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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Amma Usman" data-source="post: 182376" data-attributes="member: 36740">Hey [USER=35984]@futuretcholder[/USER], thanks for sending your query through the forum!It’s really great that you’ve started thinking about the next steps in the law firm application process! Most firms schedule interviews and assessments (such as the WG) deadlines within a short time frame, so being reasonably prepared beforehand maximises your time and efficiency.I have included a few tips below:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Commercial awareness is a non-stop habit candidates and lawyers need to build, so it’s great that you‘re on top of this. In addition to reading the news, I would also recommend brushing up on particular economic and business concepts. This is because commercial awareness encompasses a broad deal of facets. Often times, law firms will ask candidates at an AC stage the difference between a share purchase and asset purchase, the meaning of synergy, the impact of inflation on a private equity firm, and so on. I remember being questioned at an AC on the typical structure of an M&A deal and a commercial lawyers involvement in such transactions. Here, I was able to touch on areas such as due diligence, but the feedback I received made me understand that I needed to do more. I needed to learn more as these are soft skills that are often unspoken about. Further, the experience made me realise that in addition to reading the FT or Finimise every morning, I needed to understand some specifics about their clients‘ operations. Through this, I realised that I was able to connect more dots when I eventually read stories on the FT. It’s also an area that I can say I am always working to build and improve on, as things in the global economy change relatively swiftly. Being able to discuss these changes at an AC will showcase your ability to adequately connect client experience with global considerations - something commercial lawyers do on a daily.</li> </ul><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Practicing assessments regularly is another consideration. For example, if you are drawn to a lot of firms which require one to complete the WG, you would want to work on practicing them as often as you possibly can. I know there are often difficulties with accessing tests from the actual WG provider, but TCLA’s WG crash course personally helped me. Additionally, if you go on multiple firm’s websites, you will find practice tests. Using those practice tests combined, you would have worked on improving your strategy with about 5 or more different tests. Clifford Chance is one firm I remember seeing a practice WG on their website. So set aside some time every week dedicated to focusing on learning the nuances of the test. Another good approach that links to this point is to not ‘time’ yourself for the first few attempts. This allows you to really think about what each section is asking of you, improving your overall efficiency for future assessed attempts.</li> </ul><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">With the competency/motivational questions, I would say take some time to understand what draws you to a career in law first, then commercial law specifically, followed by a career in a specific firm. These are the standard motivational questions as interviewers will often want to ensure candidates know enough about the profession to want to specialise in it. I was once asked at an AC why I wanted to be a lawyer, then why a commercial lawyer. This required me to touch base on the differences in the type of practice areas, clients, and work that different lawyers deal with, as well as any past experiences I had because this shows ‘demonstrated’ interest. To be honest, this is not an easy question to answer. For me, it was very overwhelming. I knew why I wanted to become a commercial lawyer, but I found it hard to put this on paper, much less communicate it orally. So, I literally took a week out and solely focused on understanding myself and my CV more. Through this, I built on my ‘WHY’ and could better translate this across rooms during an AC or interview.</li> </ul>So in a nutshell, these are my main tips. Feel free to let me know if you have any more questions on this, and I’ll happily follow up!Best, Amma</blockquote>

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