5 Biggest Mistakes People Make on Law Firm Application Forms

“The rules dictate that you must be precise as the law is a precise endeavour” – Mike Ross, Suits

Having completed more than my fair share of application forms for workshops, vacation schemes and training contracts, I can assure you that all application forms should be proofread multiple times through the prism of precision. After all, a facet of the role of a trainee solicitor will be to proofread documents intelligently.

There is something to be said for not putting all your eggs in the Magic Circle basket, but at the same time not adopting a scatter gun approach with application forms submitted to the top 20 City law firms, US law firms and boutique law firms with a niche sector focus.  

I have compiled a list of the top five mistakes that will have graduate recruitment reaching for the metaphorical red buzzer. Invariably, hindsight is 20/20 but “if you had one shot, one opportunity to seize everything you wanted, one moment, would you capture it or just let it slip?” – Eminem.

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1. SPOTTED: Misspelt the law firm’s name

• This is a fundamental mistake that is frankly inexcusable.
• Do not ignore the use of an ampersand, for example it is not Allen and Overy, Clyde and Co or Slaughter and May, but rather Allen & Overy, Clyde & Co and Slaughter & May respectively.
• In my current seat in the corporate department, I regularly prepare forms to be filed at Companies House and it goes without saying that the client’s company name (and number) needs to be entered correctly.

2. SPOTTED: Opted to use a nickname for the firm

• A formal approach should be adopted when drafting your application form.  Avoid coming across as over-familiar at best or lackadaisical at worst by making references to “CC”, “Links” or “Herbies’ in your application form.
• Nicknames should be avoided at all costs and you will need to find another way of staying within the word limit.

3. SPOTTED: Typographical errors

• We all make typos as human beings are fallible to making mistakes but this is an explanation rather than a justification.
• By the time the finished product has been submitted, the expectation of the reader is that the document has been thoroughly checked to identify, remove and correct any typographical errors.
• Supervisors and fellow fee-earners are not to be viewed as human spell-checkers.  Fans of hit legal drama Suits will recall Louis Litt’s rebukes of Harold Gunderson, a former associate at Pearson Hardman for his mistakes which {SPOILER ALERT} culminates in his unceremonious firing. Whilst, Louis perceives him as incompetent we later see Harold thriving at rival firm Bratton Gould until the latter episodes of season 3…
• The prerequisites of a trainee solicitor who will flourish, excel and be an invaluable asset to a law firm are namely care, diligence and attention to detail.

4. SPOTTED: Copied and pasted text from another application firm

• Application forms are undeniably time-consuming and the application form that will make you stand out, captivate the reader’s attention and advance to the next stage of the application process will require time, effort and enthusiasm.
• If you decide to highlight text from one application form, select Ctrl+C and then Ctrl+V into your current working document, make sure that the text  being transferred across will facilitate rather than hinder your prospects of success at the application stage.
• For example, copying and pasting a paragraph from a previous application form that still retains the name of “X” LLP when you are now applying to “Y” LLP will be a mortifying for you and most likely fatal to your chances of progressing any further.
• Again, in my corporate seat, I am often tasked with drafting board minutes and written resolutions, whilst reference can be made to precedents, it is essential that documentation are bespoke for each client.

“Last, but not least, avoid clichés like the plague” – William Safire

5. SPOTTED: Generic and cliché language

• We are all guilty of it, I will be the first to admit that “I have honed my skillset”, “seek the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to cross-border, cutting edge and novel deals, ” and “what immediately attracted me to the firm was the market-leading sectors, industry focus and geographic reach through a network of leading independent law firms”.
• The twin questions of “Why do you want to work at X LLP/ What makes X LLP stand out in the crowded legal services market?” is an opportunity for you to showcase the interplay between the the unique selling points of the firm and your drive, ambition and commitment to train, qualify and pursue a long-term career at the firm. This is your platform to impress so that you are “drafted” to the interview stage, selected to compete in the “playoffs” for the a vacation scheme spot before the climax at the final training contract interview where only a finite number will receive their “Super Bowl ring” in the form of a training contract. (Watch this space for my blog on “How to explain the USPs of a law firm and make a play for success like Nick Foles – Fly Eagles Fly”.)
• Ultimately, cliches show a lack of authenticity, individualism and creativity when you need to be showing the potential to be the most valuable trainee solicitor at the firm/trainee of the month or every month…

Published: 20/02/18       Author: Hilda-Georgina Kwafo-Akoto

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