I had an AC with HSF a couple of weeks ago. I did get asked on the 'introduce to a topic you know about' question but the associate taking the interview had involvement in the topic I wrote about so it might be dependent on who interviews you! They didn't ask any questions on closest competitors, new office etc more the standard why HSF, why commercial law stuff, then general competency questions.
just to add to this. I also had a HSF AC a few weeks back. they did ask me about the 'introduce me to a topic' question in quite a bit of detail (and the associate did not have any involvement with my topic).
I also agree with he the general why hsf, why commercial law, general competencies. I wasn't asked anything really specific and the competency interview was really quite standard
Hey
@AspiringIPLawyer,
I feel grateful that we have such a fantastic community who can offer you some more contemporary (and potentially more accurate advice than me on this given that my interview was nearly a year ago. Thank you for the above
@amerlin2022 and
@unserious candidate.
Just to start, please always feel free to ask as many questions/clarifiers as you need. I am here to help where I can and am delighted to do so!
So for my interview, I actually
wasn't asked about the topic I mentioned in my application. That being said, I did prepare for questions on it, and in line with the users that have replied previously, I think it would be prudent to do so.
With regard to your second question, I also was not asked about where HSF should open up their next office. That being said, much like the special topic, just because it was not mentioned in my interview, does not mean that it will/will not come up! I always took the approach if I could think of a question that could
reasonably be asked in an interview/AC, and I could not comfortably think of an answer, I needed to prepare more thoroughly.
Definitely double-down on your three whys and practice(!). I really think practicing is the secret to success at interviews. My HSF competency interview was really unstructured and dynamic, so although it is difficult to prepare for in some ways, more experience thinking on your feet in an interview will only be helpful!
I am so glad to hear that found Jake Schogger's book useful 🏆
Honestly, more graduate recruitment managers should be looking to hire candidates like me, who have 0 competing offers.
@Rob93 I'm backing you all the way. It will not be long until you get something.
I should mention too, the community would
not be the same without you 🙌
also got a Covington VS offer yesterday afternoon
Does anyone have any insight into what the VS is like or how competitive it is? specifically, what percentage of participants (+ how many) apply for a training contracts and are successful in their applications?
@WannabeSolicitor24 might have an insight for you on this?
Does anyone have any advice on how to prepare for an individual written assessment for an AC? Have one tomorrow but not sure what to look at - are they similar to case studies? Any help would be great, thanks!
Hey
@aspiringsolicitor2000,
This,
this and
this post might be helpful! Very best of luck for your written assessment! Fingers crossed it goes/went well!
Does anyone have tips for AC negotiation exercises? Any guidance would be much appreciated
Hey
@RkRk0681,
One tip is definitely to consider that you are working
with rather than against the other side. Try to create an atmosphere of mutual benefit. Listen to their needs and work with your negotiation partner (by listening to their contributions!).
Remember that you would be likely to work with the other side in the future (if you were actually practicing). Given this would be the case, ultimately would not want to make an enemy of them for your next negotiation!
Please do let me know if I can be of any further help!
@George Maxwell @James Carrabino I am tabbing both of you because you two have been great moderators for the forum! I thought my chances for this recruitment cycle were getting quite grim until I recently received an online test invite from a firm that has taken a while to get back to me (to put it diplomatically 😂)
Given the slight chance of me making my way into the AC, I thought it'd be prudent if I start to ramp up my AC preparation as well. Can you recommend/refer to me any forum post or TCLA course that can help on this? As a way to give me a head start?
Thank you all so much. I can't say enough how much I already appreciated the work that y'all have been doing!
Hey
@John Doe,
Thank you so much for the kind words. Both
@James Carrabino and I really appreciated this! It made my evening.
I am really pleased to hear that you have been progressed to the next stage- that's fantastic news!
To add to what James has already said (I couldn't say it better myself!), in terms of TCLA courses to check out, it depends on the firm. However, I know that Jaysen is particularly proud of our Private Equity course ("Private Equity for Commercial Law") and the content really is fantastic. If this is relevant for the firm you are interviewing with, this is a must. In addition, I would definitely consider our "TCLA to TC" course!
Fingers crossed that it goes well for you. Please do let us know how it went once you have completed it. Here if you would like any further help or advice!
Does anyone know if HSF always gets back to successful people on the AC the same day?
Hi
@JSM123,
I personally did, but this may not always be the case. Do not assume that you have not progressed if you do not hear immediately! Something might happen which results in a delay to the process (e.g., a hitch in communications etc.).
Wishing you the very best of luck. My fingers are crossed for you 🤞