Editor's weekly: Be aware

With the deadline for submitting vacation scheme application forms looming I thought Id use my last newsletter of 2008 to revisit every candidates favourite phrase commercial awareness.

Many of you often ask me to define commercial awareness. Unfortunately, its one of those phrases that carries several meanings and is certainly not just about flicking through the FT or Economist the day before your interview.

The key is not to get too hung up about the definition and to think about how you can demonstrate commercial awareness, which is essentially a secret code for a candidates ability to show a genuine commitment to a career as a business lawyer. That means having a proper understanding of exactly what commercial law firms do and how they interact with other City players such as investment banks.

For instance, taking a list of deals that a firm has recently advised on from its website and reeling it off at an interview isnt going to impress anyone. If possible, try to find out what role the firm played on the deal and why it was significant. Did it involve a key or new client or break new ground? Youll be able to get a lot of this information right here on Lawyer2B.com and its sister title, The Lawyer.

That said, being commercially aware is about much more than keeping abreast of the comings and goings in the City. Its also about being able to show drive and ambition. During your interviews you should try to highlight situations where you really had to push yourself or achievements that youre particularly proud of and are unique to you. I demonstrated this during my interviews for my training contract by talking about how I helped my dad with the book-keeping for his Indian restaurant.

Its also definitely worth mentioning any experience youve had of commercial life including work placements or summer jobs that arent law-related. Frankly, working in telesales to fund your way through university will impress some graduate recruitment partners more than an overseas trip paid for by mummy and daddy.

Candidates who are commercially aware are also able to see the big picture and are appreciative of the long and short-term implications of a proposal. They are also aware of an organisations strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. For instance, think about why a law firm might want to open an office in Dubai or how it can prepare for an economic downturn.

Whatever you do, dont ever tell an interviewer that youre commercially aware as youll end up in the reject pile. You have been warned.

If you want to test your commercial awareness then why not take part in our quiz? Click here to play.

husnara.begum@thelawyer.com

PS - have a great Christmas break and look out for my first newsletter of 2009, which will be out on 8 January