Top 10 Tips for Applying to Law Firms

Securing a position at a competitive law firm requires careful preparation and strategic thinking. Here are ten essential tips to strengthen your application and maximise your chances of success. 

1. Tailor your CV and cover letter. Generic applications rarely succeed in the legal market, so customise each document to reflect the specific firm and role you’re targeting. 

2. Research the firm. Go beyond basic research and articulate why you’re applying to that specific firm. Incorporate the firm’s core values into your answers to demonstrate alignment with their culture and mission. 

3. Gain relevant experience. Although not a must, prior work experience evidences commercial awareness and provides evidence that you may have the capabilities required for the legal world. Any exposure to professional environments can strengthen your application significantly. 

4. Network. Connect with others who can provide valuable insight into the firm and help you ask more informed questions later. This can include alumni, representatives of a firm or even fellow students on a similar path to you. 

5. Focus on quality over quantity. Very few spots are on offer at top firms, so it is better to send a few well-researched applications rather than many subpar ones. Invest your time wisely in applications that genuinely interest you and make them count. 

6. Prepare for application tests. Many firms use assessments like the Watson Glaser test to evaluate candidates. Getting familiar with these beforehand can improve your result and familiarise you with the skills firm value. 

7. Perfect your proofreading and formatting. Triple-check everything! Ensuring your application has perfect grammar, spelling and neat formatting is a must, as a single error could be grounds for rejection. 

8. Prepare thoroughly for the interview stage. Research common interview questions and practice your responses. The university’s career service also offers free bookings for practice interviews, which is highly encouraged if you’re reaching the later stages of an application. 

9. Monitor your inbox. Updates and invites for online tests can be sent regularly and sometimes they might even end up in your spam folder. Staying up to date ensures you don’t miss anything and complete online tests within their deadlines. 

10. Prioritise your academics. Grades are still the most important factor in initial application screening. A 2:1 is the general cut-off for these positions, so aim for this standard and higher to keep your options open.