When was your Fieldfisher interview?
February 2018
What for?
Vacation Scheme
Please describe the interview process at Fieldfisher.
The assessment centre was held on a Saturday. We were in a group of about 10 or 12, and were then split into two groups. Within these groups, we began with a group exercise where we were asked to decide how to allot money for a marketing campaign. After this was an individual interview, where there were the usual experience / skill questions (time you’ve worked as a team, time where you’ve had to change someone’s mind). Then we had a written exercise where I had read a few documents and then explain how I would alter a restaurant’s business plan. Finally, we had 15 minutes to prepare a presentation on any topic we liked and then present it to the full group (10 candidates) and all the assessors in under one minute.
What advice would you give to future applicants about the Fieldfisher interview?
Be able to explain how the firm stands out, culture-wise – beyond this, focus more on speaking about yourself versus speaking about the firm: the majority of the (short) interview revolves around your skills and abilities in a workplace setting rather than your knowledge of them
When was your Fieldfisher interview?
March 2018
What for?
Vacation Scheme
Please describe the interview process at Fieldfisher.
1. Written task. You’ll be given a bundle of information regarding a struggling company, and you’ll have to write a letter to the owner with advice on how to turn things around. 60 minutes.
2. Group task. You’ll be given a budget to organise an event along with a list of viable options. Your group must choose one or more options and justify it to a panel of HR reps. 60 minutes.
3. Interview. 60 minutes.
4. Presentation. At the beginning of the day, you’ll be asked to prepare a two-minute presentation on a subject you’re interested in. It will be delivered to the HR reps at the end of the day.
Coffee and tea will be made available throughout the day, and reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.
What advice would you give to future applicants about the Fieldfisher interview?
The written task is effectively a case study. The data booklet is over ten pages long, so make sure you give it a good once over before writing. Keep an eye on the time. Additionally, keep an eye on your spelling and grammar, and make sure your handwriting is legible.
Make sure you contribute to the group task, but don’t be overbearing. During the last ten minutes of the task, you will be asked to present your decision to the HR reps, who will challenge your thinking. Keep this in mind when deliberating with the other group members.
The interview is almost exclusively competency-based. The interviewer will be reading from a list of questions and making notes. Make sure you are able to demonstrate teamwork, communication skills and commercial awareness with examples from your work history/positions of responsibility.
The presentation is pretty straightforward. Take a deep breath, speak clearly, and make sure you don’t run out of time.
When was your Fieldfisher interview?
January 2018
What for?
Telephone Interview
Please describe the interview process at Fieldfisher.
A member of HR rang at a scheduled time. No chit-chat – straight into the questions, of which there were five. It was fairly business-like – this actually was reassuring, as no time for nerves.
What advice would you give to future applicants about the Fieldfisher interview?
The interview questions were fairly straightforward. Why Fieldfisher? Why a mid-size law-firm? Which of our practice areas / sectors are you particularly interested in? One thing that might trip people up is there was a follow-on, asking about how you think that sector is changing and what the key issues are. If you’re unprepared, I can see that being an issue. The focus on tech in particular is pronounced – having enthusiasm and knowledge of that was helpful. Then a further question about a news story you’ve noticed (not the one from your application.)
You’ll just be asked these questions, and you then give your response. It’s not a conversation – if you’ve finished your answer, don’t be afraid to just stop talking. Better to be succinct.
The legal press have done some good in-depth comparative pieces which are well worth locating. Very useful for ‘what differentiates us’ type questions.
I got a good impression from the Grad Rec manager who conducted the interview.
