SQE Exam Preparation: A Guide to Organising Your Qualifying Work Experience

Jun 11, 2023

Written By Yi Kang Choo

For anyone who is planning on taking the SQE, one of the requirements of the programme is to complete two years full-time qualifying work experience (QWE). QWE will help provide aspiring solicitors with hands-on experience in a legal environment. Organising QWE can be a daunting task, but with a little bit of planning and organisation, it is definitely possible for you to make the most of your time. Here are some of the key tips on how you can organise your QWE.

Identify Your Objectives

The first step to organising QWE is to identify your objectives as clearly as possible. It is helpful to reflect and consider important questions including: What type of law do you want to specialise in? What kind of work do you want to do? Do you want to work in a multinational law firm or a boutique firm?

Understanding your objectives will help you to identify the right work experience opportunities, and also help maximise the impact of your time spent on organising your QWE.

Do Strategic Research

Once you have identified your objectives, the next step is to research the different work experience opportunities available. Aside from the training contracts that firms offer, you can also check out law firm websites, job boards and legal directories to learn of any other opportunities. You don’t have to work at a law firm: legal advice centres and law clinics are just two alternative options.

Just as you would do when applying for a role in a law firm - make a list of your dream organisations and the type of work they do. Read up on their values and ethos to ensure they are aligned with yours, and to show the organisation you’ve researched them.

Create a Plan

When researching the workplace you're interested in, look into their application process. Some places require you to apply months in advance, so ensure you allow enough time to submit your application. You might need to wait for another year (or indefinitely depending on hiring needs) for companies to reopen their application window.

If you are aware of the type of questions they ask in their applications – or if they require a cover letter – you can even come up with a draft before applications reopen. This ensures you have enough time to draft up the best application you can for the role.

Tailor Your Application

When submitting your application, ensure you tailor it to the organisation you are applying for. Explain in detail why you want to work for that particular organisation and what skills and experience you can bring to the role. Companies receive a large number of applications every year, so being precise and demonstrating your understanding of their work will help your application stand out from the crowd.

Be Persistent

If you don't hear back from the places you have applied to, don't be disheartened. Keep applying, and follow up with a phone call or email to ask for feedback.

Many organisations only provide feedback to candidates who received an interview. However, even having one or two pieces of feedback from law firm recruiters will be an asset. You can also reflect on what you think went wrong and how you can improve.

Keep a Record

Once you have secured work experience, ensure you keep a record of the work you do. This will help you when it comes to revising for SQE2. You should also try your best to take advantage of any training or support provided by your QWE provider.

Reflect on Your Experience

At the end of each work experience placement/seat, take some time to reflect on your experience. Think about what you learned and how you can apply it to your future work as a solicitor. This will help you to effectively identify any gaps in your knowledge and ensure you gain the necessary experience (and knowledge) to pass the SQE.

In short, organising QWE can be tricky at times. However, with a little bit of planning and organisation, you can definitely make the most of your QWE, and gain all the necessary experience and knowledge you need to pass the SQE. If you are ever in doubt, do not hesitate to reach out to any of your career advisers at university, or lawyers who have passed the SQE, as they can provide advice and guidance.

All the best and good luck with the rest of the SQE!

SQE