Explore all graduate advice and guidance on targetjobs

A good portfolio of work experience at barristers' chambers, known as mini-pupillage, is an essential introduction to the legal profession and will form a key part of your pupillage applications.

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?’

The Inns of Court can provide all sorts of support to their members, including funding for students and graduates applying for the conversion course, Bar course and pupillage.

Three trainee solicitors at Osborne Clarke share the extracurricular activities that helped them to impress their law firm and get a training contract.

Gaining law-related work experience is a crucial first step on your journey to becoming a solicitor or a barrister – and there is more than one way to secure it. We outline all of your options from formal vacation schemes and mini-pupillages to voluntary work and mooting.

Shaen Catherwood, barrister and head of pupillage at Devereux, provides his insights into how to stand out during the pupillage application and interview process.

Rachel Young, barrister and pupillage panel member at Ropewalk Chambers, gives her insider advice on how to tackle pupillage interviews and the experience you'll need to impress on an application.

Lucy Garrett QC, a pupillage committee member and barrister in commercial construction law, shares her insights on preparing the best pupillage application form, how to tackle interviews at the commercial bar and what you should do with your time at the pupillage fair.

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.

Darren Kerr, outreach and engagement manager at the Law Society of Scotland, talks targetjobs through the diploma in professional legal practice (DPLP) − the qualification that all aspiring solicitors and advocates in Scotland need to take.

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.

All the factors to consider when choosing which law firm to join as a trainee solicitor.