Trainee Interviews 2010-2011

brehayes

I think a lot of people here appled for training contracts this year and also in years past. Some of the letters have begun to be sent out, even though deadlines were only last Friday! How did everyone get on? Group interviews for AC next week??

(sorry there is another thread, couldn't find it!)

pansoul

I ain't heard nothing from no body just yet.

On the optimistic assumption MOP look favourably upon my application, does anyone know anything about the telephone interviews? The description on the website sounds a bit ominous - "a selection of competency based questions."

I'm not sure if they had that in previous years. Anyone any insight?

brehayes

That's a new thing alright - I had not even noticed the change

linola_c

haven't heard anything yet. When did you hear re AC?

bob_lob_law

I got an acknowledgement letter from AC last week, thought it was the quickest PFO ever - maybe one is enroute if they're already sending out invites for the group interview. I got an email from A&L inviting me to the presentation at their office - I presume everyone gets invited to this? It's just that I am abroad so it would be a bit of a mare getting back for it.

brehayes

Yeah, acknowledgment letter last week and they started the group interview letters today... I think there are 500 or so spots over the five days so a lot of people here will get a place I would say...

summersunplease

Got a letter today from AC for group interview, never had an interview in my life!! Should be fun

page1

Got my PFO from AC, that was quick. This is my first year applying for TC very disheartening, but I'm sure it won't be the last. At least I didn't have to spend 3 hours on filling out an application form for them.

I'm going to go to the presentation in A&L.

brehayes

what date is the Goodbody open presentation?

fe1ready

I applied off the cuff to the dept. of justice to see if they were participating in the graduate programme....and they say they only take on solicitors with two years experience.

Tell me how many qualified solicitors can afford to work for free for 10 months?

Total joke.

Unfair that you need to be that qualified to work for free.

Strictly

Dep of Justice advertiased for qualified Solicitors last year on the Law Soc web site, no pay they would just receive their Job seekers benefit/allowance:eek:

vinny chase

Has anyone still not heard from Arthur Cox? What days next week is anyone doing group interviews?

Thanks.

linola_c

Group Interviews on the 11th,12th,15th, 16th and 17th.

I got my letter on Tuesday!!Looking forward to it

brehayes

anyone know what the story is with Goodbodys - is there an upcoming open day?

linola_c

I havent heard anything from A & L yet...has anybody else??

Anything from any of the others?

Billaricky

linola_c wrote: »

I havent heard anything from A & L yet...has anybody else??

Anything from any of the others?

They sent out an invite to their open evening last Thursday. I'm nearly sure that this invite is sent to everyone that sends in an application.

bear17

Anyone done the Cox group interview yet? Just contemplating potential questions they are going to ask ahead of tomorrow.

summersunplease

E-mail from A&L - 'We are currently compiling a shortlist of people who will be called to interview. Notifications will be sent out towards the end of the month'

Also the informal presentation is on Wednesday, 17 November 2010 at 7.00 p.m

Haven't heard from any of the others yet apart from AC. Had group interview, will have to wait until next week I think to know if got through.
The MOP phone interview is frightening to say the least! Imagine getting the call on a bus or something!

skyhighflyer

summersunplease wrote: »

Imagine getting the call on a bus or something!

They will tell you when to expect the call.

bob_lob_law

PFO from Maples last night at 11.13, they were clearly agonising over my application!

Arsenal1986

Im no expert now but managed to get past the group interview myself so here would be my tips/what i took from the process last year.

I would say do push urself to say alot, no point ruling urself out by being too quiet.

One thing dont be intimidated bout ppl in ur group if they sound mega qualified, out of my group i only had a LLB with not amazing results and some fe 1s done and others had masters, years working in banking etc and i got picked.

Use phrases like, 'I agree with johns point there...' or 'What jim had to say there was interesting' or 'to pick up on Alan's point...' This shows ur a good teamplayer, get on well with ppl, are confident etc - very few ppl did this time i was there

If u get asked anythin bout the economy, be optimistic, no point being pessimistic - dosnt paint u as a go getter that will be good in business

The following topics could be asked, judging by last year - US midterm elections/tea party, British spending cuts, Forthcoming budget here, things like should artists be tax exempt - i was asked that, views on climate change - i was asked that.

Avoid gettin heated, peeved off with any1 that takes a diff stance to u on any issue - again dont forget its not about winning a debate, its about showcasing how confident , articulate u are and probably most of all that u can get on with ur peers in such an enviroment.

Finally, dont forget to thank them at end, the partners that is, no1 else in my group did but me - dont know if that was a factor in their decision but maybe it was.

Dont be nervous about it, ACs are a lovely firm, very very welcoming and friendly, 2nd round interview is much much more informal. Best of luck with it!

Arsenal1986

A and Ls interview letters came out end of november, same day as FE1 results last year so still a while away yet id say. Dont worry if ur not invited to the drinks evening with them, i wasnt and got interviewed.

Yoshimi1983

Just wondering if general interview attire (ie suit ect) is appropriate for AC group interview? Don;t want to seem over dressed for the occaision

Arsenal1986

yeah just normal suit

NoQuarter

A & L group interview is on wednesday and it just says casual!

Jev/N

NoQuarter wrote: »

A & L group interview is on wednesday and it just says casual!

They do group interviews?!

brehayes

I think it is an open day rather than a group interview?

Strictly

I found the group interview ok last year but the 2nd round was much more difficult I thought. I had a man and a women and they played "Good Cop Bad Cop", the women never smiled the entire time but the man was very friendly. I was not offered a place with them but managed to get one with another firm after lots of PFO:p

summersunplease

skyhighflyer wrote: »

They will tell you when to expect the call.

Thanks that's good to know.

PFO from Maples in my inbox.

brehayes

Had group int with AC today. Relaxed enough and definitely about how you interact with the group rather than your knowledge.

Other candidates all seemed well versed, well travelled and were very nice people. Definitely a high standard in the room it- from first impressions anyway!

Last groups in the morning and then letter later in the week... Best of lick to everyone...

dynamokev

Had my group interview with Arthur Cox today. Thought the interview itself was fine but had an awkward enough conversation when I entered the waiting room. The other candidate I sat down beside was a girl I shifted in Coppers a few months back. Neither of us knew each others names and didn't acknowledge how we knew each other ... so there was some seriously awkward, stilted chat about the weather instead! Had a laugh about it with her after the interview though!

crystalmice

Very much on edge until I hear back from a a few more firms, all Im at so far is the AC group interview and a nice, insincere PFO from maples (is there any other kind?!) so I really dont know yet how my CV is reading to the firms..hoping I at least get a few full interviews!

brehayes

AC letters out on Friday I think so the very best of luck to everyone! Judging by last year, McCann Fitz letters may well be out in the coming days too.... bon chance!

page1

Really enjoyed the presentation in A&L last night. Seems like a lovely place to work, very friendly partners and trainees.

ammo123

I'm see to have the same as a few people here-group interview with AC and PFO from Maples.

Just wondering if anyone would share the ball park figure of the number of firms they've applied to?

crystalmice

Big 5 plus 2 other large dublin firms..I think alot of the smaller firms arent interested in you if you dont have your FE1s because they dont recruit 2-3 years in advance like the larger ones do. Intending to apply for masonhayes summer internship (only was to get a TC with them), but thats not for a few months.

brehayes

page1 wrote: »

Really enjoyed the presentation in A&L last night. Seems like a lovely place to work, very friendly partners and trainees.

Did A+L mention when they are contacting people regarding the interviews?

page1

brehayes wrote: »

Did A+L mention when they are contacting people regarding the interviews?

Sending out letters next week.

brehayes

page1 wrote: »

Sending out letters next week.

Ah cool! Thanks for that - best of luck!!

bob_lob_law

Argh, just had a quick postmortem of my A&L application and it appears on two occasions I left a word out in a sentence. I expect a pfo on that basis, unless anyone has had an experience to the contrary? No one to blame but myself :mad:

crystalmice

post just came and no letter from AC..sigh! Had thought the group interview went somewhat well, obviously not! Thats two PFOs (well, pending the AC one that I now know is coming on monday) and nothing else, starting to get really worried now!

brehayes

You never know, it might be Monday - best of luck

Billaricky

bob_lob_law wrote: »

Argh, just had a quick postmortem of my A&L application and it appears on two occasions I left a word out in a sentence. I expect a pfo on that basis, unless anyone has had an experience to the contrary? No one to blame but myself :mad:

I wouldn't sweat it, I had a few typos in my application and I still got the interview with them.

As a matter of interest, what were the questions asked in the AC group interview like this year?

crystalmice

Now the interviews are over I dont mind sharing the questions, judging by my group and that of someone else I know the questions followed the same format; one about the government, one about the economy, and one about internet media. Along the lines of what would you do if you were taoiseach, what to do about mortgage arrears ect

has anyone got an interview letter from AC today?

RebelScorned

The waiting is killing me, I would rather just know....

Did anybody get a letter from cox today re individual interviews?

I know the lady said Fri/early next week but my interview was a week ago and the waiting is killing me!

RebelScorned

Hi guys,

Just so ye know, Arthur Cox interview letters are out today.

bob_lob_law

Any sign of A&L letters?

ammo123

Thanks Rebel-it's a relief to hear they're out but now I have to wait all day to get home to a hopefully positive letter!

Dan133269

RebelScorned wrote: »

Hi guys,

Just so ye know, Arthur Cox interview letters are out today.

none for me unfortunately. anyone else not get one?

ammo123

Dan133269 wrote: »

none for me unfortunately. anyone else not get one?

nope me either-post man has been and gone apparently!

jimminycricket

ammo123 wrote: »

nope me either-post man has been and gone apparently!

I'm in the same boat, thought I made a good impression but I guess thats just the name of the game at the moment! Expected a pfo from Maples at this stage but no sign, this could be a good or a bad thing really... anyone else in the same position? Also have an interview with Hayes, if anyone has any info on their interview process it'd be greatly appreciated!