Group interview for Law firm

irishgirl23

I've resigned myself to the fact I haven't got it now. I think i read some discussion of this on another thread a few days ago (or maybe it was this thread) but do you think as a woman going for a job there, would looks help you or hinder you? If you're the typical blonde pretty type would you be more likely to be written off as a bimbo and not taken seriously or would you catch their eye?

dee8839

irishgirl23 wrote: »

I've resigned myself to the fact I haven't got it now. I think i read some discussion of this on another thread a few days ago (or maybe it was this thread) but do you think as a woman going for a job there, would looks help you or hinder you? If you're the typical blonde pretty type would you be more likely to be written off as a bimbo and not taken seriously or would you catch their eye?

Ah god no, I definitely don't think your looks would play that kind of role, your demeanor more so. I mean look at the interviewers Monday, one man, one woman with short black hair and one woman with long blonde hair. Diversity is a good thing to these firms so I don't think they would write off a blonde as being a bimbo any more than they would write off a person who is overweight or underweight.

I would kind of agree that its most likely they do have some sort of provisional list of second rounders and unless people on that list mess up big time or people not on that list shine majorly, its set.

As for your answer to your first question, I really wouldn't worry, they won't be that analytical, at least you didn't say a horror film or something!! Our question was on our most memorable sporting event and why - I'm not majorly into sport so it wasn't my ideal. But I do think its more to get you talking. The other questions would be far more persuasive in terms of your chances of progressing.

All moot points now I suppose but I guess this thread will stand to those doing the group interviews next year.

By the way, do you think its by letter or by phone they will notify people who have made it through to second round? My post goes to my home address and stays there unopened for weeks unless I ask them to open it!!

irishgirl23

I heard letters for people arriving on Friday who got second round interview and the people who didn't get it will get their rejection letter on Monday.

One last thing, eye contact. I took the group discussion as if i were just talking to the members of my group and not the panel. So all my eye contact was with members of the group and not the panel. I just thought, we're meant to be having a conversation with each other and not trying to impress the panel..But then talking to my friend, she said that more than 60% of her eye contact was with the panel?

dee8839

That was something that bothered me too to be honest. I think (although the stress has made my memory very blurry!!) that most of my eye contact was with the panel. But I was at a corner and I actually could only make eye contact with about 4 of the others properly. But others in the group were very careful to refer to the names of the others in the group every time, saying stuff like "I totally agree with X" etc. I did that a bit but I feel the fact most of us couldn't see everyones name and that person could, being more centred, meant it wasn't as easy for others to mention names. I see your point about it being a group discussion so your focus was on the group, I'd say you were right.

But again, is there any point in post mortems now? Will we wait til Friday at least? Then at least we'll know whether we are learning from our mistakes for next years group interviews or just talking about it as a memory.

By the way from what I remember, last year WF, A&L and MOP didn't get back to me until early December. Not certain though. Cox are bound to be earlier since the other firms don't interview til January.

TaperJeanGirl

I had interview with Arthur Cox Monday... did not go well. Made them laugh which is always good I suppose, but only answered one question with any degree of sincerity, the others were just answers for the sake of answering which they pick up on straight away I have two friends starting there this year and next year and they both got rejected first time around so guess you never know really!

Oh, and did anyone hear more about dress code for Maples reception for girls? Am slightly apprehensive about this one- heard some unfavourable comments about their internships in last few months. Bitter people or is there any basis for this? :rolleyes:

Jev/N

Since the group interview stage is now over, how does everyone feel about discussing questions posed by the panel?

I have heard from some interviewees that most of their questions had little or no commercial, political or legal relevance?

drkpower

Jev/N wrote: »

I have heard from some interviewees that most of their questions had little or no commercial, political or legal relevance?

They werent trying to ascertain your commercial, political or legal knowledge by asking those questions.:p

blueshoes111

Has anybody heard back from Arthur Cox re interviews today?

irishgirl23

It's like a barren wasteland on this forum today!! Anyone at all hear from Arthur Cox? My post hasn't arrived yet..or else it's not arriving at all..!

dee8839

Parents just called, I'm through to the second round!! Can't believe it, I'm over the moon, you'd think I already had a job I'm acting so happy!:D

Best of luck to everyone else!

Thirdfox

Congrats - like I was saying no-one can really judge how they did at the interviews.

farcelona

I got a call back as well... over the moon. Just out of interest how big were everyones groups?

Jev/N

Fair play to all, this year I'm being realistic and not assuming my post is late being delivered!

Thirdfox

Commiserations Jev - there's always the next time (and are the other firms still interviewing?)

Jev/N

Cheers! Yeh there are plenty of others still to send out offers so everything is crossed in anticipation, didn't get Maples or Cox last year so I don't mind too much

Sarahaw

Ya im thru too, knew i would be tho!

legal eagle 1

Sarahaw wrote: »

Ya im thru too, knew i would be tho!

You psychic? Why were you so confident??

Thirdfox

I'd imagine it is because she may have multiple offers and have been actively sought by AC (hence her question on the other thread enquiring as to which firm is the best in the top 4/5).

Just my random conjecture (was I close?)

Mrs.QC

Thirdfox wrote: »

I'd imagine it is because she may have multiple offers and have been actively sought by AC (hence her question on the other thread enquiring as to which firm is the best in the top 4/5).

Just my random conjecture (was I close?)

I would highly doubt that, as the other firms haven't even sent out invitations for interviews yet, let alone made any offers.

Maybe, she's just a very, perhaps overly, confident individual which is fair enough.

Thirdfox

Not exactly true

Mrs.QC

Which part?

Thirdfox

Firms having made offers already.

Mrs.QC

Really? Which firms? Ive only received replies from Coxes and Maples.

Do share

Sarahaw

Because ive never been rejected once at the interview stage. By the way, I dont mean that to sound big headed, im justing stating a fact.

ThirdFox is right about the offers.

BTW how many roughly are invited to individual interviews and how many places are available?

legal eagle 1

Because ive never been rejected once at the interview stage. By the way, I dont mean that to sound big headed, im justing stating a fact.

I hope you don't jinx yourself now hun!

Dante09

Heh! I sense a

D
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JCC2000

Had my group interview with Arthur Cox last week, but didn’t get any letter today so presume i will be getting my refusal letter on Monday , just wondering what kind of background applicants who have successfully progressed to the next stage have? I’m currently doing a masters in business but I’m thinking of doing a law conversion course next year, any advice would be appreciated:).

Sarahaw

Haha!:) Ya I knew I shudnt have said that!

So does anyone have any ideas about numbers called back and places available?

To the guy who got to the group interview but not called back..you obviously already come from the right background or they wouldnt have given you an interview at all. Think back to when you were in the group interview, how did you feel about what you said? If you felt good/bad/indifferent about it then you can be sure that the interviewers did too and you should work on that.

I thought that some people said extraordinary things in the groups. In my group for example there were two people who shot themselves in the foot on the first question yet they seemed oblivious to it. Im not going to get into specifics but I nearly started laughing as did the people either side of me, bloody hilarious

JCC2000

Strange thing is I felt very happy about my contributions to the discussions, when talking to another one of my group members after the interview she even went as far as saying I probably came across the best, which is what confuses me. The only thing i can really think of is that ive done very little law in my undergrad and post.

legal eagle 1

JCC2000 wrote: »

Strange thing is I felt very happy about my contributions to the discussions, when talking to another one of my group members after the interview she even went as far as saying I probably came across the best, which is what confuses me. The only thing i can really think of is that ive done very little law in my undergrad and post.

If I was you, I'd send a quick email to Jane Babb and ask her for some critical feedback on why you didn't make the next stage. At least you will know for the next time round . Plus you can improve on the areas they were critical of!