HSF Vacation Scheme Application questions - tips/advice

[DrasPK]

Hello,
I'm an Indian law student currently going through the international law firm vacation scheme rigmarole. I have done my research on the firms, etc. But I would like specific advice on the questions asked:
1. Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you. (We are looking for structure and succinctness in your answer. Your answer does not need to be related to law or HSF and it is a chance for us to find out more about you and your interests)
2. Why are you interested in pursuing a career at Herbert Smith Freehills?
3. What skills, qualities and attributes would you bring to the role?

For question (1) i've read contradictory views on whether the answer can include any topic or specifically topics related to commercial law. Does anyone have a successful experience after writing a non-law answer, esp if they're from an Indian legal background. I've also read that this answer is to evaluate our writing. What does this mean exactly? What are some general writing advice to keep in mind?

Question (2) - Are they asking for previous trysts with HSF, international experience, etc?

Any further tips for how to approach these and other questions from an international background would be very helpful <3

 

[Jessica Booker]

1) we have seen plenty of non legal topics discussed in successful applications. Pick I topic you are knowledgeable and interested in. The “explain why it interests you” is really the bit they will find interesting while how you summarise the topic and present it as if the person has no knowledge of it is the skill they are looking for.

2) this can be any reasons for the firm. Make sure the combination of your answer would not apply to other firms.

The key with writing applications is taking the interesting stuff about you and the things you find interesting about the firm and trying to align them.

 

[DrasPK]

1) we have seen plenty of non legal topics discussed in successful applications. Pick I topic you are knowledgeable and interested in. The “explain why it interests you” is really the bit they will find interesting while how you summarise the topic and present it as if the person has no knowledge of it is the skill they are looking for.

2) this can be any reasons for the firm. Make sure the combination of your answer would not apply to other firms.

The key with writing applications is taking the interesting stuff about you and the things you find interesting about the firm and trying to align them.

Hi Jessica, that was really helpful for my application!!

I've completed the blended assessment but some old threads here indicated that they received an email soon after they completed their test, indicating if they passed the benchmark. My status shows "under review." Is the process similar for country-specific programmes? Couldn't find any threads by international students asking this question

If anyone's applied this time around and received a response, pls let us know!