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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jaysen" data-source="post: 45657" data-attributes="member: 1">In third place is a list of the types of questions I used to ask at events (please apply your own judgement).Questions to ask partners<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is the firm dominated by the states or more collaborative? What do you make of the relationship between offices?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How does the London office fit in with the broader strategy of the firm?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Does the US cultural influence make any difference on your day to day work?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How involved are you with US lawyers on a typical case? Does this pose challenges regarding time zones?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How involved is London in the firm’s overall decision making?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What are the biggest challenges about working on multi-jurisdictional deals (that aren’t related to the actual work)?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What proportion of partners trained within the firm?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Do you think there will be any consolidation among the major city firms?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Why do you think the best friend's network/alliance/merger is the best model for global practice?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Why do you do what you do? What gets you up in the morning?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is the aim for the firm’s culture to be uniform across borders or distinct in each jurisdiction?</li> </ul>Questions to ask trainees <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How did you end in at your practice area? Where would you have gone if you hadn't ended up here?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is there any scope to contribute ideas to the firm as a trainee?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How is it ensured that trainees on client secondments get the same standard of training?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How do you view the rise of US firms in London?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How would you describe X firm’s place in the market?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">In terms of personal training/development, what does the law firm offer?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What are you most looking forward to in your future?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How many of you tend to work on a deal?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Do you find the culture non-hierarchical? Open door policy?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How involved are you with business development (BD) and promoting the firm?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What do you wish you’d known about being a trainee before you started that you now do?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How does the lack of billable hours affect your practice?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">With the best friends network/alliance approach, has do secondments work?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Because there are fewer trainees at this firm, would you say there is greater trainee responsibility/exposure?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What was it like when you actually began at the firm? How did you find the transition?</li> </ul>Questions to ask graduate recruitment<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How are seats allocated?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What are the skills you look for in a trainee?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is there a mentoring programme available on the training contract?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Why did you join?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Can you tell us about the structure of your training contract assessment days?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How do trainees receive feedback? Is there a formal appraisal?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Are there opportunities to get involved in pro bono work?</li> </ul></blockquote>

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