Group interview for Law firm

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!!

Thirdfox

No idea - I heard this from a friend of a friend (who works at AC apparently), so can't be sure how accurate the information is.

And I've got a LLB dissertation to write too...

Jev/N

I still maintain they've a rough idea of which candidates are going to be selected before they run the group interviews. I'm not sure though as it's completely random who you end up with in a group

dee8839

Jev/N wrote: »

I still maintain they've a rough idea of which candidates are going to be selected before they run the group interviews. I'm not sure though as it's completely random who you end up with in a group

Why do you think they have a rough idea of that going in? Is that just a personal opinion or is it based on something? I suppose they might have an idea who they want and the group thing is just to eliminate the crazies, the obnoxious gits and the wall flowers....

Jev/N

dee8839 wrote: »

Why do you think they have a rough idea of that going in? Is that just a personal opinion or is it based on something? I suppose they might have an idea who they want and the group thing is just to eliminate the crazies, the obnoxious gits and the wall flowers....

Not based on anything TBH; I just think it'd be pretty hard to whittle it down without taking CVs and cover letters into account. I just think they have a rough idea and they either deselect those whom have proven to be idiots or incapable of decent conversation or, otherwise, select those who prove to be outstanding. As I said though, it's only a theory!

legal eagle 1

Does anyone know is tomorrow(today) the final day of group interviews or is it thursday?

blueshoes111

legal eagle 1 wrote: »

Does anyone know is tomorrow(today) the final day of group interviews or is it thursday?

As far as I know, today is the final day for group interviews...which more than likely means that the good news letters will be out on Friday and the PFOs early next week! Dont even want to think about it....

irishgirl23

I had my group on Monday. Thought i did well, but the more i hear and the more i think about it, I'm not so sure. I've heard that half from each group are cut and half are kept. I was in quite a weak group so would the same still apply I wonder? Not holding my breath for Friday..

dee8839

Boards is great, but I do think that we are all kind of on edge waiting to hear about the next round, and I'd say this thread is doing as much harm as good unfortunately, because its making people second guess themselves! I find myself checking this a few times a day even though its not really going to change things for me now, is it?

Don't worry about it irishgirl23, because at the end of the day we can't change things now, all you can do is your best and you have done that. I think Jev/N has a fairly good theory going about how they select who goes through, and now that the interviews are over all we can do is cross our fingers.

Best of luck to everyone but remember there are plenty of great solicitors in this country who probably failed to get past this hurdle in the past and went on to have huge success anyway.

irishgirl23

Yeah Dee, I actually heard from a guy who works in Arthur Cox that if they want to interview you they will have decided that already. They'll have like a list of people before you even go into the group interview that they want to interview..and if you majorly under perform, are ultra quiet or ultra rude you'll be knocked off the list. On the other hand there'll be people that aren't on their interview list (whose CVs are weaker etc.) but they give them a chance anyway in the group to see if they shine. So if you play a blinder then your name will be added to the list.

We, as a first question were asked 'comedy film you've seen?' And I had a comedy film but accidently said 'my favourite film is Knocked Up' as opposed to 'a comedy film ive seen is Knocked Up'. Would that stand against me that I seemingly can't answer a simple question??

Thirdfox

irishgirl23 wrote: »

Yeah Dee, I actually heard from a guy who works in Arthur Cox that if they want to interview you they will have decided that already. They'll have like a list of people before you even go into the group interview that they want to interview..and if you majorly under perform, are ultra quiet or ultra rude you'll be knocked off the list. On the other hand there'll be people that aren't on their interview list (whose CVs are weaker etc.) but they give them a chance anyway in the group to see if they shine. So if you play a blinder then your name will be added to the list.

We, as a first question were asked 'comedy film you've seen?' And I had a comedy film but accidently said 'my favourite film is Knocked Up' as opposed to 'a comedy film ive seen is Knocked Up'. Would that stand against me that I seemingly can't answer a simple question??

Everyone gets nervous - I had to think back to the last time I saw a film actually (that was a tough question - we got a more general one). Zombieland ftw though! Or were they asking about any comedy film one has seen? In which case - Wallace and Gromit :pac:

And yes, I'm sure many people do have a good sense that they will be progressing through already before the interviews happened. As long as they didn't do anything to change the interviewers' opinions during the group stages.