Make sure that you know how the firm or chambers wants you to apply – the vast majority use online application forms, although some may still prefer CV and covering letter. Where possible, obtain the name of the person to whom your application should be addressed. Don’t just send in a CV when the firm or chambers clearly wants you to tackle its application form. We can’t stress enough that the best applications are tailored to each individual firm or chambers. Tell a firm or set why you are choosing to apply to it rather than any of its competitors. Most recruiters complain about applications that are littered with misspellings and puffery about the nature of the organisation. A head of chambers in the Southeast agreed: “We had an application from someone allegedly impressed by ‘the ethos of our set and the fact that it had kept it touch with its roots’. Our advice? Don’t write guff like that on your applications. Flattery will get you nowhere – it’s just padding and it doesn’t impress.” Puneet Tahim, senior recruitment coordinator at Latham & Watkins, adds: “Candidates should avoid using broad statements such as, ‘I am a good team player, with excellent communication skills who is extremely ambitious and driven’. All these are valued skills and attributes, but you need evidence to back up your claims. You would be better placed to talk about a particular activity you are involved in and explain all of the skills you have developed as a result. Keep it simple and avoid unnecessary jargon. When you consider the volume of applications a firm receives, it’s important to focus on the key information you want to convey. Don’t use 10 words when five will suffice.” Competition is stiff and some firms and chambers receive thousands of applications for just a few places – never more so than in the current climate. Don’t give recruiters the
easy option to eliminate you from their lists – so no spelling mistakes, grammatical errors or casual language. And get someone who can spell to check the final version (errors through familiarity and repetition creep in otherwise). Alix Balfe-Skinner, HR manager at Taylor Vinters, says: “Attention to detail is everything – small things such as making sure you use capitals in the correct places are crucial. It makes an application seem more professional and as though more time and care has been taken.” Here are a few more top tips from recruiters: • “Spelling and grammar are absolutely vital. Ask someone else to read through your form for you to check it makes sense. Copy and paste the text into Word and apply spellcheck. If you haven’t got anyone to check it for you, review it. Leave it for a couple of hours then review again with fresh eyes before submitting” – Danielle White, graduate recruitment and development manager at Mayer Brown International. • “Bear in mind that graduate recruiters will know little or nothing about you before receiving your application form. By the end of each form, candidates should have explained why they want to be a solicitor, why they are applying to that particular firm and why they feel the firm should hire them” – Puneet Tahim, Latham & Watkins. • “You must check your spelling – otherwise it just looks sloppy. Where there is a word count, make sure that you are succinct. It’s all about attention to detail and presentation, which is of course what we’re looking for in our future lawyers – we wouldn’t send out something with mistakes in it to a client” – Caroline Walsh, former head of legal trainee recruitment and development, Clyde & Co LLP. • “Think carefully about what is distinctive
about a particular set of chambers or area of practice and explain why that interests you. You should also identify what is distinctive about you and why
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