Hey
@IneedaTCASAP and first of all congratulations on the open day invites! You have been selected after a competitive application process and this does mean that the firm sees you as a strong candidate.
I completely agree with
@Jessica Booker's response: focus on what actually interests you - this is what more likely than not you will want to mention in a VS application. Also, as has been suggested before, avoid humble bragging and conversations meant to impress, as it is virtually certain that this will not play any part in increasing your VS progression chances. Recruiters do not take notes to remember candidates that asked a "smart" question, and it is more likely you will actually achieve the opposite of the desired effect.
Just to add some of my own pieces of advice as to what you can ask:
- Ask questions around your 'why the firm' motivations and seek to gain an insight that can further differentiate the firm from competitors. For instance, say you mentioned the firm's strong corporate M&A team as a reason. You could ask further questions about that such as: where does the firm see itself in the M&A market when compared to MC and US competitors? who are the firm's biggest corporate clients? are there any types of deals or sectors that the firm has particularly strong expertise in? how much has the corporate team grown in the last decade? what is the strategic direction for the firm's corporate department in the next few years?
- Ask for personal anecdotes, which include questions such as: could you tell me about a time you have felt particularly well supported by the firm or your colleagues? could you tell me of a highlight of your time at the firm so far? what is the most interesting matter you have worked on? etc. Knowing these stories will be particularly helpful especially if you discuss less tangible aspects (such as culture or training) as part of your why the firm answer.
- Know your audience: you want to tailor your question to the person you are speaking with. Training/culture-related questions are great for trainees and junior associates, while strategy-related questions are great for partners. Moreover, try to take into account the practice areas of the different lawyers, as you want to avoid asking a disputes partner about the firm's M&A client base.