Thread by @TheOkonkwo_Esq, LONG THREAD Those who know better than me and who have better [...]

LONG THREAD

Those who know better than me and who have better understanding of the rubrics used in the recruitment processes in Top Law Firms in NG, have shared lots of advice on how to secure entry level jobs in these establishments. I will instead share a story.

In 2018, I was a young law graduate, fresh as a baby’s butt and just out of the law school. I had no internship experience, save for a two weeks stint with J. O. Fabunmi which was cut short by my NYSC Camp call-up.

What I did have was some experience in student leadership roles, mooting and other extracurricular activities plus tons of exuberance and naivety, and a little more pride than I needed. (Lesson: Internships and extracurriculars such as mooting are quiet important.-

They are not in any way overrated. They are important not so much because they make student's who undertake them so much more knowledgeable. It is what they indicate. Internships indicate familiarity with the corporate scene (for internships), mooting indicates willingness to -

apply self, student leadership indicates competence, some level of responsibility. They also all indicate some level of practical skills. In any case, to show something extra, when all things are equal and this goes a long way in the process.)

Not having had internships was not too much of a limiter for me since I had other indicators of practical capacity. But I assume having internship experience (perhaps with some top firms would have helped my cause.) I didn't have because I was barely aware of the need.

Now, I started applying to Law Firms considerably late (Lesson: apply as soon as you conclude Bar Exams or even before if you are seeking to be employed in a Top Law Firm in Lagos. Their "Trainee Associate" recruitment windows usually start shortly after the exams, around Sept.)

Luckily, I was still in time for some Top Tier Firm’s entrance tests, although I missed the window for a number of them. My first invitation for an entrance test, tested my appreciation of the task that was before me (that of securing a place with a Top Tier Law Firm).

We were almost 250 people that wrote the test. Maybe it was a 2018 thing. Maybe that’s how it always happens. It was crazy. I used to have elevated ideas of my employability, as I assumed I was above a lot of my peers in terms of what I could present to employers as indications -

of my capability. If the reality of my Law School Result (a 2.1) and the splurge of First classes that came from my year took some of that confidence away, the realization of how many people I would have to contend against for limited spaces chopped off much of the rest.

And it wasn't just that they were many. Much of those who made those tests were creme de la creme by entry level standards. The Moot/Mock Marauders and Dexterous Debaters from University Days, First Classes, Double First Classes, Double First Classes with foreign credentials -

Award winners from Law School, etc. I was faced with the reality of not being some unique specimen. I was just one of many, and there wasn't much to be done to stand out at this point.

(Lesson: If there is anything you can do as someone who still has the time i.e as a University Student to improve your chances against the very best of credentials, do it. If you don't, do everything you can to make the cut-off and earn that invitation for the tests.

Luckily, and as you will find, once you get into the test, what you did to earn you the invitation (credentials and all) may not matter as much.)

For some of the tests I wrote, I got called back. Others didn’t even send me a “fuck off” mail.

(Lessons: One, don’t expect politeness with these things. If you don't get a call back, take it that you are off. Follow up if you are into that kind of thing, otherwise take it in stride. It is not an indictment on your ability. The second lesson is, try to do well in the tests.

You will find that they are actually used. The ones I got called back for, I could almost tell I would be called back. They were mostly the ones with lots of questions on law. Given how much I read and knew for Bar Finals, I was hot for Law Questions.

I flunked many of the LSAT questions and GMAT questions though. Those tests that had lots of them didn't do me many favours. For one, I was barely aware that they would ask questions around LSAT and GMAT. Again, information deficit.

For another, I am not all that comfortable with Maths, while some of those LSAT questions are devils which you need more than just instinct for.) For one of those tests, I was among 38 people called back for a panel interview.

I like to think that I am good with interviews. Experience with Mooting (note), being a good conversationalist, my dressing (yes, that counts) and my confidence helped tons. For this particular interview though, I kind of sucked.

First, I had to come from NYSC Camp for the interview. Then due to a flexing hairstyle I made (to kill them in Camp), I had to cut skin to look formal. It was my first time in skin cut since I had choice over my hairstyles. I felt like an egg and lost much of my confidence.

I wasn't doing terribly anyways, until I was asked for my take on “political correctness (PC)” by one of the interviewers. For all my "wits", I had no idea what “political correctness” was. I tried to talk my way through it, but I will find that PC is a very specific issue.

And that it has almost nothing to do with politics. (Not sure what the lesson here is. Trying to talk your way around questions you don't know the answer to can signal ingenuity when they work out.

But again, owning up to what you don't know is a sign of responsibility and willingness to learn. Make your choice). Well, after not answering that question correctly, plus my lack of usual confidence due to my skin-cut, I felt my stock progressively fall in that interview room.

For the job I eventually got, I passed three stages of tests/interviews. (Lesson: Be prepared for stages. Those 200 plus applicants will have to be reduced organically and if you hope to be one of the last standing, be ready to have your range of abilities tested).

I wrote a test, had an interview and wrote an essay (essay writing anyone?).
There were some I didn't make also, due to Camp, Call to Bar and all that (Lesson: don't be afraid to ask for concessions and rescheduling when you can make it for any of the stages of the process.)

When I got my first offer/request letter, I was “overjoyed.” Luckily, Camp was still on, so I took it to camp and got posted directly to the Firm. (Lesson: The easiest way to navigate the complex issues around having to be rejected and reposted to the Firm where you have secured

- placement as a Corp Member, is to not experience it. Do what you have to get posted to the state of choice, Camp there, secure a request letter before end of camp and get posted directly, and save yourself weeks or months of stress).

I can’t remember why I started writing this, but I know that securing entry-level positions in Lagos, especially as a young Lawyer in this saturated market, can be tasking. A lot of people I know, really good minds, have struggled with this.

The first mistake you can make is to be uniformed or misinformed about the relevant processes or to have no idea of how some of the constituting aspects interact. Hopefully this helps somewhat.

Forgive the typos and sentence erros. I get impatient with proofreading when I'm not being paid for it. Also, when will Twitter start allowing editing

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