Firm but fair: choosing the one that's right for you
updated on 21 April 2009
So you've decided you want to be a solicitor. You've got your academic studies sorted, spoken to your friends, family and tutors, and trawled through as many law firm brochures as you can get your hands on. But what now? With literally thousands of training contracts on offer, choosing which firm to apply to can be a tricky decision.
Here at Lewis Silkin, we realise how competitive the training contract application process can be. Having canvassed the views of our trainees, our training principal and the trainee recruitment team, we've put together a list of our Top 10 tips to help make training contract applications more of a 'hit' and less of a 'miss' process. Remember, a training contract may not be for life, but two years can be a very long time if you don't get it right!
1: Quality control
When it comes to maximising your chances of success, it really is all about quality, not quantity. The training contract application process is not a numbers game. Sending out 100 applications in the vain hope that one of them will result in an interview is misguided, not to mention a waste of your time. To improve your chances of success, you will need to whittle it down to a carefully selected shortlist of firms you wish to apply to and focus all your resources on these alone. As a guide, it is recommended that you select no more than five or six firms at this stage.
2: Location, location, location
OK, so it may be a bit of a cliché, but the first question to ask yourself when choosing your firm is where do you want to live? Generally speaking, the larger commercial firms tend to be London-based, but financial hubs such as Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds also host some key players. If you have languages, or international travel appeals to you, then City firms may be more likely to offer you secondment opportunities during your training contract and impressive salaries (although be warned about the cost of urban living!). On the other hand, the advantages of working for a smaller regional firm can include factors such as exposure to private clients, a more relaxed friendly environment and an attractive work-life balance.
3: Size matters
The next thing to think about is size. Do you see yourself working in a big organisation which takes on over 100 trainees each year or do you prefer to know everyone by name and be one of only a handful of new recruits? While large City firms will undoubtedly have a great infrastructure, impressive client list and departments that span across all practice areas, the application process will be more competitive, as will the entry criteria! For example, magic circle firms often require qualifications no lower than ABB at A-level (or equivalent) and a minimum 2.1 degree.
4: Interest only
If you already have an inkling about the type of work you'd like to do on qualification, make sure you apply to law firms that specialise or are highly regarded in the practice areas you are interested in.
That said, there's no harm in getting as broad a training experience as possible if you're still undecided. Yes, you may want a firm that can offer you seats in practice areas that appeal to you, but don't rule the firm out entirely if it can't offer you the exact seats you desire. Be open to new experiences and don't assume that because you didn't get on with a certain area of law at university it will be as unappetising in real life!
5: Money talks
Whichever way you look at it, starting salaries will play a big part in deciding where to apply. As of 1 August 2008, the minimum per annum salary for trainees working in Central London was £18,420, while it was £16,500 for trainees working elsewhere in England and Wales. Salaries will often jump considerably upon qualification, but these will range according to the location and size of the firm. Newly qualified starting salaries of £70,000 upwards are not uncommon at some of the big US firms.
But don't just focus on starting salaries. Does the firm you've selected offer scholarships for example? Putting yourself through law school is expensive and student debts can rack up quickly. The good news is that many firms these days will reimburse you for your tuition fees for the GDL and/or LPC. To tide you over in terms of living costs, some firms also offer a maintenance grant during your studies. At Lewis Silkin, for example, we'll pay you £5,000 during both your GDL and LPC years.
While money may be a key motivator, you should also consider what the firm's overall benefits package looks like. Does it offer medical insurance, a decent pension scheme, staff bonuses or even corporate gym membership? How many days holiday will you get and what about sick pay? While it may not look like much on paper, benefits can often add up to a sizeable amount in terms of monetary value.
6: Culture vulture
The Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook and Chambers and Partners Student Guide will give you a good insight into your chosen firm. Websites can also be very telling, so take time to visit the firm's homepage and have a look around. If you've done so already, what were your first impressions? Is the design bright and lively or does it come across as more corporate and serious in approach? A firm's website can be indicative of its culture. At Lewis Silkin this couldn't be more true. Known as a 'more human law firm', we market ourselves as being lawyers who are experts in our field, but who don't take ourselves too seriously in the process! Our website is honest, fun, informative and relaxed; a true reflection of our culture.
Also have a look at the firm's online trainee profiles and ask yourself the following: what kind of work are they getting involved in? How much responsibility do they have? How many of them are mature students or career changers? Is the trainee recruitment process committed to equal opportunities and diversity and, if so, how does it show this?
But don't stop there. If there's anyone you spot from the firm who you'd like to speak to further, then pick up the phone or drop them an email (but keep it polite, appropriate and to the point!). More often than not they'll be flattered to have been contacted and you'll score points in your application for demonstrating your initiative.
Arguably the best way to get under the skin of the firms you've selected is to visit them in person. This could be by going along to meet them at a law fair or, even better, getting onto one of their work placement schemes. If the thought of undertaking a two-week placement with them during your holidays fills you with dread, then why not attend an open day or open evening? In our opinion, there's no substitute for seeing a firm first-hand.
7: Matter of fact
Before applying to your shortlisted set of firms, you need to be armed with the following facts: (i) how many trainees are recruited each year, and (ii) how many of those are kept on beyond the training contract? A quick call to the firms' HR recruitment teams should provide you with sufficient answers and also help establish what competition you'll be up against. Ask them how many applications they receive each year and, of these, how many candidates are selected for interview/assessment centre? It's also important to find out what the firm's retention rates have been like historically. While there's no guarantee that trainees will be offered permanent jobs on qualifying, do you really want to be applying to a firm that has a reputation for recruiting all its NQs externally?
8: Life support
Starting at a new firm can be a daunting process, and even more so if you've not had much work experience since leaving school. It's wise therefore to think carefully about the type of support you will need over the next two years. Have a look at your selected firms and find out how their induction programme is structured, and who will have responsibility for supervising you on a day-to-day basis and managing your training and development. For example, at Lewis Silkin we make sure trainees are assigned a seat supervisor for each of their six seats, as well as a dedicated training partner and a key contact in HR.
9: Your cup of tea?
So you've chosen a firm you like the look of. It's got a good reputation, decent practice areas and the salary isn't bad either. But will it offer you the opportunity to get involved in quality work from the word go or will you be spending your first six months glued to the photocopier and making the coffee?
In assessing the type of experience you wish to gain, also think about the type of clients you'd ideally like to work with. Big multinational law firms will naturally attract high-profile clients. That said, you're likely to have access to more key clients from an early stage in smaller and medium sized firms.
10: Perfect partnership
Choosing the right firm for you is a fairly scientific process but a lot can be said about getting the chemistry right too! If your firm ticks all the boxes, but your gut feeling is screaming 'no', then go with your instincts. Chances are they're usually right. Be true to yourself, know your limitations and don't ever pretend to be someone you're not. The training contract application process is undoubtedly tough and following our Top 10 won't necessarily guarantee you a training contract. It will however give you a clear focus when writing your application and, in doing so, increase your chances of being a hit with your chosen firm.
Andrea Williams is the HR manager at Lewis Silkin LLP.
