In Part 2 of this special episode we are joined by Louise Carreras, Simon Reichwald, and Nigel Spencer, talent development experts in the legal sector. The guests share their insights on how students and early career lawyers can best develop – and demonstrate – “commercial awareness”. The team discuss what “commercial awareness” means in 2025, what employers are now looking for when you apply for a job, and the importance of building good habits to develop your readiness to succeed in the workplace. Louise, Simon and Nigel talk about how employers are now wanting people to demonstrate “work readiness”, and describe the daily behaviours which will demonstrate this capability in a work environment. Also discussed is how you can find examples of “work readiness” from your different previous experiences either whilst you are studying or in previous job roles. Finally, Louise talks about how employers review job applications and what they are seeking in the different recruitment exercises they design, giving tips on how the succeed with your job applications – and then thrive once you begin a job. Actions and resources for listeners:

· Explore one of the free “job simulations” at Forage – to demonstrate you are commercial, and “work ready” for the organization you selected, what skills do you think you need to demonstrate?
· Try one of the “Virtual Work Experience” programmes at Springpod – What did you learn about the organization? Did anything surprise you? What did you really like?
· Check the blog “Is commercial awareness really that important?” from law firm Shoosmiths. How many of the 5 tips listed there do you do already to develop your “commercial awareness”? Which tip could you do more of in the next month?

In Part 1 of this special episode we are joined by Louise Carreras, Simon Reichwald, and Nigel Spencer, talent development experts in the legal sector. The guests share their insights on how students and early career lawyers can best develop – and demonstrate – “commercial awareness”. The team discuss what “commercial awareness” means in 2025, what employers are now looking for when you apply for a job, and the importance of building good habits to develop your readiness to succeed in the workplace. Louise, Simon and Nigel talk about how employers are now wanting people to demonstrate “work readiness”, and describe the daily behaviours which will demonstrate this capability in a work environment. Also discussed is how you can find examples of “work readiness” from your different previous experiences either whilst you are studying or in previous job roles. Finally, Louise talks about how employers review job applications and what they are seeking in the different recruitment exercises they design, giving tips on how the succeed with your job applications – and then thrive once you begin a job.

Actions and resources for listeners:

· Explore one of the free “job simulations” at Forage – to demonstrate you are commercial, and “work ready” for the organization you selected, what skills do you think you need to demonstrate?
· Try one of the “Virtual Work Experience” programmes at Springpod – What did you learn about the organization? Did anything surprise you? What did you really like?
· Check the blog “Is commercial awareness really that important?” from law firm Shoosmiths. How many of the 5 tips listed there do you do already to develop your “commercial awareness”? Which tip could you do more of in the next month?

In this special episode we are joined by Adam Allegri and Flavio Cultrera Muñoz, Legal Counsel in the In-House legal team at Gensler, a global architecture, design, and planning firm. The guests share their insights on how students can succeed best in their first workplace experiences. We discuss how best to prepare, and then succeed in a first work role: questions you can ask, and the great daily habits and skills to build to help you to thrive in your first job.

Adam and Flavio talk about a range of areas to focus on: the importance of building networks, and making time for face-to-face meetings to learn from others. We also explore the power of observing experienced colleagues around you – helping you to make the best choices in terms of your style of communication or contribute to meetings and calls. How you “show up” on Day 1 is discussed, and there is a practical list of questions you should ask in advance of starting to maximise your chances of success. The episode also explores challenges including how you can work effectively with multiple supervisors or master working in an open-plan working environment. Lastly, Adam and Flavio share their thoughts on the critical point of being hungry to learn about the organisation you have joined, its values and purpose, and what drives its success – and never forgetting that above all you will succeed by building great relationships across different teams as you develop your role.

Actions and resources for listeners:
· After listening to the episode, explore the Gensler website – if you were starting a job there in two weeks’ time, what questions would you ask your “Buddy” or “Mentor” on Day 1?
· Review this checklist of 13 tips: check the list before you start a role – and then after you begin your role, check it again to see how well you are doing on the key aspects, giving yourself a score out of 10!