The skills that law firms look for while recruiting candidates for solicitor jobs - Part 2

Most of the commercial firms have a strict list of key competencies that they look for before recruiting any of their future lawyers.

In the last part (Part 1), of this article about the selection criteria of the law firms, including key skills and competencies while recruiting trainee solicitors, we learned about some of the competencies like logical ability, motivation, commercial sense, the unique entrepreneurial character and communication abilities. In this part we would discuss about some more of such skills that the aspiring solicitors would need to follow in making their way towards a bright career.

Attention to detail: All the trainee solicitors strictly need a good eye for details so that they are able to communicate effectively on papers with both clients and colleagues. In order to provide the best quality service it’s important to give full attention to every detail.

The clients generally form their opinions based on the quality of the work and communication of the attorneys about the firm they work for. This makes a huge difference as satisfied clients are the ones who bring in more business and reputation. Any sort of error in the emails and other necessary documentations create a negative impression on the clients. Additionally, a keen eye for details is significant within the sector, as even the minutest mistakes can affect the meaning of the contracts and clauses.

Full stamina and energy: The job of a solicitor demands long working hours and doing everything that is necessary to meet client deadlines. So the lawyers who want to do better at work have to sacrifice themselves a bit at times.

It is said that the energetic and the willing lawyers are who go the furthest. Though academic achievements are given full priority, but the soft skills set you apart. Getting yourself involved in some good additional activities like joining a team, or a job while you are studying shows how proactive and energetic you are.

Ability of working in a team: Every successful lawyers have got the perfect skill of working in a team, as this is a very crucial part of their job. So demonstrating your ability as a team player is absolutely vital in acquiring the training contract from a good commercial firm.

The recruiters generally ask competency-based questions on their application form. The candidates who show their qualities in the answers are given more preference. So make sure you cite examples during your interview, that shows your contribution towards a team and the way you dealt effectively with others like a secretary of the university law society or a team project carried out for your degree. A positive and encouraging attitude towards others would also show your ability to shine in a team.

Good communicating power with clients: Big commercial solicitor firms look for candidates with the potential to work well with their clients. Being a well-rounded individual with strong interpersonal skills and commercial awareness is what would make you stand out among the thousands of other aspirants. Even understanding the need of the clients and communicating with them in a way that they appreciate is crucial. There is another simple but vital factor that the recruiters test while screening applications and also at the time of the interviews are a candidate’s spelling, punctuation and grammar.

So if you are the one who aspire to become a good and reputed solicitors in Plymouth or desire to be a part of a well-known law firm in Plymouth, you would have to keep all these points in mind and work accordingly.