Applying for your first role: top tips from a trainee solicitor

Naomi is a Trainee Solicitor currently completing her second seat in Commercial Real Estate at Furley Page. Having joined the firm in September 2025, Naomi clearly recalls the application process and was happy to share some top tips for graduates and trainee hopefuls.

1) Research firms to identify the best fit

 If you already know the areas of law you are interested in, look up firms that undertake that type of legal work. Don’t know the areas of law you are interested in? Look for firms that have a variety of teams, they may offer experience in a wide variety of seats.

Before starting an application, research the practicalities of the work experience or training contract if you were to be successful. For example:

• The dates and duration of the work experience or training contract
• Where the offices are located, how you will get there and will you incur travel costs?
• Whether financial support or study leave is offered for any period of study
• The application process and any key dates

2) Questions to ask at law fairs and at interviews

Try to ask questions where the answer is unlikely to be on the law firm’s website, examples of this could be:

• What other opportunities are available within the firm? (e.g. secondments, networking events, being part of a committee, book clubs, exercise clubs)
• Is the firm currently growing or are there plans for expansion? If so, what are there reasons for such growth?
• What methods do the firm use to develop their business?
• What is the firm’s future strategy?
• What are the firm’s values and how are they demonstrated?

Remember to tailor your questions to the person you are speaking to or being interviewed by.

3) Top tips for completing application forms

• Research the firm in depth – find out the areas of law they practice; the firm’s values; recent news and updates; where their offices are located; if they support particular charities and/or undertake community or pro bono work
• Answer the question! It sounds obvious, but it can be easy to drift away from the main points whilst drafting applications
• Structure your answers in a way that is easy to follow for example, if you are going to talk about three different skills you possess, state at the start what the three skills are, and then talk about them in turn with each skill having its own paragraph
• Give yourself plenty of time to complete an application, they are often lengthy and will require lots of proof-reading and editing
• Before submitting the application, reflect on it as a whole, not just how each answer sounds individually – think about whether the application reflects the general impression you want to give

 4) What to include in a cover letter

• Structure and format your letter formally – this demonstrates, before the firm has even read the letter, strong presentation and drafting skills
• Check to see if the firm sets out what should be included within the letter, if it provides instructions ensure you cover all the points specified
• If the firm does not set out what should be included, it is advisable to cover:
  a) The position/scheme/opportunity you are applying for (state this clearly at the beginning)
  b) Why you are interested in the role/scheme/opportunity as well as the firm
  c) Why you are a good candidate (focus on what makes you stand out)
  d) Keep the letter concise (try your best to stick to one page)

For more information about opportunities at Furley Page and our traineeships, visit our careers website.