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Search results

  1. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    For video interviews, make sure your setup is quiet and professional, speak clearly using the STAR method, and maintain eye contact with the camera to show confidence. For situational judgement tests, trust your instincts, prioritise ethical and collaborative responses, and stay consistent with...
  2. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    It’s recommended to review, refresh, and redraft: Update based on new experiences. Benchmarks may change year to year. A redraft always improves quality.
  3. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Do feel free to adapt and review your previous application. . My advice is that A). A lot happens in a year so updating is important. B). We review our benchmark each year, so when talent increases the benchmark could be higher, C). A Re-draft will always improve something, even if its already good!
  4. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    You're welcome to submit your application in the format that best reflects your experience and personal style. If you have a significant number of experiences to include, particularly where some may be less directly relevant, it’s fine to group them. Just be sure to do so effectively.
  5. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi there - I would definitely cover the skills in your detail as even similar experiences might have vastly different skills. However, I would back up the level of skill with the experience. When submitting your experience the information should be relevant to the job you are applying too. So...
  6. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi there - This is an "Ask me anything" of our Early careers team so no trainees on the thread sadly. however I can say that both routes are suitable for all candidates regardless of background. The only thing to bear in mind are any restrictions to working in the UK. A Vacation scheme is...
  7. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi There - If you have a single resit prior to applying then this would not affect your chances. Anyone with multiple fails we would suggest gets in-touch and we can discuss. With the video interviews, we are really interested in the content of your answer. However, there will be some other...
  8. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Thanks for your message – yes, you’ve understood it correctly. Our groups are predominantly industry or sector focused. While some seats may involve a mix of work, each trainee seat will have a focus of Transaction/Contentious. Within each group, there are subgroups that Trainees choose from...
  9. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi there - We see ourselves as a global firm, with a strong presence across numerous jurisdictions—not just in the United States. This international mix allows us to operate in a more blended and collaborative way. From my personal experience, the culture here is fantastic. Regardless of level...
  10. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi there - A few bits to cover here so will speak more broadly. You ask about BD and your leadership roles previously. For the application I would make sure you really focus on the role you are applying to. This is as a Trainee. If you make sure to always come back to the question being asked...
  11. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    I would always advise bullet points. With work experience the detail is important, not the style. So focus on the skills gained and tangible "facts". Rather than too many opinions and superfluous adjectives
  12. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi there. There are a few bits that I believe make us stand out. For our work approach - we are industry focused. So we have a lot of cross group collaboration. For welcoming nature - I think our Professional SQE is a unique experience in that you join the firm around a year before the TC and...
  13. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    My best advice is to keep regularly up-to-date with the firm. You can do this with their social media, industry news and website. This will mean when you get onto an AC you will have a more developed understanding of the firm. Rather than just the snap shop view if you start your research near...
  14. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi there - Congrats on last year, its competitive to get to each stage. Do feel free to adapt and review your previous application. . My advice is that A). A lot happens in a year so updating is important. B). We review our benchmark each year, so when talent increases the benchmark could be...
  15. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi There - Yes of course. the entry requirement is a 2:1 or above in any discipline. We have a lot of non-law applications and make sure the process is equally fair for those candidates.
  16. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi there - Yes we do. Law if a common career changer route and we have a range of people on our TCs. The commercial awareness and practical skills you will bring from work experience will also hopefully be an advantage to some of the application process.
  17. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi There - Whilst we do review the applications as they arrive we are not going to allocate the spaces on Vacation schemes until we have reviewed them all, so please don't worry.
  18. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi there - We don't have any Trainees on today but I can share some info from the conversations I've had. I know they like the responsibility level they are given from the start. They also like the range of work we receive. A big part of choosing a firm would be the alignment with the...
  19. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi There - During our final round, our interviews are designed to test more technical skills (These aren't legal skills though, so non-law can succeed just as well). For these interviews I would try to look at a few legal docs, such as your phone contract, and try and challenge yourself with...
  20. RikPalmer-ReedSmith

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hi There, for our Direct TC application the only face-to-face element would be the assessment centre which is the final stage and will be around half a day. For everything else you can complete virtually. With regards to adjustments, due to the nature of the assessments (e.g including group...

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