Many of the bigger firms require candidates to apply using their own form of training contract application form. These can often be quite daunting and are usually fairly time consuming to complete. There follows our quick guide to submitting a winning application form.
- Start with research – before you decide which application forms to complete you must first fully research the different firms and areas of law. Completing thorough research before you start the application process will help you be sure why you are applying to your chosen firms and keep you motivated to produce high quality applications.
- Don’t fall at the first hurdle – ensure you have checked that your qualifications satisfy the firm’s minimum entry requirements. If they don’t you might as well find this out at the outset and save wasting time on applications to those firms who will reject you as a matter of course (unless there are exceptional circumstances)
- Focus on quality not quantity – it is better to take more time over less application forms as you will be competing against others who have taken considerable time over theirs. Be sure to start your application forms well in advance of the deadlines to avoid a last minute rush or worse still missing the deadline – this is sure to be a nail in the coffin of your application.
- Eye for detail – it is imperative that you pay close attention to every detail in your application. Ensure that you read and re-read every question and request for information and prepare draft answers before reviewing and editing. Ensure you answer every aspect of each question.
- Aim to stand out from the crowd. This does not mean use gimmicks or illuminous paper but rather to focus on highlighting your unique set of skills and attributes by using examples from your own life.
- Presentation – ensure your forms are neat and legible if you are required to complete by hand. Ensure all spelling and grammar is correct – if completing an on-line form prepare your answers in a separate Word document first and use spell check to pick up any mistakes before copying across into the form. Be sure to stick to any set word limits as anything over the limit may be automatically cut on on-line forms.
- Take your time – you should view each application as a significant piece of work and allocate the necessary time to it. Applications are too important to just try to knock off in a couple of hours. You are better to set aside a few days so that you can put plenty of time into it as well as giving time to put it to one side and come back to it with a clear head to review it.
- Phone a friend – often when we work on something so hard and for so long we cease to be objective about it. Therefore, it is always beneficial to have a friend or a career advisor to review your draft application before you finalise it. They may well spot mistakes that you have missed or give some other valuable input to help you improve your training contract application.
