"I recently started a training contract at a smallish London firm; it's not a 'name', so to speak, but the quality of work it does isn't bad and it has some decent clients. Over the course of the TC I would hope to spend some time doing some corporate/commercial work in addition to commercial property.

"I always held out hope of training at a large City firm but, like so many people in recent years, unfortunately I didn't get a break. Like 90% of applicants, my qualifications are good, I went to a solid university and I have some varied work and life experience, but clearly nothing that made me really stand out.

"I would like to know what I can do now, and during my TC, to position myself for a move to a bigger firm on or after qualification? Or, indeed, to try to get a job in a foreign office? Am I being unrealistic, or is it something which, if I play my cards right, I could line myself up for over the next two years?

"Any advice would be greatly appreciated, particularly in respect of working abroad."