed the recruiters. The next part of the process - the interview itself - won't be easy, but follow our advice and you can be one step ahead.

How to beat the competition

Cutting and pasting is not an option: if you want to stand out from the crowd you need to tailor each and every application. That's the advice from legal recruiters, who see thousands of training contract applications every year.

How to make your CV effective

Although many law firms now use online application systems for training contract recruitment others require you to submit a CV and covering letter. These few pages could open or close doors into the firm so make sure you've done your research and that you can demonstrated this in your application.

Making the most of law fairs

Law fairs offer the perfect opportunity to make a great first impression with potential employers. You'll be able to meet recruiters and trainees and ask questions the brochures don't answer - that's if you're not distracted by all the freebies on offer.

Outstanding online applications

Without the pitfalls of spider-like handwriting to worry about, online applications can be a help not a hindrance. But there are plenty of other pitfalls, as Stephen Trowbridge, graduate recruitment manager at Ashurst LLP, explains.

Recruiters' top tips for successful applications

Getting a training contract is a tricky business, but knowing what skills and attributes recruiters are looking for can put you a step ahead. We asked a number of recruiters what they expect to see in prospective trainees.