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It is that time of year when assessment days are just around the corner. An assessment day is typically the last stage of a training contract application and it is designed to test your knowledge, commercial awareness and soft skills in real time.
Although the thought of an assessment day may be daunting, with good preparation and an understanding of what is being tested, you can give yourself the best chance of success.
Group task
The assessment day is broken down into several different activities. One of these will be in the form of a group task. The purpose of the group task is to assess your ability to work well in a team, rather than to test your legal knowledge. There will likely be some documents to read, and you may be required to give a short presentation at the end of the task.
It is important that you agree a structure early on and keep within the allocated time. By offering to be timekeeper, you can demonstrate time management skills and show that you can take the initiative when it comes to keeping your group on course.
Although it may be tempting to talk a lot during the task, the key is active listening and collaboration. You should engage with what others are saying and be considerate of their views. If someone in the group has not spoken for a while, encourage them to be part of the discussion.
Referring to other candidates by name and adopting positive body language are simple ways to build good rapport. You are all working together to reach a solution. It is a not a matter of who can make the most points.
Written task
Another task will be a written piece of work. The key to success in the written task is good written communication skills, commercial awareness and attention to detail.
Before starting the task, read through the instructions carefully. If you have to write an email or letter, think about who the recipient is, what information you need to provide and how it should be structured. For example, emails and letters to clients should be in plain English, avoiding complex legal jargon. It may be helpful to use sub-headings so that the information is easier for the recipient to process.
It is also important to use the correct formalities. For example, you should think about whether it is more appropriate to refer to the recipient by their title and how you should sign off. As with all written exercises throughout the application process, you should also ensure that your spelling and punctuation are accurate.
Article discussion
The article discussion is a one-to-one discussion and may focus on a topic in the legal or commercial world which you do not know much about. You will have some time at the beginning of the task to read the article and make some brief notes.
Although it may feel daunting to discuss an unfamiliar topic, the task tests your ability to think critically as well as your general commercial awareness. You should provide some reasoning behind your opinions and show diversity of thought.
Interview
There are a couple of interviews during the application process, but the interview at the assessment day allows the firm to get a better understanding of you as an individual. There will be scenario and strength-based questions as well as questions which test your commercial awareness.
It is important to prepare well for the interview. It is a good idea to think in advance about times you have had to demonstrate certain skills or been in particular scenarios. This can help you to recall examples quickly during the interview.
When answering questions, it can help to use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to ensure your answer is as structured and focused as possible. However, you should ensure that you only answer the question you have been asked and not the question you wish you had been asked.
It is natural to be nervous during an interview, but you should take your time and should not rush through your answers. It is perfectly acceptable to ask for a moment to think or for the question to be repeated.
Lastly, make sure you smile, maintain good eye contact, and be yourself. Getting to the assessment day is an achievement in itself, and you should be proud of how far you have come!
Michelmores are holding a virtual event from 16:00 to 17:00 on 18 February 2025 focusing on interview and assessment day tips for the training contract and vacation scheme. Sign up here.
Good luck!
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