It’s a daunting but necessary task. Applying for legal jobs, vacation schemes, pupillages or traineeships takes a lot of time and sometimes a bit of trial and error. These tips are designed to help you think about your application from the perspective of the person who will ultimately be reading it.
Be yourself
‘Hobbies and interests’ isn’t just an afterthought at the bottom of a CV. Recruiters use this to get a sense of your personality, and how you would fit in with that particular firm or team. Use this opportunity to show who you are as a person and what motivates and inspires you. Sports participation, for example, demonstrates an aptitude for team work and strategy. Volunteering alongside your studies shows great time management and empathy skills. So, avoid listing activities such as ‘socialising’ as something you enjoy and think about the interests you have that demonstrate your skills and suitability for the role.
Spelling matters
There are few things more off-putting when reading applications than a candidate claiming to have ‘great attention to detail’! Ask someone else to proofread yours for errors – even if your spelling and grammar are excellent, it’s easy to miss our own mistakes! Use a consistent, standard font style throughout your application and avoid having too many different text sizes.
TOP TIP: Copy and paste is a handy tool, and you are of course going to be applying to several different places, but be extra careful not to leave the wrong company name in your application! It has been known…
Research the firm
Tailor your application to the firm you are applying to – this is the bit that takes a lot of time and research, but it is crucial. Talk to their representatives at law fairs, have a look at the company website and literature, and mimic their style and tone if appropriate. Think about how you can reflect their values, and link your experiences to the job. For example, “Playing cello in an orchestra with thirty other musicians has enhanced my collaborative skills, making me a great team-player. I believe this would fit in well with Law Firm’s approach to collective projects and close working.”
Don’t be too modest
The purpose of your application is to sell your potential, so it needs to stand out to get you to that next stage – the interview or assessment centre. Now is not the time to be shy about your achievements!
But always be honest. If you exaggerate or embellish your CV, you are more likely than not to be caught out further down the line, so keep it truthful and explain any gaps such as time spent travelling – these are all experiences you can talk about at interview!