Ask Alice G (Future Trainee at Freshfields) Anything!

[Anthony Abloh]

Congratulations!!!!! Best of luck! you’ve got this

Thank you!!

 

[Anthony Abloh]

Congratulations!!!

Thank you!!

 

[S87]

Guys, what did you include "Your qualifications section" I particularly struggle with the table titled "
Please list the subjects you have studied (and have yet to study, if applicable) and the marks for each year for each subject (which must be given as percentages), even if they do not count towards your final degree classification". I am educated overseas and we do not mark exams in percentage. I guess i can I can include an explanation and then include my grades as they were marked.

 

[dosblancos7]

Guys, what did you include "Your qualifications section" I particularly struggle with the table titled "
Please list the subjects you have studied (and have yet to study, if applicable) and the marks for each year for each subject (which must be given as percentages), even if they do not count towards your final degree classification". I am educated overseas and we do not mark exams in percentage. I guess i can I can include an explanation and then include my grades as they were marked.

I took the word subjects as modules. I wrote out my modules and the grades achieved so far. For my modules where I haven't got results yet I put TBC.

 

[EEE]

Under the education section, did everyone add their GCSEs and A Levels? The format seems suitable only for degree-level education.

 

[dosblancos7]

Under the education section, did everyone add their GCSEs and A Levels? The format seems suitable only for degree-level education.

I added GCSEs & A levels(although, there are a lot of blank grades/subjects after my GCSE/A levels. I assume this is part of their system?) It asked for what type of qualifications I sat at the age of 14-16/16-18 so I only thought it's apt to enter such results.

 

[EEE]

I added GCSEs & A levels(although, there are a lot of blank grades/subjects after my GCSE/A levels. I assume this is part of their system?) It asked for what type of qualifications I sat at the age of 14-16/16-18 so I only thought it's apt to enter such results.

Thanks for your reply! Did you add/list all your grades in one box? And list the subjects? Or did you add a new 'new education' section for each new grade?

 

[dosblancos7]

Thanks for your reply! Did you add/list all your grades in one box? And list the subjects? Or did you add a new 'new education' section for each new grade?

I did the former. To me, adding new sections for each grades sounds hectic!

Btw, I did this for Freshfield's first year scheme(although I only achieved one grade at that time ) , and I got invited to the WG test(in 2019 though), so I'm sure its fine?

 

[EEE]

I did the former. To me, adding new sections for each grades sounds hectic!

Btw, I did this for Freshfield's first year scheme(although I only achieved one grade at that time ) , and I got invited to the WG test(in 2019 though), so I'm sure its fine?

That's exactly what I thought! Thanks for your help!

 

[tractor12]

I'm sure this has been asked 100 times, but on the FF application, where is the most appropriate place to list Open Days/Networking events?

 

[Alice G]

I'm sure this has been asked 100 times, but on the FF application, where is the most appropriate place to list Open Days/Networking events?

I did them in work experience. I created a work experience section for networking events and open days (one section for both these types of events to be clear ) and then I created a separate work experience for Freshfields specific open days and events and I went into more detail with their specific ones and I told them what I had learned and my key takeaways

 

[EEE]

Hi guys!

So I passed the application stage and was sent the Watson Glaser link two days ago. Scary thing is though, I made a new email address for Freshfields to rectify a glitch on the application, but I haven't been checking the new email address because Freshfields isn't rolling and the deadline is not until tomorrow I believe. So I wasn't expecting to hear back for a couple more weeks at least. But for some reason, I just checked my email, and there it was hahaha. I have until Friday to complete it which is scary because I would have missed that had I not checked.

We should all be hearing back sooner than expected so good luck to everyone!

Hi Anthony, well done on your application progress so far! I wanted to ask - did you apply for a direct TC? And do Freshfields read applications prior to sending a WG test link or is the link sent automatically?

 

[Alice G]

Hi Anthony, well done on your application progress so far! I wanted to ask - did you apply for a direct TC? And do Freshfields read applications prior to sending a WG test link or is the link sent automatically?

It isn’t automatic, the WG is sent after an application has been reviewed and when it has been considered strong enough to be progressed.

the WG score is then appraised and whilst they have an idea as to what they like in terms of performance, it’s not the be all and end all. If a percentile is slightly lower but the app was very strong then it is possible the candidate will still be progressed to an AC.

please note this info is based on what I heard at a grad workshop last December

 

[Anthony Abloh]

It isn’t automatic, the WG is sent after an application has been reviewed and when it has been considered strong enough to be progressed.

the WG score is then appraised and whilst they have an idea as to what they like in terms of performance, it’s not the be all and end all. If a percentile is slightly lower but the app was very strong then it is possible the candidate will still be progressed to an AC.

please note this info is based on what I heard at a grad workshop last December

What Alice said hahaha.

Oh and thank you and yes I did apply for a direct TC!

 

[EEE]

It isn’t automatic, the WG is sent after an application has been reviewed and when it has been considered strong enough to be progressed.

the WG score is then appraised and whilst they have an idea as to what they like in terms of performance, it’s not the be all and end all. If a percentile is slightly lower but the app was very strong then it is possible the candidate will still be progressed to an AC.

please note this info is based on what I heard at a grad workshop last December

Thank you, Alice! Very useful. It's nice to know that some firms read your application before making you do the test - as that is what has let me down before despite practicing for a long time! It's always such a shame after spending so long on an application to be rejected before it has been read. Congratulations on your TC!

 

[Alice G]

Thank you, Alice! Very useful. It's nice to know that some firms read your application before making you do the test - as that is what has let me down before despite practicing for a long time! It's always such a shame after spending so long on an application to be rejected before it has been read. Congratulations on your TC!

Thank you so much Best of luck!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Alice, I applied to a large firm for a direct TC on a whim after finishing in my second year exams, and I was surprised to receive an AC invite for them next week. I was wondering if you think I would be disadvantaged because I did not do a VS at this firm and instead opted for the TC, because I am still quite early in my career? If so, do you know any way I could frame an answer that would demonstrate otherwise? I was fortunate to have completed a virtual VS last month so I do have some 'experience' in a firm, but I am still worried that the firm would question me for not being experienced enough. Any help you could offer here would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance!

they wouldn’t have invited you to assessment centre if they thought you didn’t have enough experience or that you needed to do a vac scheme with them.

 

[Alice G]

Hi Alice, I applied to a large firm for a direct TC on a whim after finishing in my second year exams, and I was surprised to receive an AC invite for them next week. I was wondering if you think I would be disadvantaged because I did not do a VS at this firm and instead opted for the TC, because I am still quite early in my career? If so, do you know any way I could frame an answer that would demonstrate otherwise? I was fortunate to have completed a virtual VS last month so I do have some 'experience' in a firm, but I am still worried that the firm would question me for not being experienced enough. Any help you could offer here would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance!

Totally echo what @Jessica Booker has said! I think the two other candidates assessing with me on one of my ACs had never done vac schemes and were applying direct too so when you get the invite, don't let this bother you!

Just be really clear on your motivations and make sure you are super happy and confident in delivering answers on 'why law?', 'why the city?', 'why corporate law?', 'why an international law firm?'. Also, definitely think and prepare answers to things like 'what is your understanding of due diligence?' and 'what do you think our trainees do?' These questions will not be to throw you off but just for them to be happy that a) you know what the career entails and b) that you have thought hard about it and can deliver a clear narrative on your 'whys'.

Hope these little suggestions help and good luck! You might be surprised to have been invited but they already see your great potential - I was told by another candidate once to see ACs as a formality above anything else as it is just their final pass to see who you really are and what you are about. With that said, just be yourself!

 

[Lr1]

On Casual Friday, you are still in the office very late because you know that on Monday you’ll arrive late due to an upcoming weekend out. You want to make use of this time to work on something otherwise your work would start piling up. However, a partner that you do not know well comes to you and asks if you can immediately go to a client dinner with him as the person who was supposed to go had to cancel. You understand that these opportunities at this stage of your career do not arise often but you are busy and you are dressed this way. What do you do?

On the clothes- everyone keeps a spare suit/dress/formal shoes in the office for these reasons! Regarding the work, you make time for it always, which means sacrificing your weekend if necessary. That's life in law!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Alice, I was wondering whether you had tips for answering SJT interview questions? Specifically, I'm not sure how to go about answering this question, any guidance would be appreciated!

On Casual Friday, you are still in the office very late because you know that on Monday you’ll arrive late due to an upcoming weekend out. You want to make use of this time to work on something otherwise your work would start piling up. However, a partner that you do not know well comes to you and asks if you can immediately go to a client dinner with him as the person who was supposed to go had to cancel. You understand that these opportunities at this stage of your career do not arise often but you are busy and you are dressed this way. What do you do?

What were the options? These questions are impossible to answer without knowing what options you were presented with.

Even then, the answers are very specific to firms. The “right” answer for one firm could be the complete opposite for the next.