There's an App for that

It's application season for us budding barristers, as the pupillage portal is near enough coming to its deadline day. But on the day these photos were taken, I was on my way to my BPTC Scholarship interview at my chosen Inn. Sadly, I was unsuccessful, but I try and see every disappointment as a blessing. Yes, I left empty-handed in relation to my primary purpose, however, I gained a wealth of knowledge on the interview process, my competition, and regained my drive for academic and professional success.

 Coat : Littlewoods Direct | Dress : H! by Henry Holland (Debenhams)
First advice I'd give is to suss your audience; I walked in feeling like a needle in a haystack. Everyone there was dressed in black (suits and tailored dresses) with the odd grey tossed among them, but nothing as daring as burnt orange I can assure you that. Although dress-code may be the last of your palava when preparing for an interview, comfort is key when trying to get your head in gear, and one way to ensure that is to dress the part.

 Bag : ZARA | Watch : Michael Kors | Pumps : H&M
Secondly, get as much interview practice and advice as you can. Silly old me, and my last-minute self, procrastinated making a call to my Barrister contacts until the day before my interview. Needless to say, it was too late to fully digest the advice I was given (also have a notepad and pen handy to take notes). I was a nervous wreck on the day of the interview as I over-thought the entire process, and put too much weight on their decision. Best thing to do the night before is get LOTS of rest, drink water, and do NOT try to retain any new information too soon before you kip. Drake's lyrics apply...PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! It is important to be aware of all possible outcomes to questions, and learn to compose yourself in a manner that reflects well to the panel.

While researching for advice from past applicants, I found a disappointing gap in the market. I want to address what can be expected in this post, so future applicants can be more prepared than I was. This is risky business as I've always tried to separate my blogger persona from my professional life, but as I was asked in my interview about my blog, I don't see why not?
1) Upon arrival, you speak to the receptionist who ticks your name off on the register and then hands you a 'preparation sheet' which lists instructions on what to expect.
2) You (in a group of six) are called out to follow a volunteer to a room away from the crowd at the entrance; in my case, we were escorted to the Inn library upstairs.
3) You choose (from a range of three topics) what legal area you'd like to focus on (I chose 'family law') and you are handed a sheet. The sheet contains a scenario with various legal issues involved, you are given 45 minutes to take notes.
4) You are escorted out of the room and dropped like pins (one-by-one) at the grand doors of your interview rooms, where you nervously wait to be called in.
5) A panel member (my Inn's panel consisted of 4 distinguished members of the legal profession) struggles to open the chamber door and beckons you in, then introduces you to the other panel members. Names and titles are stated, and you are informed of what each member will be asking and looking for from you.
6) a. Case Study. Not like discussed online, you will not be expected to 'moot' your argument/ opinion back to the panel, instead, they will ask direct closed questions to which you are expected to know the answers without flicking through to cross-check (I failed in THAT department due to nerves)
b. Application Form. Second panel member dissects your application form querying various details. DO research and do NOT rush through the form last-minute. DO NOT mention dependents like they are plagues. Yes, as africans we know those leech-like relatives suck us dry for all we are worth, however, the panel are not so sympathetic.
c. Aspirations. Be sure of what area of law you are passionate about and do not tailor-make your answer to please your crowd. Also, be sure to tailor-make all your philanthropic pursuits and other interests around your chosen field if speciality.
Most importantly, BE YOURSELF. Interviews are like a marketing convention and the main product is you. Allow your personality to shine through and be as charismatic as you naturally are, anything forced will inevitably hit a brick wall.

Onyxsta says...BLEURGH!! Its app season, so give great answers & back them up with sound reason. Xisses