What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application 

2. Interview

Which aspect does this report cover?

Interview

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

In person in the firm’s office

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. Case study written exercise: private client case study (40 minutes)

2. Interview: commercial, competency and motivation questions (40 minutes with two partners).

Written case study

I was given a case study focused on a client who was deceased. I had to explain (in writing) what would happen to his estate, in light of a list of different family relationships in play, a civil partnership, and children. We weren’t given any background materials, so I had to draw on my knowledge of legal rights and splitting up an estate.

In particular, I had to explain what would happen in different situations, e.g. if he was married, if he was divorced, if his mum and brother were still alive etc. I had to hand write this.

I was told to take my written note into the subsequent interview, and use it to help answer questions from the interviewers (it was then collected by the firm at the end of the interview).

Interview 

My interviewers (2 partners) asked me to talk through my answers to the questions in the case study, so I had to explain what would happen to the deceased client’s property/estate. I was then asked competency and motivation questions, including: 

• Why Aberdein Considine?  
• How do you think you can add to the Aberdein Considine team? 
• What drew you to a career in law?
• Do you think a law career is for you?

What was the outcome?

I received a call a week later to tell me I had been rejected. They said they would get in touch with feedback and subsequently sent an email with some generic points.

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?