Your application and interview

We receive a high volume of applications, so it’s important that you make yours stand out. And if you come for an interview, you’ll need to stand out too. Here are some tips.

Your application

Understand what we’re looking for

Get to know the key skills we require in our applicants. Then think of experiences or examples in your life that demonstrate these skills. Read the ‘What we’re looking for’ section for more details.

Tell us your work experience

Use examples of work you’ve done, either on another legal placement or in any other job. Think about the skills you gained and how you could transfer them to working at Burness.

Show your experience of life

We look for academic excellence, but we also want to recruit people who have had a well-rounded experience of life. Think what you have been involved in at University apart from studying – we’re keen to hear about all types of examples.

Take your time

Don’t rush your application. We use this to gather information about your key skills – and also see if you have good attention to detail. Before you submit your application, make sure you have read it over carefully and focused on the points we’ve asked for. If your application is successful, we’ll invite you to attend aptitude tests and then hopefully on to an interview.

Your interview

Be prepared

Read through the 'What we’re looking for' section of the site and use it to anticipate what kind of questions you could be asked. Think of examples you could use to best demonstrate the skills we’re looking for; you can bring notes of these examples to the interview. University careers advisors can help you in preparing for interviews and many offer practice sessions.

Do your research

Take time to have a knowledge and understanding of Burness and Commercial Law in Scotland. Other websites you could refer to gain further knowledge about us are: www.chambersandpartners.com and www.legal500.com

Make a good impression

Dress appropriately. If you are in doubt as to what to wear, please contact a member of the HR team. And take the opportunity to share your positive attributes with us. Remember – we only invite 10 to 15 % of applicants to interview, so you have already impressed us.