Allen & Overy

Applications, Interviews & Assessments

"After completing the online application form for my vacation scheme I was invited to interview. The interview was in two parts. Firstly, there was a general interview for 30 minutes to discuss my CV and application. This was followed by a 45-minute discussion on a case study, which tested my business awareness and problem solving abilities. Following the formal interview process, I was given a tour of the office and had a coffee with a trainee." -- First year trainee
"The interview process is very competitive, but it is made as transparent and pleasant as possible for interview candidates. Questions were fair and thought provoking, unlike at some other firms. The interview days were well structured and well planned to put each candidate at ease and give a true picture of the firm." -- First year trainee
"I interviewed with 2 partners; the first partner conducted a general interview, based on my application. I had to present to the second partner a case study, namely the possible risks and advantages of buying a certain business. The questions were quite probing; be prepared to talk about the bad points of your CV!" -- First year trainee
"Interview for a vac scheme had two stages: an in-depth personal interview with a partner; and a very challenging case study with a different partner. Case study comprised a lengthy document which you are required to read in 20 minutes (there is barely enough time to speed read to the end of the document) and then present advice to the partner as if the partner was the 'client'. It is a difficult exercise." -- Second year trainee
"One round: two interviews. One interview was personal, about me and my CV, the second was a case study that I do have to say I found quite simple." -- First year trainee
"There was an online application process followed by a double interview in one day. The first was primarily about myself and my CV. The second was a case study interview. Both were conducted one-on-one and the interviewers were very good at making you feel at ease." -- First year trainee
"Difficult – but not harder than it needs to be; online application form and an interview. No assessment days, etc. The firm assumes that you have the relevant intelligence once it has vetted the paper applications. The focus in the interview is how you will fit into the culture of the firm and then there is a quasi-legal exercise to test your ability to think logically, rationally and on your feet." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Banking

"I did a vac scheme at A&O and therefore had one interview for that. These generally involve an interview with graduate recruitment and an interview with a senior associate or a partner. From the vac scheme, I then stated that I would like to interview for a training contract and had a very short and informal interview with a partner, though the three-week scheme was really one long interview!" -- First year trainee
"I had my first interview for the vac scheme which I found really tough. There was an HR interview, and then an interview with a partner/senior associate who asked you questions about a 16-page document you had 45 minutes to read. So quite gruelling. I had my training contract interview on the vacation scheme and it was much more relaxed, more of a chat about the vacation scheme experience." -- First year trainee
"Doubtless very competitive, but actually a fairly painless process: one general interview and one case-study interview. No group exercises/psychometric tests as far as I'm aware." -- First year trainee
"Online application form; one day of 2 interviews (one with an associate, one with a partner). Interview one was about my CV and business acumen, i.e. how do you demonstrate you're interested in business, what have you read in the FT/Economist recently which interested you, etc. Interview two was a case study which I had about 20 minutes to prepare before 'pitching' to the partner who then posed questions." -- First year trainee
"A written application followed by an interview day. I interviewed with a senior associate (interview one) and then had a case study with a partner (interview two). Interview one was an HR type interview, e.g. what did you study at university, explain your dissertation to us, tell us about your love of football, etc. Interview two was a case study and focused on your knowledge of the firm and commercial understanding. You had to give a brief presentation at the start on the case study and were then questioned on it. Knowledge of the firm and its competitors seemed to be important." -- First year trainee
"One round of interviews. Senior associate interview, then partner interview and presentation to the partner based on a business matter. Excellent format which is not stressful compared to other interviews. First interview is based around application form and generally commercial issues, and dealing with why London and why this firm, etc." -- First year trainee

Tips & Advice for Graduates

"Interpersonal skills, hard work and dedication." -- First year trainee
"Trainees seem to be sociable, adaptable, hard working and intelligent. Everyone has a personality and whilst everyone is obviously very clever, it is also important to be able to chat to clients and get along with everyone else in the firm. The firm recruits from all universities, and the proportion of Oxbridge alumni is much lower than at other firms." -- First year trainee
"The firm doesn't seem to limit the universities it'll consider, but the fact is that most trainees have gone to Oxbridge or a leading redbrick-type university." -- First year trainee
"I think the firm is interested in people who work well with others, are confident (but not too confident) and who have a real interest in the area. Be personable and friendly. Also, be honest – if you have a disappointment in your CV, talk about it, why it happened and how you learned from it. Read the FT/business pages before your interview, so you can talk about what's happening in the market." -- First year trainee
"Research. There is so much information out there – find it and use it." -- First year trainee
"The firm looks for well rounded individuals that are interesting. Recruitment is from a broad range of unis, although inevitably the red bricks are the most represented and 40% come from Oxbridge." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Banking

"I would advise researching the firm, looking at any recent cases/clients that the firm had been involved with. Candidates should be enthusiastic, hard working, organised, proactive and show knowledge about what training at the firm involves." -- Second year trainee
"People with broad horizons and lots of interests. Lots of extracurricular activities are really important at A&O. They are big on pro bono and volunteering. I think most people that are hired are quite fun and friendly. There are specific grade requirements; check the grad recruitment website. There aren't specific uni requirements with respect to which one you went to. A&O is big on inclusivity, and as long as you have good grades and skills you won't lose out because you've not been to a red brick university." -- First year trainee
"Do your research about the firm. Attend university presentations. Make sure you meet the criteria before submitting your application form. Get some interview practice. Keep up to date with current affairs (legal and non-legal)." -- First year trainee
"Generally, I describe the typical A&O trainee as someone that is friendly, outgoing and personable that you can put in a room with a FTSE 100 CEO or housekeeper and will treat them exactly the same." -- First year trainee
"All the trainees at the firm are very intelligent, but also outgoing and fun which has surprised me for a Magic Circle firm." -- First year trainee

What made you choose your firm?

"I really enjoyed my time at A&O on my vac scheme. The people were all really friendly and everyone seemed to be enjoying their job. The graduate recruitment team at the time were also really enthusiastic and structured the programme to make sure we were all busy and had interesting tasks to do." -- First year trainee
"Many firms seem afraid of moving forward and are steeped in outdated traditions that are no longer relevant to the current legal environment. A&O is forward thinking and innovative and the supportive, friendly culture is something that I was unable to find in other Magic Circle competitors. I was immensely impressed on the vacation scheme by the quality of work, level of intellectual ability in departments and the office as a whole." -- First year trainee
"The people! When you work hard and long hours, the only thing that takes the edge off is the fun and friendly people around you. Out of the firms that I experienced, A&O had the most people that I would enjoy spending my time with. That's the key for me." -- First year trainee
"Atmosphere, international scale, reputation, friendliest people, amazing office, quality of work available, career prospects." -- First year trainee
"The people I met gave me the best impression. I also felt like the firm was going in the right direction and was being managed well. I believed that I would get the best training possible." -- First year trainee

"I was lucky enough to have had offers from A&O and two other Magic Circle firms. From my experiences on the vacation scheme, A&O seemed the most social and welcoming working environment, which was very important to me. I have had great experiences with the firm throughout the last few years; from sponsoring my rugby team at university to financially rewarding my degree and LPC results, they have always had a genuine interest, showing my decision was clearly a good one." -- First year trainee
"The people, reputation, calibre of work offered." -- First year trainee
"Reputation, the people, the quality of work, the fact it was Magic Circle and its strength in finance." -- First year trainee
"Definitely seemed the most welcoming of somebody who didn't go to a Russell Group university." -- First year trainee
"As with all big firms you get to work on the top deals, excellent training, excellent salary and perks, etc. A&O differentiated itself when I interviewed by being interested in me and my story – I really got the feeling that they wanted to get to know me and not just tick boxes on their form. I left with an impression that people that worked at A&O enjoy the work and working with the people. I found this to ring true throughout my trainee and NQ career." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Banking