Application Process

At Linklaters, we offer a wide range of programmes and opportunities designed to help you take the next step in your legal career.

Whether you’re a student, graduate or career changer, you’ll find practical guidance on our application process, the skills and attributes we look for, and our current opportunities. You can also join our Talent Community for exclusive content, updates and reminders to help you prepare for your application and stay connected with Linklaters.

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Programmes

What we look for

What does it take to succeed at Linklaters? Our Success Framework brings together the skills, behaviours and qualities that help our people perform at their best and deliver for our clients.

We’re looking for people who are curious, collaborative and motivated to make an impact. People who take ownership, adapt to change and apply sound judgement to complex challenges. We also value the ability to learn quickly, communicate effectively and keep developing through new experiences.

Our Success Framework sets out what these qualities look like in practice. Keep them in mind throughout the application process, from completing your online assessment to meeting us at interview.

Our Success Framework

Collaboration

Builds effective working relationships by collaborating proactively and responsively with colleagues, adapting their approach in a fast-paced and changing environment to achieve collective outcomes.

Ownership & Proactivity

Takes accountability for allocated tasks while proactively identifying opportunities to contribute and learn, balancing independence with the humility to ask for guidance when needed.

Learning Agility

Demonstrates curiosity and the ability to learn quickly, actively seeking and applying feedback and asking thoughtful questions to challenge and develop their thinking.

Adaptability

Recognises changing contexts, client expectations and market dynamics, adjusting their approach to maintain effectiveness and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Motivation

Demonstrates a strong motivation to succeed, with a clear career focus, high personal standards and the drive to make an impact.

Execution Excellence

Applies technical knowledge and intellectual capability to deliver accurate, high-quality work efficiently and reliably, balancing attention to detail with the broader context and managing competing priorities effectively.

Critical Thinking & Judgement

Quickly assimilates and analyses information, understands the broader context and exercises sound judgement to solve problems and make effective decisions, including in high-pressure situations.

Resilience

Embraces challenges beyond their comfort zone, learning from setbacks and using these experiences to build confidence, knowledge and resilience.

Communication

Communicates clearly and effectively in both written and verbal forms, adapting their approach to the audience, context and purpose, including the use of language skills where appropriate.

The Process

Application Process

Our application process is straightforward and designed to give you a realistic insight into life as a trainee solicitor at Linklaters, while giving us the opportunity to learn more about you.

We’re looking for people with strong intellectual ability and an academic record to demonstrate it. You should be on track for, or have achieved, a 2:1 across all undergraduate modules, in any discipline, alongside AAA at A Level or equivalent.

Online Application Form

Complete a short online form covering your basic information, academics, work experience and extra-curricular activities. It should take no longer than 60 minutes to complete.

For the Making Links Programme, you’ll also submit a one-page cover letter outlining your motivations for applying to Linklaters, pursuing a career in commercial law and joining the programme.

The Linklaters Online Assessment

Next, you’ll take the Linklaters Online Assessment, which is based on our Success Framework. You’ll have five days from submitting your online application form to complete it.

Across three modules, you’ll gain a realistic insight into the role of a Linklaters trainee. The Online Assessment should take an hour to complete and we would recommend you review the preparation hub before starting - Cappfinity Preparation Hub. The Assessment does not have an overall or per question time limit, but the critical reasoning test element is time-recorded. This means that we take into account both accuracy and speed when scoring your responses. If you have a disability which causes you to require any reasonable adjustments, please email trainee.recruitment@linklaters.com to discuss.

Once submitted, you’ll receive a personalised feedback report highlighting your strengths and an area for development.

Preparing for Interviews

Phone/Video Interview: For Pathfinder and Making Links, the final stage of the application process is a short phone or video interview with a member of our Trainee Recruitment team. We’ll ask about your motivations for the programme, why you’re interested in Linklaters and a career in commercial law, as well as your understanding of the legal sector. You’ll also be asked competency-based questions exploring the skills and behaviours in our Success Framework.

Assessment Centre

Our Assessment Centre is designed to understand whether you have the skills, attributes and behaviours to succeed as a trainee solicitor at Linklaters.

The day begins with a written case study, followed by two interviews: a competency-based interview and a commercial interview. For both, you’ll meet with a Partner and Managing Associate. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet a current trainee and tour our London office.

To help you prepare, you’ll be invited to a virtual session with our Trainee Recruitment team. We’ll share practical guidance and tips, with plenty of time to ask questions ahead of the day.