Hearing Back from Law Firms, Assessment Centres & Interview Tips - 2019 - 2020

[Jessica Booker]

I agree! It's also quite problematic for those who don't know people who have reached AC in that cycle (this may especially be the case if you are from a non Russel Group uni). The solution to this would be for each AC to have different case study materials/facts, but I believe a lack of resources for HR makes this difficult.

I am sorry to hear that was your experience during that AC, I really hope that didn't knock your confidence, although completely understandable if it did.

lots of firms have multiple assessment centres materials because of this.

 

[Olivia99]

I've just been invited to the next stage for Pwc. This is a massive shock as I thought that game went awful. Anyone have any tips? It says the duration is 50 minutes!!

 

[Jessica Booker]

A good assessment would be difficult to “cheat” on even if you were given percentages/calculations. You are not going to get assessed on whether you could work out the calculation, you are going to get assessed on expressing why the calculation is relevant/important.

Typically in case studies there are far too many points for an individual to either pick up in the timeframe, or present back in their discussion with their assessor. Therefore, just going on what someone else told you they spoke about is very short sighted. 1) they could be wrong (even if they got the job) and 2) they might not have picked up the most relevant or important parts of the case study. Added to that, if you can’t think beyond the immediate answer, you’ll look pretty one dimensional in the follow up discussions, and that’s assuming you will be asked the same questions as the informant.

I’ve seen plenty of times on assessment feedback forms where something along the line of “pretty sure they were given the context of the assessment ahead of day, and were over-prepared” is noted. As a facilitator, I have also flagged when I thought someone was “cheating” (eg using their phone/pre made notes) or felt they had somehow prepared ahead of the assessment.

For anyone who is really trying to drill down into the specifics “answers” of a case study - you are not thinking like a lawyer. This is sometimes my criticism of questions I receive on here - people are looking for these cookie cutter answers they think will bring success, and it really doesn’t work like that.

You need to present your own “analysis” whether on an application form or at interview. You need to respond with the information you are presented with, not someone else’s.

Finally, these people are just creating more work for HR teams. It’s often why they have to re-write AC materials each cycle (which isn’t cheap or quick to do). Although to be fair, they often have to be replaced as candidates may have seen the materials last cycle too.

 

[ComplianceChange]

Anyone else obsessively email checking today?

 

[Lottie98]

Hello! Has anyone completed the PwC legal video interview? It’s called Career Conversation. Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated, as I haven’t done this before and would really like to do well! Thanks in advance

 

[Holly]

A good assessment would be difficult to “cheat” on even if you were given percentages/calculations. You are not going to get assessed on whether you could work out the calculation, you are going to get assessed on expressing why the calculation is relevant/important.

Typically in case studies there are far too many points for an individual to either pick up in the timeframe, or present back in their discussion with their assessor. Therefore, just going on what someone else told you they spoke about is very short sighted. 1) they could be wrong (even if they got the job) and 2) they might not have picked up the most relevant or important parts of the case study. Added to that, if you can’t think beyond the immediate answer, you’ll look pretty one dimensional in the follow up discussions, and that’s assuming you will be asked the same questions as the informant.

I’ve seen plenty of times on assessment feedback forms where something along the line of “pretty sure they were given the context of the assessment ahead of day, and were over-prepared” is noted. As a facilitator, I have also flagged when I thought someone was “cheating” (eg using their phone/pre made notes) or felt they had somehow prepared ahead of the assessment.

For anyone who is really trying to drill down into the specifics “answers” of a case study - you are not thinking like a lawyer. This is sometimes my criticism of questions I receive on here - people are looking for these cookie cutter answers they think will bring success, and it really doesn’t work like that.

You need to present your own “analysis” whether on an application form or at interview. You need to respond with the information you are presented with, not someone else’s.

Finally, these people are just creating more work for HR teams. It’s often why they have to re-write AC materials each cycle (which isn’t cheap or quick to do). Although to be fair, they often have to be replaced as candidates may have seen the materials last cycle too.

This is really helpful, thanks for sharing this

 

[Jessica Booker]

Anyone else obsessively email checking today?

don’t do it - it’s not healthy to do so!

go and do something nice or productive instead

 

[ComplianceChange]

don’t do it - it’s not healthy to do so!

go and do something nice or productive instead

Haha it is very very unhealthy and I think I'm gonna have to go out and leave my phone at home so I stop checking!

 

[Holly]

Haha it is very very unhealthy and I think I'm gonna have to go out and leave my phone at home so I stop checking!

hope its good news!

 

[D95]

Haha it is very very unhealthy and I think I'm gonna have to go out and leave my phone at home so I stop checking!

Yeah, I go into panic mode anytime I see a new email in my inbox just to realise that it is actually about ASOS sale or another apologetic email from TFL about delays and train cancellations.

 

[Sara]

I've just been invited to the next stage for Pwc. This is a massive shock as I thought that game went awful. Anyone have any tips? It says the duration is 50 minutes!!

Hi I've gotten the same. Do you happen to know when the deadline to do it is. I can't seem to find the information anywhere

 

[Al1793]

Has anyone heard back from the following firms?

Linklaters - Direct TC
Freshfields - London Asia TC
Simmons & Simmons - Summer VS
Hogan Lovells - Direct TC
Mayer Brown - Direct TC

I applied to Linklaters in October and still nothing! Also not a word from Freshfields... Took Mayer Brown's tests in Jan and still waiting to hear back, despite having also applied in October for a direct TC. (Did hear of someone who was rejected from Freshfields last month though, so they have definitely started getting back to people already).

 

[Sammie]

anyone heard back from white & case post-AC?

Do you know how long they are running their ACs for, for the spring vac?

 

[Eva]

Ashurst rejection for direct TC post-application and Revelian test.

 

[Ar2016]

Hello if anyone can help with PWC career conversation please lmk!

 

[Lottie98]

Hi I've gotten the same. Do you happen to know when the deadline to do it is. I can't seem to find the information anywhere

Same here! Any tips would be great!

 

[Shane]

Rejection from Shearman post interview, but just got offered a place on Cleary's summer scheme !! First W of this application cycle so hopefully can keep up the momentum !

 

[DavidJC]

Post-tests rejection from Ashurst direct TC

 

[Jessica Booker]

Haha it is very very unhealthy and I think I'm gonna have to go out and leave my phone at home so I stop checking!

Good plan. Or just turn the data off on you phone... I do this all the time when I don’t want to be distracted!

 

[Deleted member 3365]

Pleased to say I got an offer for Clifford Chance SPARK today at 9 am. Thank you to everyone on here that continually posts application advice, and general tips. I have learned so much from this forum.