We are well and truly into the peak season for training contract applications. June and July are the two months in which most firms accept training contract applications.
Deadlines do vary however and can be subject to change so always ensure you check the deadlines on LawCareers.Net first and then phone each firm before you apply just to double check their deadline. Whilst you’re at it you can also check the name of the person to address your application to (if applicable) as the names published on the internet and in other publications are sometimes out of date. You do not want to give the firm an easy reason to reject you by writing to the wrong person!
My one to one mentoring service has become increasingly busy over the last week or two as exams start to finish and more and more people turn their attentions to their applications.
Given the increased competition for training contracts since the recession you need to work hard to ensure that your applications make you stand out from the crowd. In the current climate there are at least 2 applicants for every training contract so be sure to put the hours in on your applications.
I still have the last few places available for my application mentoring service for June and July. If you think that working on a 1-2-1 basis to get my specialist advice on improving your applications would benefit you please get in touch.
I offer an initial free 15 minute telephone consultation to discuss your circumstances, your applications and how the mentoring service can benefit you.
Book your free consultation now by submitting your details via the Training Contract Success website at www.trainingcontractsuccess.co.uk
Sometimes it can feel that all the attention of the legal world and the legal careers services is focused on the biggest firms, and particularly the London firms or the biggest firms in the other major cities.
However, there are many regional firms away from the major cities that offer great opportunities for trainee solicitors. A good example of this is Lanyon Bowdler in Shropshire which won the Lawcareers.net’s trainee solicitor award for “Best Recruiter – Small Firm” in 2009 for a second time. LB takes on two trainees a year who spend time in four different departments within the firm during their training contracts.
One of their trainees wrote a blog post about life as a trainee at LB which makes for interesting reading and gives a good insight into what its like to work in a more provincial firm. To read the blog post click here: Life as a Trainee Solicitor
Herbert Smith has emerged as the latest law firm to add an extra layer to its training contract selection procedure in a bid to expose weak candidates at the initial application stage.
For the full story on the Lawyer 2B website click here.
The Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society has hosted a webinar recently which seeks to provide a broad ranging look at the solicitor’s training contract. It lasts for 41 minutes and features the following speakers:
- Tim Pearce, policy executive at the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
- Paul Rose, training principal at Halliwells LLP
- Mari Griffiths, trainee solicitor at Weightmans LLP
Unfortunately it can only be viewed in Internet Explorer so not everyone will be able to access it.
To view the webinar video via the Junior Lawyers website click here.
