Group interview for Law firm

Chiarrai1

Anyone have a clue what kind of questions will be asked in the group interview by Arthur Cox??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

hada

Chiarrai1 wrote: »

Anyone have a clue what kind of questions will be asked in the group interview by Arthur Cox??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

They are three random questions, ranging from who would you go to dinner with, to who is your favourite singer?

Just say what you need to say, don't get overly hung up on anything.

Say enough to get your point across.

Oh and best of luck!

bear17

It starts off with everyone introducing themselves and answering a really general question, ie what's your favourite film/website etc and why. Then, like hada says, three general topics are thrown out for discussion. Usually are pretty topical issues, but if one was to make a special effort to read the papers coming up to it, don't focus on law/commercial issues. I remember hearing that an art exhibition was asked about this time last year!

Best of luck, I don't think an average performance at it will destroy an application myself, so don't get too worried about it, and you should do fine. They got back to you pretty promptly anyway, so fingers crossed that's a good sign!

Chiarrai1

Thanks for that lads!

Aprilsunshine

Have in your head who you would like to have to dinner alive or dead - favourite song - soundtrack to your life etc really silly questions but can so easily throw people. Then they ask topical things. You have to 'flirt' with them. Sounds mad but they look for bubbly as well as articulate....that is the feedback the gave to lots of people anyway!

legal eagle 1

Just curious, are Arthur Cox offers out yet?

TaperJeanGirl

They ask the most random questions. It's basically a chat first, then they ask three questions. They are pulled from anywhere really, but do involve some legal issues, ones you might encounter at debates or something. It's difficult to try get a word in edgeways at times!


Re: Arthur Cox offers- I think they were sending them today and yesterday.

r14

Whaterver you do try not to be too cringy. I heard about someone - when asked about their favourite website they said youtube and in particular a hilarious video they saw on youtube about Lord Atkin.

Apparently it was groans all round and it went down like a lead balloon. Don't try to be too smart with your answers and play to your strengths.

Ab roller plus

Aprilsunshine wrote: »

You have to 'flirt' with them.

Do not attemp to caress a leg under the table - save that for the second interview!

johnfás

r14 wrote: »

Whaterver you do try not to be too cringy. I heard about someone - when asked about their favourite website they said youtube and in particular a hilarious video they saw on youtube about Lord Atkin.

Apparently it was groans all round and it went down like a lead balloon. Don't try to be too smart with your answers and play to your strengths.

Not half as bad as answering "what job have you always wanted to try for a day?" with "I have always wanted to work for Arthur Cox, which is the best firm in Ireland".

Cringe!

(that Lord Atkin video is absolutely fantastic btw!!)

TheDemiurge

Holy f**k, Simon Cowell sounds like Lord Denning compared to that.

Favourite song:- "Nasty Girl" by Vanity 6
Favourite film:- "V For Vendetta"
Who I would most like to have dinner with: Russell Brand

Or, according to David McWilliams - clothes on, or off??

bear17

On a less positive note...anyone get a Cox PFO yet?

browne111

oh no im dreading my PFO. Hate to be so negative but id imagine they sent sucessful letters first!

Thirdfox

This is the advice I've always given myself and followed - be yourself... if you really are mental then give your mental answers - if they don't like it, they probably won't like you (unless you plan on pretending to be someone else for the next 4 years).

I've had rejections and acceptances - but I can be confident that I said what I wanted to say, the interviewers heard it and some liked it enough to offer me something in return.

If you really like Mozart then go with it, same applies if you think J-Lo is da bomb. Don't be false (not that I am suggesting that the OP was going to be like that).

I once got caught out by - "so...what is the difference between The Economist and Newsweek then?" (I did quickly recover but it never crossed my mind to compare and contrast the two periodicals when I was reading them!)

edit: remember (though it's harder in a recession) - you're interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. A firm might not suit you, just as you may not suit a particular firm.

bear17

browne111 wrote: »

oh no im dreading my PFO. Hate to be so negative but id imagine they sent sucessful letters first!

Yeah, I recall from last year the deafening silence when others are being invited to interview:(! I'd say if no letter has come by now the PFO will arrive on Monday unfortunately. Hope I'm wrong, for my benefit as well!

legal eagle 1

Arthur Cox have started sending out successful letters this week as far as i know but, even if you do get PFO chin up, still plenty more firms to go :rolleyes:

drkpower

Thirdfox wrote: »

edit: remember (though it's harder in a recession) - you're interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. A firm might not suit you, just as you may not suit a particular firm.

Ssshhhuuuurrrrre.......:D

MrMicra

johnfás wrote: »

Not half as bad as answering "what job have you always wanted to try for a day?" with "I have always wanted to work for Arthur Cox, which is the best firm in Ireland".

That's the kind of thing that they'd love.
I would like to bill tobacco companies for 16 hours a day.

Thirdfox

drkpower wrote: »

Ssshhhuuuurrrrre.......:D

No seriously, after I talked to a few firms and found out what their aims and markets are etc. I decided not to apply for them since they were obviously on a different track to me. I don't want to square a circle If I attempted to I'm sure they'd see through my plastic enthusiasm too - though perhaps I am too humble about my liaryering skills :P

The questions posed here are quite interesting - but I'll do my best not to think about them too much right now. Otherwise I'll over-analyse and start debating whether it'd be better to invite Hitler or Buddha to dinner

Oh, here's one: "If you could be any fish, what fish would you be?"
I'd love to answer - "Jellyfish" (I think I would too if they ever did ask me that).

Commiserations to those who didn't get an interview offer - but as I said above, if they didn't think you were right for them, were they right for you/would you still want to work there?

_JOE_

Thirdfox wrote: »

No seriously, after I talked to a few firms and found out what their aims and markets are etc. I decided not to apply for them since they were obviously on a different track to me. I don't want to square a circle If I attempted to I'm sure they'd see through my plastic enthusiasm too - though perhaps I am too humble about my liaryering skills :P

The questions posed here are quite interesting - but I'll do my best not to think about them too much right now. Otherwise I'll over-analyse and start debating whether it'd be better to invite Hitler or Buddha to dinner

Oh, here's one: "If you could be any fish, what fish would you be?"
I'd love to answer - "Jellyfish" (I think I would too if they ever did ask me that).

Commiserations to those who didn't get an interview offer - but as I said above, if they didn't think you were right for them, were they right for you/would you still want to work there?

Fully agree. When i was in the same position, i made sure to attend each of the open evenings a you'll get a feel for the place. They type of people that work there, and you instinctively know whether you'll fit in. If i didn't think the firm was a place i'd like to work in the future, i wouldn't apply to them...

In the end i only applied to around 5 firms, and was lucky enough to have had a choice...I remember the feedback that was given at the interview; they were looking for someone different, someone who acted them self and not throwing out lines of appreciation at every opportunity.

Chiarrai1

anyone know when the second round interviews would be on?

dee8839

I'm so nervous about my group interview, even reading this thread is giving me butterflies! This time last year I got PFOs from everyone, and this time its my last chance...

I've been offered a job for a Big 4 accounting firm (how I don't know, I haven't a clue!!) but I really don't want to take it unless I don't get a law job. But I've got to accept or decline it by mid December.

Does anyone know would we have heard back from the other law firms about interviews by early December or not? I really don't want to have nothing again this time next year, so I think I'd take the accounting job if I don't get a law job. Foolish maybe, we'll see...

Best of luck to everyone with group interviews this week. Any feedback greatfully received!

And by the way, totally agree that not every firm is for everyone. I attended all the presentations and one firm was seriously Children of the Corn, like those trainees seemed dead inside!!! Em, no thanks....!

legal eagle 1

Hey don't be nervous, just give it your best shot on the day, its all you can do!
I think most of us have contemplated going down the accountancy route at one stage or another, at least you have a back up plan.........wish i had one!
I think feedback on most law firms is usually end of December/January time!
You never know though, this time we may both be lucky :rolleyes:

dee8839

Best of luck legal eagle 1, I hope we're both sorted soon!!

I'm amazed actually at the amount of wannabe solicitors willing to go down the accountancy route - when I told my old classmates from college I was considering it they told me I was going over to the dark side!! I don't know, whats the difference between having a back up plan and compromising all the ambitions we worked for up along?

Anyone getting communications from the bigger firms in the coming weeks, any updates as to when PFOs or interview offers are received would be a great help, just to keep everyone in the loop, thanks.

Thirdfox

Good luck everyone - I still stick with the old adage "be yourself"

See you tomorrow (if anyone else is up for the morning interview ).

legal eagle 1

Lots of luck, would you mind letting us know how you get on and the questions that are put to your group. Thanks;)

farcelona

heya dee8839.... best of luck with the group interview, mine is on next week and im really nervous about the whole thing.

Maples sent me an interview offer today so if you applied to them you should check your email. They are holding a "drinks reception" for all candidates.... does anyone want to tell me what to wear... suit and tie or blazer and (god-awful chinos)?

Thirdfox

legal eagle 1 wrote: »

Lots of luck, would you mind letting us know how you get on and the questions that are put to your group. Thanks;)

The interview was fine - questions asked were a bit strange (or more "out of the ordinary") at times. In the interest of fairness to those who don't use boards.ie etc I won't be putting up questions asked of me - but the type of question asked is very broad (be prepared to talk about serious issues and more "trivial" issues). I'll re-iterate - just give them your honest opinion, in the most convincing way possible.

farcelona wrote: »

heya dee8839.... best of luck with the group interview, mine is on next week and im really nervous about the whole thing.

Maples sent me an interview offer today so if you applied to them you should check your email. They are holding a "drinks reception" for all candidates.... does anyone want to tell me what to wear... suit and tie or blazer and (god-awful chinos)?

Don't be nervous - though it can feel like "The Apprentice" at times - "sir Alan, I'm not disagreeing with Ken but he's obviously not fit for the job" :P (backstabbing fellow candidates probably isn't advisable).

Generally for a drinks reception I'd wear suit and tie.

farcelona

Thirdfox while i wish you would tell us in excruciating detail about every question that was asked, i fully understand you not doing so. The last thing you want to do is give a competitive advantage to those of us with interviews later in the week, it wouldn't be fair to those not using boards.ie and it could disadvantage yourself.

Cheers for the advice as regards the suit and tie, would prefer to be over dressed rather then under dressed.

Thirdfox

Here's my secret tip - if you go in a suit and everyone's in business-casual...just take off your tie :P

Going from business casual to formal is not so easy if you're wearing chinos

dee8839

farcelona wrote: »

Thirdfox while i wish you would tell us in excruciating detail about every question that was asked, i fully understand you not doing so. The last thing you want to do is give a competitive advantage to those of us with interviews later in the week, it wouldn't be fair to those not using boards.ie and it could disadvantage yourself.

I totally agree, while I'd love to know exactly what to expect I do think in the interests of fairness (and not sabotaging yourself!) its best not to. Hope it went well for you!

Farcelona - congrats on the Maples interview, I managed to completely forget to apply for them, dammit!! My group interview is next week too, who knows, we might end up debating NAMA or Santa with each other and never even realise who we're talking to!! :rolleyes:

legal eagle 1

The interview was fine - questions asked were a bit strange (or more "out of the ordinary") at times. In the interest of fairness to those who don't use boards.ie etc I won't be putting up questions asked of me - but the type of question asked is very broad (be prepared to talk about serious issues and more "trivial" issues). I'll re-iterate - just give them your honest opinion, in the most convincing way possible.

Congrats on having it over and done with! Can I ask was it easy to get an opportunity to offer your opinion on the questions, or did you really have to try hard to get an opportunity to intervene?

Jev/N

legal eagle 1 wrote: »

Can I ask was it easy to get an opportunity to offer your opinion on the questions, or did you really have to try hard to get an opportunity to intervene?

That'll depend a lot on your group TBH

Thirdfox

legal eagle 1 wrote: »

Congrats on having it over and done with! Can I ask was it easy to get an opportunity to offer your opinion on the questions, or did you really have to try hard to get an opportunity to intervene?

You can be ultra forward and jump in at the beginning but as the person said - don't hog the floor either Don't say something for the sake of having something said. I found that everyone was given a chance to speak, i.e. if someone hadn't spoken after everyone has they will wait for you to speak up (at which point I'd personally recommend you to come out with something elucid - obviously it's harder if everyone has given an opinion before you to come up with a new and interesting viewpoint) - I think I managed to on one question though :P (thank you Newsweek! - not this edition for those who were wondering )

Jev/N wrote: »

That'll depend a lot on your group TBH

+1 - though again, no one wants to seem like a rude person taking up all the time either.

In America we call them "gunners" - the people who raise their hand every time to discuss the fascinating opinions of dissenting judges in exotic cases

farcelona

dee8839 wrote: »

My group interview is next week too, who knows, we might end up debating NAMA or Santa with each other and never even realise who we're talking to!! :rolleyes:

i think i have the nama bit down... any tips on the santa debate!.... do i hit them with the whole- "so santa isn't real!" or do i start off easy with a- "so what about that rudolf" comment!

dee8839

Oh god, now I feel the need to Google Newsweek....

That is the big fear I have though, that I'll be unable to get a word in edgeways, all my friends did Business or Engineering so they agree with me that I'm not the interjecting type, uhoh!! I've literally been having nightmares and stuff, like that I've done it and gotten through to round two but can't remember anything about the group interview!!

As for Santa, I'm plumping for the "only safe to walk downstairs in the dark one night a year" attitude!!

blueshoes111

Hi all,

I also have my group interview out of the way. One piece of advice I would give is to try not to get too weighed down with the various reports you hear about the AC interview. I found that I lot of the info/feedback I had received from other forums/people who had done the interview in recent years, quite conflicting and quite a lot of it did not even apply. In my own experience, it lead to more nerves and stress than necessary. However I do think that the recent posts on this thread are spot on and worth noting.

The best advice I was given was to participate in the discussion in the way that you would in a conversation around the dinner table...so that if you are usually the first person to voice their opinion, go with that. Likewise, if you tend to sit back and absorb other opinions before commenting. It's best to act as naturally as possible as the interviewers can see through a lot.

Best of luck to everybody that has yet to have their interview!


On a different note, for those that applied to Dillon Eustace...did you complete your application form by hand? It may seem like a strange question but I cant seem to find a way to insert text into the application form and I'm just wondering whether a writen application is acceptable.

legal eagle 1

I think you can only apply to Dillon Eustace by a hand written application....no?
Thats the way I have done it plus, you have to include picture on the form as well!
Well done on having the interview over, I like the dinner table advice, defo going use that advice, thanks

Jev/N

blueshoes111 wrote: »

On a different note, for those that applied to Dillon Eustace...did you complete your application form by hand? It may seem like a strange question but I cant seem to find a way to insert text into the application form and I'm just wondering whether a writen application is acceptable.

You have to post it, there is an address given on the site (and the form) and it also says to print your name in block capitals

blueshoes111

Thanks for the replies re Dillon Eustace. I thought as much but just wanted to be sure there wasn't a way of inserting text into the application form before affixing the photo and posting it.

Best of luck with your interview legal eagle 1!

The one bad thing about getting it out of the way early is the prolonged waiting game

legal eagle 1

Best of luck with your interview legal eagle 1!

The one bad thing about getting it out of the way early is the prolonged waiting game

Thank you for the good luck wishes
Ya the waiting game is never fun but, at least you didn't choose to do your interview on Friday the 13th:o

lollipop

I actually asked the HR manager about dress code when I e-mailed to confirm my attendance at the drinks reception - she said the company associates would be in their usual work-day business attire so let that be your guide ie. suits for the guys. Slightly more difficult for us girls to find something suitable...

Thirdfox

I would have thought it'd be easier - from my experience ladies always wear "business casual" in work - blouse/shirt, skirt/trousers, pumps/heels. Looks a lot more comfortable than a suit and tie anyway! (not the heels )

dee8839

Group interview in the morning and still on boards instead of Newsweek or similar..... I'm lucky these law firms can't see my inability to concentrate on the job at hand!!!:eek:

Thirdfox

I hope you didn't take the newsweek reference too close to heart. They want to see the real you anyway, if don't generally read Newsweek you don't have to start now...

For example, I never read the Financial Times - though I'm weird and read 7 newspapers/periodicals a day (the people mentioned that I'll never have time like that again once I start working! ). Use your own unique insights and points to convey to the interviewers the person that you are, not the person you think they'd like

Thirdfox

I saw your post on the other thread - what happened? You never know what the interviewers want or like. For example - I once got quizzed by a commercial law firm for 30 minutes (out of the 45 minute interview) on human rights in China and the Taiwan/One China Policy Thought I must have antagonised them somehow - certainly was a curveball at me!

But in the end I still ended up with happy results

dee8839

It wasn't a disaster or anything, I just don't feel I shone in any shape or form. The questions were ok but I misheard the first one and so couldn't be first to speak, when if I had heard it correctly I think I would have had a better contribution to make. I did speak at least once or twice on every topic but I feel like one or two of the others made themselves known more, one perhaps a bit too forceful but one person was very impressive IMO. I just think that when it comes down to it I wasn't as articulate or noticeable as I might be in a typical interview format.

I don't know. Maybe I'm being over critical or something, hopefully I am, but I just have a bad feeling. Best of luck to everyone else who had interviews anyway, and thanks, I would have been much less prepared without the help I got here!

EDIT: Chinese policy??! Mother of god!!

Sarahaw

Hey Dee im just interested to know why you thought that person was especially impressive?

Its just that I cant even imagine how one person could stand out above others in that type of interview...Although having said that I had my group interview last week and one of the guys there was, to be fair, pretty hot and it seemed like people were just more willing to listen to him!!!....maybe thats called charisma but either way
it worked for him...

So basically i'd love to know why you thought the person(hopefully a girl:D) in your group interview was impressive. tks

dee8839

Just well spoken without being OTT, made valid points and seemed well reasoned, polished and considerate of the others in the group.

Its only a personal view of course but I just think that demonstrating your personal experience, having a good tone which is not too loud, too quiet or too fake sounding, showing you were listening to the other candidates points and having well reasoned and original points are all strong factors in such an interview. But what do I know, after all I think I messed up!:o

To be fair, my entire group were strong in their own way, and who knows what the interviewers look for. So hard to see how they judge based on that tiny discussion! It wasn't anything to do with looks, just overall demeanor that made that person impressive in my eyes. Although its no harm to let a few hotties through if they deserve it, every firm needs their eye candy!! :rolleyes:

Oh, and yes, it was a girl!

Thirdfox

Sarahaw wrote: »

Hey Dee im just interested to know why you thought that person was especially impressive?

Its just that I cant even imagine how one person could stand out above others in that type of interview...Although having said that I had my group interview last week and one of the guys there was, to be fair, pretty hot and it seemed like people were just more willing to listen to him!!!....maybe thats called charisma but either way
it worked for him...

So basically i'd love to know why you thought the person(hopefully a girl:D) in your group interview was impressive. tks

Damn, there goes my chances then :P

But yeah, I don't see how AC can cut 50% of applicants from the results of the group interview - we really didn't get much chance to say a lot. Hopefully it won't be names from a hat

dee8839

Is it really about 50% of the people from groups that get through to second interview or does it depend on the strength of the candidates and vary each year?

After my performance maybe names out of a hat is my best chance!!

Why am I still on this when I have a defamation essay to write? No good spending all my time worrying about messing up this interview if it means I mess up my LLM too!!