Application FAQs

How do I apply?

Applications for 2014 Training Contract vacancies are available via our apply page. The deadline for 2014 Training Contract applications is 31 July 2012. To be considered for a Training Contract assessment day, you must ensure you have completed the application form, situational judgement test, numerical reasoning test and verbal reasoning test. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis prior to the application deadline. Telephone interviews have now commenced and will continue until the application deadline. Candidates successful with a telephone interview will be invited to a face to face interview. Assessment days will be held in July/August.

What is the situational judgement exercise?

The Situational Judgement Exercise uses realistic work-place scenarios dealing with a specific problem or issue, and you will be asked to identify both the best and the worst solution from a multiple-choice selection of four possible solutions. These exercises will give us an insight into whether you have the right motivational traits and situational judgement to thrive at Eversheds. They will also give you a practical grasp of the kinds of issues you will face as part of our firm.

What are the on-line ability tests and how do I find out more information?

We use online numerical reasoning and verbal reasoning tests at the application stage. These are a good predictor of performance and allow us to look at practical abilities beyond the purely academic. The numerical reasoning test looks at the interpretation of data and the verbal looks at communication skills. For more information you can speak to your careers department at university. There are also various websites that offer practice tests. The practice tests are easier than the real thing but are good examples of the types of questions you will be asked and the format of the tests themselves.

What happens if I complete the situational judgement exercise and both tests successfully?

We will then review your application and if your application is successful, we will invite you to complete a telephone interview. If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to an interview at one of our offices. If you applied for a Training Contract then we may shortlist you to attend the next available assessment day. We will keep you informed throughout the process via email.

The application is not like that in other firms - there are no free text boxes, why?

We have changed our application form to make it more straightforward. It asks only for the information we require at this stage of the process. The interview is your opportunity to demonstrate the skills/abilities and knowledge you have from your past experience.

What do I do if I am unsuccessful during the application process?

If you are unsuccessful during the application process, we encourage you wait 12 months before reapplying and during this time spend some time improving your application.

Can I apply with a 2:2/poor A-levels?

Ideally you should have at least a 2:1 at degree or 300 UCAS points. Intellectual ability is very important as are the more practical skills that we look for (team work, creativity, business acumen, communication). If you did not achieve highly at A level or degree level for whatever reason, but feel that you have what it takes to be a great commercial lawyer, then you can apply. However, we ask that you are realistic about your application and the competition and assess yourself against the criteria that we look for (see ‘Your Career section'). If you have genuine extenuating circumstances you should include these in your application .

What is your minimum criteria?

Our minimum criteria is at least a 2:1 or 300 UCAS points. All candidates are also required to successfully complete our on-line tests which are a Situational Judgement exercise, Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning tests.

How many examples of work experience are required ?

Candidates can detail up to three examples of work experience. It is advisable examples detailed are listed in chronological order, recent and relevant to a career working for a commercial law firm

What percentage of Training Contract (TC) vacancies go to Vacation Placement Students (VP)?

Approximately 60% of the vacancies will go to Vacation Placement Scheme candidates. As we now run assessment days throughout the year, less emphasis is put on attending a VP scheme to get a TC. From a candidate's point of view, however, a VP scheme is a great way to get an in-depth insight into what it is like to be a trainee at a particular firm.

When/how should I apply for a vacation scheme?

Applications are made via our on line application process (via Careers/Graduate Pages). VP schemes will run in Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, London, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham. See events pages for dates of Summer schemes. Students will spend time in two different departments.

Which office should I do my vacation scheme in?

You should apply for a vacation scheme in the office where you see yourself working as a trainee. This will give you the opportunity to meet potential future colleagues and experience working life in that office

Do you have a preferred supplier for the GDL/LPC?

Yes. All future Trainees due to commence their GDL or LPC from September 2012 will be required to attend BPP Law School. Future Trainees can attend any of BPP's UK locations. Future Trainees due to commence their GDL or LPC from September 2011 have the option of attending BPP.

Should I take any particular electives at law school?

Take electives that are business-law related. We give further guidance on these at offer stage.

How many trainees do you take on?

Minimum of 60 across the UK.

Would I get much choice in the seats I do?

You will do four six-month seats. We work with you at each seat rotation to discuss your next seat. You are required to do a contentious seat over the two years and we also require you to do at least one seat in our Company Commercial and Real Estate department.

What do you cover on the Professional Skills Course?

It covers compulsory subjects of finance and business skills, client care, professional standards, advocacy and communication skills. It also covers presenting to persuade, effective business writing, drafting skills, influencing skills, participating in meetings and being client centred.

What Corporate Responsibility/Pro Bono initiatives do you do?

We are involved in a number of CR/Pro Bono initiatives that vary from office to office. We do a lot of work with the community and local schools and are very involved in CR activities. (Refer to Eversheds.com, diversity pages).

Are there any opportunities to move around the firm during and after training?

Yes. Some trainees may go on secondments with clients or spend time in another Eversheds office in the UK, or in our Paris or Shanghai/ Hong Kong offices. At qualification you may choose to stay in the same office where your training contract started, for example, or to join a different office in the UK. Equally, you could decide to apply your skills to a specialist area or perhaps go on a secondment. Our focus is on making sure you get hard-edged experience of legal work, allowing you to develop an in-depth understanding of the market in which you work.

What international secondment opportunities are there?

Wherever possible, we encourage international secondments, both for trainees and qualified lawyers. Our growing international business increasingly allows us to cultivate these secondments. Currently we offer secondments to trainees in our Paris, Shanghai/ Hong Kong offices.

How are you selected for a secondment? Do you need to speak the relevant language?

It is up to you to apply. We make a choice based on who we think best suits the particular role. For some overseas secondments, it is important you speak the relevant language but we can give you language training where applicable.

Do you accept applications from candidates who require work permits?

We do accept applications from candidates who are not UK or EEA nationals. Applicants will usually need to be studying in the UK or have studied in the UK in the recent past, be working in the UK or have done so in the past, or be exceptional candidates The offer of a training contract will be subject to proof of the right to live and work in the UK or, in appropriate cases, Eversheds being able to support you in making a Tier 2 application

What should I do if I am already qualified in another country?

If you are already qualified in another country you may be able to take the QLTT - Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test - in order to be able to practise in the UK. Please refer to the Solicitors Regulation Authority's website at www.sra.org.uk to find out more.

Can I come and see the office?

We are holding a number of office events, some of which are university specific. Dates of office events can be found in the Events section of this website.

Why do Eversheds have telephone interview?

We use telephone interview to assess some of the key skills criteria that we look for from a Trainee. Previously, we shortlisted candidates based on application and test scores, but we wanted to give you the opportunity to demonstrate some of your key skills at an earlier stage.

What can I expect from the telephone interview?

The telephone interview will be short 30 minute interview. You will be asked some competency based questions, as well as questions based around the industry that Eversheds and our clients operate within.

Who conducts the telephone interview?

The interview is conducted by an independent industry expert that specialises in telephone based interviews.

What happens after the telephone interview?

Our independent expert provides us with detailed notes of your conversation. Using these notes and a completed scoring matrix, the Eversheds recruitment team will decide how to progress your application.

What if I am not successful at the telephone interview stage?

If you are not successful at this stage, we will not progress your application. You can reapply for a position after 12 months.

Will you provide me with feedback?

Unfortunately this is not something that we are able to provide at the application or telephone interview stage. This is something that we provide following face to face interviews and assessment centres