You’ve got your training contract… now what?
updated on 03 February 2022
Reading time: five minutes
Firstly, congratulations on obtaining a training contract! The training contract application process is incredibly competitive, and you deserve to pat yourself on the back for getting this far.
With most firms recruiting trainees two years in advance, many future trainees are left to ponder what to do with this time.
When you secure the training contract, two years can seem like such a long time but trust me it races over. This period also offers the perfect opportunity to prepare yourself for your future training.
You can also visit LCN’s training contracts page for insight into what a training contract entails.
Here are some things you might want to focus your time on to put yourself in the best position possible when you enter those firm doors on day one of your training contract.
Keep on learning
This may not be top of your list of things to do after finishing university, but it’s worth considering enhancing your legal knowledge before beginning training.
University courses provide a broad overview of different areas of law, studying for a masters, for example, gives you the chance to gain detailed knowledge in a distinct area of law.
This option is great for those who have a clear idea of which area of law you’re interested in qualifying into.
A masters will enhance your CV as well as provide you with a depth of knowledge into your area of choice which you can transfer into a seat during your training in that area.
Remaining in education in some way means you can continue to learn and revise the skills you have been taught at university which you will be relying on during your training.
If staying in education is not for you, I’d recommend that you still take the time to revise when you can as it really will pay off to have that basic knowledge at the forefront of your mind.
Keep up to date
Similar to continuing your academic learning is continuing to build your commercial awareness. Once you start your training, having a commercial understanding of what else is going on in your area and in the legal sector generally becomes part of your role, so starting this process early gets you into good habits.
Check out LawCareers.Net’s Feature ‘The ultimate guide to commercial awareness’ to find out what it is, where and how you can develop yours, and how to use it in practice plus lots more advice.
As well as keeping your commercial awareness updated, you should also make sure your knowledge of the firm is up to date. You become part of the firm from the time you accept your training contract, firms will be impressed with your dedication if you choose to keep your knowledge of the firm up to date while you’re waiting to start training.
It’s also worth noting that firms may invite you to events and mixers before your start date, so having current knowledge of the firm is worth it as you never know who will ask you a question.
Build your online profile
Having an online presence, such as through LinkedIn, is vitally important for law firms, likely brought into focus further with the impact of covid-19 meaning firms must rely much more on their online presence and that of their employees.
You’ll be well equipped on this side of your training if you work at building your online profile while waiting to start your training and it’s much easier to build on this once you have made that first step.
Building your online presence is something you will be doing as a trainee and throughout your career and getting into the routine of doing this early in your career is only going to be beneficial for you.
Read this LCN Says ‘How to make the most of LinkedIn as a law student’ for LCN’s tops tips on presenting yourself online!
Work, work, work
If more education is not for you, there is always the option of entering the world of work. This is how most future trainees will spend their time before starting training and it can be incredibly valuable.
Gaining a job in the legal sector such as a paralegal, legal assistant or secretary can help you to keep learning those practical legal skills as well as earning some money as you go.
Although legal jobs are very useful, any job will help you continue to build those soft skills required in training contracts such as communication and time management.
If you can develop these skills before even starting your training, you will be off to a great start for your training contract and able to focus on the more skilled aspects sooner.
A top tip here is to make sure you make use of your university careers service; they can point you in the direction of all sorts of jobs that can help prepare you for your training contract.
How can your careers service help you? Read this LCN Says ‘Five ways your university careers service can help you ace the law recruitment process’ to find out.
Travel
Although travelling is a little more difficult in the current climate, if you can travel, even within the UK, this can also be a great use of time.
Travelling should allow you to make connections with a range of people, build on your communication skills and enhance your independence and initiative – all of which you will need to rely on during your training contract.
Read this Oracle ‘Will going travelling increase or decrease my chances of a training contract?’ to find out how you can use this experience in your applications.
Also, university has allowed you some large breaks between terms that you simply do not have once you enter the working world, so try to take a few weeks to celebrate securing a training contract because it’s an achievement to be proud of.
Try to view the waiting time to start your training as an opportunity to prepare yourself as best as you can.
Choose the preparation that best suits your situation but trying to implement even some of the above will help your transition into the legal working world.
But most of all, make sure you take the time to celebrate your achievement!
For aspiring solicitors check out LCN’s ‘26-step guide to training contract applications and interviews’ for more advice on acing your applications.
Jessica Carr (she/her) is a trainee solicitor at Langleys Solicitors LLP in York. You can connect with her via LinkedIn.
