10 red flags that could get your training contract/vacation scheme application instantly binned
Here are 10 red flags that will get your training contract/vacation scheme application binned straight away (probably).
1. You get the name of the firm wrong
There are no excuses here. If you misspell the name of the firm, it shows a lack of attention to detail. Worse is if you instead refer to the name of another firm, it could make it look like the application is intended for that firm!
2. Multiple typos (spelling/grammatical errors)
Again, attention to detail is everything. As a trainee, you’re probably going to be set tasks that require strong attention to detail, such as reviewing documents for disclosure, checking contracts for typos, and checking signature pages. It’s not going to instill confidence in a recruiter that you have this skill if you’re sending out an application that is littered with spelling and grammatical errors.
3. You don’t understand the type of law the firm does
Telling a firm that you want to sit in a practice area that they don’t have is the clearest possible way of telling a firm you haven’t researched them properly. And if you show you haven’t researched the firm properly, they’ll think you’re not actually that interested in working for them.
4. Your academic record is below their minimum academic requirements, and you don’t have mitigating circumstances
I explained in a previous article what I think you should do if your A Level grades miss the mark. If however, your academic record (high school, college and university) is consistently below a firm’s academic requirements and you have no compelling mitigating circumstances, you may be immediately filtered out from consideration.
5. It’s written by AI
Having ChatGPT or another AI programme write your application will look obvious to any recruiter who has seen 1000s of applications and can tell the difference between a human written application and something that looks like it’s been churned out by a machine. It’s akin to plaguerising.
6. You make wild exaggerations
Make sure in your work experience section and when answering application questions that you record what you did, not what sounds impressive. Lawyers need to show integrity and honesty.
7. Your written style is inappropriate
Writing an application like you’re Whatsapping a friend isn’t going to go down well with a law firm. Law is a very formal profession that values accurate and appropriate use of language.
8. Your answers are generic
Law firms know you’re probably applying to more than one firm to secure a training contract/vacation scheme. They want to see that you’ve properly researched their firm because proper research shows a genuine interest in their firm and that you’ll be motivated to work there.
9. You don’t meet eligibility criteria (other than academics)
Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for the application. Some firms specifically want a particular type of candidate to apply at different times of the year. For example, if the firm creates an application period and in that period only wants second year law students to apply, don’t apply if you’re not one. There will likely be another period of the recruitment cycle that is open to you.
10. You were rejected on a previous recruitment cycle and have submitted a duplicate application
If you got rejected by a law firm on a previous recruitment cycle, don’t just resubmit the same application. Yes - it’s possible they recruited on a rolling basis and you applied once they’d filled all of their assessment centre/interview spots but it’s just as likely (if not more so) that your application was rejected based on the strength of your answers/information. Therefore, you improve your chances of progression significantly if you show what’s changed/how you have improved.