Before committing yourself to a career at the practising Bar, it is wise to get an insight into what a barrister actually does. The best way to do this is by undertaking work experience in the form of "mini-pupillage". These usually last a week, in which you might be reading papers, discussing cases, shadowing a barrister and attending court. As well as helping you decide whether life as a barrister would really suit you, mini-pupillages will also expose you to legal areas in which you might like to specialise.
 
Some chambers require applicants to undertake a mini-pupillage at their chambers if you wish to be considered for full pupillage there at a later date. Others may include assessment within the mini-pupillage as part of their selection criteria, which may require a piece of written work to be completed as part of the assessment. After undertaking a mini-pupillage you should be able to demonstrate what you have learnt in terms of skills, experience and career direction, and be able to use this to your advantage within application forms and in interviews.