- Sep 7, 2024
- 982
- 1,210
Hi everyone! I hope the weekend has been great! I created this thread to share some last-minute application tips. I hope it proves useful, and please let me know if you have any questions. I, and the rest of the team, will be more than happy to help!
1. Commercial awareness should be a constant habit, not a last-minute scramble
One of the biggest things I’ve realised is that commercial awareness isn’t something you just pick up the week before an interview. It’s a habit you have to build constantly.
Something that’s helped me is listening to podcasts — both finance-related ones and law-focused ones. When I’m listening to finance podcasts, I try to actively think about how what I’m hearing would link to a law firm’s work. Like, if they’re talking about market volatility, I think: how would that affect the type of advice clients need? When I listen to law podcasts, it’s a way of checking if the links I made in my head actually make sense. You also end up learning how trends are actually playing out in practice.
It’s not just about staying updated. It’s about training your brain to always be making connections.
2. Talk to people. Network, Network, Network!
Another thing that makes a huge difference is networking. Not just in the sense of collecting contacts, but actually having conversations with people — whether they’re also applicants, future trainees, trainees, associates, etc. When you speak to different people, you realise that every single stage of the process teaches you something. You pick up advice you genuinely won’t find online, and you can use it to strengthen your own approach. Schedule coffee chats, send LinkedIn messages, just put yourself out there.
3. Prioritise mental clarity as much as you prioritise getting applications done
It’s really easy to fall into the trap of thinking that being productive means constantly doing something. But honestly, your best work — the best versions of your applications — come from a place of clarity.
Take time for yourself. Go for walks. Spend time around people who actually uplift you. Do things that ground you outside of the application process.
It might seem unrelated, but everything you do to take care of your mental health directly impacts how well you show up when you sit down to draft, interview, or even just think strategically about your next steps.
4. Reflect properly after every application, even (especially) the ones that didn’t go your way
It’s so easy to just move on after submitting something or after getting rejected. But the people who improve the most are the ones who take a few minutes to reflect.
Ask yourself: what went well? Where did I struggle? Was there a point where I felt unsure, and if so, why?
You don't need to overthink it or beat yourself up — it’s about getting curious. Those small bits of self-awareness add up massively over the course of a cycle. If you’re learning a little after each experience, you’re automatically improving your odds.
5. Understand that small consistent steps beat occasional massive efforts every time
It’s tempting to think you need to have these big "grind" days where you send 5 applications or study commercial news for 4 hours straight. But honestly, what moves the wheel is small, consistent steps.
One LinkedIn message today.
One podcast episode tomorrow.
One paragraph drafted the next day.
When you work steadily, you build momentum, and momentum is way more powerful than waiting for motivation to strike.
Trust that the small things you do every day are building towards the big results you want. Keep going. You are closer than you think…!
1. Commercial awareness should be a constant habit, not a last-minute scramble
One of the biggest things I’ve realised is that commercial awareness isn’t something you just pick up the week before an interview. It’s a habit you have to build constantly.
Something that’s helped me is listening to podcasts — both finance-related ones and law-focused ones. When I’m listening to finance podcasts, I try to actively think about how what I’m hearing would link to a law firm’s work. Like, if they’re talking about market volatility, I think: how would that affect the type of advice clients need? When I listen to law podcasts, it’s a way of checking if the links I made in my head actually make sense. You also end up learning how trends are actually playing out in practice.
It’s not just about staying updated. It’s about training your brain to always be making connections.
2. Talk to people. Network, Network, Network!
Another thing that makes a huge difference is networking. Not just in the sense of collecting contacts, but actually having conversations with people — whether they’re also applicants, future trainees, trainees, associates, etc. When you speak to different people, you realise that every single stage of the process teaches you something. You pick up advice you genuinely won’t find online, and you can use it to strengthen your own approach. Schedule coffee chats, send LinkedIn messages, just put yourself out there.
3. Prioritise mental clarity as much as you prioritise getting applications done
It’s really easy to fall into the trap of thinking that being productive means constantly doing something. But honestly, your best work — the best versions of your applications — come from a place of clarity.
Take time for yourself. Go for walks. Spend time around people who actually uplift you. Do things that ground you outside of the application process.
It might seem unrelated, but everything you do to take care of your mental health directly impacts how well you show up when you sit down to draft, interview, or even just think strategically about your next steps.
4. Reflect properly after every application, even (especially) the ones that didn’t go your way
It’s so easy to just move on after submitting something or after getting rejected. But the people who improve the most are the ones who take a few minutes to reflect.
Ask yourself: what went well? Where did I struggle? Was there a point where I felt unsure, and if so, why?
You don't need to overthink it or beat yourself up — it’s about getting curious. Those small bits of self-awareness add up massively over the course of a cycle. If you’re learning a little after each experience, you’re automatically improving your odds.
5. Understand that small consistent steps beat occasional massive efforts every time
It’s tempting to think you need to have these big "grind" days where you send 5 applications or study commercial news for 4 hours straight. But honestly, what moves the wheel is small, consistent steps.
One LinkedIn message today.
One podcast episode tomorrow.
One paragraph drafted the next day.
When you work steadily, you build momentum, and momentum is way more powerful than waiting for motivation to strike.
Trust that the small things you do every day are building towards the big results you want. Keep going. You are closer than you think…!
