We recently caught up with James about how he secured a trainee solicitor role with TLT, making an application stand out and tips for how you can secure a role too.
What stood out to you about TLT?
What really stood out for me about TLT was the people. Everyone I met at the firm was very approachable and passionate about what they did. Speaking with the trainees revealed that TLT was unique as it offered its trainees a mixture of early responsibility and a high level of client interaction in an environment that was both supportive and collegiate. I discussed this with the trainees and from their enthusiasm about what they did and the overall focus on teamwork, I realised that this was a firm I would like to train at.
How did you make your application stand out?
It was clear to me that TLT was a firm that promoted personality, so as cliché as it sounds in order to make my application stand out, I made it as personal to me as possible. I provided specific reasons as to why I was applying to TLT and backed this up with my own personal experiences and previous interactions with the firm. Furthermore, I made sure to emphasise how my skills and personality aligned with what TLT wanted in a trainee solicitor.
What part of the application process did you find the most challenging?
The Watson Glaser test was something that took me a while and more than a few attempts to wrap my head around. My first few attempts at the test did not go very well and it can be hard to improve, as often you do not receive any feedback on it. I only really began to understand the Watson Glaser after conducting more research on how best to approach the test and the technique that was required to succeed. This research combined with doing a lot of practice tests enabled me to greatly enhance my scores.
Do you have a psychometric test coming up? Follow James’ advice and learn more about them with our 5 top tips for acing psychometric tests, and do your own practice tests here.
How did Bright Network help you secure this role?
Bright Network helped me secure this position through the networking events that they conducted. It was only by attending these career events and meeting different law firms that I was able to understand what differentiated law firms from one another and clearly defined what firms I was interested in. Speaking with the Graduate Recruitment helped me understand what they wanted from their candidates and during those conversations I could decide if that was a firm I could see myself working at. This greatly helped me narrow down my applications, enabling me to spend more time focusing on applying to the sort of firm that was right for me.
Interested in attending events too? Check out the upcoming Bright Network events and employer events that you could attend.
What are your top tips for tackling tough interview questions?
Firstly, I would say take your time. Some people have a tendency to panic and dive right into a question even if they don’t know where their answer is heading. Rambling is something to be avoided. Don’t be afraid to take a few seconds and have a think (taking a sip of water can also help buy some time!) before beginning your answer. You will always have to think on your feet in an interview. However, as long as you know your CV and experiences, then you should be able to apply that framework to most questions.
Did you get any feedback in the past that helped you with your application?
Some feedback I received in the past was the importance of attention to detail. This has really stuck with me as accuracy is an important skill in any career, but it is truly essential in a legal one. Taking the time to double-check and proof-read my work is essential and something that really helped my application form. Any work submitted throughout the process needs to be double-checked as spelling, grammar and punctuation if incorrect will make you stand out for the wrong reasons.
What top three tips would you give Bright Network members looking to follow in your footsteps?
Limit your applications. It can be tempting to apply to as many firms as possible as you might think that it gives you the best odds. This often will be counterproductive as you will have less time to submit your applications and they will be more generic. Instead, focus your time on the firms that really appeal to you and your enthusiasm will shine through.
Strive to make commercial awareness a part of your daily routine. Even something as simple as reading the Financial Times or the Economist for 10 minutes a day will make a big accumulative difference in your understanding of the commercial world.
Ask questions! Remember that every interaction that you have with a firm is an opportunity to find out more about it. Have some good questions prepared for any interview, as you want to ensure that the firm you are applying to is the best place for you to begin your career as a trainee.
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.
