Applying your research to applications

The research you have conducted about employers, the sector and areas of law and the news you have followed can all be used as part of the application and interview process. The following example questions are followed by ways in which this information can be applied:

Why are you applying to this firm?

• Think about why you applying to them and not their competitors
• Anything you say needs to be substantiated by saying why it is important to you
• Think about what makes them different and demonstrate that you have researched the firm (see list below)
• Show depth in your answer - don't quote the website, don't point to the obvious e.g. I want to work for you because you are a really well known firm
• There is no right answer e.g. if the attraction is a smaller number of trainees, say why

You may want to consider

• Their areas of specialism
• Range/size of clients; maybe national, international firms in addition to individuals; local businesses; clients dependent upon legal aid
• Size - more interested in working in a smaller team/larger team, working more individually i.e. smaller number of trainees, earlier responsibility
• Are they newly merged or expanding? Are they ambitious, maybe entering new markets?
• Have they been recommended to you?
• Did you attend an open day, talk at the LSE, speak to them at a fair?
• Reputation; have they won awards? Do they get good trainee reports in publications such as True Picture, Lex 100?
• Cases they have been involved in
• The reputation of individuals
• Career prospects/future of the firm e.g. retention rate, training provided
• Anything unusual/interesting about their training contract - 5 seats instead of 4, chance of overseas secondment etc.

Why are you interested in this area of law?

Use your research and knowledge from your work experience and education to identify a solid reason for your chosen area of law.

• Anything you say needs to be substantiated by referring to your education, work experience and extra curricular activities (if applicable)
• Demonstrate your understand of the area of law 
• There is no right answer, just be honest!

You may want to consider

• Links to any experience that helped you come to your decision
• Examples of cases you admire from the firm from your chosen area
• Reasons related to the current news and trends within the area of law

Why are you applying to this chambers?

• Think about why you applying to them and not their competitors
• Anything you say needs to be substantiated by saying why it is important to you 
• Think about what makes them different and demonstrate that you have researched the chambers (see list below) 
• Show depth in your answer - don't quote the website, don't point to the obvious 
• There is no right answer e.g. if the attraction is a smaller number of trainees, say why

You may want to consider

• Links to any experience that has helped you come to your decision about why this set, e.g. a mini pupillage
• Do they have a mission statement?
• The people in the set - look at the profiles as an indicator of the background and quality of their pupils
• Feel of the set - friendly, young or old, gender balance, background of barristers (information often gleaned from mini pupillages)
• What work do they do? What cases they have been involved in?
• Barrister profiles will give you an idea of the practice areas that the Chambers focuses on - their website may list many areas but it pays to research just how much they do in certain areas of law
• Is the work primarily defence, prosecution or a mixture of both?
• Number of pupillages on offer and conversion rate
• Ratio of silks to juniors - high ratio may indicate reputation, lots of junior work. However, in many areas of law there are fewer silks so only compare number of silks in same area of country and law
• Recommendations/reputation of the set - high quality cases, opportunity to work with and learn from good people
• Have you heard from members of the set at forums, Law Fair, National Pupillage Fair?
• Size of pupillage award
• Where they practise i.e. their circuits
• If the Chambers are outside of London you will need to make the case for a connection to the area
• Whether they are an established or growing set

What caught your eye in the press recently?

This question is a great opportunity to show your commercial awareness, your interest in the sector and, therefore, your motivation for a career in law.