Linklaters Vacation Scheme Interview 2021
- By Jaysen
- Interview Experiences 2021 - 2022
- 3 Replies
A big thank you to this candidate for sharing their experience with the forum:
I interviewed virtually for Linklaters and found the experience overall very enjoyable! With it being virtual we were given a virtual q&a session a couple of days before the AC with grad recruitment answering any technical questions about the day and the vacation scheme. This was the only firm I’ve ever been interviewed at, so I think I’m very lucky with my experience/how welcoming Linklaters were! I only met one other candidate throughout the day but we were told that there were up to 10 in different groups and there was a spot for everyone.
The day overall was very long, and I think the times can change depending which group you’re in, but I started with my online assessment around 9.30. This lasted until about 11.15/11.30 then I had a break. After the break we had an informal q&a with a current trainee and others in your group which was so helpful in understanding what it was like to be a vac schemer and trainee at the firm! Following this I had a lunch break, then my HR interview then Partner Interview.
Online Assessment;
The online assessment was generally very similar to online advice. It included a small SJT, a reading comprehension on a contract and an e-tray exercise. My advice would be that the SJT and e-tray exercise do not take long at all so I would really focus on the reading comprehension part (this is where I made a mistake, I got worried about timings and made stupid mistakes on the comprehension because I was rushing)
Following this, you were given a case study with some time to process all the documents. After half an hour you were given a mock task that you had to complete which involved writing an email. My advice for this section is don’t stress too much about your legal knowledge. I had gone over basics (thanks so much TCLA) but as a non-law student, my knowledge was really basic. I would advise to follow the lay-out of other emails you were given such as how to start/end the document. Also, just make sure the document has headings and is clear in what your main points are and why you have chosen them.
HR interview;
The person who interviewed me was lovely, really a reflection of how nice everyone was throughout the day. She started by asking me why commercial law/why linklaters and specifically mentioned why law as I am a non-law grad! She then focused into competency questions such as teamwork, leadership, resilience etc… One that I hadn’t prepared for what is the biggest risk I’ve ever taken! My advice here is just to try stay calm and really think about your answers. A couple of times I had to take a minute or so to think about my answers, but my interviewer was completely understanding about this! Overall it felt very much like a conversation of them getting to know me. A lot of advice I had seen was they want you to succeed and I really did resonate with this. I genuinely felt that my interviewer was interested in me and the things I had done, especially because of their application process I had extra curricular's not on the application. They also explained the partner interview and gave me some tips on what to expect/ how to react .
Crisis email;
After the HR interview I was given a crisis email and 15 minutes to read and identify key issues/points to discuss. Again, and as with the case study, no legal knowledge is really needed. Commercial knowledge is very beneficial just to know about how businesses run and fit into the wider system but again, no real practice is need.
Partner Interview;
I had my partner (and managing associate) interview last in the day and I was given the option whether to discuss the case study or crisis email first. I decided to do crisis email first but the two components don’t relate to each other so you can do either. You were given your response to the case study/documents as well to refer to. This interview was very challenging, and I really thought I had failed it. The partner and managing associate really question you about everything you wrote and mine were experts in the sector that my case study was on! That said, they really helped me develop my answers and again as previous reviews have said, it felt like a seminar in that they were helping me to understand the case study in a new light. Overall it was a very intellectually challenging but also enjoyable interview- I came away with learning new skills. The interview also ended on basic why law/why Linklaters …
My main advice for this interview is; stay calm. I really do think they challenge you to see how you hold up under pressure. As long as you are logical in your reasoning then I think you will be fine. I told them I didn’t understand what they meant quite a few times, but I think they appreciated the honesty because I was then able to fully comprehend their point and answer the question fully.
Main advice;
My main advice is to practice competency questions, they don’t really ask anything too different to what is specified on the TCLA list so going through these is really helpful in creating a few scenarios you can draw upon! Also I think enthusiasm goes along way so find examples of why commercial law/ why Linklaters that you feel strongly about as it is much easier to come across as enthusiastic about the firm this way. Lastly, staying calm is key! I was so nervous beforehand but managed to stay calm and logical throughout all parts of the assessment. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification on the interview questions/what they are looking for.
Overall I really enjoyed the experience. I have no idea how it compares to other assessment days (it was my first one sorry) but in general everyone I encountered appeared to be invested in me, my interests, and helping me to succeed. The whole day was extremely well organised and welcoming! Also, grad recruitment said it would take a week to hear back but I heard the next day so be prepared for earlier feedback than advised!
I interviewed virtually for Linklaters and found the experience overall very enjoyable! With it being virtual we were given a virtual q&a session a couple of days before the AC with grad recruitment answering any technical questions about the day and the vacation scheme. This was the only firm I’ve ever been interviewed at, so I think I’m very lucky with my experience/how welcoming Linklaters were! I only met one other candidate throughout the day but we were told that there were up to 10 in different groups and there was a spot for everyone.
The day overall was very long, and I think the times can change depending which group you’re in, but I started with my online assessment around 9.30. This lasted until about 11.15/11.30 then I had a break. After the break we had an informal q&a with a current trainee and others in your group which was so helpful in understanding what it was like to be a vac schemer and trainee at the firm! Following this I had a lunch break, then my HR interview then Partner Interview.
Online Assessment;
The online assessment was generally very similar to online advice. It included a small SJT, a reading comprehension on a contract and an e-tray exercise. My advice would be that the SJT and e-tray exercise do not take long at all so I would really focus on the reading comprehension part (this is where I made a mistake, I got worried about timings and made stupid mistakes on the comprehension because I was rushing)
Following this, you were given a case study with some time to process all the documents. After half an hour you were given a mock task that you had to complete which involved writing an email. My advice for this section is don’t stress too much about your legal knowledge. I had gone over basics (thanks so much TCLA) but as a non-law student, my knowledge was really basic. I would advise to follow the lay-out of other emails you were given such as how to start/end the document. Also, just make sure the document has headings and is clear in what your main points are and why you have chosen them.
HR interview;
The person who interviewed me was lovely, really a reflection of how nice everyone was throughout the day. She started by asking me why commercial law/why linklaters and specifically mentioned why law as I am a non-law grad! She then focused into competency questions such as teamwork, leadership, resilience etc… One that I hadn’t prepared for what is the biggest risk I’ve ever taken! My advice here is just to try stay calm and really think about your answers. A couple of times I had to take a minute or so to think about my answers, but my interviewer was completely understanding about this! Overall it felt very much like a conversation of them getting to know me. A lot of advice I had seen was they want you to succeed and I really did resonate with this. I genuinely felt that my interviewer was interested in me and the things I had done, especially because of their application process I had extra curricular's not on the application. They also explained the partner interview and gave me some tips on what to expect/ how to react .
Crisis email;
After the HR interview I was given a crisis email and 15 minutes to read and identify key issues/points to discuss. Again, and as with the case study, no legal knowledge is really needed. Commercial knowledge is very beneficial just to know about how businesses run and fit into the wider system but again, no real practice is need.
Partner Interview;
I had my partner (and managing associate) interview last in the day and I was given the option whether to discuss the case study or crisis email first. I decided to do crisis email first but the two components don’t relate to each other so you can do either. You were given your response to the case study/documents as well to refer to. This interview was very challenging, and I really thought I had failed it. The partner and managing associate really question you about everything you wrote and mine were experts in the sector that my case study was on! That said, they really helped me develop my answers and again as previous reviews have said, it felt like a seminar in that they were helping me to understand the case study in a new light. Overall it was a very intellectually challenging but also enjoyable interview- I came away with learning new skills. The interview also ended on basic why law/why Linklaters …
My main advice for this interview is; stay calm. I really do think they challenge you to see how you hold up under pressure. As long as you are logical in your reasoning then I think you will be fine. I told them I didn’t understand what they meant quite a few times, but I think they appreciated the honesty because I was then able to fully comprehend their point and answer the question fully.
Main advice;
My main advice is to practice competency questions, they don’t really ask anything too different to what is specified on the TCLA list so going through these is really helpful in creating a few scenarios you can draw upon! Also I think enthusiasm goes along way so find examples of why commercial law/ why Linklaters that you feel strongly about as it is much easier to come across as enthusiastic about the firm this way. Lastly, staying calm is key! I was so nervous beforehand but managed to stay calm and logical throughout all parts of the assessment. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification on the interview questions/what they are looking for.
Overall I really enjoyed the experience. I have no idea how it compares to other assessment days (it was my first one sorry) but in general everyone I encountered appeared to be invested in me, my interests, and helping me to succeed. The whole day was extremely well organised and welcoming! Also, grad recruitment said it would take a week to hear back but I heard the next day so be prepared for earlier feedback than advised!
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