APPLICATION ADVICE
Places at the top law firms are hard-won. Following these points will set you in good stead.
- Read carefully through the form before you start to complete it. Print off a copy and draft answers before submitting the form.
- Put yourself in the shoes of the person who will assess you.
- Am I clear about why I want this career?
- Based on your research — what skills and abilities will I need to demonstrate that I can do this job?
- What will make me stand out from the other 2,500 applicants?
- The person reading your form will be reading and assessing many forms, so make sure your personality comes across, make the form engaging and interesting — hold the reader's attention.
- Do not under sell yourself. Some candidates feel they are 'showing-off'. If you talk about your experiences linked to what you know the recruiter is looking for, and you give examples of when YOU have used those skills, it will not come across as 'big-headed'.
- Make sure you spell accurately and use correct grammar. You are applying for a job as a lawyer — written and oral communication is vital to being effective. If sending in a written version of the form, clear handwriting will make the reader's job easier.
- Use any work placements (legal or non-legal) to demonstrate you understand about business, time management, communicating with people and meeting deadlines;
- Use legal placements, law fairs, legal open days and information from universities (career advisers, law students, student law society events) to demonstrate your research into and understanding of the law and a legal career. Use the information to back up statements on your form.
- Don't use jargon.
- Don't feed back to us quotes from our own publicity — we have read it! It's you we are interested in and your reasons for choosing law and possibly Lovells — if it is our international practice you are interested in, say why, what can you bring to us.
- Keep a copy of your completed form — you will need it if you are called for an interview so you can refresh your memory about what you said.