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Eversheds Training Contract Interview Questions

The Eversheds' training contract interview process consists of:

Application Process

Assessment Centre

Application Process

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Online Application

The online application is the most competitive part of the interview process at Eversheds. It is designed to test applicants and to find the best candidates at this early stage.

You need to give yourself enough time to complete the application form. It’s a good idea to print out a blank copy of the form and draft your answers, but there is also a save function on the Eversheds' website.

Check your application form for spelling mistakes and any errors before you submit it. When you do, remember to print a copy for yourself and keep it safe. If you are offered an interview, you will need to prepare and it will be essential to check what you have written on your application form.

Online Tests

Once you have made an online application you will automatically be invited to take an online numerical reasoning test. If you pass this, then two days later you will be asked to complete a literacy test. You will also have to do a practise test first (six questions in approximately 10 mins). The hardest part of the tests is timing. You will have to complete approximately one question each minute.

Eversheds state on their website that not many applicants actually finish the test, so do not worry too much if you finish with some questions still to go.

Assessment Centre

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The dress code for the Eversheds' assessment centre is smart business dress.

The firm assume candidates have no knowledge of the law during the application and assessment process. Consequently all candidates are on an equal footing. Knowledge of the law is not required, although commercial knowledge is very important for the Eversheds interview and furthermore, your career at the firm.

You will be interviewed at whichever office you have applied for.

The Eversheds' assessment centre consists of:

Partner Interview

The Eversheds assessment day interview will last approximately 45 minutes to an hour, with time provided for you to ask questions. The interview will be taken by two partners. Question previous candidates have been asked include:

  • Why law/Eversheds?
  • How have you researched the firm?
  • What distinguishes Eversheds from other firms?
  • Name a business which you believe is successful and explain why.
    • What does that business need to do differently to continue its success?
    • What advice would you give to a potential competitor?
  • Environmental issues/CSR are increasingly important, why?
  • If you were acting for Tesco, what initiatives could you put in place to help them be greener?
  • What two issues do you think are affecting the business world? (Commercial awareness).
    • Which one do you think is the greater issue?
  • What makes a good trainee/what would make you a good trainee?

Candidates have also been asked competency based questions such as:

  • Give an example of when you have worked in a team.
  • Give an example of when you have worked with others to achieve a goal (teamwork).
  • Give an example of when you have worked with others to solve a problem (Problem solving).

Written Exercise (Business Letter)

This exercise consists of reading and assessing a large quantity of information from various sources. The test requires candidates to sum up this information and give their opinions on it.

Candidates should expect about eight to 10 sides of A4 information for you to read. Eversheds may use several situations to assess candidates, but it is likely you will either:

* Need to provide advice for a client (based on business information only), or:
* You will be asked to pretend to be a trainee, who must write a report to a partner regarding a potential client.

The premise of the role play will almost certainly be a fictional meeting between an employee from Eversheds, and someone from a company that the firm are hoping to develop business with.

You may have a set of financial figures as well as memos, letters and magazine articles in the material you receive to write your report. Try to use and refer to all of it.

Eversheds are really expecting candidates to provide some strategic analysis in this exercise. You may feel you are exceeding the remit of the question providing this, but it is actually what they are really after. You should also offer advice

Group Exercise

The group exercise consists of two parts:

Assessors will be watching and evaluating teams and individuals throughout both sections of this exercise.

You/your team will have the opportunity to quiz a partner playing the role of someone key to the exercise during this time.

It is essential to contribute intelligent input to this exercise. Unfortunately, almost all candidates will realise this and it can consequently be hard to make your contributions without interrupting others. Try to contribute as much as possible, but make sure you remain polite at all times.

If other candidates make commercially incorrect points make sure they (and your assessors) know you do not agree.

If you need to come to some sort of resolution on a deal during the negotiation portion of the exercise, ask the other side for their best offer, then negotiate from that point. Work out in the planning (group discussion) phase what you/your team really want(s), and what you're prepared to compromise on. Try and maximise gains, whilst giving away as little as possible, but still making the other side feel as though they have a result. The ideal outcome is a win-win situation for everyone.

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