Applications
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How to research law firms: a checklist
In order to stand out from other graduates who want to become solicitors, do a thorough job of researching law firms and tailor your training contract applications to each organisation.
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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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Don't miss this year's training contract deadlines
Many commercial law firms recruit two years in advance so use our handy list of training contract deadlines to plan your applications for training contracts. Applications are now open for many 2022 training contracts.
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Law application form questions: examples of how to answer the extracurricular activities question
‘What are your main interests, activities and pastimes? Please describe any related positions of responsibility you have held.’ Find out how to answer this typical training contract application form question about hobbies.
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Ten ways to get your legal CV noticed by top law recruiters
Whether you are interested in applying for vacation schemes, training contracts, 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 CV tips from graduate recruiters in law to help you.
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Law application form questions: examples of how to answer the ‘why commercial law?’ question
'Why are you interested in a career in commercial law?'. Get help, examples and tips on how to answer this typical training contract application form question about below.
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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 may be the first part of your application a law firm considers.
Interviews and assessment centres
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Present yourself well at law firm presentations and open days
Show off your training-contract worthy communication skills when invited on law firm assessment days.
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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 May Worvill, graduate recruiter at Bristows, why the firm has introduced digital interviews into its hiring process – and for her top video interview tips and techniques.
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How can I talk about Brexit in a training contract interview?
We interviewed partners at 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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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.
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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. Make sure you put forward your best self.
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 to be a good lawyer. 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 2019/20 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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PEAT 1: the qualification you'll need to practise law in Scotland
Olivia Parker, careers development officer at the Law Society of Scotland, talks you through the vocational course all aspiring solicitors and advocates in Scotland need to take before embarking on a traineeship (as Scottish training contracts are known).
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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 in 2020 from law firms, bursary schemes, loans and elsewhere.
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How to qualify as a solicitor in Scotland
Olivia Parker, careers development officer at the Law Society of Scotland, and Catriona King of the Faculty of Advocates, describe the practical stage in the Scottish qualification process to become a solicitor or advocate.
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How will the new SQE super exam affect graduates?
How much do you know about the new law exam that all would-be solicitors will have to take from 2021? Get up to speed with the new SQE and how it could save future lawyers money.
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Becoming a solicitor without a law degree
Law firms actively encourage non-law graduates to apply for training contracts. Converting your non-law degree via the graduate diploma in law is a well trodden route to becoming a lawyer, as we explain here.
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How to become a lawyer in the UK
How do you become a lawyer? And what is the difference between a solicitor, barrister and lawyer? Get familiar with the qualifying process here.
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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 legal knowledge, and get a graduate job in law 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... Sam Lee, graduate recruitment manager at Womble 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… 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... 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… 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... Alex Monaco, founder of Monaco Solicitors
We asked Alex Monaco, founder of Monaco Solicitors, about his experiences of qualifying as a lawyer, finding a balance between 'making a difference' and money in employment law and becoming a solicitor-advocate.
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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... 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... 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... 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… 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.
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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.
Training contract choices
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Which legal practice areas will suit you best?
Graduate recruiters in law expect candidates to have researched the different practice areas within their firm before applying for a training contract or vacation scheme. Recognise your character, skills and career ambitions in the careers advice below.
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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 global law firms.
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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 scheme… just don’t ask recruiters ‘why should I work at your law firm?’
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Top UK law firm rankings
In 2018 TARGETjobs Insider Reviews asked approx 500 trainee solicitors, working across 36 UK law firms, to rate their own firm's culture, training, hours, offices – and more. Study the following 12 categories of law firm rankings as part of your research before applying for training contracts or vacation schemes. Stay tuned for the latest rankings soon.
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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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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 conversion course. We asked two graduates at FSP 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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What you need to be doing to get a training contract
What are other aspiring solicitors doing to help themselves gain a training contract offer? Take a look at our infographic to find out and read our tips on what you can do to boost your own training contract hunt.
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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 offer jobs to law graduates.
Vac scheme choices
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Make the most of your law vacation scheme: ten top tips for placement success
A vacation scheme is essential preparation for a solicitor's training contract and making a good impression could lead directly to a graduate job in law. Here’s ten top tips on how you could turn your vac scheme into a training contract.
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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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Don’t miss vacation scheme deadlines
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 work experience deadlines along with links to each law firm's information.
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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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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 Emily Dale, Slaughter and May’s trainee recruitment adviser, explained to TARGETjobs Law.
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.
Scotland
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PEAT 1: the qualification you'll need to practise law in Scotland
Olivia Parker, careers development officer at the Law Society of Scotland, talks you through the vocational course all aspiring solicitors and advocates in Scotland need to take before embarking on a traineeship (as Scottish training contracts are known).
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How to qualify as a solicitor in Scotland
Olivia Parker, careers development officer at the Law Society of Scotland, and Catriona King of the Faculty of Advocates, describe the practical stage in the Scottish qualification process to become a solicitor or advocate.
