Heya
@V2002 
I think
@Andrei Radu @Amma Usman and
@Jessica Booker would definitely have more to say here. But thought I'd add my two cents here. I think using the STAR method is a great idea for structuring your response. It can provide your answer with clarity and organisation, making it easier for the reader to follow how each experience helped you develop relevant skills.
That said, the key here isn’t just structure. It’s about depth and reflection. A common pitfall I see when applicants approach these questions is that they describe their skills in overly generic terms, like “This experience helped me develop my written communication skills” or “This experience improved my teamwork abilities.” These descriptions are a bit generic, and don’t offer enough detail or insight into
how the experience shaped these skills.
For example, if you’re discussing written communication skills, try to be more specific. Did your role involve a variety of writing tasks that taught you how to adjust your tone and style for different audiences? Did you learn to organise information clearly and concisely for a professional document or email? By showing this level of reflection, you demonstrate not just the skill itself but also your awareness of its nuances.
Another example would be when describing your 'research skills'. Did you learn how to assess the credibility of different sources or distil key insights for a specific audience? Did you develop techniques to manage large volumes of information effectively? Highlighting these specifics will make your examples stand out and show how the experience you're discussing has prepared you for the responsibilities of a trainee solicitor.
Ultimately, this question is asking you to showcase
how these experiences helped you grow, not just stating the skills themselves. Using the STAR method will help structure your answer, but again use some reflection to answer this question with appropriate depth. Best of luck with your applications!
