‘I’m about to start my training contract. Got any advice?’

Find someone to give you work, and make their (work) life easier.

Anticipate, think through thoroughly to understand what’s going on and communicate if not able to (don’t ask questions before you’ve exhausted reasonable means to do so), execute, double check, check again, and follow up.

Thanks everyone this is very helpful. Please more!

Live modestly… save as much as you can, contribute to your pension and don’t let yourself become trapped by the (increasingly gold plated) handcuffs.

Don’t fall into the trap of becoming dependent on the money such that your health and life suffers.

Remember that unless you are an equity partner (a pipe dream for many these days, as partners retire later and later, and the purgatory of salaried partner stretches ever onwards) you ARE the product. The business model of law is to extract as much work from you as possible, for as little money as possible, without you quitting.

Also, with the way taxation is going, consider qualifying into an area where you can practice somewhere like Singapore, BVI/Cayman or Dubai, since the government will be sucking up as much of your hard earned money as possible. That way if you decide to come back to the UK after a few years abroad saving tax, you might be able to actually get a foot on the property ladder.

Try to avoid doing you first seat in the area you think you’re most likely to want to qualify in. You stand a much better chance of securing an NQ role in your 4th seat, so try to leave your preferred seat until last.

Sadly the game these days is rigged for younger generations. You just have to play it as best you can.

Make the most of every opportunity and don’t turn your nose up at anything. Take it one step at a time and allow yourself time to learn.

Be kind to everyone at the firm or company.

Try to avoid moaning when things get too tough, and try avoid other trainees who do that (spoiler alert working in law isn’t what you see in movies).

Keep and maintain really clear and structured notes and records of your work. Keep a structured list of achievements and developments and ensure these are reflected in your appraisals.

Try your best to make the most of each seat and aim to come away with it having developed something.

Really get to know the clients (even if you don’t always have direct contact…) and always consider how your firm’s advice *applies* to them.

In quiet times make the most of reading around on Practical Law or LexisNexis to up-skill your knowledge.

And finally don’t let the firm or work take over your life – maintain hobbies, make time for friends and family, eat healthy and exercise as much as you can. I’m not saying this is all easy, but try make it work.

Good luck!

Attention to detail. Put the extra time in to make sure what you do is accurate. If someone says you spent too long so be it- they can write it off if need be. If senior people trust your work is accurate, they will give you more things to do and will give you more responsibility. The more experience you get the quicker you will become. If you rush something and it is full of errors that causes senior people with higher hourly rates to have to redo it. That is expensive for the client and annoying for the senior person.

Communication. Every partner thinks their work takes priority over another’s. You will need to accept that you cannot please everybody. That is quite difficult for obvious reasons. The best you can do is to keep senior people updated on your workload and ETAs for tasks. Be realistic about what is going to burn you out because if you take on too much you will end up producing inaccurate work and nobody will be happy about that.

Personally these are the 2 main lessons I’ve learned but it will probably be different for each person.

wind your neck in

Don’t post anything cringy on LinkedIn pls…
They can see what you post and what you say. Just because they haven’t said anything doesn’t mean they approve. Don’t risk the firm’s reputation

Be in an hour before the other first person in and don’t leave until you’re the last one there. Also stay clear of any work relationships. Also keep as much back as you can from your fellow trainees as they’re your competition. If they ask for advice tell them opposite to what your actual advice is so you can shine more.