Log in
Register
Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
Log in
Register
Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
More options
Toggle width
Share this page
Share this page
Share
Facebook
Twitter
Reddit
Pinterest
Tumblr
WhatsApp
Email
Share
Link
Menu
Install the app
Install
Forums
Law Firm Events
Law Firm Deadlines
TCLA TV
Members
Leaderboards
Premium Database
Premium Chat
Commercial Awareness
Future Trainee Advice
Forums
Aspiring Lawyers - Interviews & Vacation Schemes
Interviews Discussion
Freshfields VS Interview
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="al2020" data-source="post: 63281" data-attributes="member: 6418"><p>Hey,</p><p></p><p>I had was invited for the FF summer vac scheme AC and got an offer. The AC was split into three parts;</p><p></p><p>(1) A written exercise that will be delivered to you before the interviews. I think I had a week to open a link to a portal and complete a one hour exercise.</p><p>(2) General interview</p><p>(3) Analytical interview</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The written exercise was pretty straightforward. It's based on a fictional scenario where an associate wants to send off a memo/email to a client. Your task is to proofread it and spot both very obvious mistakes and more nuanced errors in the communication. It's very straightforward and there's are no curveballs, simply follow the instructions and you should be fine.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The general interview is again very relaxed. I had a partner and senior associate interview me. It's the classic 'why commercial, why commercial law at Freshfields, tell me a time etc.' The key here I think is to be yourself, give thoughtful and personal answers to all questions asked. My tips for this would be:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Preparing very well beforehand. By far the best (free) resource I found was TCLA's interview questions (link: <a href="https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/175-training-contract-interview-questions-2/" target="_blank">https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/175-training-contract-interview-questions-2/</a>). They're a literal godsend. I prepped by bullet pointing what I was going to say then repeating my answers out loud to make sure I could respond concisely but also conversationally.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Jot down a few (thoughtful) questions you'd like to ask your interviewers (i.e. information you can't find on their website) and try and think of 1 or 2 more that arise from your interviewers.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Read your application again and be prepared to speak on anything and everything on your application.</li> </ul></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The analytical interview is a test of commercial awareness. The best advice I can give is to build this knowledge over time because that way you're not overly caught out too much. They will send you an article and I believe you will have 30 mins to read it, and then two lawyers will proceed to grill you on it. Topics can vary greatly. For example, I was given an article on meatless meat. The topic isn't important honestly, it's more about explaining your thought process. It's not about just knowing what a joint venture, merger or asset purchase is, but being able to evaluate the evidence in front of you and coming to a reasoned conclusion as to how those business arrangements apply to the facts you've been given. Top tips;<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Ideally, you should have consistently been reading business news. This doesn't mean the FT should become your gospel, but you should have a general understanding of different commercial/business trends and how they interrelate and the impacts on them on business. My tips in this respect would be;<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Make note of current news topics and stories.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A very 'out there' suggestion to improve your commercial awareness would be to have a look at Scott Galloway's 10 min YouTube videos on market trends. He's very... idiosyncratic (loool) and often takes political stance a lot of the times but he's very good at explaining the underlying business models in different industries, which I have found highly useful in my interviews this cycle.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If you can afford it, purchase TCLA premium and have a look at their courses on private equity and M&A. They're extremely informative and provide you with frameworks and introductions to private equity and M&A, which could come up in your analytical interview. </li> </ul></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Make brief notes during the time you have to read the article.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">SWOT and PESTLE analysis are great frameworks to consider when looking at potential issues.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They're not trying to trick you but rather seeing how you can apply your commercial awareness to novel situations. Use this as an opportunity to showcase your commercial awareness and you'll be fine.</li> </ul></li> </ul><p>Lastly, I'd say don't forget to smile and be yourself. You've done a great job of making it this far and you should try as much as possible to enjoy the experience. Best of luck!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="al2020, post: 63281, member: 6418"] Hey, I had was invited for the FF summer vac scheme AC and got an offer. The AC was split into three parts; (1) A written exercise that will be delivered to you before the interviews. I think I had a week to open a link to a portal and complete a one hour exercise. (2) General interview (3) Analytical interview [LIST] [*]The written exercise was pretty straightforward. It's based on a fictional scenario where an associate wants to send off a memo/email to a client. Your task is to proofread it and spot both very obvious mistakes and more nuanced errors in the communication. It's very straightforward and there's are no curveballs, simply follow the instructions and you should be fine. [*]The general interview is again very relaxed. I had a partner and senior associate interview me. It's the classic 'why commercial, why commercial law at Freshfields, tell me a time etc.' The key here I think is to be yourself, give thoughtful and personal answers to all questions asked. My tips for this would be: [LIST] [*]Preparing very well beforehand. By far the best (free) resource I found was TCLA's interview questions (link: [URL]https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/175-training-contract-interview-questions-2/[/URL]). They're a literal godsend. I prepped by bullet pointing what I was going to say then repeating my answers out loud to make sure I could respond concisely but also conversationally. [*]Jot down a few (thoughtful) questions you'd like to ask your interviewers (i.e. information you can't find on their website) and try and think of 1 or 2 more that arise from your interviewers. [*]Read your application again and be prepared to speak on anything and everything on your application. [/LIST] [*]The analytical interview is a test of commercial awareness. The best advice I can give is to build this knowledge over time because that way you're not overly caught out too much. They will send you an article and I believe you will have 30 mins to read it, and then two lawyers will proceed to grill you on it. Topics can vary greatly. For example, I was given an article on meatless meat. The topic isn't important honestly, it's more about explaining your thought process. It's not about just knowing what a joint venture, merger or asset purchase is, but being able to evaluate the evidence in front of you and coming to a reasoned conclusion as to how those business arrangements apply to the facts you've been given. Top tips; [LIST] [*]Ideally, you should have consistently been reading business news. This doesn't mean the FT should become your gospel, but you should have a general understanding of different commercial/business trends and how they interrelate and the impacts on them on business. My tips in this respect would be; [LIST] [*]Make note of current news topics and stories. [*]A very 'out there' suggestion to improve your commercial awareness would be to have a look at Scott Galloway's 10 min YouTube videos on market trends. He's very... idiosyncratic (loool) and often takes political stance a lot of the times but he's very good at explaining the underlying business models in different industries, which I have found highly useful in my interviews this cycle. [*]If you can afford it, purchase TCLA premium and have a look at their courses on private equity and M&A. They're extremely informative and provide you with frameworks and introductions to private equity and M&A, which could come up in your analytical interview. [/LIST] [*]Make brief notes during the time you have to read the article. [*]SWOT and PESTLE analysis are great frameworks to consider when looking at potential issues. [*]They're not trying to trick you but rather seeing how you can apply your commercial awareness to novel situations. Use this as an opportunity to showcase your commercial awareness and you'll be fine. [/LIST] [/LIST] Lastly, I'd say don't forget to smile and be yourself. You've done a great job of making it this far and you should try as much as possible to enjoy the experience. Best of luck! [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Our company is called, "The Corporate ___ Academy". What is the missing word here?
Post reply
Forums
Aspiring Lawyers - Interviews & Vacation Schemes
Interviews Discussion
Freshfields VS Interview
Top
Bottom
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…