Hello!
I've quoted a post below that might assist in structuring your answer more generally. In terms of having something unique - the question isn't really asking about whether you have an extraordinary quality or a one-of-a-kind story. CMS will want to see that you've thought about how you would contribute to their culture, clients, or working style.
Since you already have paralegal experience at Magic Circle firms, that's a really strong foundation! You could frame your impact around the following ideas:
- Bringing a client-focused mindset: you could talk about how your experience has taught you to anticipate client needs, work efficiently under pressure, and contribute to smooth transactions or case management.
- Offering an international perspective: as an international student, you bring cross-cultural awareness and adaptability, which are both really valuable at a global firm such as CMS.
- Contributing to teamwork and innovation: as CMS puts a lot of emphasis on collaboration and forward-thinking legal services, you could mention wanting to contribute by helping the firm deliver practical, tech-driven solutions, etc.
You definitely don't need a world-changing story - just show self-awareness, enthusiasm, and a genuine understanding of CMS's values. Make sure to back up each example with references to your previous experiences, so that they can see how you have demonstrated these skills and traits before.
I hope that assists - best of luck with the application!
Hey!
That's a great question, and it can definitely feel open-ended! If I was approaching this question, I would think about it in two ways:
1. Personal Contribution - what unique strengths, experiences, or insights would you bring to the firm? For example, would you help foster collaboration, or do you bring in a global outlook?
2. Overall Impact - how does your contribution tie into CMS's wider goals and values? If the firm has a focus on innovation, you might discuss wanting to support the firm in delivering innovative solutions to clients.
It doesn't have to be something 'grand' - you could even focus on how you'd like to make a positive difference in your team or with clients, which shows self-awareness and motivation. I would make sure to link your answer back to both your personal qualities and CMS's culture.
Your answer could follow a structure such as:
1. Start with your motivation - why CMS? What about the firm has motivated you to apply there?
2. Discuss your strengths - highlight the qualities and skills that you gained from previous experiences that would allow you to make an impact.
3. Link this to the impact - show how these strengths translate into a positive contribution at CMS. This could be on a team level (e.g. supporting colleagues), on a client level (e.g. innovative thinking), or on a firm-wide level (e.g. championing diversity or sustainability).
4. Conclude - tie it back to the kind of professional you hope to become at CMS and the difference you'd like to make in the long run.
I hope that helps
