Top Tips for Pupillage Applications (at 25 Canada Square Chambers and elsewhere)
By Alexander Bisset, First Six Pupil
1) Treat each question like a piece of written advocacy:
Your answers should be like any piece of advocacy you may have already done, and which you will be required to do as a barrister. Reflect on the skills required of a good advocate, e.g. conciseness, accuracy, the ability to tell a good story, the ability to hold the audience’s attention, etc. to successfully persuade, and put these into practice as you answer each question.
This will serve two purposes: firstly, you are more likely to persuade your chambers as to why they should offer you pupillage, and secondly, you will demonstrate your knowledge and your ability to successfully apply the key elements of advocacy, which are required to effectively practice at the bar.
2) Have confidence and focus on your strengths
Do not let any perceived weaknesses or areas in which you may feel you lack experience discourage you from applying. Focus on your strengths and the experience you do have, and use these to answer any questions as confidently as you can. Applying for pupillages, is of itself, a useful skill and any effort you put into this will improve your ability to apply with confidence.
It is important not to be overly self-critical and become discouraged from applying as a result of this, only to consider upon a more balanced reflection after the deadline has passed, that you do have the strengths required. Even if you are not successful after applying, you will learn from the process of applying and you will be far better for it the next time around than if you hadn’t applied at all.
3) Think carefully in advance about how many applications you will make, and to where:
Ultimately, the exact number of applications you complete is something you must decide for yourself. However, whilst it is advisable to apply for a good number of pupillages, the quality of your applications is paramount. As tempting as it is to get out the most number of applications possible, you will have less time to make each one the best it can be and there is a risk that the overall quality of each application will be reduced.
More applications do not necessarily equal more interviews: 10 excellent applications may well net you an equal number of interviews, if not more, than 20 average applications. Planning carefully in advance will improve the quality of your applications and ensure that you can complete in good time. Being clear at the outset about the areas of practice you are most likely to be interested in, where you would like to be based and the kinds of work done by Chambers will greatly improve your ability to make strong applications for a good number of pupillages.
4) Get the small details right:
It’s crucial that you draft and proof-read your answers very carefully, and that you read and answer precisely each question that is asked of you. This is particularly important where you are asked two questions which are worded similarly, but which are not identical: answers copy-and-pasted from other applications are particularly likely to be recognised as such if they are not drafted to answer the precise question asked. If you have failed to get the small details right, Chambers is also likely to assume that you will also fail to demonstrate the more substantial, key skills required of you.
This not-only includes checking for any errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation, but also any recital of information about the chambers you are applying to which is accurate. Chambers will immediately spot any such inaccuracies, and from this will assume that you have not carefully researched their practice, expertise, working culture, and any other factors which make them unique.
5) Be authentic:
Chambers may potentially receive hundreds of applications for a single pupillage position. This inevitably reduces the opportunity to make your answers stand out. Where everyone applying has similar professional experience and academic achievement, applications most likely to stand out are those which are interesting and an authentic reflection of the individual applying: be yourself!
Be mindful that you will have only limited opportunity to stand out; generic answers are less likely to catch Chambers’ attention. Remember the human: your audience is far more likely to make a connection with you and remember you if you can honestly and authentically show yourself and the experiences which make you interesting and unique. Consider mentioning any interesting hobbies and activities, no matter how far removed from the bar they may seem! These are especially helpful where you can demonstrate how you have developed from them the skills required of a barrister.
Don’t use AI! If you do, your answer is highly likely to sound not only generic, but may also noticeably bear the hallmarks of an AI answer and is highly unlikely to impress Chambers if this is spotted.
A bonus point – Take any opportunity to you can to practice for the interview:
Should you be successful in securing an interview, do make use of any resources available to you to prepare as best as you can for that interview. If you are a member of one of the Inns of Court, check with your Inn. Inns usually run a system for pairing applicants with barristers to perform mock interviews and are a golden opportunity to practice your interview skills with a member of the bar.
If you are a university student, do also check with your university’s career service if they run an interview service. If all else fails, practice with a family member or a friend. Any opportunity to practice your oral and presentation skills is extremely invaluable and necessary, if you wish to ace to the interview.
Good luck!