Hi. Can anyone please clarify the following TC application question:
“Shoosmiths is a firm of individuals, with a culture that will actively allow you to grow your skills and challenge yourself. Focusing on one previous experience (in personal, work or study), what skills have you developed that will support your career as a solicitor?”
Is this asking me to focus on one skill I developed from a single experience or could it be numerous skills I gained from one experience?
Hiya
@FCL25
Given that the word limit for the Shoosmiths application questions is 300, I think it's worth discussing more than one skill. While the prompt says to focus on
one experience, I don’t think that restricts you to just
one skill. I think
@Andrei Radu and
@Amma Usman would have more to say here, but I think you should fine if you could distill 2-3 specific and concrete skills that you’ve developed through a single meaningful experience.
I'd also encourage you to avoid generic phrases like "analytical" or "research" skills. Break down what you
actually did that showed those skills in action. For example, if you’re highlighting adaptability, show what the challenge was, how you responded to the challenge, and what you learned. Then briefly connect it back to life as a solicitor at Shoosmiths. When making the connection, draw out how those skills will help you navigate client work, take initiative, or thrive in the firm's environment. That final link helps show that you’re not just reflecting on the past experience, but applying it to the sort of environment alluded to in the question prompt. If you’re unsure which experience to choose, I’d suggest picking one where you were clearly out of your comfort zone but rose to the occasion by drawing on 2-3 specific skills that are transferrable.
Good luck with the application!