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Allen & Overy Interview 2019 - 2020
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<blockquote data-quote="Jaysen" data-source="post: 26301" data-attributes="member: 1"><p><strong>Please state the month/year you interviewed at the firm.</strong></p><p></p><p>January 2020</p><p></p><p><strong>Please specify what the interview was for.</strong></p><p></p><p>Summer Vacation Programme 2020 - Middle East</p><p></p><p><strong>Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings.</strong></p><p></p><p>I arrived at the Dubai office for 9:30am and was taken to the room, where interviews were to take place. I was then greeted by a member of the graduate recruitment, where I was told about the structure of the assessment day and two exercises I will have to do</p><p></p><p>After around 30mins, a senior associate and a member of HR arrived. they introduced themselves and explained how what competency interview entails. This interview lasted for around 1hr and I was asked a variety of competency questions and forward-based scenario questions (similar to an SJT-style test). The majority of the talking was done by the senior associate and HR was, for the majority of the interview, recording my responses.</p><p></p><p>I assume they were following a script. I was asked a total of 5 forward-based scenario questions e.g. you are working on deal X, but you are suddenly told by a partner to switch to a different project, how would you react and what would you say?</p><p></p><p>The senior associate will probe you further on your answers. You will also be expected to give an example of when you have encountered such a scenario in your legal/non-legal work experiences (STAR technique would be helpful here)</p><p></p><p>After that, I was given a break for about 20mins. Then I was presented with a load of documentation for the case study exercise. I was briefed by HR and told that I had 45mins to understand, read and prepare a 10-minute presentation on a fictional M&A deal to present to 2 partners from the firm. Particular emphasis was placed on the various risks that were prested</p><p></p><p>After that, the interview will begin where 2 partners will enter the room and introduce themselves. I was then required to give my 10-min presentation. They will be very probing and technical, though they appreciate the time-pressured nature of the task. If you forget something from the text, they will allow you to flick through the bundle </p><p></p><p>If you miss something important out, they will point it out and give you a few mins to analyse the issue and present possible solutions for the client.</p><p></p><p>The case study is a critical part of the assessment and commercial awareness will be key here! Try to demonstrate commercial acumen throughout, even better if you could embed this in your response. Always be conscious of the fact that this is for a work placement and possibly TC in the Middle East, so make sure your commerciality is geared towards this part of the world, if possible </p><p></p><p><strong>Please provide a summary of each assessment on the day with approximate timings.</strong></p><p></p><p>Scenario-based interview - 1hr to answer a series of forward-based scenario questions. This was conducted by a member of HR and a senior associate</p><p></p><p>Case study - 45mins to read through an M&A booklet and to prepare a 10-minute presentation about a proposed acquisition of a driverless car company by a NY-based client. I was then</p><p></p><p><strong>Please list any interview questions you were asked.</strong></p><p></p><p>Scenario-based interview:</p><p></p><p>- Why A&O?</p><p>- Why A&O Middle East</p><p>- Why Law?</p><p>- What trends do you see in the region?</p><p>- What interests you about working in the Middle East?</p><p></p><p>Case study interview:</p><p></p><p>- What are the differences between warranties and indemnities?</p><p>- What is the role of W&I Insurance in protecting our clients?</p><p>- Should all companies be required to report on gender pay gaps?</p><p>- Which jurisdiction would you choose to register an SPV for the purposes of this acquisition?</p><p>- Is tax the only consideration relevant when deciding were to base a SPV?</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>Scenario-based interview:</p><p></p><p>- Make sure you tailor your answers for the Middle East market. </p><p>- Have a detailed understanding of the market trends in the Middle East (esp. Real Estate, Islamic Finance & Tech)</p><p>- Be commercially aware! You will need to demonstrate that you understand the wider dynamics at play in this region e.g. Geopolitics, Political instability and Investor trends</p><p></p><p>Case study interview:</p><p></p><p>- Familiarise yourself with a typical M&A structure</p><p>- Understand the mechanisms of an M&A transaction, including the role of the SPV in facilitating the deal</p><p>- Have an understanding about the risks that are typical in any M&A transaction e.g. pending Litigation/IP dispute/Poor publicity of the target company</p><p>- Try and suggest solutions to these problems. Don't just identify a problem!</p><p></p><p>Also, try to relax you a take it easy as you will lose your thoughts and ideas if you are constantly feeling anxious and worried! </p><p></p><p><strong>Were you successful?</strong></p><p></p><p>No</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Jaysen, post: 26301, member: 1"] [B]Please state the month/year you interviewed at the firm.[/B] January 2020 [B]Please specify what the interview was for.[/B] Summer Vacation Programme 2020 - Middle East [B]Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings.[/B] I arrived at the Dubai office for 9:30am and was taken to the room, where interviews were to take place. I was then greeted by a member of the graduate recruitment, where I was told about the structure of the assessment day and two exercises I will have to do After around 30mins, a senior associate and a member of HR arrived. they introduced themselves and explained how what competency interview entails. This interview lasted for around 1hr and I was asked a variety of competency questions and forward-based scenario questions (similar to an SJT-style test). The majority of the talking was done by the senior associate and HR was, for the majority of the interview, recording my responses. I assume they were following a script. I was asked a total of 5 forward-based scenario questions e.g. you are working on deal X, but you are suddenly told by a partner to switch to a different project, how would you react and what would you say? The senior associate will probe you further on your answers. You will also be expected to give an example of when you have encountered such a scenario in your legal/non-legal work experiences (STAR technique would be helpful here) After that, I was given a break for about 20mins. Then I was presented with a load of documentation for the case study exercise. I was briefed by HR and told that I had 45mins to understand, read and prepare a 10-minute presentation on a fictional M&A deal to present to 2 partners from the firm. Particular emphasis was placed on the various risks that were prested After that, the interview will begin where 2 partners will enter the room and introduce themselves. I was then required to give my 10-min presentation. They will be very probing and technical, though they appreciate the time-pressured nature of the task. If you forget something from the text, they will allow you to flick through the bundle If you miss something important out, they will point it out and give you a few mins to analyse the issue and present possible solutions for the client. The case study is a critical part of the assessment and commercial awareness will be key here! Try to demonstrate commercial acumen throughout, even better if you could embed this in your response. Always be conscious of the fact that this is for a work placement and possibly TC in the Middle East, so make sure your commerciality is geared towards this part of the world, if possible [B]Please provide a summary of each assessment on the day with approximate timings.[/B] Scenario-based interview - 1hr to answer a series of forward-based scenario questions. This was conducted by a member of HR and a senior associate Case study - 45mins to read through an M&A booklet and to prepare a 10-minute presentation about a proposed acquisition of a driverless car company by a NY-based client. I was then [B]Please list any interview questions you were asked.[/B] Scenario-based interview: - Why A&O? - Why A&O Middle East - Why Law? - What trends do you see in the region? - What interests you about working in the Middle East? Case study interview: - What are the differences between warranties and indemnities? - What is the role of W&I Insurance in protecting our clients? - Should all companies be required to report on gender pay gaps? - Which jurisdiction would you choose to register an SPV for the purposes of this acquisition? - Is tax the only consideration relevant when deciding were to base a SPV? [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] Scenario-based interview: - Make sure you tailor your answers for the Middle East market. - Have a detailed understanding of the market trends in the Middle East (esp. Real Estate, Islamic Finance & Tech) - Be commercially aware! You will need to demonstrate that you understand the wider dynamics at play in this region e.g. Geopolitics, Political instability and Investor trends Case study interview: - Familiarise yourself with a typical M&A structure - Understand the mechanisms of an M&A transaction, including the role of the SPV in facilitating the deal - Have an understanding about the risks that are typical in any M&A transaction e.g. pending Litigation/IP dispute/Poor publicity of the target company - Try and suggest solutions to these problems. Don't just identify a problem! Also, try to relax you a take it easy as you will lose your thoughts and ideas if you are constantly feeling anxious and worried! [B]Were you successful?[/B] No [/QUOTE]
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