My Story

Hi All,

My name is Hayley, I am a Trainee Solicitor in a regional law firm based in Suffolk.  I am currently undertaking my first seat in the Corporate and Commercial Department and I am due to qualify in November 2017.

I had been applying for training contracts since my second year at university, 2011.  I estimate that I have sent approximately 100+ applications whilst studying and trying my hardest to find work placements.

In 2013 I found myself graduating with a First Class Law Degree but yet no training contract. Would the Legal Practice Course be worth it? I thought.  I had a few work placements on my CV but nothing of major importance.  I decided to study the LPC part-time and work full-time, this was so I could apply for a job in a law firm for experience, and not have the financial drain of the LPC.

My first job after graduating was a 'Trainee Conveyancing Secretary'. Not what I had originally in mind, but it was legal based and a steady income.  After 3 months of typing all day I decided I needed more responsibility,  I moved to a firm based in Suffolk and became a 'Conveyancing Assistant'. This lasted for approximately six months, whereby I was then promoted to 'Conveyancing Executive'.  This meant that I was handling my own case load of residential property transactions.  At last, I had a position with responsibility.

Whilst working at these firms I was continuously applying for training contracts and struggling my way through the LPC.  I only had one interview for a training contract, however I didn't get through to the second round.  I found the assessment day to be exhausting and terrifying.  There were evidently a lot of candidates that had done this before, they were pros at the assessments. I, however had no idea what I was doing.

Regardless, I was lucky. The firm had seen something in me and rather than progress me to the second round of interviews they offered me a job as a 'Commercial Property Paralegal'.  At last, I could finally get away from the horrors of residential property.  I loved every part of this job and it was great that I was using more of my legal skills learnt on the LPC, particularly from my property module.

It was in February 2015 when I received an email from another firm based in Suffolk.  I had applied there some time ago for a training contract.  It had been a few months and I shouldn't really admit this but I had somewhat forgotten I had even made the application!  I was asked to attend an interview in March and I obliged.

My interview lasted approximately 1 hour where I also had to give a presentation on 'Social Media and the Law'.  I felt like I had really pleaded my case,  I made sure I had an answer for every question and I was not going to let this go.  The day after the interview I received a telephone call to say that I had been offered a training contract. I couldn't believe it! Five years of law school and 100+ applications, I'd finally done it.

As someone who has had to figure a lot of her legal journey out for herself, I've decided to keep a blog/diary of my time as a Trainee.  I will also be providing coursework, revision and interview tips, any help that I can give to someone on the same journey as me is great.

Please feel free to look around my blog, I hope that at least some of you find this helpful.  Please also follow my twitter account at @almostasol


6 comments:

  1. Great job Mr. Hayley you are such a lucky person you get all these achievements in very short time. I would like to say special thank to you for telling us your great story through this blog. Your story is a motivation for all new students and for those who want to inter in this field.
    http://keoghssolicitors.co.uk/

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  2. Congratulations Hayley. Its frustrating when you have worked so hard and not getting training contract. At least you are there now. Please keep working hard for your retaintion in the organisation. Congratulation one small.

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  3. Congratulations Hayley. Its frustrating when you have worked so hard and not getting training contract. At least you are there now. Please keep working hard for your retaintion in the organisation. Congratulation one small.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congratulations Hayley. Its frustrating when you have worked so hard and not getting training contract. At least you are there now. Please keep working hard for your retaintion in the organisation. Congratulation one small.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would like to say best of luck to get qualify in November 2017. It is very inspirational story. There is required a number of write an essay which have ability inspire the people to achieve something and motivate them in their life.

    ReplyDelete