Slaughter and May Training Contract Application 2022

Anthony Abloh

Esteemed Member
May 24, 2020
75
89
Hi Guys,

I thought I would make this thread as there is a 30 page Linklaters application thread where everyone asks and answers questions about the application process which I found really helpful. I would like to create something similar for Slaughter as the application window is now open and they will be offering interviews in the next couple of weeks! So please post everything Slaughter here!!!!!
 

EA

Star Member
Jun 22, 2020
29
23
Hi, I got an email from Slaughter and May.
I was asked to send an explanation of the grading system and boundaries for my university.
Does anyone know what that entails?
 

Romiras

Legendary Member
Associate
Apr 3, 2019
144
272
Hi, I got an email from Slaughter and May.
I was asked to send an explanation of the grading system and boundaries for my university.
Does anyone know what that entails?
Just explain how it works in comparison to A Levels. Try and show the parallel so they understand what grades correspond to A level grades or UCAS points, etc.
 
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Law2022

Legendary Member
May 3, 2020
284
659
I received an email from grad recruitment today stating that I need to get back into contact with them as soon as my final second semester results are released! Not a rejection so I guess it’s not all bad
 

Anthony Abloh

Esteemed Member
May 24, 2020
75
89
hi guys! I went through the S&M process and received a TC offer last winter. if you have any queries I am happy to help!

Congrats! Did you accept it? And how did you find the article side of the interview? If I am lucky enough to get an interview, that would be the part that I am most concerned about. I have seen that some people had some wild topics that I had never even heard of.
 

LuLa

Star Member
Future Trainee
Nov 28, 2019
38
79
I did accept it!
ANd for me the article discussion was super interesting. I had an article about Brexit politics, although we only discussed it for 15 minutes at the end.
they asked me to summarise the article and give an opinion and then they questioned my point of view :)
 
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Anthony Abloh

Esteemed Member
May 24, 2020
75
89
I did accept it!
ANd for me the article discussion was super interesting. I had an article about Brexit politics, although we only discussed it for 15 minutes at the end.
they asked me to summarise the article and give an opinion and then they questioned my point of view :)

That's good! What about the written exercise? How was that? I am really hoping I get something M&A related.
 

Romiras

Legendary Member
Associate
Apr 3, 2019
144
272
Congrats! Did you accept it? And how did you find the article side of the interview? If I am lucky enough to get an interview, that would be the part that I am most concerned about. I have seen that some people had some wild topics that I had never even heard of.

I also received a TC last year. My article was from the FT. We discussed meritocracy in the banking industry and I was asked to take a position (which was chosen by one of the partners). The conversation that surrounds the article is largely focused on testing your interpretation of the article and your ability to argue a position (even if you do not believe in it). It'd be useful to understand the art of rhetoric. The best way you can prepare for it is by reading widely and thinking about different arguments. You don't need to prepare 'specifically' for the article, you should just be very flexible during the interview to see all the arguments/views/interests that could come into play.
 

Anthony Abloh

Esteemed Member
May 24, 2020
75
89
I also received a TC last year. My article was from the FT. We discussed meritocracy in the banking industry and I was asked to take a position (which was chosen by one of the partners). The conversation that surrounds the article is largely focused on testing your interpretation of the article and your ability to argue a position (even if you do not believe in it). It'd be useful to understand the art of rhetoric. The best way you can prepare for it is by reading widely and thinking about different arguments. You don't need to prepare 'specifically' for the article, you should just be very flexible during the interview to see all the arguments/views/interests that could come into play.

See, that topic sounds tricky! But thank you for sharing your experience!
 
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Alice G

Legendary Member
Future Trainee
Forum Team
M&A Bootcamp
Nov 26, 2018
1,731
4,183
See, that topic sounds tricky! But thank you for sharing your experience!
Hey! Just to pitch in, I really don’t think it matters too much if you know a lot about the topic you get. I think what people look for in these discussions is potential and for you to just think through a commercial lens so to speak. I think it can be effective to say that a certain topic isn’t your specialist subject but always just try to vocalise your thought process to put across what you think and why. Just taking a stance is what they’re looking for and just try to pause and be thoughtful about the debate or discussion at hand. Try to preempt the sorts of things they’ll say in your prep and start maybe a spider diagram of points and arguments you can think of so that you have done some of the hard groundwork before you go in. It’s always just a case of trying your best at the end of the day and remaining calm and clear headed to allow your thoughts to flow so you can deliver these to the interviewers.

to prep: definitely read a cross section of articles from publications like the FT and the Times and practise reading them critically- what is the summary of the article (2 sentences only ideally!!!) and what is the journalist arguing? Do I agree with their point of view? Are there flaws to this argument or indeed this article? What do I think?
Then you can start fleshing out the arguments and points surrounding the discussion and think about how you’d argue your view and how it could be pushed back upon (this is what the interviewers would do)

really hope this helps and good luck!
 
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Anthony Abloh

Esteemed Member
May 24, 2020
75
89
Hey! Just to pitch in, I really don’t think it matters too much if you know a lot about the topic you get. I think what people look for in these discussions is potential and for you to just think through a commercial lens so to speak. I think it can be effective to say that a certain topic isn’t your specialist subject but always just try to vocalise your thought process to put across what you think and why. Just taking a stance is what they’re looking for and just try to pause and be thoughtful about the debate or discussion at hand. Try to preempt the sorts of things they’ll say in your prep and start maybe a spider diagram of points and arguments you can think of so that you have done some of the hard groundwork before you go in. It’s always just a case of trying your best at the end of the day and remaining calm and clear headed to allow your thoughts to flow so you can deliver these to the interviewers.

to prep: definitely read a cross section of articles from publications like the FT and the Times and practise reading them critically- what is the summary of the article (2 sentences only ideally!!!) and what is the journalist arguing? Do I agree with their point of view? Are there flaws to this argument or indeed this article? What do I think?
Then you can start fleshing out the arguments and points surrounding the discussion and think about how you’d argue your view and how it could be pushed back upon (this is what the interviewers would do)

really hope this helps and good luck!

Thank you so much, this was very comforting!
 
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