Securing a training contract is a challenging prospect for upcoming solicitors. From finding the firm that suits you to navigating assessment centres, interviews and vacation schemes, it can all feel a little overwhelming. We spoke with three trainees about their experiences accessing a training contract to get an insight into their best advice for success. A big thank you to Farzana Abdullah, Trainee, Clyde & Co, Founder of Muslim Lawyers Hub, La'Shaunna Williamson, Trainee, Acuity Law and Maab Saifeldin, In-house Trainee Solicitor for their fantastic insights.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey to getting a training contract?
La’Shaunna: “I went via a vacation scheme route at Acuity Law, eventually being offered a training contract after a successful scheme, but it wasn’t a straightforward process getting there. I actually had no idea you could apply for contracts in your first year of university. As a first generation student, you just don’t have this natural knowledge. I remember logging on to LinkedIn and seeing someone on my course already had a place at a magic circle firm! So I promised myself I’d work on that in my second year, and I did.
It feels really competitive when you’re searching for training contracts in firms. You go to interview after interview and it can feel like you’re on the backfoot, but I like to remind upcoming trainees that you’re actually interviewing the firm, too. You’ve got to make sure it’s the right place for you - I recommend applying for no more than 10. Make a pros and cons list if you have to! Don’t just go for the first offer because you think it’s all you will get. I went to four different vacation schemes but was blown away by Acuity Law.”
Maab: “I started off in law as a paralegal at Express Solicitors in the Road Traffic Accident team. I tried over and over again to get on vacation schemes but was unsuccessful for a long time. I was almost at the point of giving up when I noticed on LinkedIn that someone I was connected with was advertising the Flex Legal schemes. I got in touch, and was offered an interview - which I was then successful in.”
Farzana: “I went via Clyde and Co’s first year scheme, which was a week of work experience followed by nine months of mentoring. It then fast tracks you to the test centre for the vacation scheme and onwards to a training contract if successful. I found that I had to work exceptionally hard to get this scheme - attending lots of events, really going for as many extracurricular options as I could!”
How would you advise applicants who lack an external network in their approach to getting a contract
Farzana: “You need to be visible. If you’re attending an event, be one of the one or two people who actually turn their cameras on, and ask questions! If you do this a few times, you will find yourself getting noticed and getting the opportunity to build a network. Reach out to people at the firms you are interested in and network as much as you can.”
La’Shaunna: “Don’t be scared to message people and connect on LinkedIn. If you’re going in cold I’d say focus on people earlier in their career - associates, paralegals - they’re more likely to respond and have a smaller workload. Obviously if you have a partner in mind who you think may be receptive go for that too! All regional areas also have a Junior Lawyer Division that will likely offer events and socials - so that’s another great way to meet likeminded people and potential connections in a more casual setting.
Maab: “I’d say when you’re networking, make sure to see the person first. Ask relatable questions, such as around pop culture - and connect with them on a personal level before jumping in with questions around what you’re interested in or what you’re hoping to gain. It can really make you more memorable, and make people more receptive to talking to you.”
How did you leverage your personal experiences in the process?
Maab: “My biggest tip in all of this is selling yourself. I was initially very demure and quiet when I interviewed, and didn’t talk about my skills enough. You need to practice really telling people about your strengths, and how your weaknesses can also be a positive offer.
I also made sure to very carefully sell my extracurricular experiences. I actually made a list of them all and connected them clearly in a spreadsheet with job descriptions and the particular interests of the firms I was looking at, so that I knew I was fitting that blueprint of what each firm are looking for. I also made sure to connect my work experience into everything. I had worked in a call centre fresh out of university and that gave me great experience of handling irate clients, communicating, note taking and listening. Just because it isn’t directly law doesn’t make it irrelevant!
If you are a nervous interviewee, I’d also recommend practising and even memorising typical interview questions. Getting them off by heart can really make the process less stressful - though you’ll have to adjust as you go, of course.”
La’Shaunna: “I’d say it’s often less about your grades and more about what you did while you were at an institution. I got involved in Women in Law and the Neurodivergent Lawyer Project, and those experiences really helped me in my applications. I also made sure to utilise all of my experiences, whether more prestigious or not, to showcase my full offer. I talked about dealing with angry customers in McDonalds alongside my voluntary work - it all counts!
When you’re applying for schemes and contracts, make sure to list all your experience and skills beforehand, then connect them with the job description. Fit it to them rather than making them fit to you, so that by the time you get to the interview, you already look like the perfect candidate!”
Can you recommend any resources for upcoming trainees in their search?
Farzana: “Legal Cheek offers lots of virtual networking events which are great. Also make sure to sign up to the mailing list of all the firms you are interested in, as they’ll share when they have upcoming events that anyone can attend.”
La’Shaunna: “I have to recommend the Aspiring Solicitors Foundation, who are a charity providing economic support to aspiring solicitors through grants. I couldn’t afford new clothing for my vacation schemes, and they gave me a grant to pay for new workwear from Next. I’ve heard horror stories of people turning up to vacation schemes in trainers and being overlooked because of it - and ASF wants to help mitigate that. They also offer grants for transport, discounts on courses, and support to buy technology like laptops. They are brilliant!”
Thank you to Farzana, La’Shaunna and Maab for their contributions for this piece. To hear more insights from our contributors you can watch a recording of their recent webinar.
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