After applying online I received an email after a few weeks telling me theyd like to invite me to the assessment centre they were holding in Dundee. They only have this on one day so make sure you can make that day before you apply. The initial email was vague on details and just said to be there for 8:30 am and to prepare a 5 minute presentation on any topic that you’d be presenting in front of around 40 people.
The day was split up and it started off with general mingling in the lobby then went into the room and could sit anywhere at the big round tables which had about 6 seats each. After introductions from partners, marketing, HR and current trainees they did the first set of presentations. This was done on a first come first serve basis so you just had to put your hand up which was pretty daunting with around 40 other candidates there.
The presentations were very mixed in topic and it’s probably best not to do it on a legal topic as the most interesting ones were where ones about people’s genuine interests but really it can be on anything. After 5 presentations we were then given a maths test which we had half an hour to complete in an exam like style which I personally found pretty challenging without a calculator so brush up on your maths skills! After this we had another mingling period as a break and then the rest of the day continued quite like this (5 presentations, test of some kind, mingling). The other tests involved language reasoning, logic, completing a client fee quote (make sure you know the current VAT rate, this was very important!) a team building/group exercise and responding to a letter from an angry client.
The whole process lasted until 5pm so be prepared for a full day of it. My top tip would be to be confident and enthusiastic, even in the breaks you are being watched and you really need to be your best self as in confident, chatty and friendly. Make sure to speak to the partners and solicitors etc that come and not just the other interviewees!!
The panel interviewing alongside all the other people who came down in the mingling periods were very nice and made you feel comfortable so just make sure to rehearse your presentation well and brush up on assessment centre testing. At the end of the day we were thanked for coming and told they would be in touch soon if we were successful in getting through to the next stage the following week which was a one on one interview with the board which I didn’t get through to so am unsure what this involved.
All in all a better experience than some others I have been at so just try and enjoy the day!