CMS Application Question

[Hanna Mirza]

Hi there,

I would greatly appreciate if someone could clarify what the focus of this question is:

Focusing on one or more of CMS’s sectors, what challenges and opportunities for growth do you see presenting themselves over the coming 12-24 months? (200 words)

Do I need to discuss the challenges and opportunities that CMS will face or do I need to discuss what the sector and CMS' clients will face? Or do I need to discuss all three? Given the limited word count, I want to be as precise as I can in answering this question.

Many thanks.

 

[Alice G]

Hi there,

I would greatly appreciate if someone could clarify what the focus of this question is:

Focusing on one or more of CMS’s sectors, what challenges and opportunities for growth do you see presenting themselves over the coming 12-24 months? (200 words)

Do I need to discuss the challenges and opportunities that CMS will face or do I need to discuss what the sector and CMS' clients will face? Or do I need to discuss all three? Given the limited word count, I want to be as precise as I can in answering this question.

Many thanks.

The focus is on a sector/s which is/are a focus for the firm. So I would probably, with 200 words, do one sector which is core to CMS and discuss the challenges and opportunities for that sector. Be as analytical as you can - this is a great question to show your commercial and business acumen

 

[Hanna Mirza]

Okay, thanks very much!

 

[Nij17]

The focus is on a sector/s which is/are a focus for the firm. So I would probably, with 200 words, do one sector which is core to CMS and discuss the challenges and opportunities for that sector. Be as analytical as you can - this is a great question to show your commercial and business acumen

Hi Alice,

That is really helpful! Could you please advise the best way to approach this question on CMS's application:

What does exceptional client service look like from a future facing lawyer? (200 words)

Do i need to list the skills a future facing lawyer should have to deliver exceptional client service? Would you talk about CMS in this question and what they are doing to deliver exceptional client service? Would really appreciate any help and advise on how to structure this if possible.

Thank you!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

It won’t necessarily just be a lawyers’ skills - it might be their attitude/approaches and other things like use of technology. I wouldn’t just list them either though - it will need to be a well structured and written answer rather than just a list of things.

you don’t have to explain what CMS are doing now - this question is about an individual lawyer rather than a firm as a whole. But when thinking about how you may frame your answer, you may want to think about what CMS values in their current future facing lawyers and how that particularly applies to client service.

 

[Nij17]

It won’t necessarily just be a lawyers’ skills - it might be their attitude/approaches and other things like use of technology. I wouldn’t just list them either though - it will need to be a well structured and written answer rather than just a list of things.

you don’t have to explain what CMS are doing now - this question is about an individual lawyer rather than a firm as a whole. But when thinking about how you may frame your answer, you may want to think about what CMS values in their current future facing lawyers and how that particularly applies to client service.

Thanks Jessica! initially i was thinking to save 60 or so words to talk about CMS and their initiatives to link it back to the firm and make my application more tailored but your advise helps clear that up. Instead of highlighting their initiatives, I will focus on the values they instill and explain their significance to client service as suggested!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thanks Jessica! initially i was thinking to save 60 or so words to talk about CMS and their initiatives to link it back to the firm and make my application more tailored but your advise helps clear that up. Instead of highlighting their initiatives, I will focus on the values they instill and explain their significance to client service as suggested!

The danger with these questions is that candidates just regurgitate the firm’s own words around the subject matter. It’s important for you to put your mark/opinion on this answer - if you have any views/opinions on what the answer should be, put them forward.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Should we say how we have displayed this? For example, being open to new technology I...

you don’t have to do this - the question isn’t asking for you to do this.

Some candidates do include it, but you have to be super careful that it doesn’t distract from actually answering the question and I think it needs to be super concise if you do it.

 

[CamilleL]

Hi everyone!

I am currently working on the application and I am struggling with this question: "How would you describe the relationship between law and business?"

Should we focus on commercial law or law in general? Plus, I always go back to client service when thinking about it and repeat some things I already mentioned in the question regarding the "future-facing lawyer".

I would very much appreciate if you could tell me what would be the best approach for this question.

Many thanks!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi everyone!

I am currently working on the application and I am struggling with this question: "How would you describe the relationship between law and business?"

Should we focus on commercial law or law in general? Plus, I always go back to client service when thinking about it and repeat some things I already mentioned in the question regarding the "future-facing lawyer".

I would very much appreciate if you could tell me what would be the best approach for this question.

Many thanks!

to me these are very different questions, asking for very different content. I wouldn’t expect there to be much (if any) cross over between these two questions.

One is asking how business and law work together basically (and why they do). And the other is asking to focus on what skills a lawyer should have in the future to be the best lawyer they can be.

 

[BFK]

It won’t necessarily just be a lawyers’ skills - it might be their attitude/approaches and other things like use of technology. I wouldn’t just list them either though - it will need to be a well structured and written answer rather than just a list of things.

you don’t have to explain what CMS are doing now - this question is about an individual lawyer rather than a firm as a whole. But when thinking about how you may frame your answer, you may want to think about what CMS values in their current future facing lawyers and how that particularly applies to client service.

I’m thinking of mentioning these points:
-The capabilities of future facing lawyers to be able to offer exceptional client service
-how a future facing lawyer will be a practice area specialists to offer exceptional client service
-how a future facing lawyer does more with clients like supporting initiatives which matter to them to solidify a relationship

which points are most relevant to the question?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I’m thinking of mentioning these points:
-The capabilities of future facing lawyers to be able to offer exceptional client service
-how a future facing lawyer will be a practice area specialists to offer exceptional client service
-how a future facing lawyer does more with clients like supporting initiatives which matter to them to solidify a relationship

which points are most relevant to the question?

1. You'll need to be specific about the capabilities are and why they are particularly important for a future facing lawyer (rather than just a lawyer now).
2. I don't know enough about how relevant this is to the firm in question, but I'd think about the dynamics of how you'd then have to work with other colleagues as likely a client isn't going to come to you with only specialist matters
3. Again, the more specific you can be here, the better.

 

[BFK]

Thank you

 

[aaizaazar]

The focus is on a sector/s which is/are a focus for the firm. So I would probably, with 200 words, do one sector which is core to CMS and discuss the challenges and opportunities for that sector. Be as analytical as you can - this is a great question to show your commercial and business acumen

Focusing on one of CMS’s sectors, what opportunities have arisen in the ‘new ways of working’ and current business climate?
What does this question actually mean? I am slightly confused on what to base the 200 word answer on for this question

 

[AvniD]

Focusing on one of CMS’s sectors, what opportunities have arisen in the ‘new ways of working’ and current business climate?
What does this question actually mean? I am slightly confused on what to base the 200 word answer on for this question

I think this question is asking you to analyse changes that have occurred in the past 1-2 years, potentially as a response to the pandemic. Consider the impact of things like working from home, using technology creatively, and the ways in which deals have occurred recently in the sector you analyse in your answer. Remember to also focus on the opportunities that have come out of these changes and what it has meant for the firm. Tagging @Jessica Booker for her thoughts as well!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I think this question is asking you to analyse changes that have occurred in the past 1-2 years, potentially as a response to the pandemic. Consider the impact of things like working from home, using technology creatively, and the ways in which deals have occurred recently in the sector you analyse in your answer. Remember to also focus on the opportunities that have come out of these changes and what it has meant for the firm. Tagging @Jessica Booker for her thoughts as well!

Completely agree - just make sure your answer is focused on one of CMS’s sectors - you can find them here: https://cms.law/en/cze/cms-job-opportunities/working-for-cms/experienced-lawyers/sector-groups

 

[hopefulfutureapprentice]

Hi,

Is anyone able to provide any pointers on the below question please?

Focusing on one of CMS’s sectors, which areas of law will present the greatest challenges and/or opportunities over the next 3 years?

Thank you in advance!