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More info
The training contract recruitment process has four parts, starting with an online application form. The application form is designed to collect information such as academic record, work experience and finishes with four questions that explore personal qualities. This is where the entire of the HR team review each individual application and CV, using your details to connect you with other events and anything else positive (contact with us, work experience, attendance at events etc.) that we can find to give a more holistic overview of your application. When we're reviewing this stage we're looking for anyway to see you as a person and what you can offer the firm.
Applicants are then shortlisted to complete a short notice written assessment around a topic of law so that we can gauge the candidates' ability and aptitude. The written assessment will be issued to successfully shortlisted applicants at noon on a Friday to be returned by 9:00am on the following Monday. The date of which will be confirmed when the recruitment drive has begun. Extra time can be provided during this stage for students who request it, in this case the assessments will be sent out on the Thursday to be returned at 9:00am the following Monday.
The written asssessment stage is blind marked, once we receive your response the recruitment team will go through and ensure that there are no distinguishing notes (names etc.) and collate the responses. These will then be provided to the makers with a unique ID for the recruitment team to identify your application going forward and potentially any notes for the markers to be aware of (neurodiversities that may affect spelling to allow the markers to be more lenient in this area of marking for example).
The next stage of the process is to be invited to an assessment centre in the favoured office location. This is a more approachable event where we will be looking to see candidate's individual personalities as well as skills such as team working, problem solving, commercial awareness, enthusiasm and initiative. We keep these events as small as possible (around eight to 10 each session) to allow for better team work and a less intimidating atmosphere. We're looking for applicants to have the opportunity to show themselves as people and show off what makes you unique. During the assessment centre there is no legal task, there is also the opportunity to network and quiz some of the trainees.
Finally those who are successful following the assessment centre will be invited to attend a panel interview to find out more about you. The panel is made up of two partners, our chairman and our HR director who will be there to help you through the process. The panel lasts around an hour and will be an opportunity for you to get to know them and for them to get to know you a bit more and to see what you could bring to the firm.
The recruitment process for 2022 training contract intakes will open on 6 December 2021 and applications will close on 31 of Janaury 2022. If you are interested, please apply at: www.thriveatgeldards.co.uk.
How to apply
www.thriveatgeldards.co.ukFollow us on
Applications to
Recruitment Department
Method of application
Online application formMethod of assessment
- Assessment centre
- HR-led interview
- Partner interview
- Written exercise
Geldards LLP is a regionally based full-service commercial practice. From our offices in Cardiff, Derby, Nottingham and London, our team of talented individuals support a broad range of clients throughout the UK, Europe and internationally.
At our core, we are an open and friendly business with an unshakeable integrity. Our strength lies in our ability to nurture technically gifted, committed and responsible individuals. We aim to develop long term, mutually beneficial relationships with all our clients.
We deliver quality legal advice and seek to continuously improve our service by setting aspirational goals that underpin our everyday work. More effective working practices, including the use of innovative technology, and rigorous environmental targets are just some of the ways that we will continue to deliver an excellent service to both longstanding and new clients alike.
We offer high quality and practical legal advice to a broad range of private and public sector organisations including, local authorities, public bodies, charities, and government agencies as well as private individuals and families.
We understand and will support your desire to thrive and succeed. By embedding ourselves in your business, and truly understanding your challenges, needs and goals, we will help you navigate the legal complexities to find the best possible solution in support of your strategy.
Who should apply
We are looking for candidates with a strong academic background who display evidence of being motivated and hard working. Throughout the recruitment process, we are looking for individuals who exhibit potential to be future business leaders.
Beyond that, we are looking for individuals with a sense of humour, a degree of self-confidence and the ability to work in a team environment. Geldards employees show commitment, passion and drive in everything they do. They hold a high level of ambition, and display enthusiasm within their approach. We often find that successful candidates can demonstrate an involvement in extra curricular activities, which to us are indicators that we will be working with like minded individuals.
Training is divided into four six-month seats in the firm's main practice areas. Trainees are allocated to a particular team and are supervised by the lead partner or senior solicitors within the team. For their first seat, trainees are assigned a department by human resources which has been carefully considered and matched to their personality, experience and/or academic background. Towards the end of their first seat, we meet with each trainee to discuss their next seat and do our best to accomodate department preferences.
Trainees are formally reviewed in the middle and at the end of each seat but informal feedback is given throughout a seat. There is also an opportunity for trainees to discuss their progress and that of the firm's during trainee forums. An open-door policy applies and trainees are regarded very much as an integral part of the team. Formal training will be a combination of external course and internal seminars.
As a firm we are excited about the prospect of being able to open up the Law to more diverse and inclusive backgrounds. Our offices are across both England and Wales therefore we are mindful in all of our decisions that we are able to offer the same great experience for training no matter which office you happen to be in.
The SQE is an exciting prospect and we are following it closely to see how we can use it to support a different type of intake into the firm. We currently have solicitor apprenticeships and are excited by the progress that they have shown and how they have adapted to the different learning conditions that the SQE has provided. We recommend following us on social media (Facebook/LinkedIn/Twitter/Instagram) to find out more about upcoming opportunities and positions.
We are committed to ensuring a consistently discrimination free workplace, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the core of the firm and are embedded in our values and strategic objectives and the firm are a signatory to the Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion charter.
Our vision, commitment and actions continue to enhance and sustain our highly inclusive culture that allows every individual to flourish. We believe that promoting a culture which supports equal opportunities and diversity is not just about responding to legislation or regulation. By working towards the elimination of prejudice and discrimination, we ensure that we provide a first-class service to our clients and that our staff feel valued. Ensuring we attract, develop and retain the best people with diverse characteristics is vital to our continued success.
We have long fostered an environment within which all employees have equal opportunities for development and progression. A core strand of our strategy is recognising that people are key to our future growth and ongoing success. We make no distinction on any ground of gender, race sexuality or religious belief, and are confident that we pay employees fairly for the roles they undertake.
We actively participate in and support key diversity and inclusion initiatives including Mental Health Awareness, Black History and Pride campaigns.
As an organisation, we are committed to taking all steps possible to close the gender pay gap and being an employer that works for everyone.
When it comes to our recruitment we are committed to ensuring that the organisation removes any unnecessary barriers to the employment of any individual. We recognise that when you are living with a disability, chronic illness or neurodiversity having some form of reasonable adjustment, whether physical or extra time for written tasks for example can allow you the opportunity to compete on equal terms. Therefore we will always be asking and checking in with our applicants if there are any adjustments we can make to the recruitment process to make it better or more accessible for them.
Unforutnatley as a firm we're unable to provide sponsorship for the training contracts.
- Commercial property
- Corporate
- Employment
- Commercial
- Commercial dispute resolution
- Private client
- Family
- Injury dispute resolution
- Planning
- Construction
- Public sector England
- Property litigation
- Charity
- Corporate & Commercial
- General Commercial
- Niche
Practice Areas
Extra info
Phone: 029 2039 1777
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.geldards.com
| Work placement: | No |
| Minimum qualification: | 2.1 preferred |
| Start salary: | £22,500 |
| Training contract applications: | 249 (2018) |
- Cardiff
- Nottingham
- Derby
- London
- Legal Advice Centres
- Lawyers in Schools
- Legal Apprenticeships
- Social Mobility Foundation
- Speakers for Schools
