Joining SEO » Making a Strong Application » Applying to the Corporate Law Programme

Applying to the Corporate Law Programme

Traits that a successful corporate law candidate should demonstrate:

  • Attention to detail
    A law firm's clients are very demanding and have a great deal at stake - they depend on their lawyers to attend to every detail and carry out error-free work. No errors on your CV and cover letter permitted!
  • Career commitment
    Legal work experience, commercial experience, society involvement (law and business societies are great).
  • Well-roundedness
    Activities and interests outside of study and your career goals.
  • Commercial awareness/experience
    Work experience in corporations; courses on finance, management; interest in financial news.
  • Preparation & Reliability
    This includes:
    1. Evidence that you have been prepared and accountable in past experiences;
    2. That you have done your preparation prior to submitting your application. A high level of preparation will give your interviewers confidence that you will be able to work professionally with clients in the very near future.
  • Leadership
    Demonstrate that you have been accountable for moving a project or a group forward. Provide examples of how you have added value, demonstrated passion, charted a course of action and followed it through.
  • Commitment to community service
  • Convince us that if you get into SEO that you will give back by providing evidence of past give-back.
  • Creative and logical thinking
    Provide evidence that you are able to innovate and are willing to think creatively. Give evidence of a time when you have had to overcome an obstacle that has led to a positive outcome.
  • Interpersonal sensitivity
    Can you judge when to be competitive and when to be diplomatic? Can you lead as well as be part of a group? Will you gain client trust and keep it throughout pressurised times? Have you worked with customers or clients before? Give us evidence of your people skills at times when it has really mattered.
  • Strong and clear writing skills
    Everything you write (CV, cover letter, etc.) should demonstrate this.
  • SEO CV & Cover Letter Tips
    Advice for making a strong applicationĀ 
    Sample CV

    Sample cover letter