Failing Situational judgment test (SJT)

[Tiffany S.]

I recently failed an SJT, and it is not the first time I failed an SJT. I know people always say you can't practise an SJT, but I am really frustrated by it, especially after spending so much time on the app form questions.

I understand that the scenarios are more or less the same across firms, so I really want to learn from my mistakes and seek advice from you guys.

1. When you are busy but the other trainees need help, are we supposed to choose the answer to offer help in any event (assume not the same project)? Let's say if we are working on the same project and the other trainee needs help but I am busy as well, is offer help or find our supervisor to sort out for us the better answer?

2. Very often there are questions about multitasking. Should we take up the task in any event or inform the partner about the deadline you got? On the other hand, is there a preference over helping your trainees first or taking a new task from the partner?

3. Is our personal interest matter? Questions sometimes emphasize the task is not something you are interested in. I usually answer that I will still take it but I have no idea whether this is right or not.

I will be really grateful if any of you can give me any advice on it! At least I want to know what are the questions that I am making a mistake

 

[Legal_rawn]

I have always done fine so I thought I’d give a few thoughts. I always take the approach of take on all the work and try hard to do every task I’m asked to do. Even if it’s a dull task I usually go for the option that says I’ll do it. I try to just be positive in my answers and show enthusiasm for the job. Hope that is some help!

 

[Anna W]

Hi, I've also been doing okay with SJTs so far so I might also give some thoughts. Just FYI I have no idea if these are the 'correct' responses but they are the ones I tend to pick.

1. I usually would go to the supervisor especially if you're also quite busy because you might risk compromising the quality of your own work. Your supervisor will have a better idea of everyone's workload so they might know some other trainees who have less work and are in a better position to help out.

2. For multitasking I usually try to show enthusiasm towards the task even if its not possible for me to take it on. If its something that I'm really interested in I'll go to my supervisor and see if I can get some deadlines moved around or if it's really not possible I'll tell the partner no but tell them if any opportunities arise in the future I'd be interested.

3. I usually will take into account personal interest but also be open-minded to different experiences because as a trainee you'll be trying to decide which area you'd like to qualify in and it'll be easier for you to know where your interests lie if you have tried a variety of things.

Hope that helps!

 

[Alice G]

I recently failed an SJT, and it is not the first time I failed an SJT. I know people always say you can't practise an SJT, but I am really frustrated by it, especially after spending so much time on the app form questions.

I understand that the scenarios are more or less the same across firms, so I really want to learn from my mistakes and seek advice from you guys.

1. When you are busy but the other trainees need help, are we supposed to choose the answer to offer help in any event (assume not the same project)? Let's say if we are working on the same project and the other trainee needs help but I am busy as well, is offer help or find our supervisor to sort out for us the better answer?

2. Very often there are questions about multitasking. Should we take up the task in any event or inform the partner about the deadline you got? On the other hand, is there a preference over helping your trainees first or taking a new task from the partner?

3. Is our personal interest matter? Questions sometimes emphasize the task is not something you are interested in. I usually answer that I will still take it but I have no idea whether this is right or not.

I will be really grateful if any of you can give me any advice on it! At least I want to know what are the questions that I am making a mistake

Hi there,

I offer my views below but I must caveat this by saying that I cannot be certain of my answers or thoughts here as unlike the WG you do not get scores for SJTs as you will know but here goes:

1. This is a tricky one and quite dependent on what you are exactly being asked and what the options are. Of course, teamwork is important, but you cannot sacrifice your own work. I think if the scenario makes this sound plausible, you could agree to just do a small part of the work or even refer the matter up to a supervisor but my thought on the latter is also that supervisors are very busy people so it is often best to resolve things where you can. I suppose in practice you would really try your best to help but you might also refer them to another trainee you know of who might have more capacity or something like that. Essentially, the question of this is very scenario dependent but just remember: teamwork is vital but you also have to manage your time so as to not negatively impact the work you already promised.

2. With multi-tasking, it is all about appraising your own workload, figuring out what you have to do, when the deadlines are and what time it will take. The key here is open and quick communication - partners won't be disgruntled if you are busy but they will be if you promise to do work and cannot manage or handle it. Therefore, honesty is the best policy - be quick to ask questions about the task and ascertain deadlines and then make a judgement call.

3. I think with this, law firms want to see you enthusiastic about all kinds of work, even that which is less interesting to you personally or which might be out of your comfort zone. If you are asked to do a task you have never done before or one you have done multiple times, a firm would probably want to see you taking the new task so as to broaden your skills and show enthusiasm for new work and a new opportunity.

This is based on my own intuition and knowledge of law firms and what is desirable for trainees. Remember, SJTs are quite personality based so take what I have said with a pinch of salt as it may be subconsciously quite tailored to me but these are just my thoughts! Again, maybe not the 'right' answers as such but just what I think.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

@Jaysen @Jessica Booker It would be great if you could contribute to this thread since this is rarely discussed

 

[Jaysen]

Hi, I've also been doing okay with SJTs so far so I might also give some thoughts. Just FYI I have no idea if these are the 'correct' responses but they are the ones I tend to pick.

1. I usually would go to the supervisor especially if you're also quite busy because you might risk compromising the quality of your own work. Your supervisor will have a better idea of everyone's workload so they might know some other trainees who have less work and are in a better position to help out.

2. For multitasking I usually try to show enthusiasm towards the task even if its not possible for me to take it on. If its something that I'm really interested in I'll go to my supervisor and see if I can get some deadlines moved around or if it's really not possible I'll tell the partner no but tell them if any opportunities arise in the future I'd be interested.

3. I usually will take into account personal interest but also be open-minded to different experiences because as a trainee you'll be trying to decide which area you'd like to qualify in and it'll be easier for you to know where your interests lie if you have tried a variety of things.

Hope that helps!

I'm very much aligned with Anna here. I think there's no way of knowing what the firm prefers, so the best approach would be to put yourself in the situation and imagine what you would genuinely do (taking into account your understanding of the role of a trainee).

1. As a trainee, I would never have just taken on work from another trainee. This would have to go through my supervisor first - it would put you in a bad situation if they thought you were working on one of their tasks, or didn't realise you had capacity, because you had taken on work of your own accord.

2. As @Alice G put very well, I'd always manage expectations and never just say 'yes'. It's really important to be upfront about your capacity, rather than trying to say yes to everything and completing a poor job. I'd prefer to work for a partner than take on work from a trainee, but it really depends on the situation.

3. It's fine to have a personal interest, but as a trainee, I'd be fine with taking on work I didn't necessarily enjoy. As Anna put very well, it can be equally useful to take on work to determine what you do enjoy (some things may be surprising!).

 

[Jessica Booker]

The first thing to stress is that SJTs may look similar but how you approach an answer for one firm could be very different to the next. The firm that values people doing things of their own initiative will have very different answers to the firm that values collaboration.

It is why I try to stress there are not a set of answers to these questions, and it can be dangerous to assume there are “right” outcomes or decisions that apply across firms.

You also have to look very carefully at the detail of the question posed. A response might be different if it says you are a trainee in the first few weeks of your first seat vs a trainee who is twelve months in to your training contract. An answer will be different if it says you have a day to complete the task vs if it says it is at the end of the day.

Where people tend to go wrong though:

- not thinking about what’s the most efficient way of doing something
- thinking they have to do everything themselves
- not thinking about managing expectations
- not thinking about risks
- not realising that they are probably the most junior person in the “situation” and that with that you aren’t expected to know everything
- assuming working harder for longer is the right response
- assuming the worst (eg thinking “it depends what my working relationship is like with my supervisors - just assume the best and think you have a good working relationship with your supervisor).

 

[Tiffany S.]

Thanks all for the reply! I read all your opinions seriously and carefully

The point on trainee's enthusiasm is something I haven't thought of before. I used to think that we are supposed to do the work so take it regardless of personal interest or how many times you have worked on it before.

 

[Tiffany S.]

The first thing to stress is that SJTs may look similar but how you approach an answer for one firm could be very different to the next. The firm that values people doing things of their own initiative will have very different answers to the firm that values collaboration.

It is why I try to stress there are not a set of answers to these questions, and it can be dangerous to assume there are “right” outcomes or decisions that apply across firms.

You also have to look very carefully at the detail of the question posed. A response might be different if it says you are a trainee in the first few weeks of your first seat vs a trainee who is twelve months in to your training contract. An answer will be different if it says you have a day to complete the task vs if it says it is at the end of the day.

Where people tend to go wrong though:

- not thinking about what’s the most efficient way of doing something
- thinking they have to do everything themselves
- not thinking about managing expectations
- not thinking about risks
- not realising that they are probably the most junior person in the “situation” and that with that you aren’t expected to know everything
- assuming working harder for longer is the right response
- assuming the worst (eg thinking “it depends what my working relationship is like with my supervisors - just assume the best and think you have a good working relationship with your supervisor).

The point on efficiency reminds me of another question. When we are asked in the situation to work on something completely new, should we do initial research and find someone to confirm, or find someone who has experience (probably an associate) to ask directly? I choose the former one most of the time. But from my own vac scheme experience, I think it is actually more efficient to go for the latter option, as they probably have things like a template? So which is more likely to be the "correct" or better answer?

 

[Jessica Booker]

The point on efficiency reminds me of another question. When we are asked in the situation to work on something completely new, should we do initial research and find someone to confirm, or find someone who has experience (probably an associate) to ask directly? I choose the former one most of the time. But from my own vac scheme experience, I think it is actually more efficient to go for the latter option, as they probably have things like a template? So which is more likely to be the "correct" or better answer?

Again there isn’t one approach to this. People need to get rid of the idea that there is a “correct” approach.

If the firm values people using their initiative, it might be that you should research first. If it is the case it says you are new to the department then it might be the case you should speak to someone first to ensure your research is on the right track.

Remember there is usually 3 or 4 choices in SJTs. One will be the “right” answer, one will be the worst thing you can do, and the other two are probably neutral. In most cases with an SJT it is just avoiding the “wrong” answer more than anything as typically benchmarks are quite low for SJTs.

 

[Adam Gilchrist]

I have always done fine so I thought I’d give a few thoughts. I always take the approach of take on all the work

Just be careful with this one. Although firms don't want slackers and lazy trainees, equally they don't want people over-committing themselves and taking on more work than they can manage - which itself leads to more problems down the line. Some SJT questions are deliberately geared towards this issue, so watch out. There is a fine line to tread either way, I do acknowledge.

 

[jmsassoc11]

I'm a bit late to this but I do think its very possible to prepare for SJTs. Depending on how well they are designed, some have responses that are easy to spot as less desirable, if you know what to look for. For example, anything that has the response 'wait', 'observe for a while', 'don't say anything straight away' etc. are often the more negative end of what firms are looking for.