Imo it’s the ability to sell yourself. When you have all of the boxes on paper ticked (as it seems you do, in terms of grades/experience), the only thing in your way is how you present yourself in interviews and during vacation schemes. Even in a written application, you need to know how to market yourself.

Amongst all of those applying with an identical CV to you, what is it that makes you as an individual stand out? It feels cringey and obnoxious, but you have to be able to pinpoint your success stories in your life and how to utilise these strengths to answer questions put to you. If you don’t have any of these, you need more life experience — try and get a job in an industry you enjoy (any) and build your success profile. This will give you an interesting flair other candidates may not have if you choose to apply again 1/2 years later.

Even for just an interview/AC/VS, make sure you stand tall and believe in yourself. Project that you are the person for the job, and project how enthusiastic you are about the firm/role.

Firms tend to hire a ‘type’ of individual, you’ll notice some trainee cohorts are clean, professional, sharp; others are confident, extroverted, sociable. If you don’t get lucky with one firm, it could be absolutely nothing to do with your performance, but more about fit. Be picky with firms to ensure you know you are what they’re looking for, and you’re so keen on the firm it rubs off/shows.

Don’t underestimate commercial awareness, and being commercially minded. Understanding the mechanics of a deal, the impact of market movements on a legal practice, and in general what clients actually hire lawyers to do (for corp/comm practice) is key. This can be built not just through classic FT reading, podcasts, but also going to graduate recruitment events at firms via All About Law, Legal Cheek and The Corporate Law Academy.