Hong Kong - Allen & Overy

Applying for a training
contract or vacation
placement can seem
nerve-wracking –
especially if you’ve decided
this is something you really
want. And then, if you’re
successful, there’s the
case study interview and
more nerves.
“Relax and be yourself
– here are our hints
and tips for a successful
application.”
Graduate recruitment team,
Allen & Overy, Hong Kong
www.allenovery.com/careers
HINTS AND TIPS
Completing your application form How to shine at interview
Academic achievement is essential to make it
into the world of law, but don’t forget to make the
most of your extra curricular activities and work
experience to show that you are an ambitious and
a well-rounded candidate.
Know your goals
Creating an application form that stands out from
the rest of the crowd and sells your skills can be
a challenge. In the first instance, make sure that
you know exactly what’s required by familiarising
yourself with the selection criteria. Communication,
teamwork, interpersonal skills and commercial
awareness are just some of the skills we look for
at Allen & Overy, so prepare some examples to
demonstrate your experience of each.
Stay up-to-date
You should expect to be asked questions about
topical, commercial or business issues so start
reading up on stories in the papers or online, and
be prepared to discuss your opinions at interview.
We want to find out what you think and why you
think that way.
Show a rounded personality
Try to demonstrate your appetite for responsibility
and your capacity to shape events and outcomes.
We want to find out what type of person you are,
so try to showcase yourself in your application.
We expect successful candidates to be on track
for a 2.1, but your application will also stand out if
you show that you have experienced life outside the
library. Volunteering, or joining a society or team,
is valuable, especially if you take responsibility for
a task, such as managing a budget or project.
Focus on the firm
At Allen & Overy we recognise that you will be
applying to a number of law firms and that can mean
a lot of forms. However, it’s worth taking the time to
focus on each individual application form – it may
take longer but the effort will be worth it if you secure
an interview. The questions asked by different firms
may look similar, but it is unlikely you will be able to
use the same answer each time.
Be accurate
Ensure your form is free from spelling and grammatical
errors – attention to detail is a fundamental skill for a
lawyer – so we expect you to exhibit this skill in your
application. We’re not looking for poetry but we are
looking for accuracy. Your interview is an opportunity
to substantiate what you have said about yourself in
your application and for us to get to know you better,
and vice versa. Naturally, if you’ve come this far you
want to impress so make sure you get the basics right
and remember to be yourself throughout.
Revise and practice
Remember to revisit your application form before
your interview and try to anticipate the questions
you will be asked. These are likely to include details
about school and university studies, your interests
and achievements, work experience, why you have
chosen this career and why you want to work at
Allen & Overy. University careers services may offer
mock interviews, so book one if you can.
Get the logistics right
Before your interview, ensure you know the dress
code, directions and the selection process from the
invitation that you receive.
Make an impression
First impressions count so dress appropriately,
smile, maintain eye contact and offer a confident
handshake. It’s not simply a case of impressing your
interviewer – getting the first bits right will make you
feel better and more confident, which will help you in
the interview itself. Be confident and self-assured –
if you have been invited to the case study selection
interview, we already think you have potential, so
remember this.
Ask pertinent questions
An interview is a two-way process, so while you will
be expected to do most of the talking in an interview
(around 80%), this is also your opportunity to see
whether the firm is right for you. Prepare a couple of
questions to ask at the end of the interview covering
issues you genuinely want to learn more about.