Fieldfisher Vacation Scheme - January 2025

What was the full recruitment process?

1. Application

2. Online assessment: a straightforward 5 - 10 minute multiple-choice strengths-based assessment with questions such as whether you are the type to thrive in a high pressure environment

3. Assessment centre

4. Offers made

Which aspect does this report cover? 

Vacation scheme / diversity access scheme assessment centre (including my successful written exercise answer)

Where did the assessment centre take place?

Virtually, via Teams

What did the assessment centre involve? 

1. Introduction: a breakdown of the AC, and explanation of how the High Q platform works to enable us to access the case study (~30 minutes with the Early Careers Team) 

2. Competency and motivation interview: interview testing motivations for joining the scheme and alignment with firm values (~1 hour with an associate) 

3. Case study exercise: used the High Q platform to access a relatively brief case study, and had to write a commercial summary based on the facts given (~1 hour) 

Competency and motivation interview 

This interview was conducted by a real estate associate. Not necessarily conversational, as the associate was going through a list of questions that they had down on a bundle of papers, but still fairly informal and relaxed.

Competency questions 

• Tell me about yourself.
• Tell me about a time when you were organisationally challenged.
• Tell me about a time when you had to work as part of a team.
• Tell me about a time when you went outside your comfort zone.
• Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenge.
• Tell me about a time when you demonstrated innovative thinking.

Motivation questions

• Why are you interested in joining this specific scheme (Diversity Access Scheme)?
• Why are you interested in Fieldfisher and commercial law more generally? 

Case study 

I had 1 hour to both read the case study, and write the memo as per the brief, which was a fairly relaxed timeframe given the amount of content covered. 

I was given a three page case study through a portal called High Q (with log-in details and set-up instructions given at the beginning of the interview). The first page of the case study was a brief, outlining that I was on the board of directors for a tech company, and that I was to write a memo to the managing director of the company.

The remaining two pages gave me facts about the company’s existing products, a brief analysis of competitor behaviour, and problems with the new product that is to be launched. I then had to cover questions including: 

• Do you recommend that the product is launched and why?
• What are the issues with the product, if any?
• What are the commercial benefits of releasing the product?
• Are there any other relevant points to raise with regards to the product? 

My memo included an executive summary outlining my recommendation, followed by two paragraphs highlighting two issues, a paragraph on the benefits, and ended with a paragraph on next steps and a suitable close. 

My (successful) written exercise answer

Hello Jamie, 

I am writing this memo to provide some clarity on how HomePulse fits into Tech Nova Innovations' (TNI) wider portfolio, an analysis of potential issues with the new product, and what I think are the best next steps for us as a company.

Based on my research, I would like to recommend that we do launch the HomePulse Watch. However, I would like to propose that the launch date is delayed; ideally this would mean allowing for a timeframe of between six months and one year (based upon the technical resolution of current issues with the product). 

This is because the HomePulse is quite underdeveloped at the moment, and if we want to ensure that the product is as successful as our previous launch of the SmartHome Hub, then some key improvements need to be made before being able to effectively compete on the market. 

I was able to appreciate a number of issues arising from the trials of HomePulse. The first of which is the safety risk of battery overheating. 19% of units were affected by this issue, which is a relatively large proportion of trial units, and this has led to hospitalised customers. In 2022, a failure of similar sorts resulted in an Apple Watch exploding and sending the user into the emergency room. If such were to occur with HomePulse, then TNI would be open to civil lawsuits and the company's brand would be detrimentally impacted. 

Another issue is the functionality of the watch itself: 15% of users reported connectivity issues, 10% of users reported issues with touch screen sensitivity, and 8% reported issues with the health monitoring features. Customers will not purchase a product at £350 (£100 more than the SmartHome Hub itself) if all these features are so prone to error. In the UK, there is already a pandemic-fuelled cost of living crisis, and a saturation of expensive technology products on the market, so customers simply have no reason to make such an expensive purchase unless the product will deliver exceptionally well. So the fact that the HomePulse is nearly twice as inaccurate as the SmartHome Hub was prior to launch is a poor indicator of future success.

Aside from these issues, the product concept is an effective way to combat the growing market share of competitors like HomeSync Pro. By having consumers purchase both the SmartHome Hub and HomePulse Watch, they are more integrated into TNI's portfolio of products, and are more likely to be repeat purchasers in the future. A similar concept applies with Epsom's sale of printers and ink, leading to an effective market domination. 

In terms of further actions, I recommend that TNI focuses on resolving the battery overheating issues by exploring the use of different types of batteries (keeping in mind the recent growth in lithium battery fires). Additionally, the functionality issues need to be resolved as soon as possible, which might extend to the longer timeframe I stipulated at the beginning of the email. And another step that might be considered is pricing strategy, and whether the profit margins of the HomePulse Watch can be slightly pulled back in order to make the product more attractive on the market. 

I hope this helps with your meeting and deciding whether to proceed with the launch of HomePulse in the near future. Please feel free to ask for further clarifications on any of the points raised in this email. 

Thank you. 

Yours sincerely,

[Redacted]

What was the outcome? 

I received an offer via phone call roughly one month after. 

Preparation advice 

I would really learn what Fieldfisher’s values are (listed on the website but somewhat vaguely). It might be worth reaching out to lawyers at the firm, or even the Early Careers Team directly to try and find out what the key competencies sought are, then prepare a different example for each one of these.

For the written exercise, just understand the brief very well, and structure your summary/memo in line with the brief, trying to hit every bullet point. Be very clear in your recommendation. Bring in your own commercial awareness; there is ample opportunity to do so given the subject matter of the case study (tech in this instance). 

Otherwise a fairly relaxed assessment centre, with a very supportive Early Careers Team.

Fieldfisher diversity access scheme interview – January 2024

Note that this was an interview for a vacation scheme that is specifically targeted at minority groups.

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application

2. Psychometric test: blended assessment including situational judgement, critical reasoning and Watson Glaser-type questions.

3. Assessment centre

4. Written commercial case study (60 minutes preparation and writing time)

5. Video interview: Microsoft Teams interview with camera on (~30 minutes with a senior associate)

Which aspect does this report cover?

Diversity access scheme assessment centre

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

Zoom 

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. Written exercise: written memo (60 minutes)

2. General interview: 8-10 competency and motivation questions chosen. My interviewer told me that these were taken from a bank of 30 questions (30 minutes with a senior associate).

Written exercise 

I had to write a memo relating to a pharmaceutical company that was experiencing financial challenges because one of its patents ran out and a competitor subsequently started to sell the relevant drug at a cheaper price. I needed to identify the risks of releasing a new drug into the market prematurely and whether there was any potential benefits of doing so in light of the competition the company was facing. 

I had about 60 minutes in total to consider the topic and write my memo. I was allowed to use the internet to support my research, but this wasn't particularly helpful in the circumstances. 

General interview 

Competency-based questions

• What is a tough goal you have met? 
• Tell me about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it.
• Tell me about a time you failed.
• What is effective communication?
• Tell me about a time you worked as a part of a team.
• Tell me about a time you went above and beyond. 

Motivation questions 

• What have you learned about the firm?
• Why do you want to do the Diversity Access Scheme with Fieldfisher?

There were no surprise or weird questions. After answering these questions, I had the opportunity to ask the senior associate some questions.

What was the outcome?

The firm emailed me 3 weeks after the assessment centre to tell me I had been unsuccessful. 

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?                                            

• Think about your answers for a broad range of competency and motivation questions in advance. 
• The associate explicitly tells you before the interview not to give general answers to the competency questions so if they ask you ‘what makes a great communicator’ they want you to draw upon an experience you have had. 
• It goes without saying, but do thorough research on the firm and then link it to why you want to join the firm. Be very enthusiastic about the firm.

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application

2. Psychometric test: blended assessment including situational judgement, critical reasoning and Watson Glaser-type questions. 

3.  Video interview: Microsoft Teams interview with a member of the HR team (with camera on), with similar questions to the assessment centre interview.

4. Assessment centre

5. Partner interview

6. Training contract 

Which aspect does this report cover?

Training contract assessment centre 

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

In person

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. Group exercise: commercial group discussion (10 minutes reading time, 30 minute group discussion, 10 minute presenation, 10 minutes of questions from the assessors. It was assessed by a senior associate and a member of the graduate recruitment team).

2. Written exercise: written report (45 minutes, including reading time)

3. General interview: competency, motivational, situational and commercial questions (40 minutes with a senior associate).

Group exercise  

The group exercise was based on different fundraising and marketing initiatives that a company could choose. We were asked as a group to pick three options within a specified budget. 

We were provided with a booklet containing key information about the company and its products, as well as information about each specific marketing initiative (including what it would cost and what would be expected from the company if it chose to participate in that initiative). 

The group discussion centred on the advantages and disadvantages of each proposal, and was assessed by a senior associate and a member of the graduate recruitment team. At the end of the discussion, we had to collectively present the group’s decision to the assessors. The presentation was split between all of the group members. The assessors then asked questions exploring our reasons for our choices. The questions were not directed to specific candidates; it was a case of volunteering to answer the questions. 

Written exercise

My written exercise was based on the potential exchange of resources between two countries (I wasn’t advising one country in particular – I had to write about both). I was provided with background information relating to the countries, including the issues they were facing and the resources they could potentially exchange (the countries were facing different issues and risks).

I had to produce a written report which identified the risks and issues faced by each country, then set out a series of recommendations relating to the resources that each could obtain and how the parties could safeguard their interests and manage risks.

General interview

Competency-based questions

• What is a tough goal you have met? How would you plan to top this?
• What is your USP? 
• When have you had to make a decision quickly? 
• What is effective communication? 

Situational questions

• What would you do if you couldn’t meet a deadline?
• What would you do if you were allocated a seat you didn’t enjoy during your training contract? 
• What do you do if you make a mistake at work which detriments the client? 
• What would you do if you had a challenging person to work with?

Motivational questions 

• What have you learned about the firm, and who do you think are its main competitors?
• Why is Fieldfisher the firm for you?

Commercial questions

• How do we differ from our competitors?
• How would you advise the firm to undertake business development?

What was the outcome?                                                  

The firm emailed me more than a week after my assessment centre to invite me to the final round partner interview.

Partner interview