How attending NationalLawLIVE equipped me for application success
updated on 18 October 2016
I was beginning to plan the first of my vacation scheme applications when I saw NationalLawLIVE advertised online. I was encouraged to apply as it is an event aimed at those who want to learn more about becoming a solicitor at a national law firm. I knew it would be a good opportunity to network with law firm representatives and learn more about the legal profession, particularly the legal recruitment process and how to succeed in applications and interviews.
For me, the benefits of NationalLawLIVE began at the application stage as I was able to become familiar with the application portal used by many law firms in the recruitment process, as well as practising application questions. In addition to providing information about my education and work experience, I answered two questions, ‘Why do you want to attend the NationalLawLIVE conference and meet our national law firm sponsors?’ and ‘Please tell us why you believe you possess the skills and attributes to become a successful commercial lawyer’. Before writing my answers, I carefully planned what I wanted to say. I was honest with my responses and ensured they were written in a detailed yet concise manner, free from any spelling mistakes. For example, for the skills question, on a piece of paper I wrote down all the desirable skills a successful commercial lawyer would have and examples of how I could evidence each. Rather than trying to include every skill listed, I chose two skills that I could strongly evidence so my answer would be more substantial.
I submitted my application at the beginning of October 2015 and found out that I had been successful a few weeks later. I then filled out the registration form to confirm my place, indicating the morning and afternoon firm-led workshops I wished to attend, and paid the £24 delegate fee. At the end of November the workshops I would be attending were confirmed as DLA Piper (corporate) and Addleshaw Goddard (banking).
Beforehand, I did a lot of preparation. I thoroughly researched all the firms in attendance, created a spider diagram of key information for each, went through the vacation scheme applications I had started and noted down key questions to ask. I also received reading material from Addleshaw Goddard which I prepared in advance of its workshop.
The day itself began with a panel discussion on law as a business. I found this particularly helpful as it focused on commercial awareness, something I initially found difficult to develop. The panel discussed not only how to develop commercial awareness, but also how to maintain it and how important this is in running a law firm as a business. I learned that it is important to read news articles, but it is even more important to follow the stories as they develop so that when you are working for clients you are aware of what is happening in their sector and can anticipate any issues. I use Google Alerts to help me stay informed about certain news stories and used this to my benefit in interviews. Commercial awareness featured in every application and interview I had and I believe I stood out from other candidates as I didn’t just read news articles and then forget about them, but took the advice I was given at the conference and subsequently was able to discuss current events with more in-depth understanding and knowledge.
I had never had any first-hand experience of corporate or banking, so the firm-led workshops were very helpful in providing an overview of what trainees do on a day-to-day basis in these seats. Both workshops were very interactive and insightful, as we listened to some of the things the trainees had worked on, were able to ask questions and participate in a number of set tasks. They were a great opportunity to get a deeper insight into each firm and I left feeling more informed and confident about my decision to pursue a legal career.
Throughout the day there were also scheduled networking sessions, giving me the opportunity to ask the questions I had prepared to both trainees and graduate recruiters from a number of firms. I asked questions ranging from personal experiences of the recruitment process to specific questions about applications and interviews. This again gave me a better insight into what life is like as a trainee at each firm, how experiences differ and what exactly different recruiters are looking for in candidates. These networking sessions reaffirmed my choice of the firms I was applying to and also gave me confidence in moving forward with my applications.
The day ended with a final panel discussion on how to succeed in applications and interviews. The panel of graduate recruiters provided us with in-depth information about the process they go through to select candidates and what the perfect application should look like. They reminded us about not making obvious but common mistakes, as well as talking about the importance of having a comprehensive knowledge of each firm and tailoring each application, rather than applying to loads of firms and having a vague idea about the firm and its clients. Before I submitted any of my vacation scheme applications, I read back over the notes I took from this panel discussion and made sure I applied what was advised.
The event was genuinely enjoyable and I definitely benefited from attending. After sending off several applications in January, I attended three assessment centres and received three vacation scheme offers. Over Easter 2016 I participated in DWF’s vacation scheme and, after succeeding in a final round assessment, received an offer for a training contract, which I accepted. I will begin my training contract in September 2018, after completing my final year at university and undertaking the Legal Practice Course.
If you are serious about securing a training contract and becoming a solicitor at a national law firm, I cannot recommend applying to NationalLawLIVE enough as it gave me the motivation and tools I needed to succeed.
Victoria Harkness is a student at Lancaster University and a future trainee solicitor at DWF.
