Ask Alice G (Future Trainee at Freshfields) Anything!

[TCLA Community Assistant]

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!

this is where a lot of people go wrong with SJTs - assuming the right answer is you work harder/longer. For many firms that will be the wrong answer....

How I read the question:

- it references it is already “very late” - you aren’t going to be able to do the dinner and work tonight by the sounds of it

- the client dinner is not actual work, just an opportunity to network, and in an area that you have no connection to as you don’t work for the partner and you don’t really know them

- the reference to you are likely to have work pile up if you don’t work late tonight is important - this suggests that actual work you have to do is likely to be compromised if you don’t finish work this evening

- it doesn’t say what your “weekend out” is for.

- the partner has asked you while you are in dress down and doesn’t make any reference to needing to change clothes. It also doesn’t make any reference to the partner being in black tie or the like

to any firm that values work life balance or the ability for trainees to manage their various commitments well, I would expect one answer. Other firms whose culture might be one of longer hours and sacrificing your personal life, might be another answer....

But as I said, it really depends on the options you have been presented with for each question.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

This question was asked in an interview, so I don't think we are offered any specific options

apologies - I just read it as an SJT rather than an interview.

Were you asked this in an interview or is it a question you have been told to prepare for?

If it is an interview question, it’s a god awful interview question

If I got asked this, I’d probably be bold and turn it around and try to ask the interviewer/assessor questions like:

For me to make a decision I’d need to weigh up the following: what time is the dinner expected to go on until, is the restaurant nearby, how important is it that I attend (sounds like I am only being asked as I am the only one in the office), can I go in what I am currently dressed in, will I be able to charge a taxi home, is there any compromise (eg: just going for pre dinner drinks)? I’d then need to consider external factors: by going am I going to be tired the rest of the weekend, what are my current energy levels like, am I going to let anyone else down by not doing what else I need to do between now and Tuesday (whether in work or in my personal life).

TLDR: it’s a great opportunity but it isn’t a necessity. Other stuff, whether within work or outside of it might be more important and so although I wouldn’t want to miss out on an opportunity, I may have to for the greater good and so would need to consider all the variables not presented in this hypothetical situation.

That’s why it’s a god awful question, especially for an interview.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thanks for your reply! This was asked in a Hogan Lovells interview: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/hogan-lovells-interview-2019-2020.2257/ Thank you for your insight, I will be sure to consider your tips for any SJT questions!

The tips equally apply to interview questions - the responses will be unique to each firm.

Sounds like they use a lot of scenario based questions - some on the rest of the thread are far better IMO. It sounds like they aren’t really looking for an answer as such, but much more on how you would make the decision - otherwise they wouldn’t have the follow up questions.

 

[Anthony Abloh]

@Alice G Do you remember how long after the interview invite, your interview was?

 

[Alice G]

@Alice G Do you remember how long after the interview invite, your interview was?

Do you mean how long I had between getting the invite and doing my AC?

If so, I’m not 100% but maybe 2 weeks? I was able to select my AC date as soon as I got the invite- is this not the case for you?

 

[Anthony Abloh]

Do you mean how long I had between getting the invite and doing my AC?

If so, I’m not 100% but maybe 2 weeks? I was able to select my AC date as soon as I got the invite- is this not the case for you?

Yes, that is what I mean, thank you!

No, I am still waiting to hear back since completing the WG. I am not expecting a response until next week at the earliest, I am just trying to gauge roughly when my AC will be if I am fortunate enough to receive an invite.

Thank you again.

 

[Alice G]

Yes, that is what I mean, thank you!

No, I am still waiting to hear back since completing the WG. I am not expecting a response until next week at the earliest, I am just trying to gauge roughly when my AC will be if I am fortunate enough to receive an invite.

Thank you again.

Ah I see!! That was the case back in Feb/March time, approx two weeks

Really best of luck and please let me know how you get on!

 

[Anthony Abloh]

Ah I see!! That was the case back in Feb/March time, approx two weeks

Really best of luck and please let me know how you get on!

Thank you very much, I will do!

 

[W]

Hi Alice

I hope all is well

There’s a question on the A&O TC app that asks to describe a time you demonstrated adaptability and reached a positive outcome and did you do anything that you would consider innovative?

Do you have any tips on how I could go about this question for example?

 

[Alice G]

Hi Alice

I hope all is well

There’s a question on the A&O TC app that asks to describe a time you demonstrated adaptability and reached a positive outcome and did you do anything that you would consider innovative?

Do you have any tips on how I could go about this question for example?

Hi there!

This is a tough one I think but really it is a question of has there ever been an instance where a problem has presented itself and you have had to alter your approach/be flexible in order to overcome it with a positive result, and was your approach especially innovative?

Framing it like this - try to consider instances where you have been presented with an issue or problem and you have had to be flexible. Maybe this will give you a good starting point to think through your past experiences and examples.

I would try to use STARR in drafting this answer - situation, task, action result and reflect. The 'reflect' part might be if you were doing this now, what would you do to make your solution even more innovative or what could you have done better?

I hope this helps. Apologies if it seems vague, but the best answers to these questions are honest and authentic to you and your experience so just try to focus on those past experiences and I am sure you will come up with a good situation to discuss!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi there!

This is a tough one I think but really it is a question of has there ever been an instance where a problem has presented itself and you have had to alter your approach/be flexible in order to overcome it with a positive result, and was your approach especially innovative?

Framing it like this - try to consider instances where you have been presented with an issue or problem and you have had to be flexible. Maybe this will give you a good starting to point to think through your past experiences and examples.

I would try to use STARR in drafting this answer - situation, task, action result and reflect. The 'reflect' part might be if you were doing this now, what would you do to make your solution even more innovative or what could you have done better?

I hope this helps. Apologies if it seems vague, but the best answers to these questions are honest and authentic to you and your experience so just try to focus on those past experiences and I am sure you will come up with a good situation to discuss!

Completely agree with this - some excellent advice here from Alice

 

[W]

Hi there!

This is a tough one I think but really it is a question of has there ever been an instance where a problem has presented itself and you have had to alter your approach/be flexible in order to overcome it with a positive result, and was your approach especially innovative?

Framing it like this - try to consider instances where you have been presented with an issue or problem and you have had to be flexible. Maybe this will give you a good starting to point to think through your past experiences and examples.

I would try to use STARR in drafting this answer - situation, task, action result and reflect. The 'reflect' part might be if you were doing this now, what would you do to make your solution even more innovative or what could you have done better?

I hope this helps. Apologies if it seems vague, but the best answers to these questions are honest and authentic to you and your experience so just try to focus on those past experiences and I am sure you will come up with a good situation to discuss!

Thank you, this was very helpful!

 

[RB]

Hi Alice,

I've just gotten a place on the Freshfields Graduate Workshop and I'm over the moon! I saw in one of the previous threads that you previously attended the workshop, I wanted to ask if you have any tips on getting the most out of the day? Sorry if this is a generic question!

Thanks in advance!

 

[keira]

^ same position! Would love to hear

 

[Alice G]

Hi Alice,

I've just gotten a place on the Freshfields Graduate Workshop and I'm over the moon! I saw in one of the previous threads that you previously attended the workshop, I wanted to ask if you have any tips on getting the most out of the day? Sorry if this is a generic question!

Thanks in advance!

^ same position! Would love to hear

Hello to you both and well done!!

Honestly my best advice is to just enjoy yourself and soak up as much as you can. This is a great opportunity to ask questions so if there’s anything you want to know about the firm this is your chance! In advance, think about what you are looking for in a firm- is it strong mentorship? Is it certain D&I initiatives close to your heart?

I’m not just saying this but the FF workshop was my absolute favourite open day- they work so hard to provide sessions which are really useful. We did an article analysis workshop last year and did stuff on M&A with senior associates and trainees and it was just the most incredible learning experience.

also, if there’s chance, do try to socialise with other attendees. I met some really great people at the workshop I’m still in touch with and one of them
Is a fellow future trainee!

I’m excited for you both! Well done again and you’ve shown you can write an excellent personal statement too. Apply the techniques and styles you have already used for the longer PS and hopefully you’ll be able to assess for the TC!!

Please let me know how you both get on

 

[RB]

Hello to you both and well done!!

Honestly my best advice is to just enjoy yourself and soak up as much as you can. This is a great opportunity to ask questions so if there’s anything you want to know about the firm this is your chance! In advance, think about what you are looking for in a firm- is it strong mentorship? Is it certain D&I initiatives close to your heart?

I’m not just saying this but the FF workshop was my absolute favourite open day- they work so hard to provide sessions which are really useful. We did an article analysis workshop last year and did stuff on M&A with senior associates and trainees and it was just the most incredible learning experience.

also, if there’s chance, do try to socialise with other attendees. I met some really great people at the workshop I’m still in touch with and one of them
Is a fellow future trainee!

I’m excited for you both! Well done again and you’ve shown you can write an excellent personal statement too. Apply the techniques and styles you have already used for the longer PS and hopefully you’ll be able to assess for the TC!!

Please let me know how you both get on

Thanks Alice, I really appreciate it!!

 

[keira]

@Alice G thank you so much!! will keep you updated

 

[Alice G]

Thanks Alice, I really appreciate it!!

@Alice G thank you so much!! will keep you updated

Hi both!

How did you find it?? I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did

 

[RB]

Hi both!

How did you find it?? I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did

Hi Alice! Thanks for checking up on us It was really good - one of the best open days I've attended! Although I would have preferred it to be in person, it was definitely very informative and they really made an effort to make the event interactive. I've just sent in my TC application so crossed fingers that everything goes well!!!

 

[Alice G]

Hi Alice! Thanks for checking up on us It was really good - one of the best open days I've attended! Although I would have preferred it to be in person, it was definitely very informative and they really made an effort to make the event interactive. I've just sent in my TC application so crossed fingers that everything goes well!!!

Ahh amazing!! I’m so so glad to hear! I absolutely empathise with you there, it’s never quite the same virtually but I’m glad it was informative and really hope it helped you with your app and helped to make you feel more confident with it!!

Wishing you the best with the application, I have my fingers crossed for you and please keep me posted!