* Give evidence. Anyone can say he or she wants to be a barrister; you need to prove it. Demonstrate your commitment to law through mooting, debating, pro bono advocacy and mini-pupillages.

* Consider specialising. If you have identified preferred areas of practice, show your interest is genuine with relevant work experience. If media law appeals, work for a newspaper or radio station. If interested in human rights, volunteer with an NGO.

* Be realistic. Assess the calibre of a set’s previous applicants by looking at junior tenants’ CVs online. Pitch yourself at the right level. If they all have starred firsts and you do not, consider whether your other skills are sufficient to bridge the gap.

* Research, revise, rethink. Few candidates are offered interviews. If you are one of the lucky few, prepare rigorously. Treat interviews as if they were exams and revise chambers’ practice areas. Practise talking about topical legal issues and arguing against propositions in which you believe. Think about intelligent ways to answer the predictable questions: why the Bar, why this set?

* Get a life. Chambers are looking for well-rounded applicants with whom they can get on. Spend time doing something you enjoy.

The authors are pupils at Littleton Chambers and 5 Essex Court respectively

Times Recommends

• Are top lawyers worth their huge fees?
• Solicitor forced to retire claims 'ageism'
• Drug case failure may be last straw for SFO