Training Contract Interviews: Nail Your Garms Now

Jul 03, 2015

Written By Sofia Gymer, Editor, AllAboutLaw.co.uk

The legal sector is renowned for its high-end dress sense. ‘Suits’, ‘Silk’ - all sounds pretty fashion-orientated, doesn’t it? In order to prove that you’re not only a 1st class student but also an A-grade fashionista, it is imperative to impress them with your audacious garms.

Clothing

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." - Coco Chanel

Employers are looking for sharp and innovative candidates. Suited and booted? Please, stop. Conformity is sickening and shows lack of imagination. What potential do you have to find unique and convoluted legal loopholes if the only clothes you could think to wear were the ones you saw everyone else wearing?

“Baaaaaaaa” - That’s the sound of you as a sheep.

Think bright colours. Think pan-cultural. Think casual. You don’t want to come across as desperate - nobody likes needy people.

“Is he really wearing that Batik shirt? My God, hire that man.” – All Future Employers

Hair

“Samson got his strength from his hair, and so you shall get your training contract” - Anon

The Man-Bun

It’s a timeless classic. Festival chic and oh-so-with-the-times, this never fails to impress even the most po-faced partner.

Pigtails

Ladies, you know this look is cute. There was a reason your mum plaited your hair in lower school: to give you the power to wrap everyone around your little finger.

Headwear

If your hair’s looking a bit naff, or worse, immemorable, opt for some snazzy headwear.

The Backwards-Hat

A known deal-clincher. Once the interviewer sees this they’ll know you’re a cool cat, and at the end of the day, Law is about reputation. For those who are unfamiliar with this term, this is a baseball cap facing backwards at a jaunty yet effortless angle. Preferably repping a vintage sports logo, your faded school crest, or even better: unbranded.

The Bucket Hat

If you’re not feeling the backwards hat, a personal favourite of Rebecca Pearson (Suits) is the bucket hat. Floral. Tropical. Classic red. She’s got them all. They’re stacked in her wardrobe just for times like this.

Body Art

As aforementioned, reputation and memorability are essential. Traditionally, piercings and tattoos were frowned upon in legal circles, but times change and you have to move with them.

If you’ve got a couple from when you were travelling make sure they are visible, and if you don’t have any, maybe think about getting one. It demonstrates your adventurous side and your alternative ways of thinking. A septum piercing draws attention to the face, so that’s a great way to catch their eye.

Shoes

Last but definitely not least, the shoes. This is where you seal the deal. In the words of Monroe: “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.”

This year is all about the technical footwear. If you smash this one, it’s quite likely you’ll be fighting off date invitations as well as vacation scheme offers. The pinnacle of technical footwear is, of course, a pair of Vibram Barefoot Fivefingers.

Don’t know what they are? Google and be amazed.

Minimalist, practical and stylish; these shoes prove that you’re ready to spring into action at any given moment, as well as making a big fat statement.

Good luck out there! Remember: eat diamonds for breakfast and shine all day xox

**Disclaimer: if you want real advice on how to prepare for a training contract interview, click here .

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