2025

1. When have you worked towards an ambitious goal? As part of your answer, please describe how you tackled this goal, what set backs you faced and what energised you about the situation. (500 words)

One vivid example of working towards an ambitious goal was when I set out to develop my own adventure video game from scratch. Captivated by storytelling and the immersive worlds of games since childhood, I was inspired to create a game that offered not just entertainment but a deep, emotionally engaging experience through intricate character development and dynamic narratives. 

Embarking on this project without formal training in game or software design was a significant undertaking. Driven by the desire to bring my vision to life, I recognised it would require me to self-learn a multitude of complex skills. The game I envisioned featured a richly detailed world with numerous interactive characters, each influencing the storyline in meaningful ways based on player choices. 

Faced with the challenge of mastering new programming languages, understanding game development frameworks, and learning graphic design independently, I adopted a structured approach to self-learning. Immersing myself in online tutorials, webinars, and developer forums, I broke down the development process into manageable steps with clear milestones. This methodical approach allowed me to build a solid foundation in programming and game design principles. 

A significant setback occurred when I encountered performance issues during testing phases involving complex character interactions. The frame rate dropped noticeably, causing lag and detracting from the player experience. Improving the game's performance without compromising its rich content was critical. To overcome this hurdle, I delved into optimisation techniques such as object pooling to manage resources efficiently, level-of-detail adjustments to reduce processing loads, and refining code to eliminate unnecessary calculations. 

Another challenge was integrating Python scripts to handle advanced computational tasks, despite Unity primarily using C+. This presented compatibility issues like misaligned data types leading to real-time errors. I researched and implemented a middleware solution that standardised data types between Python and Unity, enabling efficient data transfer and processing. This not only resolved the compatibility issues but also significantly enhanced the game's performance. 

What energised me throughout this journey was witnessing the tangible progress of my creation. Each obstacle overcome and improvement made—whether in performance optimisation or storyline enhancement—fuelled my motivation to tackle the next challenge. Collaborating with other developers in online communities such as Discord, provided valuable insights and fostered a sense of camaraderie, which was especially encouraging during difficult phases. 

Releasing the demo version was an incredibly rewarding milestone. Receiving positive feedback from players who appreciated the seamless character interactions and engaging gameplay validated the hard work and long hours invested. I managed to increase the frame rate by approximately 30%, significantly enhancing the smoothness of gameplay during complex interactions. 

This experience highlighted the importance of independent learning, adaptability, and resilience. It honed my technical and problem-solving skills and reinforced my confidence in tackling ambitious goals without formal instruction. I am eager to bring these attributes to Eversheds, confident that my ability to learn independently and think creatively will contribute to delivering practical, tailored solutions for clients.  

2. When have you delivered a piece of work where quality was an important factor? As part of your answer, please describe why quality was important to you, what approaches you took to help you deliver and what you enjoyed? (500 words) 

Working at the [redacted] required producing high-quality work under tight deadlines. This was particularly the case during my involvement in the [redacted] merger, a high-profile case in the UK telecom sector. My role included researching market sensitivity, remedies analysis, and assessing prohibition costs. I also drafted the [redacted] with the legal team and scoped risk and mitigation strategies.  

My analysis was crucial in building recommendations that informed our [redacted] which provisionally concluded that the merger would lead to a [redacted] in both retail and wholesale mobile markets. 

To achieve this, I used a systematic approach and thoroughly examined all aspects of the merger by analysing internal documents, market data, and customer insights. I developed a risk assessment framework to evaluate the impact of each [redacted] option, ensuring every proposal was well-supported. Collaborating closely with colleagues in legal and delivery teams, we combined our expertise to keep workstreams on track. Drafting detailed research notes on key areas—such as [redacted] —helped keep the process focused. 

Engaging with external stakeholders, including other regulators, third parties, industry analysts, and consumer groups, was also crucial. Their insights shaped our understanding of market dynamics and potential remedies. During these engagements, I synthesised feedback within memo notes and raised pertinent questions, ensuring our analysis was comprehensive. Peer review further contributed by providing fresh perspectives and ensuring clarity and support for our reasoning. 

I particularly enjoyed the collaborative aspect of this project. Working with skilled colleagues across different departments fostered shared learning, intellectual growth, and a strong sense of combined purpose. The stakes were high, and that motivated me to maintain the highest standard. Gathering evidence and synthesising complex information into actionable findings was deeply satisfying. My time at the [redacted] taught me that quality is about attention to detail, collaboration, and it was rewarding to see our work slowly taking shape in such a significant case.  

3. You are working on a query for a new client, which has to be responded to tomorrow morning. You were told it was important as Eversheds Sutherland want to impress them. However, you have a lot of work on and the query is taking you longer than you expected. You are now behind on your work for today. You also have emails from other people chasing you for work you have not yet started. What would you do? As part of your answer, please also describe what personal strengths would you draw upon and what would you find energising in this situation? (500 words)

Faced with a crucial client query due tomorrow morning, alongside numerous other tasks, I would reassess and reprioritise my workload. The client query is my top priority as it is vital to make a positive impression on a new client. Although behind schedule, my approach would focus on prioritisation and clear communication, to ensure quality output. 

I would begin by compiling a ranked list of tasks based on urgency and impact, using tools such as Notion for organisation. Given its importance, the client query would be my highest priority. To stay productive, I would break it into manageable segments, using focused time blocks with the Pomodoro Technique. Structured approaches like these would help me sustain hyperfocus and maximise productivity without burning out. In early 2022, I managed three major initiatives—leading the [redacted], coaching students for the [redacted], and preparing for degree finals—all requiring rigorous planning and prioritisation under tight deadlines. 

Once the plan for the client query is set, I would manage expectations for other tasks by sending concise emails to stakeholders, apologising for delays, providing timelines, and explaining my prioritisation of the client query to ensure empathy. Should deadlines prove inflexible, I would explore collaborating and delegating tasks in consultation with my supervisor, considering my team’s capacity and ensuring a smooth handover. 

With the client query as my primary focus, I would balance speed with diligence, reviewing each component for accuracy and relevance. If challenges arise, I will consult my supervisor or colleagues with specific questions and proposed solutions. This aligns with my experience at the [redacted], where I analysed legal documents, drafted correspondence, and simplified complex issues to secure favourable outcomes. 

Upon completing the client query, I would proceed to the remaining tasks, adhering to my priority list while ensuring outstanding emails are addressed—all without compromising quality. My experience managing multiple responsibilities as a full-time student working part-time and involved in various volunteering commitments has honed my time-management skills, allowing me to handle competing demands effectively. I remain solution-focused and composed under pressure to perceive challenges from unique perspectives and implement creative solutions. 

Although challenging, this scenario is energising as it offers growth opportunities, enabling me to harness my skills to bring unique perspectives to problem-solving. Handling the client query while managing other responsibilities sharpens my prioritisation and time-management skills. I look forward to working effectively under pressure and collaborating with team members to achieve positive outcomes, and I believe my prior work experiences have equipped me with the necessary strengths to succeed.  

2024

When have you worked towards an ambitious goal? As part of your answer, please describe how you tackled this goal, what setbacks you faced and what energised you about the situation (500 words)

In my senior year of high school, I worked towards receiving the Academia Management Solutions International (AMSI) Leadership Award, an ambitious accolade awarded to 2 out of 170 students. To receive the award, I had to demonstrate my initiative, lead my cohort, and increase student participation in clubs.

I tackled this goal by becoming the Head of Clubs, a role to which I was appointed due to my involvement in extracurricular activities and academic excellence. My focus as the Head was to increase students’ contribution to community service and extracurricular activities as I believed that doing so would build their transferable skills. I aimed to involve as many clubs as possible in those activities, thus increasing my chances of attaining the award. 

For instance, when planning a beach clean-up project for students in the younger cohort, I delegated tasks to different clubs based on their skill sets. The Community Service Club was responsible for organising the activity. The Media Club recorded and photographed students. Additionally, the Sustainability Club developed a means of disposing of the litter in a sustainable manner such as separating different types of litter into distinct biodegradable bags. 

After organising other community service activities, I saw a 20% increase in participation in clubs as students genuinely appreciated their contributions to society. However, I encountered a setback to my initiative when a shift to hybrid learning to comply with COVID-19 regulations occurred. The lack of most students’ presence on campus meant that I could not organise such activities.

Although my initiative was dependent on community service activities, I acknowledged that it would no longer be possible to do so. Therefore, after teaming up with other club leaders, I recalled my goal to increase student participation in extracurricular activities and began organising activities in compliance with the new rules. For instance, when students in the Art Club had an on-campus day, I arranged a graffiti wall project with the Art Club to teach adolescents how to create a mural using spray paint. On the other hand, students who had an online day were sent guides and interactive videos teaching them how to sketch. 

What energised me about the situation is that unexpectedly, students enjoyed smaller-scale activities more. Hence, this drove me to keep organising such projects despite a major decrease in the number of participants. 

Upon my graduation, I received the AMSI Leadership Award due to achieving my initiative during a challenging period. 

Throughout this role, I expanded numerous skills that are transferable to a career at Eversheds Sutherland International (ESI). I developed a proactive mindset by establishing a solution before allowing the pandemic to completely impede my initiative. As an ESI trainee, I will implement this skill while working within the support network when advising a client. Finally, I developed organisation and time management skills when organising activities during times that do not obstruct the teaching schedule. I intend to apply such skills as a trainee balancing meetings and workshops with conducting research for a client. 

When have you delivered a piece of work where quality was an important factor? As part of your answer, please describe why quality was important to you, what approaches you took to help you deliver and what you enjoyed (500 words)

In my first year of university, I participated in the Unity and Diversity in Law (UDL) Society’s debate competition sponsored by ESI. The competition consisted of 4 rounds of debate sessions where I argued my stance as the proposition and opposition alongside a partner. Furthermore, the judges emphasised the significance of quality in speeches, rebuttals, and style of debate which would be considered when selecting the winner. 

Besides the importance of quality for the judges, my previous experience in 13 Model United Nations conferences taught me that debate speeches and rebuttals that focused on a single argument supported by evidence would result in better quality and clarification of my perspective. 

I was given the position of second proposition in the second round of the competition. Here I was tasked with arguing in favour of the house’s motion that countries should not recognise marriage as giving rise to preferential treatment. I approached the topic by focusing on the differences between the financial and social privileges offered by the state to married and unmarried couples. Rather than quantifying the reasons why states should not give preferential treatment to married couples, I narrowed down my argument to two factors which I evidenced thoroughly. 

During my research process, I supported each factor with 3 elements: quantitative evidence, a scholarly perspective, and a real-life example. Not only did this expand my research skills, it also resulted in better time management and qualitative research for my stance on the topic as several features were considered. I drafted my speeches by utilising a consistent structure where I began by rebutting the opposing team’s arguments, then stated each factor I researched and left approximately two minutes for questions at the end. This developed my communication skills as I delivered my speech clearly and also welcomed queries regarding grey areas in my speech.

I particularly enjoyed responding to rebuttals from the opposing team as I was pressured to think on my feet and quickly deliver an answer backed by evidence. For instance, while arguing as the opposition in the final round of the competition, the opposing team asked if I could provide real-life evidence to support my argument on the significance of merit rather than ethnic background when promoting an employee to an executive position. Although I was puzzled, I recalled an article I had previously read on Rishi Sunak’s journey to becoming the Prime Minister. I then collected my thoughts and stated that his education, experience, and political views are what led him to his position, not his diverse ethnic background. 

After delivering my arguments with quality, I won the competition. My enjoyment of this experience inspired me to run for election for the Co-Head of Competition of the UDL Society, a role which I attained. As this competition taught me the importance of confidence and using clear examples when communicating my perspective to an audience, I am now spreading my strategy for success to participants in competitions and students with difficulties in public speaking. 

You are working on a query for a new client, which has to be responded to tomorrow morning. You were told it was important as Eversheds Sutherland wanted to impress them. However, you have a lot of work on and the query is taking you longer than you expected. You are now behind on your work for today. You also have emails from other people chasing you for work you have not yet started. What would you do? As part of your answer, please also describe what personal strengths would you draw upon and what would you find energising in this situation. (500 words)

Understanding that delivering services with quality and excellence is at the heart of ESI’s values, I would prioritise responding to the firm’s important client.  Nevertheless, I would first respond to the chaser emails and explain to my colleagues the importance of this client to ESI. I will then assure them that I will work on their requests after responding to the client’s query and catching up on the work I had for the day, which would only be a couple of hours later as the deadline for responding to the client is the next morning. 

To answer the client’s query, I will rely on my strong organisational skills. I developed these while working as an adviser at the University of Bristol Law Clinic, where I had to manage numerous queries by my client simultaneously and respond within a tight deadline. I would consider each issue, set a time limit for researching and drafting a response, and ask for feedback from my supervisor before sending it to the client. This would significantly aid with time management, especially when considering the deadline. Also, by asking for feedback from my supervisor, I would ensure to deliver excellent work for the client while also avoiding mistakes. 

Following this task, I would focus on completing the other undertakings I was working on and implement my personal strength in time management to do so. I developed this skill by balancing my role as the Co-Head of Competition of the UDL Society with my studies as a law student. As an employee at an international law firm which emphasises professionalism in its core values, I would recognise the importance of balancing deadlines with other work I have, which may require me to work overtime some days. Therefore, I would be motivated to continue working by reminding myself of the great outcome I would produce for the client. 

Finally, when completing the tasks that were sent to me by my colleagues, I would draw upon my strengths in collaboration which I enhanced by working alongside team members as a Student Circus Ambassador to increase sign-ups to Student Circus’ platform. Hence, I would approach each colleague for further details if needed and discuss a particular strategy they would recommend in completing the task. I would then rank each task in terms of most to least urgent. I will dedicate time to focus on each aspect separately, flag any issues that I may come across and reach an outcome in due course. 

As I am always up for a challenge, I would be energised by the feeling of accomplishment after impressing an important client, completing numerous tasks and managing my time effectively. Furthermore, expressing my commitment to excellence to ESI by implementing my skills and providing excellent work for the new client would energise me to continue challenging myself with such tasks.

2023

1. When have you worked towards an ambitious goal? As part of your answer, please describe how you tackled this goal, what set-backs you faced and what energised you about the situation. (500 words)

When I joined a tutoring charity as a tutor and then as a brand ambassador, I wanted to double the recruitment numbers than the previous year. This was ambitious as this meant I needed to have 600 tutors by 2021, as opposed to 300 that they recruited. I was passionate about the values of the charity and wanted to help close the education attainment gap. To tackle this goal, I reached out to the other brand ambassadors as I knew I couldn’t do this on my own. I set up zoom meetings for us to brainstorm ideas on how to recruit more tutors and get the charity across to more people. As the charity relied on more traditional forms of advertising, this did not work during the pandemic where students do not go to lectures, and everything is online. I delegated tasks to the brand ambassadors. This included creating more aesthetic looking content, a Tik-Tok channel as this medium increased in popularity during the pandemic among the targeted audience and posting across all social media channels. I undertook a deep dive and compared different educational companies out there such as MyTutor and Teach First to see how they marketed themselves and compared this with the tutor charity. Although, this was my own individual goal, I had to report to the impact co-ordinator and get it approved before I was able to carry out the desired task. This was a setback from time-to-time as the impact coordinator did not always agree with some of the tasks. For example, I wanted to publish the charity and its’ tutoring vacancy on recruitment websites. This was not approved by the co-ordinator as she said it would cost a lot to advertise it externally. Instead, I sourced alternative methods such as university careers portals and I negotiated with the university recruitment manager on the benefits on tutoring, how students can get involved and have something to do during the pandemic. After a few negotiations, I was able to persuade Leeds University and Leeds Beckett University to advertise the vacancy on their careers portal for free. After continuous months, we managed to recruit 625 new tutors. Having the end goal in mind really energised me. Not only would it have impressed the board of trustees and the co-ordinator, knowing that I have made a difference to the children and the charity’s mission energised me. When we achieved the goal, I felt proud and happy that the goal was achieved. Secondly, working in a team with other brand ambassadors energised me. In the initial zoom call, I was excited when I made some suggestions and the others bounced off my ideas. Some ideas I would not have thought about on my own, and I loved learning from different perspectives.

2. When have you delivered a piece of work where quality was an important factor? As part of your answer, please describe why quality was important to you, what approaches you took to help you deliver and what you enjoyed? (500 words)

As a tax compliance caseworker at X, I am responsible for analysing information, issuing letters to the taxpayers and creating effective records to form as part of my audit trail. It is important my letters are professional and correct as I did not want the taxpayer to be confused. As letters contain highly sensitive information, I needed to ensure my letters are labelled for recipients only. Sometimes, one case may include multiple taxpayers. Thus, I had to ensure that personal information was protected. If I did not deliver high quality work, this could lead to criticism, complaints, and potential litigation for X. Quality is important to ensure X charter is adhered to: ‘getting things rights and keeping data secure’. If quality is not achieved, this could risk the X’s reputation. Quality was important to me because I wanted to create a good experience for customers. I want them to trust the organisation that their data is protected. Creating a good quality audit trail was also important to me because it saves time for my colleague if they pick up the case in the future. They do not have to waste time analysing the same information. If the case goes to the appeal, my manager can see why I opened a compliance risk and disputes will not cause problems for him. I want to help my colleagues as much as I can by not wasting their time by assisting them as much as possible. I do not want to cost the organisation time and resources due to my errors. First, I organise all the documents I have in an order. If I have more than one taxpayer, I separate the information to avoid confusion. Second, I create checklists of everything I need to do to ensure good quality work. Third, I thoroughly go through all the information I have, not missing or skipping everything. I double check I have done everything and use my checklist as a reference. I try to look at the case in the view of a colleague or customer to see if it would make sense in their perspective. If my case is particularly complex, I would invite a colleague if they are free, to go over my work to ensure that I have analysed all information correctly, the letter is correctly formatted, and my audit trail is written intelligently. If I made a mistake, I correct my mistakes immediately and write it down so I will not make the same mistake in the future. I enjoyed learning from every case I receive and critically analysing all the information I have. It was energising when I became confident after every case I did. I enjoyed knowing that my letters were approved and sent to customers as I felt I made tangible contribution to the organisation. I enjoyed making sure I produced high standard work because I was able to get 100% sign-offed on mycases and did not need corrective action when it was sent to quality check.

3. You are working on a query for a new client, which has to be responded to tomorrow morning. You were told it was important as Eversheds Sutherland want to impress them. However, you have a lot of work on and the query is taking you longer than you expected. You are now behind on your work for today. You also have emails from other people chasing you for work you have not yet started. What would you do? As part of your answer, please also describe what personal strengths would you draw upon and what would you find energising in this situation? (500 words)

I would stay calm in this scenario. After working in the hospitality sector, I can work effectively under pressure and under time constraints. First, I would check my emails and note down my tasks. I would then categorise them in order of importance and urgency. I would prioritise the query as it has an urgent deadline of tomorrow morning and Eversheds Sutherland want to impress them. Second, I would work out what I need to do to complete the query and estimate the time needed. For work that is important but not urgent, I will contact my colleagues to see if I am able to extend the deadline. I would let them know how long the query will estimate and send progress updates and the timeline I aim to achieve. For work that is not as important but is urgent, I would where appropriate, see whether other trainees have capacity to take on more work. Third, I will assess why the query is taking me longer than expected. I would break down the query into smaller tasks. This way, I have a clearer picture of what I am doing, and I have certain objectives to focus on. Where appropriate, I would work overtime to ensure that the work is completed to a high standard. If I am unable to get a deadline extension or if other trainees do not have the capacity, I would work tirelessly to finish the work. Upon completion, I would reflect on why I was behind schedule and create action points to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. I would draw upon my ability to adapt. When I went on exchange in Singapore, I quickly adapted to different culture, environment, and assessment methods. This would be useful when plans take longer than expected and I would have to adjust accordingly. My strength in communication would be useful. This is important in keeping transparency in the workplace and builds a more productive atmosphere. When I was working at a takeaway, I ensured that I kept good communication with customers on their order, so they did not become dissatisfied. I delegated tasks within the team to ensure more urgent orders, those that have been kept waiting, were sent out first. I would practice my strength in decision making. I juggled studying, two part time jobs and extra-curricular activities. I was able to achieve the brand ambassador of the year, volunteered 30 hours and received a high 2:1 in my studies. This would not have been possible without deciding how to use my time effectively. This situation is energising because there is a goal to work towards. I often thrive in stressful or busy situations. Knowing that there is another task that is on my list to check encourages me to start my day and complete my tasks. I would feel motivated to complete the task and the fact that I can contribute to impressing clients and colleagues spur me to excel in my role.

2022

1. When have you worked towards an ambitious goal? As part of your answer, please describe how you tackled this goal, what set-backs you faced and what energised you about the situation. 

During law school, I was selected to represent my institution in a prestigious national moot court competition. I was part of a three-member team and we had two stages in the competition: memorial submission and oral pleadings. The subject matter of the moot was advanced constitutional law and the competition was highly competitive. Despite not having studied the subject matter, I was excited to research new topics, gain valuable experience and interact with new people.

However, initial problems arose since the three of us were interning in different cities and the deadline was in a month. As someone extremely particular about meeting deadlines, I showed initiative to tackle the problem and set up a weekly online meeting. I divided the moot problem into smaller issues and delegated the work to improve efficiency. We seemed to be making progress till we reached the drafting stage, where my team-mates became unresponsive. As the junior-most member of the team, it was extremely daunting to stand up to my seniors but I was eager to work as part of a team. I communicated my honest concerns and was proactive to suggest various ways in which we could work better. Adopting an organised approach towards my work is important for me and thus, I diligently created a working plan with deadlines, to-do lists and scheduled regular meetings with our team strategist. The initial response from my team-mates was slow but I always maintained a positive attitude and continued encouraging them. I was also always eager to assist them in researching by effective use of legal databases and library resources. Eventually, we were successful in submitting a thoroughly-researched memorial within the deadline. 

Subsequently, we had to prepare for the oral rounds. It seemed overwhelming to prepare for something I had no experience in but the prospect of learning the various intricacies of a moot excited me. Apart from conducting in-depth research myself, I approached various senior mooters for advice. I did receive negative criticism from some of them but as someone constantly looking at self-improvement, I took it in my stride and worked on my skills. It was indeed hectic to juggle university work, internships and moot preparation, but I have never been someone who shies away from trying new things and thus I made it happen using effective time management. I continued practising and updating my research even between the rounds on the day of the competition, enjoying how highly enriching and intellectually stimulating the entire process was. 

The four months of hard work proved fruitful when the results were declared, and we had beat 24 other teams to emerge as winners, also the team with the maximum individual accolades. The win was symbolic for me, helping me realise that the toughest challenges can be overcome with perseverance and resilience. It also made me realise the importance of teamwork and showed me the importance of focusing on the final goal, as opposed to focusing on setbacks.

2. When have you delivered a piece of work where quality was an important factor? As part of your answer, please describe why quality was important to you, what approaches you took to help you deliver and what you enjoyed? 

During the penultimate year of law school, I was asked to step up as the Head of the Mooting Association. The previous leadership had been dissolved mid-academic year due to their disciplinary conduct and the leadership of the association had been revamped. It was now my responsibility to create an entire executive team from scratch, draft a new mooting policy and reinstate the mooting reputation of my university. 

Rather than being overwhelmed by the immense work and lack of previous experience, I was excited to explore yet another position of responsibility. I was able to put together a team of twenty members and my main priority became drafting an effective mooting policy. 

The quality of the policy was important for me not just because it was to be released under my leadership, but because it was to guide the mooting activities of almost 2000 students. Mooting is considered an intricate part of a law student’s career and the mooting policy guides all aspects of mooting, as well as the conduct of the mooting association. I felt personally responsible for the mooting careers of all students in the institution. Further, due to the actions of the previous leadership, the mooting reputation of our institution had deteriorated and an effective policy was crucial to re-establish an environment for better mooting. More importantly, as a mooter myself, it was an exciting idea to contribute and bring about positive changes in the way things were being conducted. 

Keeping the same in mind, and drawing on my planning skills, I came up with a three-step plan to draft it. As a team, we first analysed the previous year’s mooting policy to identify improvement areas, then we invited suggestions from parties who were stakeholders in the policy, and finally, we combined the two to discuss the new draft of the policy. The most enjoyable part of the process was brainstorming with my team-mates. Inclusivity is crucial for me and thus I ensured all team members were involved in the debates, irrespective of their seniority in the association. We often reached roadblocks but I was determined to reach a consensus and constantly pushed everyone to work in a collaborative manner. As someone who enjoys interacting with new people, it was also an enjoyable experience to meet various students and invite suggestions directly from the stakeholders of the policy. Eventually, we were successful in putting together a 60 pages document within the deadline assigned. Receiving feedback and constant self-improvement is crucial for me and thus, we sent out a feedback form to all interested parties. In turn, we received overwhelmingly positive feedback. 

It was definitely gratifying to see a positive response after all the hard work but it was even more humbling to realise the importance of putting in our all when working on something that has a direct consequence on other people. Most importantly, the experience gave me a team that eventually turned into a family I am still in touch with.

3. You are working on a query for a new client, which has to be responded to tomorrow morning. You were told it was important as Eversheds Sutherland want to impress them. However, you have a lot of work on and the query is taking you longer than you expected. You are now behind on your work for today. You also have emails from other people chasing you for work you have not yet started. What would you do? As part of your answer, please also describe what personal strengths would you draw upon and what would you find energising in this situation? 

I always enjoy facing challenging situations and when dealing with a high-pressure situation, I tend to maintain a calm and composed attitude. The proposed situation seems like an exciting opportunity to produce great quality work for important clients and that is exactly how I would like to approach it. 

First, it is extremely important to be professional when working as part of a group and, even under pressure, I believe in a collaborative approach with my co-workers. Thus, instead of ignoring emails from colleagues who have reached out to me, I would try and ensure I communicate my endeavour to finish the tasks at the earliest, highlighting all relevant updates. 

My ability to organise and plan out tasks is something that has proven to be extremely beneficial for me in the past and I find creating lists a helpful way to prioritise. Thus, I would list out all the tasks that need to be completed in order of priority and assign appropriate deadlines to each task in order to avoid any confusion. 

Having fixed deadlines, I would then divert my attention to completing the tasks at hand. I have acquired the traits of effective time management and self-discipline, having juggled coursework, positions of responsibility and self-development projects throughout my career. Further, focus and determination are personal strengths I rely on. I would seek to utilise these strengths in order to complete the tasks in one go and well within the deadline. 

I understand the importance of sacrificing short-term socialising goals in order to secure a long-term professional goal. Thus, if required, putting in extra hours to complete an urgent task is not something I would shy away from. On the contrary, I am enthused by research work and intellectually stimulating tasks. However, I find it important to work not just hard, but smart too. One must get creative with the tasks at hand and approach them in a manner that ensures the allocation of more time to tasks that may require more focus and attention. 

Additionally, although I am aware that all my colleagues have their own responsibilities, sometimes team-work is essential to ensure the ultimate goal of client satisfaction. Thus, if I seem to be left with something after having tried all possible options and any of my colleagues seem like they can help, I would welcome their support. Collaborating with colleagues is something I find extremely useful and educational. It helps us come up with answers we might not be able to identify by ourselves. 

I have faced similar situations during my internships, as well as recent legal advisory work I have been pursuing. Thus, I understand client expectations well and am adept at producing qualitative work under strict deadlines. My biggest strength is my ability to handle pressure and stay focused on the task at hand. If some errors or setbacks do come up, as they often do, I would not get disheartened and face them head-on, like every other challenge in my way.

2021

When have you worked towards an ambitious goal? As part of your answer, please describe how you tackled this goal, what set-backs you faced and what energised you about the situation.

One ambitious goal that I achieved was becoming a piano teacher. I was put in piano lessons when I was six years old. At my first recital, I successfully memorised a piece and excelled in performing it. I began to enjoy this hobby and was motivated to learn more about the instrument. Alongside my academic studies, I practiced piano every day for one hour. I quickly learned to sight-read notes efficiently, sharpen my technical skills in scale work, and confidence in playing memorised pieces. With progress, I was able to go from Basic Level 3 piano to Grade 3  an advancement that my teacher considered exceptional at my age. I achieved a First Class Honours in the Grade 3 practical exam for the Royal Conservatory of Music. Through this progress, I became increasingly energised and decided to pursue the challenge of becoming a piano teacher.

I continued advancing to higher levels of piano after successfully completing the necessary exams. In order to become a qualified piano teacher, I needed to complete the Grade 8 practical exam and the advanced rudiments theory exam. I was required to memorise four pieces from the Repertoire section, two technical pieces and scale work, ear tests, and sight reading. This would be challenging, as I would simultaneously have to apply for university that year as well. However, I was motivated and determined to excel in both my studies and piano.

My piano exams were scheduled only three weeks before my final-year exams. I prioritised my time by allocating time after school to practice piano. For example, I spent two hours completing an assignment for school and one hour developing my memorisation skills. One major set-back that I experienced was my difficulty with theory and ear training. I overcame this problem through proactiveness in asking my teacher to hold additional lessons for me, specifically focusing on these crucial disciplines. By completing multiple practice exams at home and learning techniques through lessons, I witnessed energising progress. I became especially confident in my ability to excel in the theory exam. By the end of the year I successfully balanced attending two piano lessons a week while also completing my academic studies.

As a result, I was awarded a First-Class Honours in my theory exam and Honours in my practical exam. I was the only one of 300 students in my graduating class in secondary school with an additional credit for my diploma. I became a qualified piano teacher who independently taught students aged 5-12 years old. I planned and prepared lessons regarding individual students' needs, acquired appropriate teaching materials and resources, and ensured up-to-date knowledge and awareness of examination requirements. I discussed the students' progress with their parents, and effectively prepared them for future recitals. I also kept financial and administrative records, as I was able to earn money during university while pursuing an interest that I enjoy. This experience reaffirmed my ability to transfer skills I have developed to a professional career in law.

When have you delivered a piece of work where quality was an important factor? As part of your answer, please describe why quality was important to you, what approaches you took to help you deliver and what you enjoyed?

As a Management Services Specialist at [redacted organisation], I was required to review incident reports for the Occupational Health and Safety Committee. These incident reports specifically regarded our call centre office, where employees were responsible for conducting phone surveys to gather data. Part of my role was to ensure urgent issues were addressed appropriately and to create a positive and safe work environment. I reviewed incident reports and WSIB forms on a monthly basis and flagged any issues that should be discussed at the Health and Safety Board meetings.

I was tasked to analyse the past five to seven years of incident reports to determine what the root of the problem was in each year. The basis of the strategy was to decrease the number of reports filed per year. Quality was particularly important to me in this task because I had to present my findings to the Board at the upcoming Health and Safety meeting. This energised me to deliver my best piece of work as all Committee Members, the Regional Director, and the Assistant Directors would be present at the meeting. I was motivated to complete this task and present my results to them.

I began this task by outlining personal deadlines in order to create the report in a timely manner and scheduled weekly meetings with the Regional Director for progress updates. I gathered all reports from 2010-2017 and critically analysed the information in each. I also cross-referenced and categorised the reports by type of incident and year. I created a graph based on the statistics gathered to provide a visual representation to the Board. I was able to pin-point what type of incident occurred and possible solutions to avoid the incident in the future. I was also energised when using statistical methods such as calculating the mean and mode for the number of incidents per year for the report.

After a few colleagues reviewed my work, I presented the final draft of the report to the committee. I was highly commended for the graph I created and for my concise report, which was used in the following year for effective change management. For example, I found that one of the highest incidents reported was due to an allergic reaction or nausea caused by a strong perfume scent in the office. My report recommended the committee to implement a scent-free work zone and this was ultimately followed. One year later, the number of incidents reported decreased significantly due to my recommendation. I enjoyed learning new statistical and research methods which helped me analyse the key issues present in the incident reports. My motivation to impress the Board and commitment to excel in my position further pushed me to deliver a quality piece of work that was appropriately considered to ensure a safe work environment for the future. Most importantly, my confidence in always providing high quality work was reaffirmed through this experience.

You are working on a query for a new client, which has to be responded to tomorrow morning. You were told it was important as Eversheds Sutherland want to impress them. However, you have a lot of work on and the query is taking you longer than you expected. You are now behind on your work for today. You also have emails from other people chasing you for work you have not yet started.

What would you do? As part of your answer, please also describe what personal strengths would you draw upon and what would you find energising in this situation?

During my work placement at [redacted national law firm] I was tasked with creating a conditions precedent checklist and conducting legal research for a client report, whilst attending an internal meeting in one morning. This lengthy to-do list required me to strategically schedule my day. Similarly, as a Trainee I know I will be tasked to complete high quality work in a short amount of time depending on its urgency. I find such a task challenging but energising because I like to engage with a variety of different work throughout the day. I would draw upon my strengths in organisation and attention to detail, commercial awareness, and interpersonal skills to accomplish this goal.

Before beginning any task, I would compile the list of tasks that I was assigned for the day. I would identify what should be prioritised and consider the deadlines that must be met. I use this strategy for university, as it is easier to keep track of the work that must be completed. This task would be placed at the top of my to-do list as it has an urgent deadline for tomorrow morning. With a list in front of me, I am reminded on what I need to work on and focused on completing each task thoroughly. I am motivated by the satisfaction of producing quality work and proving myself an asset to the firm.

Whilst every piece of work assigned to me can be assumed to be important to the operation of the firm, this particular task is prioritised because Eversheds Sutherland wants to build a foundation of trust with a new client  essential to any working relationship. An example of Eversheds Sutherland prioritising strong client relationships is through the delivery of legal services. Co-CEOs Mark Wasserman and Lee Ransons recent creation of the Global Innovation Team focuses on developing new ways to assist clients reach their business goals. This legal service demonstrates the firm's commitment to providing consistent services to assist developing their client relationships. I would uphold this commitment by ensuring the task is completed by the deadline.

Once I have prioritised my tasks, I would tell those that are chasing me for work that I received an urgent task that must be completed first. Rushing through tasks for completion does not produce high quality work, thus I would be proactive and give them an estimated time they can expect the task to be completed. I would communicate with my team members to see if they are available to help with the workload if I believe I am unable to meet the deadlines. I would gather insight on how to more efficiently complete all tasks on time as I am always receptive to others suggestions. After communicating with my team members, I would focus on completing the task at hand and then move on to finishing tasks that have urgent deadlines. My commitment to assist the growth of the firm would allow me to deliver high-quality work, even within a narrow time frame.