The Hidden Challenges of Training Contracts

Sep 26, 2023

Written By Zara Arif

Securing a training contract in the current legal market is a significant achievement and it marks the beginning of any aspiring solicitor’s career. Whilst there are many exciting aspects of a training contract, there are hidden challenges which future solicitors should be aware of before starting in order to give themselves the best chance at success.

The Competitive Application Process

The main initial challenge is getting a training contract at all. The process can be extremely competitive as there are often thousands of applications vying for limited positions. It is not unusual to have to complete several application cycles before obtaining a training contract.

The best way to ensure success in by crafting a standout application. A CV that is tailored to your relevant experiences and a cover letter that details your unique skills and passions for the firm and law are guaranteed to help you go further in the process. Graduate recruitment will read thousands of applications every year, so they will be looking for unique, personal, and genuine applications.

Your initial written submission, which is your first contact with a firm, is crucial. The best way to submit the best application is by maximising time with careers services and legal professionals in order to understand how to make your application the best it can possibly be. It is also important to leverage friends and mentors to proofread anything you write before you submit.

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Adapting to Firm Culture

It can also be difficult to adapt to a firm’s culture as each firm has unique expectations, work styles and values.

It is valuable to discuss any unspoken or unwritten cultural nuances with a mentor to maximise your success and integration. Make sure to observe those around you and adapting to their workstyle whilst conserving your authenticity.

Work-Life Balance Struggles

A common challenge can be maintaining a work-life balance. You may want to take on as much work as possible in order to hone your skills and develop as a lawyer, but balance is crucial.

Trainees work long hours with tight deadlines. The nature of the work can often be quite unpredictable and therefore, it can have an impact on your personal life. It is important to find a balance and manage your time effectively, both inside and outside of the office.

Everyone manages stress in different ways and some people thrive in high-pressure environments. Trainee solicitors must hone their time management skills whilst seeking support and being honest about workload to their supervisors when necessary.

Navigating the Learning Curve

Another challenge for trainee solicitors can be navigating the steep learning curve of the transition from law school to the workplace. Trainees are tasked with the day-to-day application of legal concepts that they may have come across before, but it always requires the building up of experience to confidently apply your knowledge in real life situations.

For this reason, trainees may initially struggle to apply theoretical knowledge to real cases as they may be coming across situations in practice that they have never seen before. This is what being a trainee is all about – not being afraid to admit that you don’t know something and asking for help and guidance when needed and appropriate.

To give yourself a good basis for effective learning and adapting to a different type of workload it is necessary to conduct efficient legal research and make specific and concise notes. Unlike at law school or university, often clients and other lawyers only need very specific and precise information, so it is important to keep this is mind when researching and writing up your findings. If you are ever unsure, it is also important to build a network of people whom you can call upon to ask questions such as mentors and previous trainees.

Client Interactions and Responsibilities

Being a solicitor is ultimately a client facing job and so another challenge may be shifting from learning theories to interacting with clients and developing effective communication and meaningful relationships.

Some trainees may have direct client interactions. Trainees may be scheduling meetings or chasing for certain documents and therefore it is important to maintain professionalism whilst also being an active listener if clients raise concerns.

Managing Feedback and Criticism

It is also important to accept and learn from feedback. This is something that trainees are often assessed on as it shows their willingness to learn and receptiveness to improvement.

At first, it may be difficult to accept criticism, but it is important to remember that no one will expect a trainee’s work to be perfect. Mindset is the most important thing - be willing to seek clarification when necessary and to learn from mistakes.

Balancing Multiple Tasks

Trainees are also expected to hone their ability to multitask as they may be given tasks with competing deadlines and importance.

Again, in order to deal with this, time management and prioritisation are key.

Trainees are often advised to create to-do lists in order of priorities and deadlines so that they can work through the most important and urgent tasks first. They can also rely on calendar tools and task management apps in order to organise their time around meetings and other engagements.

The Path to Qualification

A training contract normally lasts two years, at the end of which, you qualify. Throughout the two years you sit in 4-6 different seats in a firm so that you can try your hand at different types of law.

In each seat you are assessed. It is a trainee’s responsibility to develop and learn as much as possible whilst maximising exposure to lots of different legal matters.

You are also required to sit exams in order to qualify as a solicitor. These are the Professional Skills Course (PSC) and the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). These are general exams that all aspiring solicitors must pass in order to qualify, regardless of the firm or area of law in which they train.

As with any type of assessment, preparation and managing pressure is crucial in order to ensure that trainees make it to qualification.

Conclusion: Preparing for the Hidden Challenges

In summary, the main challenges of a training contract are the step up from law school and the willingness to constantly develop and learn whilst working under pressure.

Whilst it can be demanding, all newly qualified solicitors would agree that a training contract is valuable learning experience that allows you to develop into a well-rounded lawyer.

The key to success is determination and a growth mindset. With preparation, resilience, and a proactive approach, all of the challenges detailed above can be easily overcome.

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