Future Trainee Series: Written Applications

Future Trainee Panel Series - Writing Strong Training Contract Applications Guests: - Davina Nalwadda, Dentons - Nour Samman, Gibson Dunn - Harry Swift, HSF Kramer In this episode, three future trainees share practical advice on writing stronger training contract and vacation scheme applications, from researching firms and developing convincing answers to avoiding common mistakes. Key topics include: • Researching firms beyond rankings and practice areas, using conversations with trainees, open days and mentors to develop specific reasons for applying. • Making the most of the word count by describing work experience, using tangible examples and metrics and highlighting relevant skills. • Getting a second pair of eyes to review applications, catch mistakes and identify unclear arguments before submission. • Checking spelling, grammar and firm names carefully, while keeping answers concise, direct and free from unnecessarily flowery language. • Answering “Why commercial law?” with a genuine understanding of the role and a convincing explanation of why the career appeals to you. • Building persuasive arguments that connect your experiences, interests and skills to the specific firm, rather than simply listing similarities. • Standing out through authentic motivations, detailed firm research and specific insights into the firm's work and initiatives, including its approach to AI and legal technology. The central message is simple: strong applications require detailed research, clear writing, careful proofreading and a convincing explanation of why you want to become a commercial solicitor and why that particular firm is right for you. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Number One Tips for Written Applications 01:21 Making the Most of the Word Count 02:12 Researching Firms Effectively 04:14 Finding Mentors & Getting Feedback 05:26 Common Application Mistakes 06:44 Spelling, Grammar & Attention to Detail 07:16 Writing Clearly and Concisely 08:17 Avoiding Generic Answers 09:04 What Makes a Strong Application? 09:46 Answering “Why Commercial Law?” 11:23 Building a Persuasive Argument 12:24 Connecting Your Experience to the Firm 12:49 Going Beyond the Question 13:52 Key Takeaways & Final Advice