Applications
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Don't miss this year's training contract deadlines
Many commercial law firms recruit two years in advance so use our handy list of 2017/2018 training contract deadlines to plan your applications. Some firms have scrapped the traditional 31 July deadline, and now use winter and spring deadlines for training contracts starting in 2020.
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How to research training contract applications
If you want to stand out from other graduates who want to become solicitors you need to do a thorough job of researching law firms and tailor each and every application for training contracts.
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Your application timeline: key dates for getting hired as a trainee solicitor
Commercial law firms tend to recruit trainee solicitors up to two years in advance, so you'll need to plan ahead to get a training contract and launch your graduate career in law.
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Ten ways to get your legal CV noticed by top law recruiters
Whether you are interested in applying for training contracts, vacation schemes, insight days or open days, it’s likely you’ll need a law CV – even if you're just uploading it to your online application form. Use these top ten tips from graduate recruiters in law to help you.
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How to write winning covering letters for law firms
When applying for a training contract or vacation scheme, your covering letter will probably be the first thing a legal recruiter looks at. Get their attention for all the right reasons using this handy guide.
Interviews and assessment centres
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How can I talk about Brexit in a training contract interview?
We interviewed partners at 19 commercial law firms to find out how their legal areas of practice are likely to be affected by Brexit. Read their predictions below to help prepare for interviews and conversations on your vacation schemes.
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Be your best self in a law assessment centre group exercise
Most commercial law firms use assessment centres for vac scheme and training contract recruitment, and group exercises are often one of the elements of the day. Firms use them to see candidates in action – make sure you put forward your best self.
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Top video interview tips from law recruiters
The use of video interviews is gaining momentum in training contract recruitment. We asked graduate recruiters at Clifford Chance and Bristows why they’ve introduced digital interviews into their hiring process and for their top video interview tips and techniques.
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Preparing for training contract and vacation scheme interview questions
If you’ve been invited to an interview or assessment centre at a law firm you’ve already impressed graduate recruiters with your application. Now find out how to prepare for interviews and tackle taxing questions.
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Ten practical tips to remember on the day of your law interview
Don’t let nerves or lack of preparation jeopardise your chances of getting a training contract or vacation scheme with a solicitors’ firm. Use our list of tips before heading off for your law interview or assessment centre.
News
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Weekly law news update for graduates
Updated every Thursday morning, we give you the essential information you need to keep on top of your applications and raise your commercial awareness for interviews or meetings with law recruiters. We’ve also added some other titbits of information that might interest you.
Skills and competencies
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What skills do law firms look for when recruiting graduates for trainee solicitor jobs?
Find out below the key skills and necessary qualities that are required for lawyers. Law recruiters look for evidence of these skills in students’ applications, and at assessment days and interviews for training contracts and vacation schemes.
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Top networking tips for aspiring lawyers
Networking is a skill that every future lawyer needs to get to grips with. You might be worried about what to talk about in front of graduate recruiters or qualified solicitors but it’s easy to become a networking pro with a little bit of preparation and practice.
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Commercial awareness and how to achieve it, by trainee solicitors and law recruiters
Many law firms will ask about your commercial awareness and experience during the application process to get a training contract. We asked trainees, graduate recruiters and solicitors at a range of law firms for their advice on how to respond.
Pay and progression
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How much will you earn as a trainee solicitor?
Each summer we survey leading law firms about their trainee solicitor starting salaries. Compare the 2017/18 results below...just make sure you think about the whole package (size of firm, type of clients, areas of practice, quality of training) before applying.
Training and qualification
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Your training contract: the first step to becoming a solicitor
If you want to become a solicitor you'll need to secure a training contract first. Stay ahead of the competition by finding out about working life in law firms and entry routes for your graduate career in law.
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Which law firms will fund your LPC and GDL course fees and pay maintenance costs?
Training to qualify as a solicitor is expensive, so it's worth knowing what financial support is available from law firms, bursary schemes, loans and elsewhere.
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PEAT 1: the qualification you'll need to practise law in Scotland
Professional education and training stage 1 (PEAT 1) is the postgraduate vocational qualification that all aspiring solicitors and advocates in Scotland must take before embarking on a traineeship (as Scottish training contracts are known).
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All degrees welcome: why non-law graduates are in demand for solicitors' jobs
Law firms love non-law graduates because of the different perspectives they bring. Seal the deal by demonstrating commercial awareness and commitment to law through work experience.
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How to qualify as a solicitor in Scotland
Once you have a Scottish law degree and the ‘PEAT 1’ under your belt, you’ll need to complete on-the-job training known as a ‘traineeship’ before qualifying as a solicitor.
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The qualification all solicitors need: the legal practice course (LPC)
You need to take the legal practice course (LPC) to develop your practical skills and knowledge, and get a graduate job as a trainee solicitor.
Five minutes with...
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Five minutes with... Helen Cannon, graduate manager at Irwin Mitchell
Training contract and vacation scheme candidates need to remember that law firms aren't just looking for legal brains. They’re looking for many more skills and attributes, says graduate manager Helen Cannon.
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Five minutes with… Jane Croft-Baker, graduate recruitment specialist, Clifford Chance
Make sure you keep in mind a law firm's list of skills and competencies at every stage of the training contract or vacation scheme application process, advises Jane Croft-Baker at Clifford Chance.
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Five minutes with... Samantha Hope, graduate recruitment manager at Shoosmiths
Samantha studied law at De Montfort University, including a year out working in HR in the medical industry. Combining her experiences, she is now the graduate recruitment manager at national law firm Shoosmiths.
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Five minutes with... Sam Lee, graduate recruitment manager at Bond Dickinson
Sam Lee’s advice on how to stand out at law fairs for the right reasons (hint: don’t try hugging the recruiter) and make a good impression during a vacation scheme.
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Five minutes with… Kate Osborne, graduate recruitment specialist at Kirkland & Ellis
Kate Osborne, graduate recruitment specialist at Kirkland & Ellis, offers excellent advice on how to show your motivation for a legal career in your applications, interviews and on vacation schemes.
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Five minutes with... Lora Froud, partner at Macfarlanes LLP
We asked Lora Froud, partner in the investment management group at Macfarlanes LLP, for the lessons she's learned in her 15-year legal career and her top tips for future lawyers.
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Five minutes with… Ben Wilkinson, partner at White & Case LLP
We asked Ben Wilkinson, partner at White & Case LLP, for the lessons he's learned in his 15-year legal career and his top tips for getting a training contract.
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Five minutes with... Zoe Reid, trainee recruitment officer at Osborne Clarke
Zoe began her career in non-legal recruitment before starting her current role as trainee recruitment officer at Osborne Clarke. Here, she shares her advice on commercial awareness and law fairs.
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Five minutes with... Fiona Medlock, graduate recruitment manager at Mills & Reeve
Fiona Medlock of Mills & Reeve advises you on how to turn a good training contract application into an excellent one. She also gives top tips on how to shine in law assessment centres.
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Five minutes with... Catherine McGee, graduate recruitment officer at Hogan Lovells
Catherine McGee gives us an insight into law firm applications, group exercises and the part-time jobs that best prepare you for a career as a solicitor.
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Five minutes with… Sarah Harte, graduate talent manager at Taylor Wessing
Sarah Harte's tips on tailoring your training contract application form and shining in a group exercise.
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Five minutes with… Nichola Rowe, HR manager at Cleary Gottlieb
Nichola discusses the importance of vacation schemes and reveals how best to answer the question ‘Do you have any questions for us?’ at the end of an interview.
Support from the Law Society
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The SRA legal reforms you need to know about
The SRA’s Training and Education Unit describes the recent legal reforms.
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The role of the Law Society in your legal career
Find out how the Law Society can help you as a student, a trainee and a newly qualified solicitor.
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Support from the Junior Lawyers Division
The JLD provides support, events and opportunities for a community of 70,000 members – from LPC students through to newly qualified solicitors.
Training contract choices
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Trainees rank their law firms by salary, hours and training
TARGETjobs Inside Buzz asked over a thousand trainee solicitors working at 48 law firms to rate their own firm's culture, training, hours, offices – and more. Study the following 12 categories as part of your research before applying for training contracts or vacation schemes.
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Choosing a training contract with a law firm outside London
When deciding whether to apply for a regional or City training contract, consider the different firms' culture, clients and areas of legal practice rather than whether they are labelled as regional, national or international law firms.
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Which legal practice areas will suit you best?
Graduate recruiters in law will expect you to have researched the different practice areas within their firm before applying for a training contract or vacation scheme.
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Choosing the right training contract for your graduate career in law
All the factors to consider when choosing which law firm to join as a trainee solicitor.
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Twelve jobs you can do with a law degree
The skills you gain through legal training are transferable to many different roles beyond qualifying as a solicitor or barrister. As such, recruiters in a range of industries are keen to attract law graduates.
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Law fairs can pave the way to a training contract
Here are six ways to help you impress legal recruiters at your university law fair and get a step closer to your desired training contract or vacation placement… just don’t ask recruiters ‘why should I work at your firm?’
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What are law firms doing about diversity?
Law firms want to see the best training contract applicants regardless of race, gender or background, but there is sometimes the worry that this message doesn’t get across. The TARGETjobs Law team recently visited seven law firms to see what they wanted to tell you about diversity in the workforce. Here’s what we found out.
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Paralegal work: the key to a training contract or a career in its own right
There are many reasons to apply for a paralegal role after you graduate from your law degree or GDL. We asked two graduates at Field Seymour Parkes and a trainee solicitor at Mills & Reeve about the benefits of paralegal work and whether it can be a stepping stone to a training contract.
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Top 25 law firms according to trainees
TARGETjobs Inside Buzz surveyed 1,240 current trainee solicitors and asked them to score 52 law firms according to prestige. We reveal the top 25 firms as voted for by graduates working in the legal profession.
Vac scheme choices
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How to make the most of your law vacation placement
A vacation scheme is great preparation for a solicitor's training contract and making a good impression could lead directly to a graduate job in law.
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Eight ways to impress law firms on open days
Let’s be clear: open days are not the poor relation to vacation schemes. Consider them a valuable way to research the legal profession and prove your commitment to a graduate career in law – as Harry McEnaney, Slaughter and May’s trainee recruitment assistant, explained to TARGETjobs Law.
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Getting legal work experience: advice for first years
Fact: recruitment for aspiring solicitors begins earlier than other professions so it pays to be organised about legal work experience from the start of your degree.
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Why and when to apply for vacation schemes in law firms
It is possible to get a training contract without experiencing a vacation scheme first but a vac placement is one of the easiest ways to show your commitment to law and that you've done your research before applying.
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Don’t miss vacation scheme deadlines this winter
Law vacation placement deadlines are now scattered between October and February to keep you on your toes. We’ve put together a list of the need-to-know deadlines along with links to each law firm's information.
Job descriptions
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Solicitor: job description
Solicitors act on behalf of and give legal advice to private and commercial clients.
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Company secretary: job description
Company secretaries provide administrative support and guidance to company directors.
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Crown Prosecution Service lawyer: job description
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyers are qualified solicitors and barristers responsible for reviewing and advising about all prosecution cases initiated by the police and for prosecuting cases in magistrates' courts and Crown Courts throughout England and Wales.
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Government lawyer: job description
Government lawyers are qualified solicitors and barristers who act on the behalf of and give legal advice to government ministers and administrative staff.
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Legal executive: job description
Legal executives are fee-earning qualified lawyers who undertake similar work to solicitors, specialising in a specific legal area such as litigation or conveyancing.
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Licensed conveyancer: job description
Licensed conveyancers are specialist property lawyers who undertake the legal administration of residential and commercial property sales, purchases and transfers in England and Wales.
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Local government lawyer: job description
Local government lawyers are qualified solicitors and barristers who act on behalf of and give legal advice to council staff.
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Patent attorney: job description
Patent attorneys (also known as patent agents) secure and help to protect the granting of patents for their clients.
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Patent examiner: job description
Patent examiners are responsible for ensuring that patent applications received from patent attorneys conform to relevant requirements.
