Hello!
Congratulations on receiving an interview invite!!
Whilst I'm not too sure on the specifics of Slaughters' interview process, I can share some general tips on how I'd prepare. I would definitely recommend that you read this forum post by Andrei that goes into depth on competency interviews - it's really useful!
I have quoted some posts below on previous advice I have shared for preparing for an interview - I would say that my main last minute tips is to make sure that you have your core motivational answers prepared (i.e. why Slaughters, why commercial law, and why you). Almost every interview will include these questions, and it is important that you tailor it to the firm and back up any points with examples from your past experiences (for example, if you say you enjoy X practice area, back it up with evidence of how this interest developed).
Additionally, I would prepare an answer for common commercial awareness questions such as "Tell us about a recent news story that interested you" or "Who do you think our main competitors are, and why". You don't need to have an in-depth technical understanding of every aspect - simply being able to explain the trends in the market and how these will impact firm's and their clients should be enough!
I hope that assists, and wishing you the best of luck - I'm sure you'll do great!
Hello!
Scenario-based interviews can feel intimidating, but once you find a method that works for you, they actually become a great opportunity to show how you think and work! One thing that really helps is using a clear structure, such as the STAR method, as this helps keep your answer focused and makes sure that you hit all the important points without rambling.
I've also found it really useful in the past to build a "bank" of examples ahead of time. Have a look at some of the most common scenario-based questions involve, and think of key moments from your previous experiences where you have displayed these - things such as solving a problem, working through a conflict, supporting a team member, etc. If you take a few minutes to map these out in advance (and perhaps quickly note which skills each experience highlights), you can quickly adapt them to whatever scenario the interviewer throws at you.
When you are actually answering the question, try to walk the interviewer through your thought process. They won't necessarily just be looking for the final outcome - they will want to hear why you made the choices you did and how you approached the situation. At the end, it also helps to tie the experience back to the role that you are applying for and what it taught you overall.
A little preparation goes a long way, and once you have a structure and a handful of solid examples, you'll feel more confident going into the interview.
I hope that helps!
Hey!
It's totally normal to feel stressed - live interviews typically feel more daunting, but I'd say they are generally a nicer experience than VIs as you are able to genuinely build a rapport and speak with the interviewer (and they are sometimes more conversational as a result). The interviewers won't be trying to catch you out - they're simply trying to get a sense of how you think, how you communicate, and whether you'd be someone that they'd enjoy working with day-to-day.
In terms of preparation, it really helped me to get comfortable with the core story that I was telling. Make sure that you are clear on why you are interested in working in commercial law (or law more generally), why you wish to work at that firm, and what draws you to their training contract. Additionally, I would create a 'bank' of competency examples from your previous experiences so that you have them in the back of your mind - for example, times that you have worked in a team, handled pressure, or taken responsibility. This gives you something to fall back on, even if the question isn't phrased in the way that you expected. I also found that practising my answers for the more common questions out loud really helped to calm my nerves and helped me feel prepared, even if it was a little awkward at first!
On the day, remember that it is completely okay to pause and think before answering. Silence is not a bad thing, and you won't be expected to respond instantly - it's usually more effective to give yourself a few seconds to think before jumping into an answer. If a question isn't clear, it's also perfectly acceptable to ask for clarification to ensure that you answer the question in the way that they are looking for. It sounds silly, but I'd also try to engage with the interviewers as people - maintaining eye contact (and as someone who is neurodivergent, I know this can be tricky at times!), listening properly, and responding naturally can go a long way. I'd also encourage you to show genuine interest in the interviewers and their careers as well - you could ask them questions on their work and practice areas at the end of the interview, which will show them that you genuinely want to learn more about the firm.
It helps to try to shift how you frame the interview in your mind - try to treat it like a two-way conversation rather than a performance. They are assessing whether you'd be a good colleague just as much as whether you can answer questions well. Almost everyone is nervous during interviews, even if it doesn't look like it! A partner during one of my vacation schemes said that it is a good thing to be nervous before an interview, as it shows that you care - I'd try to use it to your advantage!
Overall, I'd just encourage you to be yourself and show your motivations for working at the firm. You have clearly impressed them already to be invited to the interview stage, so try to remain confident in your own abilities and I'm sure you'll smash it! Best of luck!!
I want vouchers too!!
