The Trainee Lowdown from Foot Anstey

Ep. 5 The Trainee Lowdown: How to navigate the SQE

Foot Anstey brings you the latest episode in our podcast series that gives you an insider's perspective on getting your legal career off the ground.
In this episode, we explore the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) – a topic that has the legal industry talking. As more aspiring solicitors are embarking on this route to qualification, we've dived into this topic to break down what it is and share advice on how to tackle it effectively.
 
What's in this episode
Our hosts, Foot Anstey trainees Lauren Donnison and Melissa Story, welcome three insightful guests to share their knowledges and experience of the SQE. Eloise May, Trainee Solicitor, and Harry Hawkey, Paralegal are both currently on their SQE journey and they bring a valuable insight to the conversation around the actual experience of preparing for and taking the assessments. Plus, Johnathan Worrell, Business Development Director at Barbri, offers his expert perspective from a legal education provider and shares some guidance on how candidates can approach the qualification.
Our hosts and guests discuss:
What the SQE is – why it was introduced and how it is structured.
The SQE1 and SQE2 assessments and how they differ.
How to prepare for your assessments.
What to expect from the exam experience.
Top tips from those that have taken the SQE.
Expert advice from an SQE prep course provider.

Ep. 4 The Trainee Lowdown: What makes a good trainee?

Foot Anstey brings you a new podcast series that gives you an insiders perspective on getting your legal career off the ground.
In this episode, we explore the role of a trainee and how you can put your best foot forward.
 
What's in this episode?
Second year Trainees Oliver Toomey and Lauren Donnison are joined by Partner, Adam McKenna and Solicitor, Lucie Wickens to discuss what makes a successful trainee and how to get the most out of your training contract.
Our hosts and guests discuss:
How to prepare for and make the most of each seat
Why feedback is important and how to make the most of the guidance and advice you receive
How to approach client work as well as develop your profile
The behaviours and actions that a successful trainee can take to have a positive impact
Why to say 'yes' and get involved with activities within the wider firm

Ep. 3 The Trainee Lowdown: How do you excel at an Assessment Centre?

Foot Anstey brings you a new podcast series that gives you an insiders perspective on getting your legal career off the ground.
In this episode, our experts discuss how to excel at an Assessment Centre and secure a training contract offer.
 
What's in this episode?
Second year Trainees Oliver Toomey and Lauren Donnison are joined by Partners, Ashley Avery and Mark Li, to discuss how you can make the most of your time at an Assessment Centre.
Our experts explain what an Assessment Centre is and the purpose of the day. Plus they discuss what prospective trainees can expect from the day, how to prepare, how to demonstrate commercial awareness, and what the interviewing panel are looking for in candidates.
To finish, all four share some top tips for students going through this process.

Ep. 2 The Trainee Lowdown: What makes a good application?

Foot Anstey brings you a new podcast series that gives you an insiders perspective on getting your legal career off the ground.
In this episode, our hosts are joined by the Foot Anstey Early Careers team who share insight on what they look for in applications and give some top tips on how to make your application shine!
 
What's in this episode?
Second year Trainees Oliver Toomey and Lauren Donnison are joined by Jess Guard, Early Careers Manager and Chloe Stratford, Early Careers Advisor to discuss what makes an application stand out and advise on how you can make your application one to remember.
They cover:
Quality vs quantity
The importance of accuracy
How to structure your answers
What commercial awareness is and how to demonstrate it
How to make your personality shine through

Ep. 1 The Trainee Lowdown: How do you choose the right law firm for you?

Foot Anstey brings you a new podcast series that gives you an insiders perspective on getting your legal career off the ground.
In the first episode of our new series, current and future trainees at Foot Anstey discuss the key areas to consider when looking for the right law firm for you.
 
What's in this episode?
Our host and second year trainee Oliver Toomey speaks to first year trainee Harry Jupp, and future trainee Iqra Babu, to discuss four areas that are key to helping you choose the right law firm for you:
Type of work and practice areas
Location, location, location
Structure of programme - including insight to the SQE route and intake size
Culture, growth and direction
The discussion explores how these four factors can influence your career, and help you find a firm where you can truly flourish.