Strange or missing a trick
In the latest instalment of our popular career conundrum series, an aspiring lawyer questions the way training contract seekers use the phrase ‘dream firm’.
“Dear Legal Cheek. I’m unsure whether this quite constitutes a career conundrum, but I thought I’d go ahead and submit it nonetheless. I’ve seen quite a few students on various message boards, and through direct discussion on at least two vac schemes, describe firm X as their ‘dream firm’. As someone looking to secure a training contract, I don’t feel so strongly about any firm that I’d describe it as my ‘dream’ one. Am I missing something? Has anyone actually said in an application that a firm is their ‘dream firm’, and what do those readers involved in the recruitment process at their own firms make of it? I find it all a bit cringe, but perhaps I just haven’t found my dream firm yet ;-). Thank you.”
If you have a career conundrum, email us at tips@legalcheek.com.
Very cringe
Be as emotive as possible. Firms love it.
It’s just a job at the end of the day!
The only correct answer to ‘dream firm’ is Kirkland
Personally, I wouldn’t use this phrase. I would focus on saying what it is about the firm that attracts you e.g. your values match or past experience in a specific practice area you are looking to go into. Perhaps consider saying preferred firm making sure to back up saying why.
It is cringe. Ultimately this is just a job, and given that you will not know what a firm is like until you are actually employed there, describing anywhere as your “dream” is odd.
Not bad to say – but firms respond better to evidence of interest and demonstrated alignment. It is better to specifically pick out 2/3 points you find interesting about a firm and back them up with facts (eg band rankings or a case), then link them to an experience you have had that will help you contribute.
E.g – “I value X firm’s focus on pro bono, confirmed by their 2nd place ranking in the pro bono awards. Given my
experience volunteering at Y charity, I believe this is a great environment for me to grow and contribute in.”
Oversimplified version^^ but this is what firms want.
Do not apply for a training contract at any city firm by reference primarily to its commitment to pro bono. It entirely misses the point of what they do and are there for. If you’re applying for a qualified lawyer job in that team, great. Perhaps a sentence on it as a makeweight. But if you are joining a city firm to train, your primary focus needs to be on its main client work – which will comprise the bulk of your time and is how it earns its money.
I do not dream of indentured labour.
I did say that the firm i currently work at was my number one firm during my interview, but that was because my firm is focused on one specific industry and i was already interested in that industry. That already is a bit cringe (it is a job), so i wouldn’t do anything beyond that.
Will be honest that ‘dream’ stuff is all just stupid instagram influencer talk – check out where most of them end up after a few years (not working in law usually)….
Can’t think of a quicker route for an application to be filed in the bin.
Comes across as informal and a bit immature in my opinion.
Totally fair to say that this firm aligns with you the most or something along those lines.
But “dream firm”? Come on, no one actually dreams of this work. Plus, as much as firms like to pretend, they are all fairly similar. To say one firm is your dream over one of its close competitors is rubbish.
Only to say that Pamela Palmer has provided the correct answer here. Saying “dream firm” is a bit cringe, I think, so better to be a bit more measured in what you say. As others have said, though, what you actually say is nowhere near as important as the reasons you provide for saying it, i.e. show them what it is they do that means they are a dream/preferred/aligned firm.
I think it has the same effect on your application as saying “I poo my pants on purpose if crossed”.
You could go one step further and say it’s your “wet dream firm” just to show how special they are to you…