Application Insider: Simple Tips and Tricks to Guide Through Your Applications

With application season here, and moving faster than ever, it's important to take inventory of the things you need not forget when filling out the application form. Below is a list of tips I’ve learned from experience and the experienced on how to go about vacation scheme and training contract applications.

1. The ‘STAR’ method

Situation, Task, Action, Result. Throughout your application process, including interviews and blended assessments, you’ll be asked to answer competency-based questions. You need to remember that this is an assessment of your capabilities and an opportunity to prove yourself, your problem-solving abilities, time management, teamworking skills, etc.

I’ve personally been asked to share a time I ‘had to manage and prioritise tasks’, ‘had to deal with a last-minute conflict’, and ‘had to work with a team’. To me, this is a time to remain succinct; it’s easy to get turned around in the details of a story. First, set the scene by talking about the situation you are in; this will make your story easy to follow.

Second, explain your task: what was the problem you faced?

Then, move on to your action (the key part): how did you approach your task?

Shortly after, discuss the result: how did it all turn out? This will help you keep track of your train of thought, remain organised, and get to the point of your story as eloquently as possible.

2. Can you switch out the firm’s name?

When the firm asks you why you’re interested in them, why you’re applying, or what sets them apart from others, you need to surgically draft your answer. Perfunctory responses will not get you anywhere. Yes, the firm is international, but so are thousands of others. Yes, the firm is leading, but they’re not the only ones. You need to tailor your answer, i.e., why is their specific global outlook important to you? So, if you’re applying to DLA Piper, and you’re able to switch out their name in a sentence with ‘Latham & Watkins’, that’s your sign to be more specific.

Of course, that’s not to say that you cannot mention a characteristic important to you that is shared by other firms. Instead, focus on the why and the how. Why is their approach unique, important, and valuable to you?

3. Double checks and Engagement

Simply proof-read. Just like an exam, a law firm will not want to see simple mistakes in your application. Go over it, read it aloud; it can never hurt.

Firms also want to see you’re excited to get involved with them. This is easy to show. Go to campus events, Insight days, complete a Forage programme, join a webinar – there are plenty of ways to prove your engagement and desire to get involved.

4. Study the firm

This may seem like an obvious one, but it goes beyond your standard ‘recent deals involving Clifford Chance’ or ‘what are Linklaters’ key values’ questions. In an interview, I’ve been asked ‘what is an issue law firms are facing today?’ and, in the same interview, ‘what is a current issue affecting the firm’s clients?’

Here is where you really need to know your audience. You should know what kind of clients the firm serves, what they (the client) care about, where they are based, and even what legislative, geopolitical, or commercial changes are on their mind. It helped me to think like a client, a business, not a lawyer.