Walker Morris Vacation Scheme (Leeds) - February 2025

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application

2. Psychometric test: online assessment including analysing data and verbal reasoning questions 

3. Assessment centre

4. Vacation scheme

Which aspect does this report cover?

Assessment centre

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

The firm's Leeds office

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. Group exercise: created a presentation as a group based on the impact of a commercial scenario on a business (~40 minutes in a group of 3/4, in front of an assessor)

2. Presentation: presented the presentation to another group and answered follow up and reflective questions (~40 minutes with another group and two assessors)

3. Group interview: competency and motivation questions (~40 minutes with a group of 3/4 and a partner)

Group exercise     

As a group we were presented with two commercial scenarios and had to choose one to create a five minute presentation about. Further information was provided on both of the scenarios in a pack we were given. We then had 40 minutes to analyse the impact of the commercial scenario on businesses (i.e. strengths, weaknesses, etc.) as a group and create a presentation we would give to another group of candidates.

Although access to a laptop was allowed during the exercise, some general commercial knowledge was helpful. In our case this was some general knowledge concerning ESG trends which helped add further detail to our presentation.

Presentation    

After the group exercise had finished there was a short break and we were put into the same room as another group. We then gave an oral presentation to the other group who asked us questions concerning the presentation. The other group then gave their presentation and we asked them relevant questions. The questions will vary according to each group obviously, so it is difficult to prepare for the specific questions you may get asked as a group.

Following both presentations the assessors then asked each group some reflective questions based on each group’s approach.

The questions asked included:

• Did you enjoy making the presentation?
• If you did the presentation again as a group would you do anything differently?
• How did you allocate tasks within the group?
• Did you work well as a group?
• Which resources did you use and how did you choose which ones to use?

Each candidate in each group was asked at least two questions by the assessors. The assessors also seemed to pay attention to the questions that candidates asked to the other group about their presentation. Bear in mind also that a five minute presentation is not much time, so be sure to practice presenting in your group beforehand.                  

Group interview

This was quite a unique interview where the partner would simultaneously interview 3/4 people by asking the same question to each candidate. It was more of an open discussion rather than an interview with the opportunity to build on other candidates' answers (although, it was still important to give your own unique answers to the questions asked). I treated this like a normal interview but occasionally linked other people’s answers with my own whilst being careful to differentiate myself. The questions were mainly competency and motivation questions.

Competency questions

• How do you maintain good professional relationships?
• How do you balance your time when deadlines are approaching?
• How do you work within a team?

Motivation questions 

• Why commercial law?
• Why Walker Morris?
• Tell me about something that interests you.

I can’t remember there being any specific commercial awareness questions but I think part of my success was being able to weave commercial awareness into the motivation questions. The interview was called a ‘speed interview’, which in practice meant fewer questions were asked and slightly briefer responses were expected from candidates. 

What was the outcome?                                                  

The firm emailed me two weeks after the assessment centre to tell me I had been successful.

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?

The group exercise and presentation tasks are both quite straightforward. Some commercial knowledge is expected, but you are provided with quite a few resources regardless. I would make sure that you practice giving the presentation in your group beforehand, as five minutes is quite a tight time limit for a presentation. I would also recommend that you ask the other group presenting at least one question to demonstrate your interest and attentiveness.

The group interview was slightly harder. I would advise really doing your research into the firm in order to provide unique answers to the motivation questions, as opposed to having answers too similar to other candidates in the same group as you. Having said this, it is impossible to give entirely unique answers to the other members of your group so some overlap is fine as long as you can differentiate yourself and your own personal motivations.

Walker Morris Vacation Scheme (Leeds) - February 2024 

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Online application form 

2. Assessment centre 

3. Vacation scheme

Which aspect does this report cover?

Vacation scheme assessment centre 

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

The firm’s Leeds office

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. Group discussion: discussion around a commercial pitch (~40-minute group discussion in front of 1 assessor)

2. Group presentation: presentation on the commercial pitch (~10 minute presentation in front of another group and the assessors)

3. Group interview: Group discussion including motivation questions and discussion of our interests

Group exercise  

Format

We were split into two groups of 4 or 5, then sent into separate rooms with 1 assessor per group. Each group had 40 minutes to discuss the background information and prepare a presentation, then 10 minutes to deliver the presentation.

Task

We were given a piece of paper that set out a business proposition. We were to act as if we were setting up a sandwich bar in Leeds city centre, and our task was to pitch for a bank loan of £50,000 to help set up the business. As part of this, we were asked to draw up a list of key considerations that should be brought to the bank’s attention during that pitch, including factors to consider before setting up the business and factors to consider whilst the business is trading. 

Approach

Our discussion focused on various considerations, including:

• Location: our business would be located in a high footfall area nearby the train station, which was an affluent area and attracted a range of customers, including students and other retail employees. 
• Branding: we decided on a vegan/vegetarian focus due to social trends and current demand, however there would be meat options available too to promote inclusivity. Our business by day would be a sandwich bar/café and in the evening turn into a venue to host comedy nights, pottery classes, and other evening activities to connect with the community and universities. 
• Costs: we would keep costs low by employing students. We also thought about rent prices in Leeds, how much we would pay staff, and how much we would pay ourselves. 
• Supply chain: We thought about the prospect of local suppliers vs. whole sale and how ethical our supply chain would be. We also thought of the use of the ‘Too Good to Go’ app so we would discourage food waste, maintain sustainability, and still profit. 
• Target market: we would be targeting the student population, given that there are 5 universities in the city (meaning we would focus on low-cost sandwiches). We felt this would be a good market to target, as word of mouth could spread rapidly amongst this very socially active group and we could collaborate with the universities, which would allow for free advertisement. 
• Marketing: some of the £50,000 investment would go into marketing, including posters and pop-up stalls around campus, free sample sandwiches, to help set up a website, and also investing into our social media coverage.

Group presentation

We were given 10 minutes to deliver our presentation. Once we had presented the key considerations mentioned above, we were asked various follow-up questions by the assessors and members of the other group.

We had a question about why we chose our specific location and another member of the group justified our location due to the high footfall in the area, being close to the train station and also within the shopping centre, which was bound to attract a range of customers. I followed up on this response stating that it will be refreshing to have a café that sells its products at a lower price than expected within an affluent area, which will help the business’ reputation in the area and will become an increasingly popular location to get your lunch or be used as a social space after work in the evenings. 

Another question we were asked was when we would expect to pay back the loan to the bank, which meant we had to assess the numbers from all expected costs currently calculated and when we would expect to make a profit. 

Group interview

This exercise lasted 30 minutes and was held in our original groups. The assessor asked a variety of questions that covered motivation questions and also our interests. The exercise was more of a discussion with each question posed to us as a group, instead of a 1-1 interview, so the individuals took turns to respond, but also built upon responses from others. 

A few questions asked included:

• Why law?
• Why Walker Morris?
• What makes Walker Morris different to other firms?
• What kinds of clients does Walker Morris have?
• What non-law interests do you have? 

When responding, I was asked follow-up questions as a prompt to talk more in-depth about my answers and really expand on my research. 

The number of questions posed to the group depended on your responses and how long each response took as there was a booklet filled with questions the assessor could have asked.

What was the outcome?                                                  

I am currently awaiting my outcome. 

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?

My advice for other students would be to:

• Practice presentation skills.
• Gain a good understanding of the things that must be considered when setting up a business.
• Do your best to answer follow up questions asked by the assessors, as this sets you apart from other candidates and evidences your research. 
• Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses when working as a team as this is a key element of the commercial discussion, alongside your commercial awareness and co-operation. Be sure to include quieter members of the group and also express your own original ideas to the group. 
• Do your research on the firm and your motivations for joining as a trainee solicitor, as this will be tested in depth.

Walker Morris Vacation Scheme (Leeds) - February 2022 

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Online application form 

2. Assessment centre 

3. Vacation scheme: this involved an assessed workshop and written exercise.

Which aspect does this report cover?

Vacation scheme assessment centre 

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

The firm’s Leeds office.

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. Group discussion: discussion around a commercial pitch (~40-minute group discussion in front of 1 assessor).

2. Group presentation: presentation on the commercial pitch (~10 minute presentation in front of another group and the assessors).

No questions covering motivations or competencies. These were only asked on the application form.

Group exercise  

Format

We were split into two groups of 4 or 5, then sent into separate rooms with 1 assessor per group. Each group had 40 minutes to discuss the background information and prepare a presentation, then 10 minutes to deliver the presentation.

Task

We were given a piece of paper that set out a business proposition. We were to act as if we were setting up a café in Leeds city centre, and our task was to pitch for a bank loan of £50,000 to help set up the business. As part of this, we were asked to draw up a list of key considerations that should be brought to the bank’s attention during that pitch.

Approach

Our discussion focused on various considerations, including:

• Location: our business would need to be in an area which would capture the most footfall (e.g. between the city’s main universities).
• Confidence: to demonstrate commitment and give the bank confidence, we would invest our own capital in the business too.
• Costs: we would keep costs low by employing students.
• Target market: we would be targeting the student population, given that there are 5 universities in the city (meaning we would focus on low-cost sandwiches). We felt this would be a good market to target, as word of mouth could spread rapidly amongst this very socially active group
• Marketing: some of the £50,000 investment would go into marketing, including posters around campuses, free sample sandwiches and so on. Social media would also be an important part of our marketing strategy.

Group presentation

We were given 10 minutes to deliver our presentation, however I would say that ours only lasted 5-7 minutes. Once we had presented the key considerations mentioned above, we were asked various follow-up questions by the assessors and members of the other group.

One question was about how we would ensure that we did not exclude other demographics, for example young professionals and other age groups. I responded that we would have a loyalty card programme in place to track customer spending, and use this data to inform our strategy going forward. I then elaborated on this, saying that if our products were more popular with groups other than students, then our future marketing and products could be aimed towards these other groups instead.

What was the outcome?                                                  

The firm emailed me 17 days after the assessment centre to offer me a place on the vacation scheme.

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?                                                       

This was a difficult assessment centre to prepare for, and I was not expecting this apprentice style task. My advice for other students would be to:

• Practice presentation skills
• Gain a good understanding of the things that must be considered when setting up a business.
• Do your best to answer follow up questions asked by the assessors. I took this approach and was successful, whereas others I have spoken to that did not answer the follow-up questions were not offered places.