Top tips to make your summer placement application stand out

As we begin the search for 2023 summer placement students, it's my responsibility to find the best applicants.

One of the most common questions I get asked is "how can I make my application stand out?"

The first thing to mention is, there is no single right answer to this. We receive many applications every year so it's important to set the bar high, present yourself as eloquently as you can - and write an application we are going to remember.

Here are my five top tips:

Highlight skills you believe might be transferrable to working in law. We're not expecting you to be a legal expert but that doesn't mean you don't possess the makings of a great lawyer. It's important to include part-time work, sports activities, or hobbies and interests, particularly ones where you learned or applied skills that would be useful to a lawyer.
Learn about our business and our people; it's important to understand our core values and what we stand for as a firm. This will help to identify if and why we are the right choice for you. Ultimately, you may be offered a traineeship with us so it's important that you assess whether Brodies is the right choice from the outset. We share regular trainee blogs on our website and across social media to give an insight of what it is really like to be a Brodies trainee.
Legal knowledge isn't the only thing we look for - and this is reflected in the supporting information section of our application form. Think about the other skills that are valuable in a legal setting and can be found in a good lawyer.
Check, check and check again - first impressions are everything, so make sure your spelling and grammar are correct. Proofread your application and if you're not sure, ask someone else to cast their eye over it too.
Don't tell us things you think we want to hear; keep it authentic. Captivate us with information and insights about the real you. There isn't a set mould for a Brodies trainee, and that's why our firm is made up of people with many skills, experiences and personalities. Let your qualities shine through in your application form.

Applications for Brodies 2023 summer student placements are now open. Apply today!