Hearing Back from Law Firms, Assessment Centres & Interview Tips - 2019 - 2020

[bel123456]

Just to add to this, I didn’t receive those 2
random questions, so I think they use a bank of questions and therefore the type of questions you get might be very different! I had a commercial awareness question at the end, for example

second this. i didn’t get the same kinds of questions; it was all really random! fun though just mostly competency

 

[Danube]

Just got invited for an AC with HSF, and it's my first ever assessment centre. I've been told its really tough, does anyone have any advice? Thank you in advance

 

[Megannn]

Does anyone have any experience of the first round interview for Stephenson Harwood please?!

 

[James Kitching]

Just got invited for an AC with HSF, and it's my first ever assessment centre. I've been told its really tough, does anyone have any advice? Thank you in advance

I did a post on the HSF AC on this thread a week or so ago, i'll copy it again here.

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Copy of previous post:

I’ve read so many posts about HSF AC help, so I’ll do this and hopefully others who still need help will see it.

I am a science student, and got quite buggered by HSF at the start of Jan, felt really let down as I was very passionate yet got rejected because of my lack of knowledge on financial deals/business structure.

3 stages, as we all know: competency, case study, scenario, we need not discuss competency as that’s straight forward, right?

Case Study:
Read some documents, deduce potential economical/legal pitfalls within the documentation (terms, exclusivity contract etc) discuss them with the partner, you are advising him as if he is your client.
Recommendation is to structure your answer clearly, baring in mind short/medium/long term consequences and as always, try and build rapport.

Scenario:
Changes for everyone, but you are told that the client is in position X (they are in a bad situation) and need our advice, what must we consider, who is going to be affected, what is our goal (basically focus on preserving stock value, that is what the client and shareholders really care about) - I recommend researching how a business is structured, in terms of executive/non-executive directors, share-holders etc.

I hope this is clear, it may not be, but I tried.

If you are non-law, you are NOT meant to know any legal implications in any great detail, however, you are not safe from the economics/business, that was my downfall - and I think that’s unfair to be honest, but whatever, best of luck!

 

[lawstudent123]

Hi all - this is a long shot but i am hoping there is someone out there who may have experienced something similar who could provide some helpful advice please:

I was offered a TC at an international law firm in its Manchester office towards the end of last year (technically within this app cycle). I rejected this as my mother is very ill and i wouldnt have been able to move to Manchester from where i currently live (Cornwall) as i would have to provide care for her and the rest of my family. my circumstances have now changed (it has been around 3 months since i rejected) and luckily she is in a better place and i would be able to move away from home now. I want to email the firm and ask them if my offer could be reinstated (they know about my family situation - I explained this when i rejected) - but i am not sure how successful i will be in doing this. Could anyone offer any advice or let me know if anyone has been successful in turning around their rejection of a TC?

may be a long shot but thank you if anyone can.

 

[karinachopra1]

Going to piggyback off of this and say I’m also happy to help anyone with a Links AC coming up as I was successful!

Hi, congratulations on your offer! I have an AC at Links coming up and would be really grateful if you could offer any guidance or insight into the case study!

 

[Jenna]

Hi, congratulations on your offer! I have an AC at Links coming up and would be really grateful if you could offer any guidance or insight into the case study!

Can I ask when you received your AC invite?

 

[karinachopra1]

Can I ask when you received your AC invite?

2 weeks ago!

 

[Pallatablelawyer]

Hi all - this is a long shot but i am hoping there is someone out there who may have experienced something similar who could provide some helpful advice please:

I was offered a TC at an international law firm in its Manchester office towards the end of last year (technically within this app cycle). I rejected this as my mother is very ill and i wouldnt have been able to move to Manchester from where i currently live (Cornwall) as i would have to provide care for her and the rest of my family. my circumstances have now changed (it has been around 3 months since i rejected) and luckily she is in a better place and i would be able to move away from home now. I want to email the firm and ask them if my offer could be reinstated (they know about my family situation - I explained this when i rejected) - but i am not sure how successful i will be in doing this. Could anyone offer any advice or let me know if anyone has been successful in turning around their rejection of a TC?

may be a long shot but thank you if anyone can.

Hey I think they’d just advice you to reapply man.

 

[Karin]

Have you received an AC invite from Ashurst?

Yes i did

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi all - this is a long shot but i am hoping there is someone out there who may have experienced something similar who could provide some helpful advice please:

I was offered a TC at an international law firm in its Manchester office towards the end of last year (technically within this app cycle). I rejected this as my mother is very ill and i wouldnt have been able to move to Manchester from where i currently live (Cornwall) as i would have to provide care for her and the rest of my family. my circumstances have now changed (it has been around 3 months since i rejected) and luckily she is in a better place and i would be able to move away from home now. I want to email the firm and ask them if my offer could be reinstated (they know about my family situation - I explained this when i rejected) - but i am not sure how successful i will be in doing this. Could anyone offer any advice or let me know if anyone has been successful in turning around their rejection of a TC?

may be a long shot but thank you if anyone can.

in these situations, it is best to ask to defer your place for a year rather than withdraw completely.

I had something similar happen once before - the individual reneged on an offer and then circumstances meant they wanted their offer reinstated. In that situation we fast tracked them to final round interview, but we felt it was important to interview them again. Was clearly a good move as the individual is still at the firm in question.

given the circumstances in this instance, the firm may be more flexible. However, they may be concerned around your commitment to Manchester if circumstances were to change again, so they may not be so open. If they are open to the idea, it’s likely you will be considered for a year later’s intake.

I would contact them and say whether your applications could be reconsidered (rather than the offer reinstated) and if so, what stage you would need to start the process from again.

That shows a willingness from your side to go through the process again, and not the assumption your offer will be reinstated

 

[lawstudent123]

in these situations, it is best to ask to defer your place for a year rather than withdraw completely.

I had something similar happen once before - the individual reneged on an offer and then circumstances meant they wanted their offer reinstated. In that situation we fast tracked them to final round interview, but we felt it was important to interview them again. Was clearly a good move as the individual is still at the firm in question.

given the circumstances in this instance, the firm may be more flexible. However, they may be concerned around your commitment to Manchester if circumstances were to change again, so they may not be so open. If they are open to the idea, it’s likely you will be considered for a year later’s intake.

I would contact them and say whether your applications could be reconsidered (rather than the offer reinstated) and if so, what stage you would need to start the process from again.

That shows a willingness from your side to go through the process again, and not the assumption your offer will be reinstated

Thank you for coming back to me - i was told that they were not able to defer offers/recruit for the following year which is why i had to withdraw completely. i will take on your advice and speak to them and demonstrate i am willing to go through the process again.

 

[Karin]

Hey guys, I'm in a really sticky situation right now...
I know this might sound ungrateful to some but I'm thinking of not attending an interview at Macfarlanes which I have been offered. I'm going through a lot of stress right now and suffer from anxiety. I have already secured a vac scheme with DLA Piper and have been rejected from Freshfields. I prepared a lot for the Freshfields AC and I still did not get it and so I really don't want to think about preparing for the Macfarlanes one to that extent since I just cannot 'wing' it. The thought of going through this again is actually making me very stressed right now. I honestly am happy with having one vac scheme this year. I know Macfarlanes have a small intake and given the type of interview is about thinking on your feet (something I am not good at), I doubt I would get it anyway.
I don't know, I feel like my mind is kind of made up but I just wanted to share to know what some of you think about this... any thoughts would be really appreciated. Thank you!

I completely understand where you are coming from as I have been in a similar position last year, when I passed on Simmons & Simmons video interview as i was too stressed about my AC and just didnt think i could take any more pressure. However, now I wish I at least gave it a chance as if anything else, it would be one mroe experience that could make me more prepared for my future interviews.
Your mental health should always be your priority so take your time and think about it, but seeing you have done other two ACs (one has secured you a vacation scheme) you are most likely more prepared and more able than you think. Good luck with whatever decision you make!!!

 

[Karin]

Just got invited for an AC with HSF, and it's my first ever assessment centre. I've been told its really tough, does anyone have any advice? Thank you in advance

Drop me a message; i did their AC last week!

 

[Karin]

Hi, congratulations on your offer! I have an AC at Links coming up and would be really grateful if you could offer any guidance or insight into the case study!

Send me a message re Links AC - did one last year!

 

[Aurochschiette]

Just got invited for an AC with HSF, and it's my first ever assessment centre. I've been told its really tough, does anyone have any advice? Thank you in advance

Drop me a message with any questions and I will try to help as best I can.

Do not psych yourself out though! I did and it was self-limiting. It's great to go in prepared but be open to what you might see.

 

[003]

Just got invited for an AC with HSF, and it's my first ever assessment centre. I've been told its really tough, does anyone have any advice? Thank you in advance

Congratulations! All the stuff posted above is good. There is at least one other case study which is completely different, someone else wrote about it here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....-vacation-scheme-assessment-centre-2020.2066/
I would make sure you allocate case study time to consider how you will present it. Anyone who needs a separate room, definitely take a watch, or even if you don't take one just incase.

Would recommend Jake Schogger commercial law handbook and Christopher Stoakes know the city books in general not just for HSF.

Have an opinion and say why but out loud consider both sides of the argument. Form your judgement and be alert for any hints they may give you and why they are asking you specific questions/to look at specific areas of the case study.

Try and really think about the structure of what you're going to say before you say it. I.e this is what I think, this is why I think it, this is why it's important for the client. Try and practice talking current news stories through with friends/family to think about how you would advise a client involved, how the business operates, and to help you think about the structure of your speech.

If you need time to think, say, and if they move on before you can answer tell them that you have a point you want to come back to.

It was my first AC too and I wish I had stayed calm and confident because I think it is as equally important as what you say.

Good luck!

 

[Holly]

Advice for Interview Outfits (Female)?
Does anyone have any tips on how to strike a balance between a professional attire and showing your personality?

For some interviews, I wore a black blazer, black skirt, and a greyish top. In others, I decided to wear a black blazer with a grey dress.

I understand this may be less important than my actual interview performance, but I do feel presentation is important particularly when seeking to make a great first impression. I worry if my outfits have been too formal and bland.

How has everyone else gone about striking this balance? Thank you!

Edit: Also is a blazer always necessary with a dress? I personally am quite uncomfortable in a blazer and it sometimes causes me to fidget (annoyingly ). But I feel this is better than showing my arms which may be deemed unprofessional.

 

[csyn]

No, it is for TC 2021 They had a window opened for this between October to December.

Also, they definitely do not recruit on a rolling basis but only once all applications are submitted. For reference, I applied on 27 December (so a few days before the deadline) and heard back yesterday with the AC invite.

Amazing! Congratulations and thanks for the insight! I nearly applied to the same intake as you but pulled out last minute owing to multiple other deadlines, so pushing for their current intake that opened 1 Feb.

May I ask whether you talked about their international arbitration practice on your app? And/or their other offices? E.g. their Paris office is quite prestigious.

 

[csyn]

Advice for Interview Outfits (Female)?
Does anyone have any tips on how to strike a balance between a professional attire and showing your personality?

For some interviews, I wore a black blazer, black skirt, and a greyish top. In others, I decided to wear a black blazer with a grey dress.

I understand this may be less important than my actual interview performance, but I do feel presentation is important particularly when seeking to make a great first impression. I worry if my outfits have been too formal and bland.

How has everyone else gone about striking this balance? Thank you!

Edit: Also is a blazer always necessary with a dress? I personally am quite uncomfortable in a blazer and it sometimes causes me to fidget (annoyingly ). But I feel this is better than showing my arms which may be deemed unprofessional.

Blazer is definitely necessary. At worst, look up a boucle type jacket that has less stiffer shoulders if thats your thing.

As for personality, try opting for more interesting earrings if you have pierced ears? Keep it simple to studs, at most small hoops (what I opt for), and definitely nothing extraordinarily dangling.