How to Apply for a Training Contract: Expert Tips to Stand Out

If you’re wondering how to apply for a training contract and make your application stand out, you’re not alone. As part of Machins’ Dispute Resolution team, I’ve been involved in trainee solicitor recruitment for several years, and I regularly speak to law students at fairs and events. Many ask for practical advice on what really matters in an application—so here are my top tips to help you succeed.

Non-Legal work Experience

Firstly, don’t underplay your non-legal work experience. Lots of students assume that the insight days that they have attended at a big city firm do wonders for their application. Yes, attendance at open days or insight days show you have an interest in pursuing a career in law and have given you a taster of working at a law firm, but in reality we are far more interested in non-legal work experience that you have done over several months or years in which you have developed transferable skills that will help you in your career as a solicitor. Do that work experience justice, and think outside the box!

Formatting

Remember that your formatting will be the first impression we get when we pick up your application. Make sure your formatting is professional and consistent.

Research

Do your research, and I don’t just mean so that you can include a section about why you are applying to Machins.  It’s important that you are the right fit for Machins, but also that Machins is the right fit for you! You need to bear in mind the facts you find out about Machins through your research (e.g. what our culture is like, what areas of law we cover, what areas we operate in etc) when drafting your application. By way of an example, there is no point starting the cover letter explaining why you are really interested in immigration when that isn’t an area of law that we cover. Be smart!

Personality

Make sure that your personality shines through your application. At Machins, we receive over 100 applications each year, and we read every single one. Keep this in mind when you are drafting your application – what makes your application stand out from the crowd?

Avoid Using AI for Your Application

It might be tempting to use AI tools to draft your application, but we strongly advise against it. We can usually spot when an application has been written by AI; it often lacks personality and feels generic. Your application is your chance to show us who you are, how you think, and why you want to join Machins. If you rely on AI, you risk sounding like everyone else and missing the opportunity to stand out. Take the time to write in your own voice – it really makes a difference.

Proof Reading

Proof read your application! This tip is incredibly obvious, but you would be amazed at the number of applications that we receive that have basic errors on. Last year, two cover letters we received were addressed to entirely different firms based nearby! It might be a good idea to ask a family member or friend to proof-read it for you too as it’s sometimes difficult to see errors when you have been working on the same thing for hours!

Interested in Joining Us?

If you’re ready to put these tips into practice, we’d love to hear from you. Find out more about our trainee solicitor opportunities and apply here: Join us as a trainee solicitor.

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