What do you need?
APPLICATIONS EXPLAINED Curriculum vitae
Often abbreviated as CV, this document showcases your academic and professional experiences and accomplishments.
Cover letter or short answers
A letter providing additional information about your skills and experience to demonstrate your suitability for the role and firm.
Academic transcript
Employers require an original official copy of your university record. You can order a certified digital copy from the university which you access through MyEquals.
Some firms substitute this with specific questions.
Short answer questions Some firms will require you to answer short questions in their application to find out more about you. Use them to write about your achievements, what you can offer the firm, why you decided to pursue a career in law and questions about your level of industry awareness. Where firms use these questions instead of a cover letter, this is your only chance to let your personality shine. First impressions go a long way, so make sure you spend enough time answering the question.
typical short-answer questions Asking you to reflect What do you feel is your greatest achievement, and what challenges did you face in achieving it? How do you relate to our organisation’s values?
Getting to know you Tell us something outside of the law and your studies that you are passionate about. Beyond your results and CV, tell us something about you as a person. This could be a significant achievement or event in your life that has shaped you as an individual.
Your interest in a legal career / their organisation What is your motivation for seeking a career in law? What has attracted you to this firm or organisation?
Technical & research Identify a current commercial or legal issue that has attracted your attention recently. Why do you consider it important? 18
Online Testing In addition to a written application, several firms conduct online testing. These tests are to assess your personality, your intellectual quotient (IQ), your emotional quotient (EQ), and to gauge how you deal with pressure. These tests can vary widely depending on the firm, and you generally cannot prepare for them. If you are asked to complete a test, it is recommended that you give yourself ample time to do so, as online testing can be timeconsuming. When completing online testing, ensure that you find a quiet place where you will not be distracted. Finally, a good tip is to space them out and do them with a clear head. Do not try to ‘smash them out’ all in one day or back-to-back. Afterall, they are part of the assessment process.
