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Applications, Interviews & Assessments

• "A highly commendable ‘no nonsense’ approach to recruitment, which consists of a covering letter and CV and then one interview with two partners based on the information you have provided, and a more general discussion on a topic of your choice." -- Second year trainee
• "There was only one round – it was a 90 minute (I am told that's a long one) chat with two partners. They had my CV and took me through it with real interest about what I had done and was going to, and what my aspirations were. I felt they were genuinely interested in getting to know me. They want to know whether they can envision the person sitting in front of them as a colleague and someone they would work with. I was offered a cup of tea and cakes at the start – not that I ate any! This was over three years ago and the process hasn't changed except for the fact that they give you an article to read in advance and then discuss it with you." -- First year trainee
• "I had one interview with two partners which lasted an hour. It was the only place I interviewed. I remember it being pretty intense – I felt like they were trying to get to a point where I had no prepared answers to see how I reacted. Some of the questions I got were very open. Two that stick in my head are: ‘What do you think about the death penalty?’ and ‘Compare Russian and German as languages.’ I think they want you to disagree with them and fight your corner." -- Second year trainee
• "I thought the selection process at the firm is eminently sensible; CV, covering letter and one interview. I couldn't believe how long other firms' application forms were when I saw other people applying during the GDL year – astonishing and surely a waste of time. Everyone here seems really bright, keen and capable so I hope they don't change anything." -- First year trainee
• "When I was interviewed it was just an hour long conversation with two partners about your CV, your degree, your reasons for applying, etc. Very much just a ‘get to know you’ to see whether you fit the firm and whether the firm fits you. Some difficult (but not commercial/technical) questions which were clearly just designed to see how you react under pressure or when contradicted." -- Second year trainee
• "Interview with two partners (one older, one younger, both male). One hour (or so) interview on random topics including the Godfather films, Italian culture, pseudonyms, poetry. Question: ‘Are you competitive?’ (answer: ‘of course’)" -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "I had one interview with two partners. The process itself seems fairly sensible and civilised but I understand, in the current market, it's increasingly tricky." -- Mid-level solicitor, Property
• "I had one interview with two partners. The format was informal." -- Junior solicitor, Banking

• "The application process is very straight forward. You have to send a CV and cover letter and, if you get selected, there is only one interview (with two partners) as opposed to the usual two (one with partners and one with HR) which other firms have. The first half of the interview is about you as a candidate so it consists of the usual questions about your experiences, reasons for applying to the job, etc. The second half consists of a discussion on a current affairs topic which you cannot prepare in advance. We recently started having a literacy test too." -- Second year trainee
• "My interview consisted of a discussion of my CV with some questions about my vac schemes and other experiences. I remember talking a lot about history and very little about the law. I have heard of Italian students talking about Dante." -- First year trainee
• "The interview process is quite unusual. You send in a CV and cover letter and then have a 45 minute interview with two partners. The interview is a bit more like a chat than a formal interview. They focus on what you have done and enjoyed at university, so you get the chance to lead the conversation to areas you want to talk about. You do get the usual questions such as ‘Why law?’ and ‘Why corporate law, in particular?’" -- Second year trainee
• "One interview round and the interview is informal, more about the personality of the candidate. The first half of the interview is based on a case study, which actually could be about anything, not just a commercial topic. I thoroughly enjoyed my interview as the case study allowed me to voice my opinions about the NHS and the provision of expensive drugs. The partners seemed very interested in me as a person, which I thought was quite unique." -- First year trainee
• "The process involves submission of a CV and one interview with two partners. The interview tends to involve discussion of an article provided shortly before the interview, then a chat about the candidate's interest in the law, before a more general discussion. I found the whole process very informal and I found out the day after my interview that I had been given a training contract." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Corporate
• "One round – two partners – there is now a short summary email to write as a written test, plus an informal discussion involving a chat about a recent topical newspaper article. Six years ago, I had only the informal chat." -- Junior solicitor
• "I was a lateral associate hire. I had two interviews – each with two partners. The first was a more friendly chat to get to know a couple of partners and to know a bit about the firm. The second was a more challenging interview that focussed on gaps and negative points in my CV and academic transcript. I was asked to explain the difference between ‘law’ and ‘justice’." -- Mid-level solicitor, Litigation

Tips & Advice for Graduates

• "The partners are looking for intelligence, eloquence and confidence – on any subject. Academic qualifications are important, hence a relatively high number of Oxbridge graduates, but you notice a lot of trainees have slightly unusual, interesting characteristics (multiple languages, music, sporting excellence)." -- First year trainee
• "Candidates must be very bright with excellent attention to detail (no spelling mistakes on the application). A broad range of interests and people skills are also needed. Candidates must obtain at least a 2:1 degree. The firm recruits from many universities and is trying hard to expand its recruitment pool to select candidates on merit, not just on the status of their university." -- First year trainee
• "Be yourself. The partners who interview will spot it a mile off if you are spouting off ‘interview phrases’ that you think will impress, but not actually letting them see who you are and what you are genuinely like. You need to be able to show intelligence and be well able to articulate your opinions. You should be able to demonstrate a certain amount of analytical thinking and common sense, and you must be able to get across a personality with whom others will want to work. Academic requirements are quite high, but there are no particular universities from which it hires – the people here are very varied and come from a wide and interesting range of backgrounds." -- Second year trainee
• "It’s very diverse. Amongst the first year trainees in my group alone (and there are only five in my group as it's a small one) we have two Indians, a Zimbabwean and a German – and we all went to different universities, studied different subjects (three out of five didn't study law) and the ages range from 21 to 27." -- First year trainee
• "The firm is more flexible in terms of what their ideal candidate is. It helps to have a strong academic record but if you don't, and have good reasons not to, then they are willing to listen and take you into account. Candidates should be confident but not over the top: you are not expected to know it all but to have a ‘can-do’ attitude." -- Second year trainee
• "Be yourself. Don't ‘play the game’ – no-one believes that you really read the FT every day, so why say it?" -- Mid-level solicitor
• "Ability to think on your feet, speak confidently and think independently." -- Mid-level solicitor

• "Commercial awareness and be yourself." -- First year trainee
• "Applicants should be outgoing, confident all-rounders with strong academic credentials. There is not ‘one type’ at this firm, nor does the firm overly favour law students. Applicants should be willing to be themselves, to answer questions honestly and intelligently, to stand up for and be able to explain their opinions and to be quick learners. I would expect most applicants to show extensive interest in the City and in the law generally." -- First year trainee
• "The firm likes to hire people with very good grades. Also, good presentation skills and an ability to articulate yourself well and show confidence is highly advantageous. Slaughter and May does tend to hire from Oxbridge and other red-brick top universities, but I have come across many people here who have not attended such universities. My impression is that Slaughter and May wants great candidates from whatever background, as long as you can prove yourself here." -- First year trainee
• "I think they just have a chat with you to see if you are intelligent, can think in the right way for a lawyer and present yourself well. It's hard to ‘prepare’ as such, and they didn't seem to look for people who had swotted up on the latest deals/company law (although I guess they'd probably be impressed if you were actually very knowledgeable on what we do!). People here have, in general, been very successful academically, and there are lots of people from the "top" universities." -- Second year trainee
• "High level of commitment and enthusiasm for private practice, and must be respectful of the traditional and proud culture of the firm." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "Have good academic credentials, but don't worry about which university you are from. The firm is actively recruiting from a wider range of universities." -- Mid-level solicitor, Property
• "Academic requirements are high and a large number of trainees in my intake came from Oxford University. I don't think that there is any specific candidate ‘type’, but confidence and an ability to talk about your thoughts and opinions with good reasons and conviction would be useful." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Corporate

What made you choose your firm?

• "Its reputation and the quality of training and work I knew I would be getting. I liked the application procedure and the people I met at the interview. It felt ‘right’." -- Second year trainee
• "I chose Slaughter and May because of the firm's reputation for winning and producing high-quality work." -- First year trainee
• "The pre-eminent reputation and blue-chip clients." -- Second year trainee
• "A very straightforward recruitment process – submit a CV and covering letter, and a face-to-face interview with two partners. No crazy online forms, assessment days, group exercises or any of that faff. Why did I apply? Because the training here is second to none, as is the reputation. And the work speaks for itself. If I'm going to be working hard in the City I want to know that it's going to be worth it. If the work is good or you feel you're getting good training, you don't mind it. What really topped off the experience for me was the fact that the week following my interview, one of the partners who had interviewed me rang me personally to offer me a training contract. Apparently that's what they always do. It's a nice, personal touch that makes you feel valued." -- First year trainee
• "Its reputation, clients and type of work." -- Junior solicitor, Banking
• "Status and multi-specialist approach." -- Junior solicitor, Corporate
• "I believe it is the most prestigious firm in the City/the world." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "Because they are Slaughter and May." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Banking
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• "It is Magic Circle and it provides great training in diverse areas. The multi-specialist approach exposes trainees to many different types of transactions in the same practice area, instead of simply doing one type of transaction, i.e. only bond issues." -- First year trainee
• "Reputation, client base, career prospects (including the retention rate)." -- First year trainee
• "I did a vacation scheme and liked the atmosphere. I liked the fact they don't force you to socialise and treat you like an adult. Also, it's got a great reputation." -- Second year trainee
• "Culture and ethos. The firm is collegiate, open door, ethical, values people and individuality but all of this without ever compromising the quality of the work or the calibre of the transactions. The people you work with are incredibly intelligent, talented and impressive." -- Second year trainee
• "The jelly babies at front reception... And they were the only ones who treated me as a human being, rather than just another graduate. And their training is second to none." -- Mid-level solicitor
• "It's the best. Partners get paid the most (though partnership seems an impossible dream!)" -- Mid-level solicitor, Property
• "It has the best reputation, and I knew and thought highly of several associates and partners who worked here at the time of application." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Corporate
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