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My academics don’t make the grade. Will I get a job offer?
It isn’t impossible to get through the selection process with academic grades that don’t meet a firm’s recruitment criteria, but it is a bit more tricky. It probably depends on which firms you are applying to. In our case, there are no filters in our online application system, so every application is read. Academics are also only one part of an application and we look at all of the information we are presented with on an application before making a decision. We, of course, take mitigating circumstances into account when reviewing applications if there are any. Without knowing anything else about you I cannot say what your chances of getting through the application process are. What I can tell you is that firms like us receive around 2,500 applications a year so the competition is extremely tough. Stephen Trowbridge, Ashurst

What should I do if I can't decide whether to be a barrister or a solicitor?
The first place to start is to think about why you're having trouble deciding. If it's because you don't have a clear idea of what being a barrister or a solicitor would mean, then you need to find out (through research, a mini-pupillage, work experience, open days etc). Ask yourself what you are best at. What do you most enjoy? Which arm of the profession are your unique set of experiences, qualifications and skills more suited to? Would you like to follow one route or the other, but there's something you can identify (for example, the financial implications of following either route) that's putting you off? Is there anything you can do to allay your worries (eg checking out funding for both routes)? Research your chances of success: getting into both areas of the profession is a competitive business, but remember you're statistically more likely to succeed as a solicitor than as a barrister. Do you have a secret passion for the bar? We don't see many undecided BVC students: if a student isn't sure which route to take, nine times out of ten, they're a solicitor in the making rather than a barrister. A final word - a wrong choice now needn't be the end of the world: remember you can cross-qualify from one side of the profession to the other. Rachel Harris, College of Law

I'm a non-law student and want to show my commitment to law. What's the best way to go about this?
I don't think it matters whether you are a law or a non-law student. Everyone needs to be able to show that they are committed to a legal career when applying for training contracts. The first question to ask yourself is, "Do I really know that I want to be a solicitor?". There are plenty of ways of finding out what a solicitor does and whether it is the right career for you. The most obvious is work experience, but this doesn't have to be a formal vacation placement scheme. Firms also run open days or allow you to visit them and have a look around, where you can find out more about the life of a solicitor, the workings of the firm and its culture. Similarly, just talking to people that you know in the profession about what they do can give you an enormous insight into what to expect. Consolidate any experience you gain and use that in your applications to demonstrate that you know what you are letting yourself in for. Stephen Trowbridge, Ashurst

I want to eventually train as a solicitor and am thinking about taking a gap year between my A-Levels and university. What would be the best way to spend this time?
As you've probably guessed - there's no "right' answer to this question - only suggestions. Focus on using your time well, making the most of the opportunity. Some time out is a great way to build some skills, whether it's learning a language or gaining industry exposure. Given the diversity of law, you can then recall your gap year experiences as evidence of "initiative', "enthusiasm', "teamwork', "communication', and all those other buzz words, which transfer across easily as valuable preparation for the life of a trainee solicitor. Fellow colleagues have spent time working with charities in far-flung places; as ski-instructors on sunny slopes; as teaching assistants abroad; or monitoring environmental projects; or island hopping in the Far East. Even more local experiences - working in advice centres or in small businesses - offer the chance to develop communication skills and commercial awareness. Being able to demonstrate planning, time management and execution of your gap year in a productive manner will speak volumes about your personality. Most of all, enjoy it. Aalia Datoo, Linklaters

How else could I acquire commercial law work experience if I'm unable to secure a vacation placement in a commercial law firm?
Vacation schemes are seen as a traditional means of gaining legal work experience. However, when reviewing training contract applications, most firms do not view formal vacation schemes as a pre-requisite. We look for applicants to demonstrate that they have been proactive in researching the career, gaining an insight into the commercial world while developing basic transferable skills. Although most larger firms do not offer work experience outside of their formal vacation schemes, a number of alternative opportunities are available. Open days provide the chance to meet a range of trainees, associates and partners, providing a great insight into a firm's work and culture. Alternatively, some smaller firms occasionally offer the opportunity to gain informal work experience, and if you have completed a law degree or LPC, paralegal work may also be an option. The onus is on you to be proactive as, due to demand, such opportunities are rarely advertised. Justine Beedle, Baker & McKenzie

Would it strengthen my application if I studied for an LLM in addition to my LLB?
Studying for an LLM would undoubtedly increase your level of legal understanding and knowledge, particularly if it focused on a particular area of law - competition for instance. This might be an area that you have a strong interest in and want to learn more about and BLP would certainly look upon this favourably. It wouldn't, however, mean your application was necessarily stronger than a candidate who had just an LLB, as there are many other factors as well as academics that would be taken into consideration. Work experience, for instance, is just as important as further legal education. You need to consider what you want to achieve by completing an LLM and what your aims are long term, ie particular areas of specialisation, career path. You shouldn't simply study for it to increase your chances of getting a training contract, it should be something of real interest to you. Jennie Bishop, Berwin Leighton Paisner

Does the fact that I don't have Oxford or Cambridge universities on my CV count against me when I am applying for pupillages?
Not at all. While individual chambers may have slightly different selection criteria depending, for example, on the type of work and practice that they undertake (for example whether they are looking for jury advocates or purely academic lawyers), the university at which you studied is not going to be one of them. The Bar has a strictly observed equality and diversity code which should ensure that any unfair bias in recruitment, including towards certain universities, is eradicated. In complying with this code, chambers should use objective criteria in assessing candidates both at the application stage and in the interview stage, both of which are scored and then separately monitored to ensure strict compliance. The more widely used selection criteria might include, for example, showing commitment perhaps through work experience or having undertaken mini-pupillages, demonstrating both intelligence and a real desire to enter the profession, as well as a strong academic record. Robert Graham-Campbell, chief executive, Maitland Chambers

What is the biggest single mistake people make during an interview
Candidates need to remember to sell themselves at all times. With very little research, candidates can find out the sort of questions that are likely to be asked during an interview at a given firm. Some candidates are just naturally good at interviews but the majority of successful candidates are the ones that have prepared for them properly. When asked to describe a challenging situation that you might have faced it is always important to remember that the interviewer isn't particularly interested in what the situation was what they are interested in is the skills and attributes that you were able to demonstrate that got you through it. The key competencies that law firms are looking for are well known. Think about these in the context of what you have done and have a good range of examples ready to demonstrate them. Simon Pilcher, CMS Cameron McKenna

How many forms should I complete when applying for a training contract?
It's very much up to you how many to complete. Make a list of the firms that you would like to work for, listing the aspects you find appealing about each one. Rank them according to preference and this will give you a clear picture of where to start focusing your efforts. Start by taking the first five firms and looking at their application forms. Each form will take 2-3 hours to complete, so you'll need to set aside a considerable amount of time. This will be in addition to any studying you may be doing, so don't underestimate how long the process will take. It's best to start with a small number and really focus on the questions, structuring your answers and ensuring your forms are free from errors. Submit these as far away from the deadline as possible, that way you can see what the feedback might be from your applications and then either your applications will be taken forward, or if rejected, you have time to alter the answers to your questions accordingly. If these applications are unsuccessful, you may want to start working your way down your list, completing more application forms in line with your preferences and the time you have available. It's far better to submit fewer forms of better quality than to apply for more and not spend as much time on the applications. Quality not quantity is definitely the key message. Jennie Bishop, Berwin Leighton Paisner

Is there any point in launching a career in family or criminal law given the legal aid budget is being squeezed?
It is true that there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the level of fees payable to barristers out of the public purse. The debate on the rates of pay in criminal and family work has been headline news for some years now. However, this by no means should deter you from specialising in these areas of law, particularly if your interests are more altruistic. Demand for barristers' services in criminal and family work is not diminishing and many chambers who specialise in these areas have been successful in combining publicly funded work with privately paid work where the fees are often higher, helping to counter the downwards pressure on fee income. You may also want to consider the implications of this economic pressure on these segments of the market: one possible outcome may be that the structure of the industry changes - for example the new Legal Services Act 2007 envisages the possibility of barristers in partnership with each other, or with solicitors. Robert Graham-Campbell, chief executive, Maitland Chambers