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Finding the Right Solicitor Training Contract for You: Food for Thought
So you're on your way to completing the academic
requirements, and now it's time to start looking for a
solicitor training
contract. Where do you start? How can you possibly choose between all
those firms? And once you've chosen, how can you convince them to take
you on? Give some thought to each of the following points and you'll be
well on your way to finding the right legal
training contract for you.
Why do you want to practice law?
We know, this sounds like a stupid question.
"Because I want to", right? Well, no. Law is one of the most
competitive fields out there. If you can produce a convincing answer to
this question you're one step ahead. Think about what first sparked your
interest in law, or what you like most about it. Maybe being a solicitor
was your childhood dream, or maybe it runs in the family. Whatever the case,
you need to show that you are passionate about the law. With all the
academic requirements and vocational training, becoming a solicitor is a
long-term project. To be offered a
law training contract you need to show
that you have the passion and the drive to see it through to the end.
Which kind of practice do you want to get into?
The work of solicitors is more varied than you might
think. There are a number of different settings in which solicitors work,
for example commercial, private or in-house practice. You should be aware
of the differences between the various settings, but if you're not, do some
research. Find out about the kind of role you might find yourself in if
you were to go for commercial practice, for example. Is this what you hoped for
when you embarked upon your law studies? If not, look into the other
options. Being aware of your preferences is vital when choosing a firm
with whom you want to carry out your training. Not only will it make what
you learn more worthwhile, but you will find it easier to choose a firm. The
firm will also find it easier to choose you.
Who do you want to work for?
If you already know what kind of practice is for you, do
some research into the firms that provide that practice style. Find out
about the big ones. Find out about the small ones. Find out about
the famous ones. Find out about the ones you've never heard of.
Gaining a really good knowledge of the various firms and the work they do is a
crucial part of the decision-making process. This way, you can be
confident that your
training contract will provide you with everything you were
looking for. You can also prove to your chosen firm that you know what
they do and how they do it. Turning up for an interview or a chat with a
recruiter with no knowledge of the firm itself could be a disaster. Show
them what you know. They will appreciate it.
Why should they take you on?
Obviously, having answers to the previous three questions
will improve your chances, but you need to think about the skills involved in
being a solicitor. What will the day-to-day work require of you?
You need to prove that you have excellent communication skills, both spoken and
written. You need to be able to work accurately, even when under pressure
and juggling several cases at once. Try to give your prospective
employer
an example of when/where you have demonstrated such skills, preferably in a
work environment rather than an academic one. Your strong academic
performance will suggest that you have these skills, but if you can prove it,
even better.
Written by Amy Chamberlain.
Comments
hi,
good blog...what is a solicitors duty when selling a house? |
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