Cracking Training Contracts in London

Sep 27, 2023

Written By Lewis Ogg

London is the epicentre of the British legal market. Working within this vast legal landscape are some of the world’s most prestigious firms, who act not only on international, industry-leading deals but also across the whole spectrum of practice areas. London’s status as one of the global legal capitals creates fierce competition for training contracts; this article will show you how to secure an offer.

The London Legal Landscape

The enormity of London’s legal market cannot be understated. Traditionally, Magic Circle firms (such as Allen & Overy or Clifford Chance) have dominated high-value work in this market. However, in recent years ‘Silver Circle’ firms (like Ashurst and Travers Smith) and American firms (such as Akin Gump and Shearman & Sterling) have occupied a significant market share. While these distinctions can be confusing, the key takeaway is to show the sheer number of firms in London performing high-value, often international, work.

Despite the robust and lengthy recruitment cycles that most large London firms operate, it is vital that you do not neglect the value of personal connections. Attending (and socialising) at networking events is a fantastic opportunity to create personal connections with the recruitment teams of the firms you are applying to. Having that professional network is no substitute for a strong application, but the connections and insights you gain might just push you to the interview stage.

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Preparing for the Application Process

Naturally, the competitive nature of the London legal market means that firms can hire the best and brightest. Therefore, the cornerstone of any good application will be a solid academic record stretching back to GCSE (or equivalent). Despite the importance of academics, remember that firms will consider any extenuating circumstances that contributed to grades not being up to the usual standard. Extra-circulars should not be neglected in favour of pure academia, however: they speak to your character, well-rounded nature and possession of transferable skills.

An essential step in any strong application is researching your target firm appropriately. When applying, you should have a working knowledge of the firm’s practice areas, recent deals, and clients. Having this knowledge will allow you to tailor your application or cover letter to the specific values and culture of the firm, and better demonstrate your genuine interest.

Remember that big firms will receive thousands of applications, many of which will be vague enough that they could be used for any firm. In trying to progress past screening, make sure that your application highlights the benefits of your personal experiences (even non-legal), focuses specifically on the firm you are applying to, and is well structured and grammatically correct. Top tip: if you can replace the firm’s name with another firm and your statement makes sense, it’s too generic.

Navigating the Interview Process

The final stage before receiving a vacation scheme or training contract offer is usually an assessment centre, followed by one-on-one or panel interview. Interviews are increasingly being conducted online. You’ll be interviewed by a partner, a member of the graduate recruitment team, or both.

When preparing for interviews, the quality of your preparation is hugely important. Having a detailed knowledge of the firm specifically and the broader market that they operate in is a given for a successful interview. Additionally, conducting mock interviews where you can practise answers to situational, competency and firm-based questions can be extremely helpful in boosting personal confidence beforehand.

Part of your firm research should be into the firm’s culture, so that when you deliver your interview, you know what personal qualities to highlight within your experiences. For example, the response a firm that stresses individual problem-solving is looking for will be considerably different to one that emphasises collaboration.

Tackling Asssessment Centres

Assessment centres usually entail group work, in-tray exercises, and interviews. Research tasks, case studies, and presentations are also mainstays of assessment centres. While there are certainly competency elements to assessment centres, their main focus is on showcasing transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving, research, and critical thinking.

When handling these skill-oriented tasks, remember that you are not in competition with your team, and recruiters are looking for individuals who can add value even to ideas that are not theirs.

Applicants are often hindered from showing their soft skills by anxiety. If you are one of these applicants, take deep and constant breaths, giving yourself a few seconds to close your eyes and recentre yourself before an activity. Remember that recruiters want to see your genuine self, so don’t stress about presenting a false self; act naturally and do your best.

Securing a Training Contract

After the whole recruitment process is concluded, you might be fortunate enough to be offered a training contract; if this is the case, congratulations! You have succeeded in one of the most competitive talent markets in the world, and a career as a solicitor has opened up before you. Remember that accepting a training contract comes with obligations and responsibilities, so take your time to read what the requirements are before signing on to your firm.

Bear in mind that a training contract should not be considered the end goal. Instead, it is the beginning of a new stage of your learning and development in which you will strive to become a qualified solicitor. You’ll also need to pass the SQE1 and 2 exams. Follow this link to learn more about the content of the exams and preparation courses. After the whole recruitment process is concluded, you might be fortunate enough to be offered a training contract; if this is the case, congratulations! You have succeeded in one of the most competitive talent markets in the world, and a career as a solicitor has opened up before you. Remember that accepting a training contract comes with obligations and responsibilities, so take your time to read what the requirements are before signing on to your firm.

Conclusion: Your Path to Success

When beginning your journey towards a London training contract, remember the basic principles of tailoring your application, having broader commercial knowledge, and comprehensively understanding the firm you are applying for. Despite your best efforts, there will be setbacks; virtually no one gets a training contract on their first try or often even their third. The important thing is to remain persistent and channel your frustration into crafting a stellar application. Over time, your commitment will get you closer and closer until, eventually, you get that elusive training contract.

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