Hi @SCN,Hiya, does anyone have tips for Slaughters TC interview?? I remember reading @George Maxwell also interviewed at the firm, if you have any advice that'd be really appreciated!
You are absolutely right I did interview at Slaughters.
My biggest tips in preparing is to:
- Think through (as throughly as you can) the consequences of your answers. As I have mentioned elsewhere on the forum, in my experience I was asked to explain very specific assertions/details in my answers. To prepare for this, think about the sorts of holes the partners might pick in your responses. Think about the consistency of your reasoning and logic. Would it be possible illustrate the weakness of one of your answers by reductio ad absurdum or to get you to defend a morally questionable position as a result? For example, if you say that you want to work in commercial law because you are interested in business (which is an extremely broad statement), they might ask you what you mean by this. What is business? What attracts you to business/commerce? Surely there are more satisfying or fulfilling ways of spending your career? Why haven't you considered working with refugees or the impoverished? Have you considered entering a career where you could (arguably) have greater agency and make 'business-like decisions', rather than law, where you will mostly be detached from commercial decision-making (especially at the beginning of your career)?
- Related to the point above, think before you speak. Do not give generic answers or be afraid of saying what you really think. The prospect of two partners picking holes in your responses is scary - but this does not mean that you should revert to being unambitious or 'safe' in your answers. Go for it! Stand your ground and do your utmost to reason clearly and logically. Try not to get rattled. Retain your agency and think before responding.
Finally this post about how to prepare for ACs in general is worth a skim too.
I hope that helps!
@George Maxwell How would you answer an interview question regarding how a firm remains competitive / HSF's competitive strategy? Thank you!
Hi @CF12345,@George Maxwell How would you answer an interview question regarding how a firm remains competitive / HSF's competitive strategy? Thank you!
Looking forward to reading @George Maxwell 's thoughts but would like to add mine too as I have answered this question in the past.
Try to think of a few things that you think are the firm's strongest selling points for clients. Certain business development initiatives, strength of their core practice areas, their approach to delivering their legal services- pick anything that stands out to you the most and genuinely interests you from a client view point (it is important for me to emphasise this because it may differ from what you like about the firm as an aspiring solicitor).
Then look for other firms who could boast of similar selling points and identify what the firm you're applying to does differently/better re that particular point to demonstrate how they maintain competitive. This may take a lot of effort on your part because this information is not always readily available, but once you do this, you can rest assured that your answer will stand out.
In the end, put it all together in a neat structure. You could state the thing that you think makes the firm competitive ➡️ justify this with evidence and reasons (you can bring in figures, initiatives, awards etc. here)➡️ repeat for 2-4 points depending on how much time and capacity you have.
This is a great question. I think @AvniD has pretty much summed up my approach to this question honestly.
Something that stands HSF against many of its competitors is that as a result of its "twin engine" model (i.e., strength in disputes/contentious work and transactional/non-contentious work), it has a robust financial outlook, regardless of the state stage of the global financial system.
I hope this helps 🙌