‘Sleighing’ your application: 12 days of training contract application tips

Before applying to a law firm, do your research. Think about the type of law firm you would like to work for and the practice areas you would like to experience. Look at websites like Legal 500 Future Lawyers, Legal Cheek and Chambers Student for a broad overview. Once you have some firms noted down, target your research. See what the firms specialise in, their values and their culture. 

Whether you attend law fairs or speak to people at the firm, networking is key! It will help you get those key insights first hand, away from the information readily accessible online, which will set you apart in your application. Reach out to those working in the firm or in a practice area of interest—LinkedIn can help with this. You may learn some valuable insights that you can refer to in your application to demonstrate your genuine interest in the firm. 

Keep up to date with the news and the law. Have you been following a particular news story? Is there a particular case you are interested in? Any developments in the law you could refer to? This will give you something to talk about in your applications, particularly if those stories relate to fields that the firm you are applying to specialise in. 

Be selective when it comes to choosing the firms you apply to. Fewer, high-quality applications will more likely succeed over lots of low-quality ones.  Make the law firms that you apply to feel like you are choosing them because of their unique practice areas, not simply that they are one of many. It is easy to feel that applying for a training contract is just for two years, but try to think longer term than this; a training contract is an investment in you from the firm, so make sure that you are applying to places where you’d like to build your career!

Tailor your application to the firm. Think about how you can answer questions or write your CV in a way that reflects the firm you are applying to. Use your research about the firm’s culture, specialisms, and unique selling points, and incorporate that into your application. 

Most firms will ask you three key ‘why’ questions–why law, why become a solicitor, why this firm? Having these answers nailed down will make applications feel easier. Every law firm will have a slightly different application process, but keep these ‘whys’ at the forefront of your thinking, making sure to include your answers to them where you can!

Rudolph stood out because of his red nose—what are your unique selling points? Think about the transferrable and soft skills you have. Whether that is team work from playing football, public speaking from university committee meetings, or self-motivation from your studies, these types of skills crop up everywhere. Take a moment to reflect on your unique set of skills, and how they will appeal to the firm.  Remember: no one else is you!

Genuine and authentic applications will stand out. Don’t be afraid to show your interests, however niche they may be. Recent trainee cohorts at Russell Cooke have included a huge range of people, from career-changers to fresh faced graduates. Your life outside of law is likely to make you a better lawyer, not a worse one, so show the firm who you really are!

Whether you are reading, writing or listening, are you following the instructions in the application? In your career as a solicitor, you will be taking instructions from many different clients on many different matters, so answering the question at hand on the application will be a key way of demonstrating your ability to listen closely to instructions!

Don’t do an application in a couple hours just before the application deadline. Rushed applications are easy to spot–they usually contain spelling or grammar issues or are generic. Take your time with each application to increase your chances of success. Start early, and edit it continuously as you reflect on the questions the application is asking you to ensure it sounds the best that it can!

Getting a training contract is hard so you need to be meticulous. Firms will receive hundreds or thousands of applications that are academically on par so it may come down to the minute details. Carefully review your application and check for any mistakes such as spelling or grammar. Read your application, then read it again, then read it backwards, and then ask someone else to read it. 

Training contracts are competitive so try not to be disheartened by rejections. Stay positive and keep your spirits high: rejection is just redirection, and you never know what Santa might leave you underneath the tree next year!

Hannah Hayler is currently a first-seat trainee in the residential property team whilst Esther Roberts and Nina Stevens are currently third-seat trainees in the trust, will and estate disputes team and the regulation and public law team, respectively.

Applications for our 2027 training contract and 2025 vacation scheme open on 8 November 2024 and close on 7 February 2025.