Please state the month/year you interviewed at the firm.
February 2021
Please specify what the interview was for.
Summer Vacation Scheme 2021
Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings.
9-10am Arrival and case study part 1
10-10:30am Case Study review
10:30-11am Written Case Study exercise
11:45-12 prep for Partner Interview
12-1pm- Partner Interview
1:15-1:45pm Trainee meet and greet
2:25-3:30pm HR Interview.
Please provide a summary of each assessment on the day with approximate timings.
30mins for first part of Case Study which was three different exercises that had to be completed- one was an email prioritisation, one was multiple choice about limitations of an NDA and the other multiple choice about the Case Study which came up for the written task and the Partner interview. 30mins then to read through the documents for the written exercise. It was a M&A bundle about the acquisition by Company X of Company Y.
30mins to draft an email that would be sent to the client highlighting issues that might arise from the acquisition (due diligence) prior to call between client and law firm. 15mins before the Partner Interview a ‘crisis’ email was sent which spoke about a PR issue at the firm- had to think what you would do in that situation.
45mins of questioning on the acquisition- lots of questions about how the company would finance the M&A, amongst other things. Tricky but they prodded me to the right answer if I wasn’t sure. Also asked about dealing with the PR issue. Then I was encouraged to ask them general questions.
30-45mins HR interview- one interviewer and myself. She asked questions and then asked if had any questions for her at the end.
What is your best advice for each aspect of the assessment on the day? Please break this down for each assessment. This can include advice for preparation, as well as tips for the day.
For the first Case Study there really isn’t anything you can do to prepare you just need to read the questions and work through the 3 tasks. Take your time because you need to pass all aspects of the day to be successful.
For the Case Study which was the basis of the interview and the written task - read all the documents carefully and understand what you are being asked to do. They really liked the layout of my email because I used bullet points/made it very clear and easy to read. Be careful of tone depending on who the email is intended. In terms of preparation I read TCLA’s forum on case studies as well as looking up potential areas of due diligence. But I definitely needed to look more into how M&As are financed.
Partner Interview- be calm and try and grasp which direction they are leading you in. It isn’t an interrogation but very much feels like a discussion. Speak out your thought process so you look like you are logical.
HR Interview- in advance I had looked up lots of potential interview questions and had thought about my answers for them in advance so I wouldn’t be spending ages thinking in my interview. Every question I was asked I had already seen online so nothing was a surprise.
Were you successful?
Yes
