Hearing Back from Firms + AC & Interview Tips Share - 2018 - 2019

[Helena]

Thanks Hazal - it really is appreciated. Where did you practice the SJT and verbal tests? Could you put a link in here?

Sorry Daniel - we have since discussed.

 

[Yminh]

Thank you! I requested and just received my test report. It looks like I passed, but at the same time I can't help to think that my individual percentile for one of the REDs played a role in their decision making in conjunction with my application answers. Was placed in the high percentiles for the Recognising Assumption and Evaluating Argument bit (70-80+ percentile) and scored 30/40 correct answers.

However, I scored really low and a horrible mark for the Drawing Conclusion bit (below 10 percentile) - which I felt brought down my overall percentile to fortunately meeting their average benchmark. Practised for a week and minimum 1 hour a day, but it looks like I need to practise more in case my scores affect future applications.

looks like drawing conclusion is the area that trip applicants. it's also my weakest performance (30-40 percentile). Heads up to anyone practising for WG, you may want to focus particularly on this segment of the test!

 

[Naomi]

Just received an invite for Weil video interview post completing the WG yesterday. Happy to share the tips I picked up for them if anyone needs - practiced solidly for a day and a half and drove myself mad doing so!

Any tips for the video interview/any experiences of it? Would be much appreciated! It's the first firm I've heard back from this cycle so nervous is an understatement.

 

[Daniel Boden]

No problem! I just did a Google search and found quite a few but ended up using this one: https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/verbal-reasoning-tests/

After all that I passed the HSF test! Seems I worried over nothing/prepared well for it. Now the waiting game begins...

On that note, has anyone heard back from BCLP and/or Bird and Bird? I completed their tests well over a month ago and have not heard a thing...

 

[Hazal]

After all that I passed the HSF test! Seems I worried over nothing/prepared well for it. Now the waiting game begins...

On that note, has anyone heard back from BCLP and/or Bird and Bird? I completed their tests well over a month ago and have not heard a thing...

well done! good luck for the rest of it

 

[Jaysen]

Just received an invite for Weil video interview post completing the WG yesterday. Happy to share the tips I picked up for them if anyone needs - practiced solidly for a day and a half and drove myself mad doing so!

Any tips for the video interview/any experiences of it? Would be much appreciated! It's the first firm I've heard back from this cycle so nervous is an understatement.

"4 questions and 1 minute to answer each. Focus your preparation on the basics: why law, why the firm, skill-set and commercial awareness." (From a student on here, not sure if she wanted to stay anonymous.)

There's also a couple of comments from this thread in August: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....irm-interview-experiences.28/page-2#post-1556

 

[Helena]

Just received an invite for Weil video interview post completing the WG yesterday. Happy to share the tips I picked up for them if anyone needs - practiced solidly for a day and a half and drove myself mad doing so!

Any tips for the video interview/any experiences of it? Would be much appreciated! It's the first firm I've heard back from this cycle so nervous is an understatement.

You practiced the WG for a day and a half? Can you share tips on that as this is my worst type of test - did you buy practice ones? Thanks

 

[Naomi]

Passed the WG for Weil

You practiced the WG for a day and a half? Can you share tips on that as this is my worst type of test - did you buy practice ones? Thanks

I can’t say it was out of choice haha, my job is quite demanding. But of course! I’ll send you my mish mash of notes shortly!

I didn’t buy practice ones though.

 

[Catherine]

Has anyone heard back from Travers Smith recently for winter vacation scheme? It starts on 10th and still not heard anything!

I contacted them last Monday and they said they were still reviewing applications. Do you think it’s worth following up again? As I have a potential job starting soon and I need to let them know if I need the time off!

 

[Daniel Boden]

Just been invited to do a video interview with Bird & Bird - anyone done one with this firm before? I was going to prepare the standard 'Why law?', 'Why Bird & Bird?', a few competency questions and a commercial topic... would that be sufficient or is there something else I should include? Any hints/tips/experiences about video interviews in general would also be appreciated

 

[Lawgirlxo]

Just been invited to do a video interview with Bird & Bird - anyone done one with this firm before? I was going to prepare the standard 'Why law?', 'Why Bird & Bird?', a few competency questions and a commercial topic... would that be sufficient or is there something else I should include?

A time when you were innovative/creative. Something along the innovative line because they are huge on tech.

 

[Daniel Boden]

A time when you were innovative/creative. Something along the innovative line because they are huge on tech.

Oh yeah that's a great idea - many thanks!

 

[Salma]

@Daniel Boden I attended their firm presentation last year, once I get home, I will post my notes re the video interview

 

[Daniel Boden]

@Daniel Boden I attended their vacation scheme presentation last year, once I get home, I will post my notes re the video interview

That would be amazing thank you so much Salma!

 

[Salma]

That would be amazing thank you so much Salma!

Hey Daniel, they mentioned the following:

The VI comes in three parts:

1. Competency questions - prepare the typical ones, time pressure, communication, organisation etc
2. Strength based questions - questions such as have you ever want to quit something?
3. Commercial questions - where should we open an office next and why? What trends are affecting our sectors etc

I hope this helps

And good luck

 

[Daniel Boden]

Hey Daniel, they mentioned the following:

The VI comes in three parts:

1. Competency questions - prepare the typical ones, time pressure, communication, organisation etc
2. Strength based questions - questions such as have you ever want to quit something?
3. Commercial questions - where should we open an office next and why? What trends are affecting our sectors etc

I hope this helps

And good luck

Thanks a lot! Any idea how many there are? It says it'll take 15 minutes in total...

 

[Salma]

Thanks a lot! Any idea how many there are? It says it'll take 15 minutes in total...

Honestly I don’t know but I would assume 3 questions for each part? 60 secs to prepare and
90 secs to speak!

15mins though, that’s horrendous

 

[Daniel Boden]

Honestly I don’t know but I would assume 3 questions for each part? 60 secs to prepare and
90 secs to speak!

15mins though, that’s horrendous

Yeah that's what I thought... seems pretty long!

 

[Daniel Boden]

Honestly I don’t know but I would assume 3 questions for each part? 60 secs to prepare and
90 secs to speak!

15mins though, that’s horrendous

So I just asked Bird & Bird's grad rec team and they said that the structure for the video interview was 4 competency and strength based questions which seems fairly reasonable. Probably worth preparing a commercial question in case though!

 

[Salma]

So I just asked Bird & Bird's grad rec team and they said that the structure for the video interview was 4 competency and strength based questions which seems fairly reasonable. Probably worth preparing a commercial question in case though!

Useful advice, thanks Daniel! Glad to hear the structure for the VI is somewhat the same as last year and I agree with the point on the commercial question. It is always best to prepare to the fullest.

Good luck with it all