Matt Oliver
Matt is a former FTSE 100 lawyer and accredited career coach who founded Trainee Solicitor Surgery in 2009. He’s helped over 300 aspiring solicitors secure training contracts at top UK and US firms, drawing on 10 years of legal practice and 16 years of coaching expertise.
Matt shares free, trusted advice in his articles and offers expert one-on-one coaching for those who want tailored support from someone who has been on both sides of the process.
Posts
This new book for 2010 is written by Charlotte Harrison who is a senior lecturer at the University of Portsmouth. It is described as the essential guide for anyone considering a career as a solicitor in England & Wales, from the sixth former to those studying the LPC. The book considers each step of the…
You’ve secured the interview — now it’s time to convert in to a TC offer. This expert guide helps you overcome nerves, prepare with confidence, and ask questions that impress. You’ll also get insider tips on what to do during the interview to stay calm and stand out.
Stop memorising endless Q&As. This essential guide shows you which questions really matter – how to craft authentic, flexible answers that make a strong impression. Learn how top applicants prepare (and the common mistakes that lead to rejection).
Competition for training contracts has never been more fierce than it is today. So, unless you are an applicant with an Oxbridge double first, rowing captain and chairman of the debating society on your CV, you need to understand what firms are looking for and seek to demonstrate as much of it as you can.…
Before applying for solicitor training contracts it’s important to know that law firms come in all shapes and sizes and undertake all manner of different legal work for an extensive range of clients. Research is Key For wannabe trainee solicitors it is vitally important to fully research the different types of firms and organisations which…
Assessment centres are often the final hurdle between you and a TC offer. This essential guide is packed with advice for every test and exercise – from Watson Glaser to group tasks to in-tray exercises. You’ll also find links to the best practice resources so you can be fully prepared and beat the competition.
A CV for your training contract application may turn out to be one of the most important pieces of work you ever produce. You should see it as a piece of work that you take pride in rather than something that needs to be thrown together to enable you to submit a job application. The…
Law vacation schemes are a must for any aspiring solicitor who has yet to secure a training contract. Ideally, a strategy for getting on to multiple vacation schemes must be considered at an early stage of your studies. Law Vacation Schemes – The Basics There are many formal vacation schemes run by the large to…
Our Essential Guide Here you will find our essential guide to passing the Watson Glaser critical thinking test when applying for training contracts and vacation schemes. It also includes sample questions and answers that reflect typical scenarios and the different skills required. Critical thinking skills are now assessed by more and more law firms as…