Olswang

Applications, Interviews & Assessments

"It was very relaxed: they seemed to want to find out about my personality and questions revolved around general knowledge and what I do in my free time – in fact my worry back then was that I hadn't been formal enough or shown my razor sharp legal skills! I think that in hindsight this reflects the firm as a whole – they know you've got the brains to do your job based on what's on paper about you; what they're really interested in by the interview stage is cultural fit, and what you can bring to the firm." -- First year trainee
"I was hired after a vacation scheme, for which there were various tests and two interviews, with HR and the partners. There was another interview with two partners for my training contract. I also had to write application letters for both applications. The interview covered my personal background and interests, problem-solving skills and business awareness." -- First year trainee
"Two interviews. I interviewed with senior associates and HR. No full assessment day, but there was a test on how to set up a small business, and one which involved reading a document regarding a new share issue to shareholders, and then answering questions on the document. Also an IQ type test. Interview questions were not unusual; why do you want to work in law, why this firm, current events in law/finance, discussion of the credit crunch, commercial awareness, etc. As I had previously worked as a museum curator, I spent a good deal of time discussing why I wanted to make the change to law." -- First year trainee
"I had three rounds of interviews: 1. Friendly meet and greet with HR and a written test. 2. Psychometric test/comprehension and analysis test. 3. Interview with partner/s." -- First year trainee

"Two rounds of interviews (one with HR and one with two partners). There were also two written assessments – one proofreading exercise and a general analysis exercise – as well as verbal reasoning. Questions asked in interview: why Olswang? Why law? What skills are needed as a lawyer? Weaknesses and strengths? Anything in the news recently? Any recent legal news caught your eye?" -- Second year trainee
"I came via a summer internship/vac scheme so there were two tests (one was a psychometric test and the other involved proofreading a letter) and an interview with a partner and an HR officer to get onto the scheme and then two tests (one was a business plan test and the other was a case study/comprehension exercise) and an interview with two partners at the end of the scheme to get a training contract. It was useful having the training contract interview at the end of the scheme as I was able to discuss the work I had been involved with over the previous two weeks and make relatively informed comments about the firm. The questions were the standard: why law, why Olswang, what are your weaknesses, strengths, etc. as well as ‘what would you do in x scenario’. There were a couple of business/current awareness questions, but they weren't too bad." -- Second year trainee
"I had an interview for my vacation scheme then a day of interviews at the end of the vacation scheme. All were challenging but not too intimidating, the questions at interview were fairly standard but as soon as I mentioned something interesting the partners picked up on it and the interview became more individual." -- First year trainee

Tips & Advice for Graduates

"It would be useful to make sure that your commercial awareness is tip top as they will test to see if you understand how a basic business model works, and it should be appreciated that good business sense makes you a far superior solicitor. Attention to detail is always highly prized, and being a friendly person with whom your interviewer feels they could chat with socially will always put you in good stead." -- First year trainee
"There isn't really a 'type' – candidates come from all over the country and all universities, with all sorts of degrees. Essentially, people need to be intelligent, have strong commercial awareness, attention to detail and enthusiasm." -- First year trainee
"The firm wants candidates who do not see the firm as solely about media, or who appear to only have an interest in that side of our work, because very few trainees will be able to work in that area and it doesn't recruit many NQs so to want to do only that shows a lack of understanding about training processes and the firm's all-service status. Universities it recruits from are fairly mixed but do generally tend to be Oxbridge, UCL, King's, York, Durham, etc." -- First year trainee

"Definitely try to have a broad CV beyond law. I didn't study law at university and lots of people here didn't. I also worked in a different sector before applying to do law. It's not compulsory, but it's worth noting – I applied here on the basis that the firm is innovative, different and exciting and that they'd be looking for something a little different, and I hoped that bringing my skills from a different sector would be of benefit/interest. In terms of skills, I think communication is key: relax, be friendly, but show your commercial side. Commerciality and ability to provide more to the client than just a legal service is crucial in the current climate." -- First year trainee
"It seems that the firm generally seeks to hire confident and friendly trainees, but apart from that, the trainees tend to come from a variety of backgrounds – some are straight through school and university, others have had previous careers. There's a mix of Oxbridge and non-Oxbridge and, at the moment, probably more non-Oxbridge." -- Second year trainee
"Bright and (generally) down-to-earth people with strong personalities and often with unusual interests outside of work." -- First year trainee

What made you choose your firm?

"I wanted to have a chance to do media work, but did not want to go to a niche media firm as I wanted to experience a broader training contract. However, the firm has changed since I interviewed and you are by no means guaranteed a commercial or IP seat as the competition is fierce and the spaces are limited." -- Second year trainee
"I liked the media edge, but specifically the fact that it seems young, dynamic, commercially driven and exciting." -- First year trainee
"The combination of the opportunity to work with some of the best media clients on corporate/commercial projects and a non-stuffy atmosphere." -- First year trainee
"Reputation and media sector expertise." -- Second year trainee

"The culture, the firm's reputation, size and clients." -- Second year trainee
"Because of its reputation for friendliness and not requiring ridiculous hours just on principle, its expertise in IP, its clients, my law tutor telling me that all the students she knows who have gone there had enjoyed their training, and a good feeling about the place when I went in for interview." -- First year trainee
"I wanted a mid-sized firm with a variety of departments so I could have the experience after four very different seats to know exactly where I wanted to qualify. Mainly, Olswang really stands out for how friendly and sociable all of its staff and fee earners are. They prize individuality and reward you for hard work and it's generally a really nice atmosphere to be in." -- First year trainee