Jess Woodrow | Irwin Mitchell

This was important to me because as a law student, I was uncertain of which legal area I wanted to qualify into, and Irwin Mitchell presented an opportunity not to ‘pigeon-hole’ myself too early on in my career.

However, what really stood out to me was the inclusive environment at the firm. From its commitment to diversity and wellbeing, to the supportive culture fostered across teams, Irwin Mitchell clearly values its people and encourages individuality. As someone coming through the apprenticeship route, this inclusive ethos was especially important to me, and I was confident that Irwin Mitchell would be a place where I could thrive both professionally and personally.

I focused on authenticity in my application, ensuring that every part reflected my genuine interest in the firm and the legal profession. I tailored my responses to reflect the firm’s values, using specific examples from my academic, professional and personal experiences to demonstrate my compatibility with Irwin Mitchell. I also made sure to research the firm thoroughly, such as recent work case studies and employee testimonials, so that I could speak confidently about why Irwin Mitchell was the right fit for me and how I could contribute meaningfully to its culture. 

I do honestly think it helps to show a willingness to get involved as a trainee. For example, I mentioned in my application that I would actively participate in a particular diversity network and explained why this initiative resonated with me. This not only demonstrated my alignment with the firm’s inclusive culture but also showed that I was thinking about how I could add value to the wider community within the firm.

The video interview stage was the most challenging for me, as I found it difficult to convey my personality through a screen. There is also the added pressure of fitting your answer into the two-minute window that the recording permits. To overcome this, I practiced recording myself answering typical interview questions, such as “Why this firm?” and “Why law?” and then reviewed my delivery. I also reminded myself to smile, maintain eye contact with the camera, and speak clearly; whilst these are small things, they really helped me create a more engaging presence virtually.

Another thing that helped me was writing out all of my experiences on a mind map before the video interview and labelling the different competencies they demonstrate - such as teamwork, resilience, leadership, and attention to detail. This helped because it gave me a visual reference point to draw from when answering questions. Instead of scrambling to think of an example on the spot, I could quickly recall a relevant experience and structure my response using the STAR method. It also helped me identify gaps in my examples and prepare more well-rounded answers in advance. Overall, this preparation gave me confidence and made my responses more focused.

Bright Network was an invaluable resource that I used throughout university when searching for Vacation Schemes and Training Contracts. In particular, I found the career advice section on their website helpful as this gave me good interview/assessment centre tips and also explained terms like ‘commercial awareness’ which I had not come across at university. I also remember attending some of their employer events, which provided a fantastic opportunity to meet with law firms directly and learn firsthand about what they were looking for in applications. This meant that when it came to applying, I already had some knowledge and confidence.

Yes, I was told that I should continue to be myself and mention all past experiences in my applications, regardless of whether they were law related or not. Once I received this advice, I started to be able to connect my previous random experiences to the training contract job description and I think this added character in my applications moving forward. For example, I had previously worked in hospitality and used this to demonstrate that I had excellent client service and organisation skills.

• Use the STAR method to structure your answer to competency questions, e.g., ‘tell me about a time when you demonstrated resilience.’
• Pause and structure your thoughts before answering — don’t be afraid to take a moment or a sip of water to gather yourself.
• Be honest if you need clarification — asking the interviewer to repeat or rephrase the question shows confidence and ensures you’re answering accurately.

Tailor everything – make sure your answers reflect the firm’s values and demonstrate your knowledge of the firm you are applying to.

Don’t let rejections deter you from future applications – it is never personal, and every application is a learning opportunity!

Use every resource available – it’s important to make the most of platforms like Bright Network, firm websites, webinars, and LinkedIn to build your understanding of the firm.