Hello!
That's amazing - huge congratulations on getting to this stage for all of those firms! You've clearly put in a lot of hard work, and it's really paying off.
Jones Day Partner Interview
I haven't completed an interview at the firm, but I could share what you might encounter in a general partner interview! The partners tend to explore your motivations and how you think, so try to show curiosity, commercial awareness, and a genuine understanding of how the firm remains competitive. I can imagine they will like candidates who can articulate why the non-rotational training model suits them - for example, that you enjoy taking responsibility early on or like the idea of shaping your own training.
I would be prepared to discuss your application in depth, especially any experiences that show initiative, teamwork, or resilience. They also appreciate when you've thought carefully about why Jones Day beyond the basics - have a think about why they stand out to you, and how they are well suited to your working style and future aspirations.
Sidley HR Interview
I would expect this to be more competency and motivated focused. They'll likely cover topics such as teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and attention to detail, so have 4-5 strong examples ready (using the STAR method if that helps). I would practice these in advance, just so that your mind doesn't go blank in the moment, and you have a clear idea of the structure of what you want to say.
You may also get questions about why Sidley specifically, so I would do a bit more research into their standout practice areas and any recent deals or pro bono work. Showing that you've connected their global work with your own interests makes a strong impression, and demonstrates how you would be a good fit for the firm!
Dechert Written Exercise
I've copied some advice below that I shared a few days ago on how I would prepare for the written exercise. Whilst I'm not sure on the specifics of the
Dechert exercise, these are the main steps I would take:
- Practice timed writing - pick a 30-45 minute slot, read a short business or news article, and summarise the key points in a structured 1-2 page memo with a clear conclusion summarising your findings.
- Work on prioritisation - pick an article with a lot of information, and practice picking out the 3-4 most important issues rather than trying to summarise and include everything.
- Use a clear structure - this was the main thing that I implemented that helped me score higher on written assessments! Follow a clear structure in your answer, and practice what this would be for each type of document. For example, you might be asked to write an email to a client, a letter, a memo, or a report. Have a look at what the structure of each of these should be, and have a go drafting a couple to get used to it in advance.
- Check clarity - after writing (potentially one of the above), ask yourself if someone with no context to the facts could follow along with the information and your reasoning.
- Proofread under pressure - I would get used to quickly checking grammar and flow, as this is really important in a written exercise! I sometimes struggled with this, as the pressure made me skip parts of my writing, but I found that literally following along with a pen or your finger can make sure you don't miss anything.
- Review sample case studies - I would have a look online and see if there are any free resources that you can have a go at. A true lifesaver during my last cycle was this forum post by Jacob Miller, and I would definitely give it a read!
I'd focus on condensing large chunks of information into clear, concise summaries, and then presenting these within a straightforward structure that flows logically and leads to a well-reasoned conclusion.
You've got a busy week ahead, but you're clearly in a really great position - just remember to take some time to relax in between as well! Wishing you the best of luck, you've got this! 💪
