Cold partners = red flag? asks TC hopeful

In the latest instalment of our Career Conundrums series, an aspiring solicitor questions whether a negative experience during a vacation scheme is enough to deter them from pursuing their “dream” firm.

“Hi Legal Cheek. I completed a vacation scheme at what I would say is my ‘dream’ firm and it didn’t exactly go how I expected. While the grad rec team were very friendly and the vast majority of sessions/tasks were really interesting, my interactions with the some of the lawyers (including partners) just seemed really cold. I spoke to several over the week and I got the impression they didn’t want to be there. Perhaps they were busy or I just caught them at bad time – who knows?! I did however speak to quite a few of the current trainees who all seemed relatively friendly. I am now questioning myself if this is really the firm for me? Should I not look into these interactions too much, or should I see them as red flag?”

If you have a career conundrum, email us at tips@legalcheek.com.

Sidestep these blunders!

Vac scheme season is almost upon us. It probably feels like a long time coming for those who’ve been sitting tight since receiving their offers, but you might now be feeling the nerves as the start day approaches.

With many of Legal Cheek’s team having done vacation schemes and witnessed (or made!) some easy mistakes, we’ve compiled a handy guide of what not to do in your upcoming vac scheme.

1. Competing with and comparing yourself to your fellow vac schemers

Let’s begin with this so you start your vac scheme on the right note – don’t try to compete with the other vac scheme participants. Everyone on the scheme will be at a different stage in their career and life — some might be straight out of university, some might still be at university, some might be career changers, law/non-law, the list goes on. Remind yourself that everyone’s circumstances and priorities are different, and it is futile to try and dissect who you think is likely to be made a training contract offer.

Also try to resist the urge to compare yourself to what other vac schemers are doing. Those placed in busier teams might have more on their plate, while others might be allocated to teams having a lighter workload with perhaps more lawyers WFH. What matters is being proactive by communicating with your supervisor and letting them know if you find yourself unoccupied. Another thing — don’t feel pressured to stay late because others on the vac scheme are doing so. Everyone works at a different pace and it might be that those staying late had a significant chunk of their day eaten up by attending a client call, for example.

2. Constantly bring up all the other vac schemes you’ve got under your belt

This goes for interactions with both other vac schemers and members of the firm. Discussing other vac schemes you’ve completed might come off as complacent and give the impression that the firm you are currently at is not a priority to you.

It’s likely that this topic will come up in conversation, or you might be asked at an exit interview about how this vacation scheme compared with other ones you have done. Have a think about this in advance and in answering it, don’t criticise the other firms you’ve spent time at in order to demonstrate your interest in the firm you are currently at. Your interest in the firm should be backed up independently of other vac schemes and not only because you enjoyed your time more than at another firm.

3. All work and no play

Vac schemes are certainly about getting a taste of the firm’s work, but they are also about getting to know the people at the firm and your fellow vac schemers. If there’s a particular practice area you want to learn more about, email a trainee or associate in that department, asking to go for a coffee. Showing your work ethic and interest in the firm isn’t just about having your head down at a desk, but also about showing you can connect with people by taking initiative.

As for managing your work, perhaps the most important thing is to not overcommit. It’s easy to get carried away and say yes to every task, but you also need to be realistic about how much you have on your plate and whether you can actually get something done. It’s worse to have someone rely on you and then not follow through, than clearly communicate your capacity at the outset.

4. Being late to things

This might be fairly obvious, but it’s an important thing to always be aware of. Vacation schemes tend to be fairly packed with lots of things going on – talks, workshops, networking events and of course, actual work and any assessed tasks. Take a few minutes each morning to remind yourself of anything you have on that day, where it’s happening and ensure you arrive on time. Each activity is carefully planned and coordinated so it’s good practice to be respectful of that by being punctual.

5. Being rude or abrupt with people

Be nice to everyone, whether they are lawyers, paralegals, business professionals or support staff. Don’t fall into the trap of being polite only with lawyers and graduate recruitment and abrupt with others, as everyone works closely together.

The firm is hiring you as a person, and they want to make sure you are enjoyable to work with even under pressure. Keep respect at the forefront of every interaction, but don’t be overly cautious about letting your personality shine through.

The Legal Cheek Summer Virtual Vacation Scheme and Law Fair 2024, run in partnership with The University of Law (ULaw), takes place NEXT WEEK, from Monday 10 June until Friday 14 June (with the Virtual Law Fair taking place 2-4pm on Wednesday 12 June). APPLY NOW.

Seeks TC

In the latest instalment in our Career Conundrums series, an ambitious paralegal is looking for ways to stand out from the pack and put their best foot forward in TC applications.

“I have recently starting working as a paralegal at a top international law firm and was hoping to ask for some advice on how I can stand out amongst other paralegals. There is an internal application process for paralegals applying for a TC at the firm and this is something I am very interested in. Is there anything I should be doing to stand out in the firm and amongst my colleagues to be in good stead for a TC application and what sort of things do seniors (associates/partners) look for in a good paralegal?”

If you have a career conundrum, email us at tips@legalcheek.com.

Fashion advice required

In the latest instalment in our Career Conundrums series an incoming vacation scheme student is on the hunt for some advice on suitable workwear.

“Hello Legal Cheek. I think this question has been asked before but I am wondering if the position has changed since then. What do I wear for a vac scheme? I am a man btw but advice for women might also be helpful for your female readers! I have a vac scheme lined up at City law firm (I would prefer not to say which firm) and want to know if suit and tie is still expected? I understand the rules around office wear have relaxed a little bit but I obviously don’t want to make a fool of myself. I was thinking dark suit trousers, jumper and a shirt?”

If you have a career conundrum, email us at tips@legalcheek.com.

Trainee needs guidance

In the latest instalment in our Career Conundrums series, a soon-to-be trainee solicitor wants some pointers on where to live in London.

“I will soon be starting my training contract at a law firm in London and I would like to recommendations on where to live. Their office isn’t far from Liverpool Street Station. I still haven’t decided whether to base myself somewhere outside of London (more affordable with the option of living alone) or opt for a flat share closer to my office. I am not really familiar with London or the surrounding areas as I have lived and studied in the Midlands most of my life. Any tips or advice would be really welcome.”

If you have a career conundrum, email us at tips@legalcheek.com.

Budding City lawyer seeks advice

In the latest instalment in our Career Conundrums series, an aspiring solicitor wants to know whether there really is such a thing as law firm culture, and how important this might be when selecting target firms.

“I’m a student currently researching law firms and TC opportunities, and am interested in working in London. Whilst I appreciate there are differences in pay and type of work etc, I’m less sure about the differences in culture between firms, or groups of firms. Is law firm culture really a thing or is this just a marketing gimmick? And if it’s really a thing, how much weight should I give it when making a decision?”

If you have a career conundrum, email us at tips@legalcheek.com.

Career changer seeks guidance

In the latest instalment in our Career Conundrums series, a civil servant is eager to understand his likelihood of securing a training contract with a “good” City law firm.

“I have a 2.1 in law from a top target university. I graduated over 5 years ago and have worked in government across a number of departments including the Foreign Office, Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. I now run a team and have management responsibilities — for those familiar with civil service grades, I am a Grade 7.”

“Unfortunately, whilst I secured a 2.1, this was a low 2.1 – and I received 2.2s in key modules such as contract and tort. What would my likelihood of success be if I were to apply for a training contract at a good law firm, such as Travers Smith or Clyde & Co. I suspect I am unlikely to be successful at the Magic Circle.”

If you have a career conundrum, email us at tips@legalcheek.com.

Make your mark with these essential strategies courtesy of legal marketing specialist Christianah Babajide

Navigating the legal world as a Black woman presents unique hurdles, from subtle biases to overt discrimination. However, it is evermore possible to thrive in these spaces than it was years ago, thanks to the progress made in diversity and inclusion efforts. In this guide, Christianah Babajide outlines key strategies to empower Black women in legal environments.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.” — Maya Angelou

Know your worth

Research has shown that ethnic minority women continue to be underrepresented in senior leadership positions across organisations, creating a lack of Black female role models. This lack of diversity at senior levels impacts decision-making and organisational culture, affecting the lives of Black women. Consequently, Black women may receive less career advice and have limited access to formal mentorship and sponsorship programmes. This can make navigating pivotal moments, such as biased performance reviews or promotions, challenging.

As a Black woman, it is crucial not to let these obstacles hinder your ability to advocate for yourself. If you don’t have a role model at your firm whom you can turn to for advice, consider seeking support from someone at another firm or connecting with other Black women on LinkedIn through active groups and networks that provide a safe space for women of colour.

Find your tribe

Navigating the corporate culture in law as a Black woman can present unique challenges, particularly in male-dominated and predominantly white environments. The daily experience of being the only person of colour in a boardroom meeting or at work can feel isolating and overwhelming.

However, the journey to success does not have to be solitary. Seek out mentors and allies who can offer guidance and opportunities for growth. Connect with other Black women in the legal industry through networks like; She Leads for Legacy, Black Woman’s Law Network, Black Women in Law, The Woman of Colour Blueprint, WCAN, etc. Joining professional networks specifically tailored to Black women in the legal industry can open doors to mentorship opportunities, career development resources, and job prospects. These spaces serve as platforms for sharing knowledge and advocating for diversity and inclusion within the profession.

Embrace authenticity

Embracing authenticity in the workplace is fundamental for Black women, who often resort to code-switching to fit into predominantly White spaces. Code-switching, as highlighted in recent research , is commonly perceived as necessary for professional progress, yet it takes a significant psychological toll. In addition, studies have shown that Black women believe wearing their natural hair to interviews will hinder their chances of getting the job because it is deemed as unprofessional and thus they tend to adhere to the ‘European look’ through a weave. If hair is about identity and pride for Black women, what happens when they are forced to cover it up? This pressure to conform to predefined norms ultimately contributes to ‘Black fatigue’.

Therefore, it is critical for Black women to seek out law firms and sets that value authenticity and embrace individuals that express their cultural identities, be it through hairstyle, clothing, or food choices. Such employers understand that being authentic fosters trust and credibility among colleagues and lays the foundation for genuine connections and a more inclusive work culture. Like Paul Davis said, “Go where you are celebrated.”

Always remember that no one should have the power to dictate how you present yourself professionally. You should never feel compelled to conform to standards that make you uncomfortable. You have the right to be yourself unapologetically; do not allow anyone to dilute your sense of identity. Being a Black woman is a true joy and privilege.

Challenge Biases 

Expanding on the difficulties Black women encounter in legal settings, it is important to recognise the subtle biases and small acts of discrimination they often face. Even though efforts are made to promote diversity, Black women can feel pressured to represent their entire group in the workplace. This expectation can be overwhelming and tiring for them, leading to feelings of being alone and not being fully valued.

One common problem is when firms rely too much on the only Black person in the room to give insights on diversity issues. While this person may have valuable experiences to share, it is not fair to put all the responsibility on them. Instead, firms should provide diversity training for everyone, that teaches about concepts like unfair subconscious biases, understanding different cultures, and how to be inclusive leaders. Such training can educate everyone in the firm on how to challenge biases and foster a fairer workplace, whilst alleviating the burden placed solely on the Black individual.

Sọ̀rọ̀ Sókè

The phrase “sọ̀rọ̀ sókè,” which means “speak up” in Yoruba, is a reminder to take action, especially when facing challenges at work. If you are experiencing unfair treatment or noticing differences in how people are treated based on their background, it is important to speak out. Encouraging Black women to speak up helps them recognise the value of their voices, whilst helping to create an environment where everyone is treated with respect and fairness. In the famous words of Fannie Lou Hamer: “If you don’t speak out ain’t nobody going to speak out for you.”

Christianah Babajide is a legal marketing expert. She can be found on LinkedIn and her Instagram handle is @christianahb_.

Advice needed

In the latest instalment in our Career Conundrums series, an aspiring solicitor seeks readers’ opinions on the feasibility of pursuing a career in law.

“I’m a career changer and am interested in pursuing a career as a solicitor. I graduated with a non law degree back in 2020, which was graded an ‘Ordinary Degree’, a degree passed without honours. Realistically, what are my options for pursuing a career change? As an employment advisor for over three years I believe I have transferable skills to enter the legal field but my grades feel like a big blemish. I can’t go back and change them but going forwards I wanted to know if there are any law firms with no minimum academic requirements for TC’s? I wanted to also know, if any other students/career changers have been in my position before and if so what they did to enter the legal field?”

If you have a career conundrum, email us at tips@legalcheek.com.

Legal Cheek explains…

Commercial awareness — everyone talks about it, but how can you actually develop it?

We’ve compiled our top four tried-and-tested (yes, in training contract interviews) tips for commercial awareness success.

1. Consistency is key

If your studying style is last-minute cramming, I get it. However, you are going to have to switch things up when it comes to building commercial awareness. The problem with trying to grow your commercial awareness a week before your interview is that you can miss out on the big picture, by not being aware of how trends in a certain space have developed over the past few months.

And, at the end of the day, being able to spot and discuss developments over time is a big part of commercial awareness, because this mirrors what clients are ultimately looking for from their lawyers. So, once you’ve decided when to apply, start building your commercial awareness in the month or two before. You don’t have to spend hours each day on this, a little goes a long way.

Whether it’s reading a news bulletin in your inbox everyday or listening to a podcast covering world news and business developments, pick the modes of learning which work best for you and spend 20 to 30 minutes a day engaging with this information.

Over time, you will start to see links and trends forming. It’s also helpful to supplement this by attending virtual and in-person events featuring law firms, as commercial awareness will undoubtedly be covered, and you can get a sense for how lawyers specifically are dealing with market happenings and better contextualise your knowledge.

Moreover, building this information up consistently will mean that it starts to become internalised and comes more naturally to you as a matter of discussion in interviews, so you present yourself more confidently.

2. Active not passive

Secondly, it’s important not to get complacent about absorbing information. The crucial part is to actually engage with what you come across and learn to think critically about what the implications might be.

Once again, this does not have to be done in an elaborate way — realistically, you cannot make notes on what you read or hear everyday, much less review all this before an interview. Instead, it’s much more achievable to analyse the information you’re receiving through a mental SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis.

Think about why a certain piece of news might be relevant to a law firm or particular practice area, the kinds of clients it would impact and how they can take advantage of (or find their way out of) the situation at hand. This is where attending law firm events can be valuable, since it allows you to build up an understanding of different practice areas and their processes and priorities. Through this, you can connect the dots and develop a more nuanced perspective. Integrating these thought processes into your everyday for a few minutes a day will also be helpful in interview scenarios where you’ll very likely have to confront something new and think on your feet.

3. Zoom in, but don’t forget to zoom out

While you might have a specific sector or practice that you’re interested in, don’t limit your commercial awareness to seeking out developments in these areas alone. It’s important to also have a broad knowledge of things going on in the economic and political world more generally, so that you can contextualise information you receive in case study questions.

Whilst ‘zooming out’, it’s also important to make connections between the information you come across and its impact on law firms as businesses. There are plenty of online resources available to give you the tools to understand how law firms operate, and it’s a good idea to get familiar with these concepts. Thinking of your commercial awareness as having two prongs, one which is client-focused, and one which is law firm business-focused can be a helpful way of doing this.

4. It’s all relative

This might sound obvious, but it’s fairly easy to get lost in the weeds with commercial awareness, making you lose sight of how you actually plan to utilise it all — in the context of a law firm. So, keep this at the forefront of your mind and make a conscious effort to consider that angle when you’re reading, listening or watching your information sources.

To take one example, a common interview or application question tends to be how a certain market development will impact the firm. To answer this, you would likely need to have an understanding of the firm’s priorities, its clients, the regions it operates in and any new practices it is seeking to grow. Having a skim of firm press releases can be a good starting point to glean this information. Has it opened up any new offices in past year? What practice areas are new partner hires from? This also links well with the ‘law firms as businesses’ prong of commercial awareness and ensures that your perspectives are well-rounded.

Building a personal brand? Christianah Babajide tells us how to utilise social media for this purpose

In today’s digital era, social media has become more than a platform for memes and cat videos; it has evolved into a powerful tool for young legal professionals to shape their careers. For aspiring lawyers, LinkedIn stands out as a pivotal platform offering vast opportunities for networking, personal branding, and career advancement. 

Let’s delve into how future lawyers can harness LinkedIn effectively while navigating its nuances.

Building a brand with purpose

LinkedIn serves as a canvas for showcasing your professional identity. You have the opportunity to create a profile that reflects your values, expertise, and aspirations.

Your profile allows you to summarise:

• who you are;
• which areas of law you’re interested in; and
• what you’ve done in your legal journey thus far; so don’t be shy.

Upload a professional headshot, write an eye-catching summary, list your previous work experience as you would on a CV, and add your education including professional certificates like the LexisNexis and WestLaw research credentials.

Consider sharing articles, participating in discussions, or even starting a blog to establish yourself as a thought leader in your desired niche.

Strategic networking

Patience is paramount when working your way to that standard 500 connections on LinkedIn.

Here’s how to network online like a pro:

• Reach out to individuals you admire or who can tell you about the culture of your desired firm. This could be an associate or a member of the graduate recruitment at the firm you’d like to work at.
• Personalise connection requests with a genuine message, highlighting what you would like to know and the reasons why you’re drawn to working at that specific firm. Remember the golden rule of networking: people always want to help and connect with like-minded individuals, because at some point in their journey, someone has helped them too.
• Joining relevant LinkedIn groups and engaging in meaningful conversations can also expand your network organically.

Be selective

LinkedIn can sometimes feel overwhelming, with a constant stream of updates and pressure to curate the perfect profile and constantly share good news. There’s nothing worse than being rejected for a TC, going on LinkedIn and seeing a post from someone who has bagged themselves two magic-circle offers. Don’t let this knock your confidence; be selective and mindful about the content you consume online. You can manage LinkedIn by limiting how long you spend on the app or changing your mindset when browsing from “I’m a failure” to “I haven’t achieved this yet.”

Demonstrating expertise through content

Share your insights and expertise through thoughtfully curated content. Whether it’s commenting on industry trends, sharing case updates, or offering practical advice, consistent and informative contributions can elevate your profile and position you as a subject matter expert. Leverage LinkedIn’s publishing platform to showcase your writing skills and legal knowledge.

And finally…

Mastering LinkedIn is not just about accumulating connections; it’s about cultivating meaningful relationships, showcasing your expertise, and positioning yourself for success in the legal profession.

Christianah Babajide is a visiting lecturer at The City Law School, passionate about empowering law students to excel in their careers by mastering online networking skills. She can be found on LinkedIn and her Instagram handle is @christianahb_.

Needs help on what to do next

In the latest instalment in our Career Conundrums series, an aspiring solicitor asks for guidance following disappointing SQE1 results and an unsupportive response from their firm.

“I sat the SQE1 exams in January and found out last week that I have failed. My training contract (City law firm) was due to start in September 2024 so I was extremely worried about what the consequences would be. After a few calls with graduate recruitment and HR, I’ve been told that my TC offer has been revoked. I just have no idea what to do at this point, and want to know if anyone else is/has been in the same boat, and how they dealt with the situation. How are other people’s firms handling cases of future trainees failing the SQE?”

If you have a career conundrum, email us at team@legalcheek.com.

Legal Cheek explains…

Networking — you either love it or you hate it.

While Covid certainly took the heat off with online interactions becoming the only option, we’re now back to in-person networking, with all the (awkward) standing around and foot shuffling that comes with it. Whether you’re wondering what to do on an insight day or have a vac scheme coming up, here’s some tips on navigating networking.

1. Have some ‘starter’ questions to hand

Networking events can often have a somewhat strange dynamic that feels oddly pressured and stilted. You might be at a loss regarding what to questions to ask, a conversation might come to an abrupt end or you might just find your social battery drained.

So, it’s always helpful to have three to four questions to start off a conversation as you move around the room and meet a new person. Introduce yourself, smile and be friendly. It’s important that you don’t come across as simply wanting to ask incisive questions just to memorable. It’s far more effective if you go in with the mindset of getting to know a person.

Starting off with questions like “how’s your day/week been?”, “what kind of things are you working on at the moment?” (after introductions, of course) can be quite good — they’re broad enough that the other person can go into a good level of detail, allowing you to follow up with questions on their practice area and their time at the firm.

It also helps to go into networking events with a strategic approach of the kinds of things you’re most interested in. For instance, if there’s a particular practice area you want to learn about, have an idea of the questions you’d ask to glean this information and the lawyers best suited to answering them. Going in with a plan is likely to ensure you get the most out of the interactions you have so that they are tailored to your interests.

2. Listen!

It’s also important that you don’t go into networking activities with a long list of questions and just rattle these off. When it boils down to it, all you’re doing is having conversations. So, make sure you are actually listening to the responses to receive, and engage with these to ask your follow-up questions. Otherwise, the whole interaction is going to feel disjointed and unnatural.

This might seem like an obvious point, but it’s easy to be so preoccupied with coming up with more questions that you forget to listen to what’s being said. There are multiple ways of engaging with and continuing a conversation, and asking questions is just one of them. You can also build on what the other person has said, for instance, by sharing your own experiences. Treat these interactions as conversations, rather than as interviews, to avoid falling into the trap of asking question after question.

3. Strike a good balance between the personal and the professional

It’s true, everyone (most of the time) likes talking about themselves. So, you don’t have to strictly stick to the “what do you enjoy about working here?” and “what has been the most rewarding thing you’ve worked on?” questions. If someone mentions where they grew up or went to uni, for instance, ask them about this. If someone mentions a hobby or a weekend plan, try to build a conversation around it.

Having said that, however, make sure to be aware of the balance between the personal and the professional. While it’s good to learn about an individual in a more well-rounded way, as this often makes for a more relaxed interaction, it’s also important to not ask questions which are inappropriate for a professional environment.

4. Try to hold your own in group conversations

This is arguably something that comes with practice, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It’s far easier to be stood in a group listening passively than joining in and contributing to the conversation, particularly if you come in later. Sometimes, the associate or partner might notice that you’ve joined in and introduce themselves to you, making this a bit easier.

However, if that’s not the case, take a few minutes to listen to the conversation so that you can have a think about what to contribute, and then chime in. It can definitely be challenging to find the right moment and grasp the conversation well enough to participate when you’ve joined midway through, but it’s an important skill to develop since most networking events will involve navigating group scenarios.

5. Gauge which connections you want to maintain

So, you’ve made a lap of the room and have spoken to several people. Some conversations probably flowed really well while some might have just been plain awkward. Make a mental note of the lawyers that you learnt the most from, and these are ones it makes sense to message on LinkedIn to continue the connection.

Filtering out in this way will make sure that you don’t leave each event with tons of people to message without remembering what you chatted about. Rather, the people you do message will have a solid conversation to remember you by and the connection is likely to be more genuine and memorable.

Budding barrister seeks help

In the latest instalment of our Career Conundrums series, a prospective pupil barrister appeals for advice on how to handle pupillage interviews.

“I’ve secured a pupillage interview at a mixed common law set in London. They haven’t offered very much detail about what to expect in the interview, and so I’m looking for pointers as to the best things I can be doing to prepare, and any particular things that I should look to do or avoid doing during the interview itself. Any advice welcome!”

If you have a career conundrum, email us at team@legalcheek.com.

Aspiring solicitor seeks guidance

In the latest instalment of our Career Conundrums series, a would-be lawyer needs some advice after failing part two of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

“Hey Legal Cheek. I recently found out I failed SQE2 and I am looking for some advice from readers who have been the same situation. What did you different in order to pass? Did anyone go to the extreme of changing preparation provider? Is that even possible!? I don’t want to fail for a second time as one resit is expensive enough. In a sort of related matter, and presuming a pass the resit, will I need to let firms that I am applying to know that I previously failed SQE2? Is this something they’re likely to ask about? Thank you.”

If you have a career conundrum, email us at team@legalcheek.com.

Future trainee solicitor Christian Stocker offers his reflections

If you are reading this in your first year of law, I want to say congratulations. You have already done incredibly well. However, you will also know how much there is to learn. The objective of this article is to lay out some of the things I wish I had learnt sooner; the importance of reflection, experience and commercial awareness. I hope what follows will make your university experience that little bit easier.

‘Why law’

The first thing I wish I had considered more is ‘Why law?’ Don’t get me wrong, I love the law. The application of an invisible set of rules which govern our day-to-day lives in a variety of complex situations is fascinating. But I always viewed this question as an assessment rather than as something I should have been reflecting on throughout university.

The reality is that you are likely to be asked this question for the rest of your life. Believe me, after spending my Christmas revising trusts law, I was asking myself this question relentlessly. However, it is an important one to source your motivation. Most importantly, it has to be true. Not only must you get past application stages, you have to sit the SQE, and I can tell you from experience that it’s no picnic, but if you have the right desire you will be fine.

One way to discover whether you have such a desire is to make a note of the areas of law you study. Make a note of what you liked and disliked about them. For me, I was always attracted to commercial areas but I wish I had asked myself ‘why?’ on more occasions. Not only might some interviews have run more smoothly but I would have had something there to guide me through the times when it was less fun.

The importance of experience and the resources around you

Another way to discover whether law is for you is through experience, either at university or outside it. For this reason alone, I cannot stress enough the importance of seeking it from an early stage. Whether this is becoming more active in the university law society, undertaking community projects or even attending law firm events: they will all provide an insight into what you find engaging.

Hopefully by the time you finish, this is still the law and if it is then you’re in for an incredible career.

Not only does an insight evening tell you whether you would like the life of a City firm lawyer, it is also an indication to the firm that you are genuinely interested in a career with them. Further to insight evenings, there are a multitude of work experience schemes which start as early as first year, sometimes exclusively: vacation scheme insiders; panel sessions; and pathfinder programmes.

When you get to second year, you can even become a brand ambassador for your chosen firm and represent them as a point of first contact.

It is also the accumulation of these experiences that will help shape any future applications you choose to make. But there is one important thing to bear in mind…

Not every law firm is the same

Not every law firm is the same — far from it. Those of you who have studied firms’ websites will probably have this burnt on your retinas by now, but it is true. You will need to research each firm thoroughly before you apply … and certainly before you attend any interviews. They will almost certainly ask you why you chose to apply to their firm. Do not flinch and do not embroider. Your answers will be more relevant if you know who and what you are dealing with.

Around 20,000 students graduate each year with a law degree, and many lawyers will qualify without one. This statistic is not designed to scare you but to make you appreciate that none of those students are the same and neither are the firms they will go on to make up. The easiest way to spot the difference between firms is to speak to these people, learn about the culture and evaluate whether it is a place for you.

I was fortunate in that I picked the right firm for the right reason. And, more importantly, they picked me! But the right outcome comes with research and making sure you focus any applications you choose to make. Are there specific areas of law they specialise in which you enjoy? How do they promote their culture online and does it align with yourself?

A vital takeaway here is to never view a rejection as one on your personality. ‘You may be the sweetest peach on the tree, but some people just don’t like peaches.’

Christian Stocker is a law graduate from the University of Leeds, a future trainee solicitor and a current SQE student at BPP University.

Video interviews, aptitude tests, group tasks and more

After sending out application upon application and refreshing your inbox incessantly, you finally get that email inviting you to a video interview or assessment centre. Yay! But the happiness is soon taken over by worry as you start to question what it’s going to be like and how you can prepare. If this sounds familiar, then read on to get your questions answered about a range of post-application assessments.

Aptitude tests

Most firms send out an aptitude test after you’ve submitted your application to complete an initial sift. You should be able to get an idea of what to expect on this from the firm website. Some types of tests, like the Watson Glaser test, can be practised prior to be taken, while others do not offer this option. Regardless, these tests typically test candidates’ critical thinking, analysis, literacy and numeracy skills — so if there isn’t an option to practice the test, make sure to keep these in mind as a rough guide of what to expect.

There are also often situational judgement tests, where candidates are presented with a range of scenarios they would likely face as a trainee solicitor and asked how they would tackle these. For instance, what would you do if you’re given an urgent piece of work last minute by your supervising partner and don’t know how to approach it? What if you’re confronted with a frustrated client asking for updates on a matter you don’t have yet? What if there’s a deadline you can’t meet because another more pressing issue has come up?

Video interviews

These are sometimes an additional sifting stage before the assessment centre. Rather than being faced with an actual interviewer, these take the form of candidates providing recorded answers to questions, with some platforms allowing candidates to re-record their responses a certain number of times and others not providing this option. Firm websites might provide an idea of the kinds of questions you can expect to receive on these video interviews. If that isn’t the case, it would be good to prepare by knowing your CV well. Also try having bullet point responses planned out to likely questions such as why you’re interested in working at [insert firm name] and examples of instances where you’ve demonstrated certain key attributes — time management, team working and other such skills.

Assessment centres

 While these can take a variety of forms, broadly speaking, they can be thought of as comprising two aspects — a general, or competency-based element and a skills-based element. These can be tested through a range of methods — partner or graduate recruitment interviews, group tasks (such as a negotiation exercise, for instance) and individual case studies (oral or written) are some examples.

The competency aspect of the assessment centre is essentially trying to test whether your skills and personality are suited both to a career in law more generally and to the law firm you are applying to in particular. So be prepared to have very clear answers to both of these, as they are likely to come up. It also helps to know the kind of skills that the firm is looking for in a trainee solicitor, something which a lot of firm websites include on their graduate recruitment page. Make sure to be ready with an example of where you’ve demonstrated each skill during university or in your career to answer questions about why you’d be a good fit at the firm.

The skills-based aspect tends to test candidates’ legal skills, such as writing, analysis and commercial awareness, whether in an individual or group setting. It’s important to have a really good idea of the kind of work the firm does and the market developments impacting its practice areas the most. Make sure to keep an eye on the amount of time you have if completing a written task and try to have a clear structure to your piece with headings and signposts. It’s also a good idea to make notes if doing an oral case study or group task, and don’t be afraid to ask questions to clarify something you’re not sure of in the scenario you’re given.

Finally, it’s always worth trying to find out who you are going to be interviewed by — it never hurts to drop graduate recruitment a quick email and ask! Also use the assessment centre and interviews as an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about what it’s like to work at the firm or find out more about a given practice area, as this is always a good indicator of genuine interest.

Oxford law postgrad and Legal Cheek writer Sophie Dillon offers up her top tips

Picture this. It’s your first year at law school and you’ve just received the most disappointing grade sheet of your life. Years spent at the top of your school classes have left you pathetically unprepared for this early onslaught on your legal journey. “First year doesn’t count,” has been the holy mantra tailing your nights out all year, but dreams of that shiny first-class honour’s degree now seem dim and distant. The age-old qualm of the law student starts to rear its ugly head; imposter syndrome. “Am I good enough for this? Do I really belong here?” you think.

It can be a tricky situation to overcome, but it’s by no means impossible. As a law graduate who scraped through the first year of law school before going on to graduate with high first-class, I’ve created a compilation of my five top tips on how to do the same.

1. Do the reading

Yes, I know you’ve heard it a hundred times before. Attempting the reading list can feel like running on a treadmill. After your first two hours, you’re asking yourself – ”how on earth have I only read 30 pages?”. But, simply put: doing the reading is the best way to get your grades out of the dumpster and into that high rise glass building in the City that you’re hoping to work at after your law degree.

It helps to think of your reading list like a cake (stick with me here). The fluffy sponge of each topic comes from the lecture materials and the textbook reading. The icing comes from the “essential” reading. And the further reading is the cherry on top (the seminar reading, those couple of journal articles that are guaranteed to be the ‘hot topic’ in discussions). One must come before the other, but achieving those sugary sweet grades requires all three.

Secondly, when it comes to doing the reading, it’s important to know your reading style. Are you a fast skimmer? Are you a slow and careful absorber? Each is fine, but make sure you’re accounting for the time that this reading is going to take you. Bouncing back in second year is all about getting those reading lists under control and getting your time management tip-top.

2. Peel back the layers of your own opinion

As Shrek would say, “o[pi]nions have layers”. Like the humble onion, opinions are multi-faceted, and yet what may have originated as a knee-jerk or gut reaction may transform with enough work into a thoughtful and original critique in an essay. This can add that juicy sprinkle of “critical analysis” (that your lecturers are always banging on about) — guaranteed to get you past that 2:1 threshold.

But how can opinion transcend a simple judgement call and into the realms of critique? The answer goes back to the first point: reading. Getting to grips with other people’s opinions is the greatest gateway into figuring out your own. And, more importantly, in-depth reading can help you to figure out why you take that view. From the well-informed reasoning given by counsel on each case, to the critique of sharp-penned academics; the essential and further readings will give you those golden ideas to bounce off.

And don’t forget to take every opinion with a pinch of salt. Even if the eloquent prose of the Supreme Court judges can feel somewhat seductive, try to resist the simple copy and paste approach. Searching for the flaws in an argument — even one that you wholly agree with on its face — can be the key to ascending in your marks. It’s inevitable that in sifting through the reams of reasonable arguments on your essay topic, you’ll begin to peel back the layers of your own opinion.

3. Essay technique

It’s no secret that school ill-prepares its future law students. There is a strong chance that if you’re a law student, you leaned into the essay subjects at school: history, philosophy, English, the list goes on. But – these essay subjects don’t really equip the first-year law student with techniques on how to properly write a university-level essay in law.

To successfully bounce back from first-year disappointments, law students need to throw away the school-leaver style essay. (The “argument then counter argument then discussion then conclusion” model.) A legal essay should focus on and argue ONE point of view.

This is an approach which seems quite alien coming from school – but one which the successful law student must master. Engaging in the opposing point of view should always be intentional. So, only bring in an opposing argument when you can safely smash through it with a sledgehammer.

In that vein, don’t be afraid of being persuasive. But, do be afraid of not getting to your point. Think of it like this: rather than taking your reader on a journey through the various arguments before a “big reveal” conclusion, instead try smacking your reader over the head repeatedly with your point.

Bouncing back in second year means hitting the nail on the head with essay technique. So, you may need to finally engage with those dreaded “essay writing” sessions (I’m sorry). Most law schools have great (if slightly boring) seminars or even writing centres to pop along to, which can really help with legal-style writing. Regardless, getting this technique firmly established is key in establishing your academic credentials.

4. Find your legal tribe

To quote a proverb; ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. It also takes a village to raise your grades at law school. So, do not underestimate the power of powerful peer group. A great legal tribe can help to steer you on the right course when it comes to managing your time (like being able to say no to those 5am afters the night before the essay is due!), and when it comes to achieving greatness in your writing. They can also prove to be an amazing sounding board for your essay arguments. And, really, the best way to know if you’re going to sound like an idiot in your essays is to run it past a group of law students first.

5. GET INVOLVED

Finally, remember to get involved. Luckily for you, grades aren’t everything. Even though a perfect first-class can give you some headway on your peers, the book doesn’t stop at your academics. Becoming a successful (and employable) lawyer will require you to extend yourself outside of the curriculum. So, whilst trying to boost your second-year grades, try your hand outside of the law school. Get involved in law fairs, mooting, and legal societies. Give the new pro bono initiative at the law school a go or run for the social secretary of the law society. As well as being a great way to meet new people to add to your budding legal tribe, this is a sure way to curate an outstanding legal CV.

Sophie Dillon joined Legal Cheek as a writer and researcher in September 2023. She studied law at Newcastle University before completing a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) at the University of Oxford.

NQ seeks advice

In the latest instalment of our Career Conundrums series, a trainee due to qualify this spring is looking for some pointers on how to hit the ground running.

“I am about to qualify into a team at the City firm where I completed my training contract, and I am seeking some guidance. It there anything I can/should be doing differently compared to my time as a final-seat trainee? Any help with things that I should (or equally importantly shouldn’t) be doing would be greatly appreciated!

If you have a career conundrum, email us at team@legalcheek.com.

One solicitor hopeful says they feel ‘pretty deflated’

In the latest instalment in our Career Conundrums series, an aspiring solicitor is concerned they may not have passed the SQE.

“Hi Legal Cheek. Please keep this anon. I recently sat SQE1 and I am seeking a bit of reassurance more than anything. It was much tougher than I expected, which seems to be a common theme on some of the message boards I have read! I felt like I was guessing the answers to half of the questions and I am feeling pretty deflated tbh. I’d like to know how other people who recently sat SQE1 felt it went? For context, I studied law at undergrad and completed a prep course. Thanks.”

Looking for guidance on all things SQE? Check out Legal Cheek’s SQE Hub.