- Feb 17, 2018
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Please state the month/year you interviewed at the firm.
February2020
Please specify what the interview was for.
Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme 2020
Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings.
I arrived for a 12:30 start, completed the written exercise, and then had two successive interviews. One interview was with a partner and an associate, the other with an associate and a member of the GR team. There is a trainee tour, too. Food was not provided.
Please provide a summary of each assessment on the day with approximate timings.
Written exercise: There was not an excessive amount of information to read. The exercise is more of a test of your analytical and client-based skills. They are testing how your process information, and how you would then present your thoughts and advice to a client. Based on previous experience, I did not use headings, bolding or italicising (other firms had not allowed it). Dechert actually wanted this, so ask in advance of completing the exercise. You may receive brownie points for making it more accessible to the mock client.
Interview 1: One interview will first test your commercial awareness. Its a quick-fire quiz for which you cannot prepare beyond doing your best to develop a broad base of commercial knowledge. Unfortunately this is not a test of how you think or process information; you either know the answer or you don't. You will then be asked to read a situational judgement scenario and be asked a series of questions about what you would do. Think carefully before you answer and don't be afraid to go back to previous responses to clarify them further if necessary to create more of a narrative of actions you would take. You will be challenged on why you chose to do X action rather than Y. Think honestly about whether X or Y is the option you would pick. There is not a defined right set of choices, but avoid responses that suggest you are not a team player, or that you struggle to deal with pressure and responsibly. Instead, show that you can remain calm under pressure. There will also be competency questions: these were standard and focused on my teamwork and negotiation skills, and my capacity to work to tight deadlines. Have a plethora of examples for different competencies at your finger tips, and be prepared to answer additional questions in more detail about each example.
Interview 2: This centres around a case study which you do not get to read in advance. The partner read it out-loud to me, and I took notes to ensure I understood the scenario. You will then be asked a series of questions about what you would advice the pretend clients in this scenario based on your understanding of business, commercial law and Dechert. You will be expected to understand Dechert as a business and how its practice areas can chip in to help the mock client. My case study centred around a long term business partnership. There was time at the end to ask questions: make sure you are prepared with questions that demonstrate your interest in the firm.
Trainee Tour and Chat: This is assessed. Use this to your advantage by asking perceptive questions about training at Dechert. Use your own knowledge and interest in the firm as a launchpad for questions to signpost further your motivation.
Please list any interview questions you were asked.
See above.
What is your best advice for each aspect of the assessment on the day? Please break this down for each assessment. This can include advice for preparation, as well as tips for the day.
The whole day is assessed, so remain polite, personable and professional throughout the half-day. Your motivation for applying is not directly assessed, so use questions to demonstrate this.
Were you successful?
No
February2020
Please specify what the interview was for.
Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme 2020
Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings.
I arrived for a 12:30 start, completed the written exercise, and then had two successive interviews. One interview was with a partner and an associate, the other with an associate and a member of the GR team. There is a trainee tour, too. Food was not provided.
Please provide a summary of each assessment on the day with approximate timings.
Written exercise: There was not an excessive amount of information to read. The exercise is more of a test of your analytical and client-based skills. They are testing how your process information, and how you would then present your thoughts and advice to a client. Based on previous experience, I did not use headings, bolding or italicising (other firms had not allowed it). Dechert actually wanted this, so ask in advance of completing the exercise. You may receive brownie points for making it more accessible to the mock client.
Interview 1: One interview will first test your commercial awareness. Its a quick-fire quiz for which you cannot prepare beyond doing your best to develop a broad base of commercial knowledge. Unfortunately this is not a test of how you think or process information; you either know the answer or you don't. You will then be asked to read a situational judgement scenario and be asked a series of questions about what you would do. Think carefully before you answer and don't be afraid to go back to previous responses to clarify them further if necessary to create more of a narrative of actions you would take. You will be challenged on why you chose to do X action rather than Y. Think honestly about whether X or Y is the option you would pick. There is not a defined right set of choices, but avoid responses that suggest you are not a team player, or that you struggle to deal with pressure and responsibly. Instead, show that you can remain calm under pressure. There will also be competency questions: these were standard and focused on my teamwork and negotiation skills, and my capacity to work to tight deadlines. Have a plethora of examples for different competencies at your finger tips, and be prepared to answer additional questions in more detail about each example.
Interview 2: This centres around a case study which you do not get to read in advance. The partner read it out-loud to me, and I took notes to ensure I understood the scenario. You will then be asked a series of questions about what you would advice the pretend clients in this scenario based on your understanding of business, commercial law and Dechert. You will be expected to understand Dechert as a business and how its practice areas can chip in to help the mock client. My case study centred around a long term business partnership. There was time at the end to ask questions: make sure you are prepared with questions that demonstrate your interest in the firm.
Trainee Tour and Chat: This is assessed. Use this to your advantage by asking perceptive questions about training at Dechert. Use your own knowledge and interest in the firm as a launchpad for questions to signpost further your motivation.
Please list any interview questions you were asked.
See above.
What is your best advice for each aspect of the assessment on the day? Please break this down for each assessment. This can include advice for preparation, as well as tips for the day.
The whole day is assessed, so remain polite, personable and professional throughout the half-day. Your motivation for applying is not directly assessed, so use questions to demonstrate this.
Were you successful?
No
