We recently caught up with Annabelle about how she secured a trainee role with Gowling WLG, her tips for building commercial awareness and how Bright Network helped her secure the role.
What stood out to you about Gowling WLG?
Gowling WLG stood out to me because the firm genuinely values the contributions of each individual no matter their seniority or level of experience. From my very first conversation with a member of the Early Talent Team, I already felt that my viewpoint was valued, and senior members of the firm were open to having challenging conversations. As someone who was looking to join a firm that genuinely encourages individuality and diversity, I felt that Gowling WLG was a perfect fit.
Another thing that set Gowling WLG apart for me was that when I talked with an existing trainee about their experiences, they were enthusiastic about the firm, the people, the workload, and the culture. It was clear from how they spoke about Gowling that they felt they were receiving the support they needed to progress in their role, which is a crucial element of completing a training contract. Since joining the firm as a paralegal in July, I have now seen first-hand that more senior members of the firm are keen to encourage, support and challenge those at a junior level, and are always on hand to provide feedback and opportunities to learn. As a result, Gowling WLG continues to stand out to me, and I am excited to progress my career with the firm.
How did you build your commercial awareness before the interview?
I signed up for email updates such as those sent by LittleLaw, which give you easy to read stories, and the weekly email serves as a bit of a prompt. I personally found that taking notes when reading articles was especially helpful, as this solidified the information in my brain.
Ahead of my training contract interview, we were given a specific topic that we knew we would be asked about, so I spent time working through news articles in this area, as well as looking specifically at the firm’s work in the sector. A lot of firms have their own blogs, so it’s also worth taking a look at those before an interview to see what the firm is doing and commenting on.
What would be your top tip to members going through the application process?
My top tip to those going through the application process is to consider what it is that matters to you when choosing firms to apply for. There are a huge number of law firms, and most will offer a wide range of practice areas and fantastic opportunities to learn, but it is unlikely that they will all be a good fit. Rather than wasting time applying to those that are not, spend time reflecting on what you are looking for, and find the firms that match your criteria. You will need to carry out research into the firms you are applying for, and I recommend trying to attend events that give you chances to meet representatives of the firm, as these provide the best opportunity to determine whether the firm is the one for you. By doing this, you will maximise the amount of time and energy you have available to write applications for the most suitable firms and will increase your chances of securing the role.
How did Bright Network help you secure this role?
I attended lots of Bright Network’s virtual events. These were really helpful as they gave me opportunities to interact with a variety of different firms and get to grips with the type of firm I wanted to work for. The profiles on various firms also proved useful, as they provided an easy method to learn a little about a firm, before deciding whether to research them further.
What’s been the toughest interview question you've faced and how did you tackle it?
The toughest interview question I've faced was probably when I was asked about what my friends would say my biggest flaw is. This question is challenging as you have to avoid giving an answer that is a positive attribute masquerading as a flaw (such as the cliched "I'm a perfectionist" answer). I tackled this question by being truthful and telling the interviewers what I consider to be one of my bigger flaws, but I also followed this by explaining that I recognise it as a flaw, and how I try to overcome this to ensure it doesn't impact my working relationships. In my experience, interviewers know that people aren't perfect, and they appreciate honest answers.
Did you use Bright Network Academy in your career search and if so, how did it help you?
I utilised a number of the free courses offered by Bright Network Academy, such as the guide to a standout CV and how to build commercial awareness. Completing the CV-related course allowed me to ensure that I was ticking all the right boxes when submitting my application, and the commercial awareness course provided tips and built my confidence in relation to commercial awareness questions.
What top three tips would you give Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
- Consider carefully which firms you apply to and try to find those whose values reflect your own.
- Don't overthink things - just stay calm and be yourself.
- Don't underestimate the value of work experience - whether legal or not, the skills you gain from working are often more beneficial than those gained through studying.
Let us know where you've secured your work experience, internship or graduate role. We want to celebrate your success with a gift from us and exclusive invitations to evening networking drinks throughout the year.
