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AC at DWF
- Thread starter louislitt
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I remember speaking to someone recently who had a DWF interview - will see if he has any advice! Do you know what they mean by checking exercise? Is that like proofreading?
Yes, I think it will be something that tests attention to detail/ability to proofread.
- Feb 17, 2018
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I spoke to a few future trainees at DWF and they have kindly offered to give you some advice for the AC. I will PM you.
It's generally difficult to prepare for group exercises (which is partly the point). But here's some thoughts:
- Practice expressing your views out loud, or if possible, within a group. Try to articulate your points clearly, but simply.
- You want to be confident, but not forceful. Think about your non-verbal body language when you speak. Sit up straight, smile, and use gestures to help get your message across.
- Practicing debating. Choose a topic and find someone to play devil’s advocate. Try to defend your position. Then practice arguing the opposing point of view. See if you can stay calm under pressure. I’ve seen many candidates lose their cool during group exercises, and it never goes down well.
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For the checking exercise, I saw someone ask this on TSR when I was looking into it. Fourth post down: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=78958532&highlight=
I know you've had plenty of advice by now, but here's some more from a future trainee!
"My top tips would be to know the firm well (products/services they offer and how this sets them apart from their competitors), think about their international expansion (in my interview I was asked a lot of questions about this), in the interview (which was a member of grad recruitment and 2 partners) just be genuine and show them why you will fit the firm. The questions were scenario based and competency based mainly so it is key to find a way to incorporate knowledge of the firm into the answers.
From what I have heard they have changed the AC since I did mine but in the group activity I had I would say the tips would be to show leadership skills when needed, communicate well with the others, make only valid points (do not just say things because you think you need to speak as much as you can!). I also had to do a presentation (there was a list of topics to choose from which you got on the day). Tips would be use the whiteboard/paper you are given, make sure you stick to time limits, if you do not have much knowledge of the topic then that isn’t the end of world as they are focusing on your presentation skills (eye contact, speed of speech etc). The final activity I had was a written test, I don’t have many tips for that that I’m afraid, the instructions they gave were easy to follow so just make you you plan your time well to get it completed!"
"My top tips would be to know the firm well (products/services they offer and how this sets them apart from their competitors), think about their international expansion (in my interview I was asked a lot of questions about this), in the interview (which was a member of grad recruitment and 2 partners) just be genuine and show them why you will fit the firm. The questions were scenario based and competency based mainly so it is key to find a way to incorporate knowledge of the firm into the answers.
From what I have heard they have changed the AC since I did mine but in the group activity I had I would say the tips would be to show leadership skills when needed, communicate well with the others, make only valid points (do not just say things because you think you need to speak as much as you can!). I also had to do a presentation (there was a list of topics to choose from which you got on the day). Tips would be use the whiteboard/paper you are given, make sure you stick to time limits, if you do not have much knowledge of the topic then that isn’t the end of world as they are focusing on your presentation skills (eye contact, speed of speech etc). The final activity I had was a written test, I don’t have many tips for that that I’m afraid, the instructions they gave were easy to follow so just make you you plan your time well to get it completed!"
Hey, sorry for the late post, but I have an AC with DWF tomorrow with the same structure as above, all these tips were super useful and if you have any more I'd love to know! Many Thanks
Hi, hope the AC went well for you.
Is the interview entirely to do with situational strengths? (i.e 'what would you do in this situation')
Hey,
Yeah it was very situational strengths based and a couple of questions about teamwork and building relationships. You cant really prepare for any of the Q's so dont worry about them asking things you wont know the answer to
Hey!
How did it go? I have my AC on Monday. Do you have any tips? Especially for the panel interview...
- Feb 17, 2018
- 4,719
- 8,627
Hey, I'm afraid the advice they gave was a few years ago for that particular person in the forum. Apologies I can't be of more help here but you may find a search in the forum to be more useful (back then, we had a fraction of the threads we have now).
