3 Must-Do’s for a Winning Training Contract Application
Applying for training contracts at top-tier law firms is incredibly competitive. With thousands of candidates applying for limited places, it is not enough to be smart and ambitious — your application has to communicate that clearly, credibly, and convincingly.
Below are three essential “Do’s” every aspiring solicitor should follow when putting together a standout application.
1. Write Clearly and Professionally
At a minimum, your application must demonstrate strong writing skills. That means writing concisely, using a professional tone, and avoiding emotional or ‘flowery’ language (e.g. “I relished X” or “I’m intrigued by firm Y”).
Attention to detail is crucial — spelling or grammar mistakes can cost you progressing to the next stage. Always proofread your work multiple times and, if possible, ask someone else to review it too.
Why this matters:
Trainees spend a huge portion of their time drafting emails, client updates, internal notes, and even contracts. Recruiters treat your application as your first piece of work. If your writing doesn’t reflect the standard expected in practice, they’ll move on to someone who does.
2. Evidence Every Claim You Make
It’s not enough to say you’re passionate about commercial law — you need to back it up. Use specific, experience-based examples to demonstrate your interest and capability. This could be a deal you followed, insight from an open day, or a skill you built in a relevant role.
Think of every statement as needing a receipt. Rather than writing, “I have excellent communication skills”, demonstrate it: “While leading a student committee, set up X and Y to facilitate regular communication channels”.
Why this matters:
Recruiters at top firms sift through thousands of applications. If you want yours to be memorable, they need to believe what you’re saying — and belief comes from evidence. Evidence builds credibility. Credibility builds offers.
3. Tailor Your Application to Each Firm
Before you hit “submit”, ask yourself: “Could I send this same application to another firm?”. If the answer is yes, it’s not tailored enough.
Show the firm you’ve done your homework. Reference specific deals, practice areas, or values that genuinely interest you, and explain why they resonate with your skills, experiences, or long-term goals.
Why this matters:
Generic applications don’t get offers. Top firms want to know that you understand what makes them different — and that you’ve made an intentional decision to apply based on that understanding.