What Law Firms are Actually Looking for in Applicants
A guide to the perfect application
As someone who is currently in my undergraduate studies and looking forward to applying for a position at law firm, I too find it very daunting when trying to figure out what experience to gain and what extracurriculars to get involved in that will aid in my ability to get a position at a law firm post-graduation.
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There are obvious credentials that might get you further ahead in the application process such as rank, GPA, law school prestige, etc.; however I’m more concerned with what might set me apart from other applicants who are interested in the same position.
¹Skills that could set you apart include:
- Emotional intelligence — it’s important to maintain the ability to connect with clients especially when it comes to handling sensitive conversations
- Business development — law firms look for applicants that have good networking skills which can further expand the firms’ network of clients as well as other firms
- Client-readiness — firms will want an applicant who is ready to deal with clients and provide them with solutions apart from just basic legal knowledge
²Some law firms might also look deeper into who you are as an applicant through three simple questions:
- Why you chose law for your career — giving a more personal reason as to why you chose to become a lawyer rather than simply saying your biggest interest was the paycheck, can set you apart and show the hiring committee that you are committed to the position you are applying for
- If you have published any legal papers or were involved in any other extracurriculars through law school — writing theses, journal articles, or participating in clinical programs will provide the hiring committee with the knowledge that you went beyond the usual law school course load to further your education and better prepare yourself for the work force
- Why you want to work at that particular firm — creating a connection between yourself as an applicant and the firm you are applying for can set you apart from applicants who may not be as motivated to gain the position in question at that particular firm
Although grades and law school rank can help you toward that job you really want, it’s important to present yourself as a worthy candidate apart from your educational background.
What to focus on during law school to make job applications easier:
“Firms of all sizes used similar criteria for short-listing applicant, particularly academic achievement, work experience and relevant interests”³
It would be an oversight to say that interpersonal skills and inherent work ethic would be the only important aspects of your application when in reality grades and work experience are typically what law firms will look at in your application. If you are planning to aim for a job at a law firm, it’s smart to dedicate your time throughout law school to maintaining a high GPA and gaining applicable work experience.
If you’re feeling as nervous as I am about excelling in law school and finding the job you so desperately want, know that every other person is in exactly the same boat. At least now you have a helpful list of criteria to follow to help you improve your application and get that job.
¹https://laterallink.com/lateral-attorney-hiring-process/
²https://www.epdine.com/post/law-firm-hiring-process
³ Rolfe, Heather, and Tracy Anderson. “A Firm Choice: Law Firms’ Preferences in the Recruitment of Trainee Solicitors.” International Journal of the Legal Profession, vol. 10, no. 3, 2003, pp. 315–34, https://doi.org/10.1080/0969595042000228784.
