Spelling mistakes, coffee stains, inappropriate clothing at interview – believe it or not, aspiring barristers are still making basic errors during the application process. Alex Aldridge gathers some pupillage success stories

Obtaining an actual pupillage may be fiendishly difficult, but bagging a mini-pupillage is generally seen as quite straightforward.

"It is usually just a case of sending off your CV and a covering letter. I got eight acceptances from the 10 applications I made – more than I could actually do," says Judith Grey, a Bar Vocational Course (BVC) student at BPP Law School.

Once you have secured a mini-pupillage, confirms Angharad Davies, a barrister at York Chambers, all the usual rules of socially acceptable behaviour apply. "Be friendly to receptionists and not just barristers, offer to carry people's bags if they look like they're overloaded, don't monopolise the conversation about yourself… oh, and never ever say: 'I didn't think that I could be a barrister, but now I've spent a day with you, I think I could!'"

So how many mini-pupillages should you do? Simon Myerson QC, author of the blog 'Pupillage and How to Get It', recommends spending a week at each of the four sets that you're most interested in applying to and "more if you can manage it".

However, Andrew Trimble, a pupil at 3 Temple Gardens, believes that there is no point in 'collecting' mini-pupillages, recommending instead that students do two in each of the practice areas in which they have a serious interest.

Ayeesha Bhutta, a junior tenant at Field Court Chambers, advises students to also do work experience in other areas. "Try local authority legal departments, solicitors' firms, advice centres – you'll get more hands-on practical experience than you would if you were following a barrister around for a week."

Pupillage application forms

Short of printing the form off on metallic gold paper, the best way to make your application stand out is to give clear, concise answers, backed up with evidence.

"It is essential to support the reasons you give for wanting to become a barrister, or being interested in a particular practice area, with concrete examples from your previous experiences," says Mark Harper, a barrister who sits on the recruitment committee at Kings Chambers in Manchester.

Other members of the profession advise students to "take advantage of the excellent spelling and grammar check facilities found on most modern computers" and emphasise the bad impression created by "coffee marks on application forms" and "crumbs enclosed within the envelope".

And what about the temptation to re-brand that unfortunate 'C' in GCSE maths to something that pupillage committees may find more pleasing on the eye?

"The skill of a lawyer is to create a convincing case from whatever material you have. Lying on a form goes against that spirit and, if it gets found out, it could cut short a promising career," says Ruth Barber, a solicitor-advocate at Frisby & Co.

Interview tips

We've all heard the obvious 'be yourself!' platitudes. But how do you really nail an interview?

- If you don't know the answer to something, admit it. Three Temple Gardens' Trimble says: "The interviewers aren't always testing your knowledge – they may be checking to see if you are confident enough to confess ignorance to something you wouldn't be expected to know."

- Don't try to sound too intellectual. Rebecca Vanstone, a pupil at Goldsmith Chambers, says: "The second-round interview that I was successful in included a presentation on a topic of the candidate's choice. I did mine on how to make the perfect cup of tea."

- Do your homework. John Hobson, a barrister at Garden Court North in Manchester, says: "Students wanting to work in publicly-funded areas need to show knowledge of the latest developments in government policy and be able to give convincing reasons as to why they want to practise in areas that are feeling a financial squeeze."

- Steer clear of period dress. William Waldron QC, chair of the pupillage committee at Exchange Chambers in Liverpool, says: "Male candidates, in particular, sometimes attempt to dress in a way they think is typical of a barrister. You will not emit a vibe of genuine self-confidence if you're wearing a three-piece suit with a watch fob."

- Think of some questions to ask them. Dean Williams, a BVC student at the College of Law, says: "At the end of each of the interviews I have attended, someone on the panel has always asked, 'Now, have you got any questions for us?' And I've always thought, "Oh no! I've forgotten to prepare any questions again!" and blurted out something slightly weird off the top of my head."

And if none of this works? Well, you could always try the old-school approach. Four Pump Court's Anthony Speaight QC reminisces: "My memory of getting a pupillage is very simple – paying my pupil-master 100 Guineas to be his pupil."

StudentsSpring2008