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Aspiring Lawyers - Interviews & Vacation Schemes
Interviews Discussion
Clifford Chance AC Discussion
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<blockquote data-quote="Deleted member 43292" data-source="post: 233069"><p>OK hi guys - here are my insights from the CC AC last year!</p><p></p><p>Basic information: normally 6 candidates per AC slot. I am sure you all have had/will have the briefing webinar with Early Talent, so you should have a good idea of what to expect already. Regardless,</p><p></p><p>The day includes:</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">A <strong>group exercise</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">A <strong>written exercise</strong> based on a case study</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">An <strong>80‑minute interview</strong> with a Partner and a Senior Associate (split into two parts)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">An <strong>office tour</strong> (though I’ve heard this may become a Q&A session this year due to their office move in 2027).</li> </ol><p></p><p><strong>Group Exercise</strong></p><p>The task itself is straightforward. What they’re really assessing is your ability to <strong>contribute individually, collaborate skilfully, and avoid dominating the discussion</strong>.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Speak up often - but not too often (finding the balance is key!).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">In a group of eager candidates, try to create opportunities to contribute without interrupting. If someone makes your point, you can jump in with: “Following on from X’s point, I also think…”</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">It’s a tough balance. This was my first AC, and I struggled to find my moment - so it’s worth mentally preparing a few points beforehand.</li> </ul><p></p><p><strong>Written Exercise</strong></p><p>You’ll receive a <strong>fairly large bundle</strong> (emails, articles, contract excerpts - typical case study materials). It’s manageable because the content is clear.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">You have <strong>around 40 minutes</strong> to read and write your response in Word (you'll have Microsoft spell check).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They’re testing <strong>commercial awareness/thinking, attention to detail, and written communication - </strong>so watch for typos!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">I would recommend <strong>bringing your own highlighters and pens</strong> to annotate the bundle.</li> </ul><p></p><p><strong>Interview (80 Minutes)</strong></p><p>Right after submitting your written answer by email (they’ll print it), you go straight into the interview.</p><p></p><p><strong>Part 1 - Case Study Discussion (~40 mins)</strong></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">You can bring the case study bundle in with you. Both you and the interviewers will have a printed copy of your written answer.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">After brief introductions, you’ll have a few minutes to <strong>present your answer</strong> and explain your thought process.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They’ll then ask follow‑up questions based on the case study - some were quite challenging, focusing on commercial implications and wider perspectives. <strong>They don’t expect you to know everything.</strong> Be honest if you’re unsure; they can tell if you’re bluffing.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Brush up on the firm’s <strong>practice areas</strong> and approach commercial thinking with an open mind - perhaps think about consequences and the bigger picture.</li> </ul><p><strong>Part 2 - Competency Interview (~40 mins)</strong></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Same room, same interviewers (follows straight on from your case study interview) - your backside might be sore by now lol!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">This part is much more relaxed and enjoyable. Prepare for the usual <strong>motivation and competency questions</strong>.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">You <em>may</em> get some challenging questions, but they're definitely not something you won't be able to answer.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They <strong>will follow up</strong> on interesting points you raise, so only mention things you’re prepared to expand on.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They also asked about my written application (they'll have it in front of them) - so <strong>know your application inside out</strong>.</li> </ul><p><strong>Questions for Them: </strong>Have a few <strong>pre‑prepared questions</strong> ready, but don’t be afraid to ask something that came up naturally during the conversation. Showing genuine curiosity always helps.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Overall Advice</strong></p><p>I know it sounds clichéd, but <strong>don’t be afraid to be yourself</strong>. I was incredibly nervous because this was and is my favourite firm, but that anxiety held me back. Find a way to stay calm and let your confident self shine through. Someone also asked if I could share what I could have done better so here we go:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Be <strong>structured</strong> in your responses.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Don't be afraid to <strong>speak up</strong> in the group exercise, it will feel daunting but find a way to create an opportunity for yourself! Because if you don't everyone else will just keep talking! I did speak up and raised a good point, but I was told I didn't speak <em>enough </em>to be properly assessed. But once again, don't dominate - it is all too easy to slip into that "boss" role when you're trying to speak loads.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Try to achieve some <strong>depth </strong>in your answers - especially for the case study interview.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Manage your time</strong> with the written exercise - I ran out of time to check for typos which was detrimental!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Try to <strong>engage in discussion</strong> rather than treating it as a rigid Q&A - aim for a conversation.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">One of the questions I was asked was worded a little weirdly - my answer ended up not hitting the point they wanted - so don't be afraid to clarify what they mean/are asking for!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Make sure you know your <strong>motivations </strong>really well and ensure that it is linked to you and your interests!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Good luck, you’ve got this! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></li> </ul></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Deleted member 43292, post: 233069"] OK hi guys - here are my insights from the CC AC last year! Basic information: normally 6 candidates per AC slot. I am sure you all have had/will have the briefing webinar with Early Talent, so you should have a good idea of what to expect already. Regardless, The day includes: [LIST=1] [*]A [B]group exercise[/B] [*]A [B]written exercise[/B] based on a case study [*]An [B]80‑minute interview[/B] with a Partner and a Senior Associate (split into two parts) [*]An [B]office tour[/B] (though I’ve heard this may become a Q&A session this year due to their office move in 2027). [/LIST] [B]Group Exercise[/B] The task itself is straightforward. What they’re really assessing is your ability to [B]contribute individually, collaborate skilfully, and avoid dominating the discussion[/B]. [LIST] [*]Speak up often - but not too often (finding the balance is key!). [*]In a group of eager candidates, try to create opportunities to contribute without interrupting. If someone makes your point, you can jump in with: “Following on from X’s point, I also think…” [*]It’s a tough balance. This was my first AC, and I struggled to find my moment - so it’s worth mentally preparing a few points beforehand. [/LIST] [B]Written Exercise[/B] You’ll receive a [B]fairly large bundle[/B] (emails, articles, contract excerpts - typical case study materials). It’s manageable because the content is clear. [LIST] [*]You have [B]around 40 minutes[/B] to read and write your response in Word (you'll have Microsoft spell check). [*]They’re testing [B]commercial awareness/thinking, attention to detail, and written communication - [/B]so watch for typos! [*]I would recommend [B]bringing your own highlighters and pens[/B] to annotate the bundle. [/LIST] [B]Interview (80 Minutes)[/B] Right after submitting your written answer by email (they’ll print it), you go straight into the interview. [B]Part 1 - Case Study Discussion (~40 mins)[/B] [LIST] [*]You can bring the case study bundle in with you. Both you and the interviewers will have a printed copy of your written answer. [*]After brief introductions, you’ll have a few minutes to [B]present your answer[/B] and explain your thought process. [*]They’ll then ask follow‑up questions based on the case study - some were quite challenging, focusing on commercial implications and wider perspectives. [B]They don’t expect you to know everything.[/B] Be honest if you’re unsure; they can tell if you’re bluffing. [*]Brush up on the firm’s [B]practice areas[/B] and approach commercial thinking with an open mind - perhaps think about consequences and the bigger picture. [/LIST] [B]Part 2 - Competency Interview (~40 mins)[/B] [LIST] [*]Same room, same interviewers (follows straight on from your case study interview) - your backside might be sore by now lol! [*]This part is much more relaxed and enjoyable. Prepare for the usual [B]motivation and competency questions[/B]. [*]You [I]may[/I] get some challenging questions, but they're definitely not something you won't be able to answer. [*]They [B]will follow up[/B] on interesting points you raise, so only mention things you’re prepared to expand on. [*]They also asked about my written application (they'll have it in front of them) - so [B]know your application inside out[/B]. [/LIST] [B]Questions for Them: [/B]Have a few [B]pre‑prepared questions[/B] ready, but don’t be afraid to ask something that came up naturally during the conversation. Showing genuine curiosity always helps. [B]Overall Advice[/B] I know it sounds clichéd, but [B]don’t be afraid to be yourself[/B]. I was incredibly nervous because this was and is my favourite firm, but that anxiety held me back. Find a way to stay calm and let your confident self shine through. Someone also asked if I could share what I could have done better so here we go: [LIST] [*]Be [B]structured[/B] in your responses. [*]Don't be afraid to [B]speak up[/B] in the group exercise, it will feel daunting but find a way to create an opportunity for yourself! Because if you don't everyone else will just keep talking! I did speak up and raised a good point, but I was told I didn't speak [I]enough [/I]to be properly assessed. But once again, don't dominate - it is all too easy to slip into that "boss" role when you're trying to speak loads. [*]Try to achieve some [B]depth [/B]in your answers - especially for the case study interview. [*][B]Manage your time[/B] with the written exercise - I ran out of time to check for typos which was detrimental! [*]Try to [B]engage in discussion[/B] rather than treating it as a rigid Q&A - aim for a conversation. [*]One of the questions I was asked was worded a little weirdly - my answer ended up not hitting the point they wanted - so don't be afraid to clarify what they mean/are asking for! [*]Make sure you know your [B]motivations [/B]really well and ensure that it is linked to you and your interests! [*]Good luck, you’ve got this! ;) [/LIST] [/QUOTE]
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