Preparing Legal Applications

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Preparing Legal Applications Philip Glasson
College of Law (Bloomsbury)
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Creative Applications

• Dont rely on written applications
• Networking
• Pre-empting recruiters objections
• Use your prior experience as a strength

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Aims of the Written Application

• To provide factual information to support your
  application
• To present evidence that you satisfy key criteria
  for the job
• CL Encourages recruiter to read your CV/App
• CV your choice of criteria
• Application Form recruiters choice
• To encourage the recruiter to call you for
  interview

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What do all Legal recruiters want?

• Evidence of
• Organisational Skills
• Creative Problem-Solving Ability
• Team Skills
• Communication Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Tact/Initiative/Leadership
• Advocacy (particularly for Litigation The Bar)
• ETC
• Person Specification

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What Does Evidence Look Like?

• EGs from your own experience
• Academic Life
• Social Life
• Work experience
• What did you gain?

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What corporate law firms/ /chambers look for in
addition

• High academic performance i.e. 21 and above,
  good A levels i.e. As Bs, min of 300 UCAS
  points
• Commercial awareness i.e. relevant work
  experience
• Achievements e.g. musical grades, travel
• Teamwork e.g. sport, choir member

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What regional commercial law firms/chambers look
for in addition

• Very similar to corporate law firms/sets
• High academics i.e. 21 but may consider those
  with a 22 if you have something else to offer
  e.g. relevant Masters/languages/sector expertise
• Commercial awareness
• Local connection e.g. family, educated there

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What general practice/legal aid firms/chambers
look for in addition

• Interest in the firms/chambers work e.g. Private
  Client, Commercial Property, Immigration etc
  electives
• Ability to work with individuals
• Connection with the local area
• Evidence of relevant work experience e.g. work
  for a law centre, outdoor clerking
• Commitment to legal aid in general and to the
  firm you are applying to

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Covering Letters - Content

• One side of A4
• Business letter
• Para 1 Purpose your current situation
• Para 2 Why them?
• Para 3 Why you?
• Para 4 Explain change of career / Address any
  hiccups bullishly.
• Sign off

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CVs the basic content

• Personal details
• (Skills profile)
• Education
• Employment (legal non legal)
• Additional skills
• Interests achievements
• Referees

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Presentation of your CV

• Positive Focus
• Simple straightforward
• Succinct (2 sides max)
• Target the firm/chambers
• Bullet Pts
• Use of Bold (but use it sparingly)
• Honest

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Application Forms - Organisations that use them

• Government GLS, CPS, local govt.
• Commercial and corporate firms
• Sets of chambers OLPAS
• Larger legal aid firms

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Application FormsTypes of questions

• Factual
• Competency
• Motivational (Why law? Why us?)
• Legal / business (Which one law would you
  change?)

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Criteria used to assess answers

• Addresses all parts of the question?
• Demonstrates the quality/ competency at a high
  level?
• Contains quantifiable information?
• Is it clear, succinct, persuasive, genuine?

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Online application forms

• Allow you to cut and paste from a Word document
• Some of the larger firms subscribe to webSAF, CV
  MailUK and Rollonfridays FastTrack
• Can be easier to make spelling and grammatical
  errors proof read

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Refs

• Training Contract Pupillages Handbook
  (www.lawcareers.net)
• Chambers Student Guide to the Legal Profession
  (www.chambersandpartners.com)
• Target Law (www.doctorjob.com)
• www.prospects.ac.uk