Focus on your applications

You may think that you've heard all about common application mistakes before but trust me they are worth hearing again - these warnings are not being heeded!

Having recently recruited for a role on the LawCareers.Net team, I thought I'd share with you some common mistakes that I saw. I recruited via the CV and cover letter method - I realise that most training contract and pupillage vacancies require you to complete an online form but the advice below can be transferred to all applications.

Get the basics right
Make sure you are getting the key details correct. Check that the name of the firm/company and the name of the person you are applying to are spelt accurately and in full (eg, our company name is Globe Business Publishing, not Global Publishing). I appreciate that my name is slightly unusual but if it's spelt out in the job ad, then there's really no excuse for getting it wrong.

Take your time
Don't send off 20 applications at once. It's very clear to a recruiter when an application has been sent in a rush. Each application requires individual care and attention.  You will need to do self-analysis (don’t forget to use MySelf) and research the firm and role before you can even start the application. This takes time, but it's worth it. A recruiter can easily detect when a standard cover letter has been used and when an applicant has not paid attention to the job description.

Tailor your cover letter/application to the position you are applying for
Each application should be tailored to the specific role and firm you are applying for. Make sure to address the skills in the job ad and show evidence of these skills in your letter/application. Don't just say that you have a particular skill; give an example of where you have put that skill to use. Make it clear that you have read the job description and understand what the role involves. Don't say how interested you are in marketing if you are applying for an editorial role!

Don't assume that more is best
Recruiters do not want to read a three-page cover letter and four-page CV listing every award you've won since you were four. A succinct cover letter (three or four paragraphs on one side of paper) and a well-presented (not more than two-paged) CV are best. If a question on an application form has a word limit, make sure to adhere to it - a 2,000-word essay on why you've always wanted to be a lawyer will not be read.

Check, check and check again!
If you read our Meet the Recruiter profiles regularly you’ll see that time and time again when asked 'what is the most common mistake you see people making', the recruiters say typos. I discarded several applications immediately on the basis of basic spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. I'm sure that law firm recruiters will be just as brutal. Read your cover letter/CV/application form through again and again and again. And if you can, ask someone else to read it for you.

Using these tips as a starting point should make you a much better prospect to firms. If you really want that job, you should take the time to get the application right. A good, well-researched, well-written application will always stand out.