Training contract applications rocket as vacancies plummet
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The number of applications per training contract position has rocketed by 150 per cent this year, sending competition for training contracts in an already tight recruitment market soaring.
Law firms are receiving an average of 130 applications per trainee position this year compared with an average of 52 in 2008, according to research from Sweet & Maxwell.
At the same time, figures from the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) have revealed that vacancies in the legal sector have plummeted by over 19 per cent this year.
While the figures are stark, Baker & McKenzie graduate recruitment partner Vincent Keaveny said they are not surprising given the retrenchment in the financial services industry.
“It’s clearly going be incredibly difficult to come by interview slots and it’s also going to be a challenge to screen all the applications,” he said.
“It’s going to be a case of an embarrassment of riches because it’s going to be much more difficult to find the right candidates from a higher number of applications.”
Orrick graduate recruitment partner Simon Cockshutt said the findings show that applicants are applying to a greater number of firms in a bid to “spread their bets”.
He said: “Many firms have put recruitment plans on hold, or scaled back for the moment, so there are fewer training contracts for probably more candidates than were applying in 2008.”
Although the deadline for training contract applications at most law firms end in July, DLA Piper graduate recruitment executive Claire Evans said she has seen an increase in applications for vacations schemes.
She said: “We’ve seen a steady increase in applications over the last couple of years, and our summer scheme application numbers this January were up by about 15 per cent on last year.”
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Readers' comments (24)
Metallica | 6-Jul-2009 10:14 am
I feel for graduates these days. I just hope recruiters will not give candidates a hard time in interviews in the future should a candidate not secure a job in the coming months.
Still there are opportunities out there. That's important.
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Anonymous | 6-Jul-2009 11:26 am
To say that the number of applications has 'rocketed' because there are more applications per vacancy is a little dubious, particularly when followed by the stat that vacancies have dropped nearly 20%!
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Sonisphere | 6-Jul-2009 11:29 am
Metallica, I have read several of your comments and hope to gain some insight from you. I remember you writing that you received a 2:2 yet landed a training contract with a city firm. You must have had some extra curricular activities that were miraculous, no? what aside from the academics is really important. Any thoughts are much appreciated.
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Metallica | 6-Jul-2009 12:31 pm
Cheers Sonisphere! Much appreciated.
I made clear to the recruiters that my recent work experience was more a reflection of my abilities than my grades obtained years ago.
My paralegal experience was vital. What I achieved in that time really set me apart and proved my grades should be disregarded.
People will tell you that you're not good enough. Even in a CV clinic, Ashurts grad recruitment guy said I will never get a TC in the City so i should look elsewhere. Belief in your own ability is important.
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Anonymous | 6-Jul-2009 2:59 pm
@ anonymous: can you not do maths!?
19% drop in places and 150% increase in apps per place so how can you say apps havent gone up
2008: 100 places = 5,200 apps
2009: 81 places = 10,530 apps
Apps have, roughly using the stats, doubled. And recruiting hasnt closed yet so its likely theyll have tripled overall
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Daniel | 6-Jul-2009 3:23 pm
Maybe the number of applicants per vacancy is so high because most applicants are applying to as many firms as they possibly can ... not because the actual number of law graduates has increased?
I think that before coming to conclusions, the statistics should be analysed properly.
If there are not enough training contracts perhaps the SRA should re-consider the training requirements !!!!!
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Metallica | 6-Jul-2009 3:35 pm
I think the numbers have increased because a lot of people who wanted to go into investment banking, for example, realise that option is not safe. So they are opting for what they perceive is a safe career option - law. The number of people doing the GDL has rocketed, so not surprising the number of TC applications as well.
I think that's why law grads trying to get TCs do not like non-law grads encroaching on their apparent territory.
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sonia - msg to metallica | 6-Jul-2009 10:39 pm
metallica,
i really commend you for your determination and for getting a tc with a 2:2.
i'm on track for a 2:1 and hopefully if I pull my socks up next year, I can get a 1st however i really flopped my A-levels & its really holding me back coz most city firms want a minimum of 3 B's.
i really need your advice, what can i do to prove that i'm a worthy candidate?
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Baby Farks Mageezak | 7-Jul-2009 8:41 am
"2008: 100 places = 5,200 apps
2009: 81 places = 10,530 apps"
Those numbers are a bit dubious given that even the biggest and most well known firms only ever received a maximum of two thousand applications in the last few years.
It would be much more useful if every firm published how many applications they've received.
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Anonymous | 7-Jul-2009 10:16 am
On the subject of the maths, I think if one were to say “The number of applications per training contract position has rocketed by X per cent this year” the reader would assume a multiplicative increase. If last year it was 52 and this year is was 130, then the increase is 250% (52 by 2.5 equal 130). Since 130 minus 52 is 78, one could say that “The number of applications per training contract position has rocketed from last years total, to last years total plus an additional 150% this year.” But only a lawyer would say something as convoluted as that.
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