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Interview Experiences 2019 - 2020 Cycle
Allen & Overy Interview 2019 - 2020
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<blockquote data-quote="Jaysen" data-source="post: 26297" data-attributes="member: 1"><p><strong>Please state the month/year you interviewed at the firm.</strong></p><p></p><p>November 2019</p><p></p><p><strong>Please specify what the interview was for.</strong></p><p></p><p>Training Contract 2023</p><p></p><p><strong>Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings.</strong></p><p></p><p>9.45am Arrival</p><p>10-11am: Case Study Interview (with partner)</p><p>11.15am - 12.15pm: Situational Judgement Interview (with senior associate)</p><p>12.15-12.45pm: Trainee Tour of the Office</p><p></p><p><strong>Please provide a summary of each assessment on the day with approximate timings.</strong></p><p></p><p>Case Study Interview:</p><p>You are given between five and ten minutes to read through a fifteen-page case study of an M&A transaction. The materials were standard: company balance sheets, instructions from your partner, any any relevant information (e.g. concerning leases, outstanding loans). I was then interviewed for around an hour. I had to summarise the information: What was the transaction about? Why would the company be undertaking it? But the most consequential, and difficult, part of the assessment was to explore and resolve the various commercial and legal issues which arose. For example, questions may have concerned the effect of the lease arrangements on the transaction or the effect of patents on the value of the target.</p><p></p><p>Situational Judgement Interview:</p><p>A&O have moved away from traditional competency interviews, and instead utilise situational judgement interviews. In a way, this assessment is comparable to the Situational Judgement Test candidates must pass in order to have their application reviewed. The questions largely centred around typical trainee problems and the appropriate responses to these. After being provided with the scenario and giving your answer, the interviewer would then provide follow-up questions, which may for example alter the situation and ask whether this would change your reaction.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Please list any interview questions you were asked.</strong></p><p></p><p>Case Study Interview</p><p>As this was a case study interview, I can only offer general questions: </p><p>- Calculate the value of the target company</p><p>- What are the potential legal issues over the target's patents?</p><p>- What are the commercial problems associated with the target's leases?</p><p></p><p>Case Study Interview: </p><p>Again, these were posed within the context of a specific scenario, and therefore I can only offer general questions.</p><p>- When have you been innovative?</p><p>- When have you shown cultural awareness?</p><p>- When have you worked as part of a team?</p><p></p><p><strong>What is your best advice for each aspect of the assessment on the day? Please break this down for each assessment. This can include advice for preparation, as well as tips for the day.</strong></p><p></p><p>Preparation:</p><p>I did three main things to prepare. First, I read the popular books both on commercial awareness and interview preparation (Jake Schogger's handbooks and Christopher Stoakes's books). In a way similar to an exam, I then made flashcards of key terms and concepts and would memorise them. Second, I did example consultancy interview case studies - as their format is analogous to that of A&O's case study, especially in the identification of commercial issues. Third, and this may be more difficult depending on your university and year, etc., but I spoke to other students who had previously been interviewed at A&O for general advice.</p><p></p><p>Case Study Interview:</p><p>I found this interview the hardest. This was largely due to its intentionally pressured environment. The best way to prepare is to do examples (as noted above) and understand how potential commercial and legal issues could be resolved (e.g. through warranties, indemnities, etc. - these are all covered in Schogger's handbooks). </p><p></p><p>Situational Judgement Interview:</p><p>For this interview ensure that you have a wealth of examples on which to draw. Also, consider A&O's testing rubric: What are their values? What do they look for in future trainees? It would be fruitful for prospective applicants to attend one of the firm's open days, as they outline their criteria specifically at them. </p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Were you successful?</strong></p><p></p><p>Yes</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Jaysen, post: 26297, member: 1"] [B]Please state the month/year you interviewed at the firm.[/B] November 2019 [B]Please specify what the interview was for.[/B] Training Contract 2023 [B]Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings.[/B] 9.45am Arrival 10-11am: Case Study Interview (with partner) 11.15am - 12.15pm: Situational Judgement Interview (with senior associate) 12.15-12.45pm: Trainee Tour of the Office [B]Please provide a summary of each assessment on the day with approximate timings.[/B] Case Study Interview: You are given between five and ten minutes to read through a fifteen-page case study of an M&A transaction. The materials were standard: company balance sheets, instructions from your partner, any any relevant information (e.g. concerning leases, outstanding loans). I was then interviewed for around an hour. I had to summarise the information: What was the transaction about? Why would the company be undertaking it? But the most consequential, and difficult, part of the assessment was to explore and resolve the various commercial and legal issues which arose. For example, questions may have concerned the effect of the lease arrangements on the transaction or the effect of patents on the value of the target. Situational Judgement Interview: A&O have moved away from traditional competency interviews, and instead utilise situational judgement interviews. In a way, this assessment is comparable to the Situational Judgement Test candidates must pass in order to have their application reviewed. The questions largely centred around typical trainee problems and the appropriate responses to these. After being provided with the scenario and giving your answer, the interviewer would then provide follow-up questions, which may for example alter the situation and ask whether this would change your reaction. [B]Please list any interview questions you were asked.[/B] Case Study Interview As this was a case study interview, I can only offer general questions: - Calculate the value of the target company - What are the potential legal issues over the target's patents? - What are the commercial problems associated with the target's leases? Case Study Interview: Again, these were posed within the context of a specific scenario, and therefore I can only offer general questions. - When have you been innovative? - When have you shown cultural awareness? - When have you worked as part of a team? [B]What is your best advice for each aspect of the assessment on the day? Please break this down for each assessment. This can include advice for preparation, as well as tips for the day.[/B] Preparation: I did three main things to prepare. First, I read the popular books both on commercial awareness and interview preparation (Jake Schogger's handbooks and Christopher Stoakes's books). In a way similar to an exam, I then made flashcards of key terms and concepts and would memorise them. Second, I did example consultancy interview case studies - as their format is analogous to that of A&O's case study, especially in the identification of commercial issues. Third, and this may be more difficult depending on your university and year, etc., but I spoke to other students who had previously been interviewed at A&O for general advice. Case Study Interview: I found this interview the hardest. This was largely due to its intentionally pressured environment. The best way to prepare is to do examples (as noted above) and understand how potential commercial and legal issues could be resolved (e.g. through warranties, indemnities, etc. - these are all covered in Schogger's handbooks). Situational Judgement Interview: For this interview ensure that you have a wealth of examples on which to draw. Also, consider A&O's testing rubric: What are their values? What do they look for in future trainees? It would be fruitful for prospective applicants to attend one of the firm's open days, as they outline their criteria specifically at them. [B]Were you successful?[/B] Yes [/QUOTE]
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