Application Process & Interviews at Henry Davis York

The process varies depending on whether one is being hired as a summer clerk or graduate lawyer. I was not hired in either capacity and cannot comment on this process.

I was hired for the specific position that I occupy. It was a matter of being in contact with HR at the right time.

I had no assessments. I was hired as a paralegal after two interviews and was later made a graduate.

As a graduate, HDY follows the standard summer clerk process: interview, psychometric testing, drinks evening and second interview.

I was interviewed as part of the firm's summer clerk recruitment process. This is a difficult and competitive process across all of the law firms.

I came through the clerkship process which is very competitive.

I was hired as a summer clerk. There were 2 interviews, a cocktail night and a psychometric assessment.

The interview process and assessments were clearly explained. Interviews were friendly and insightful for both my employer and I. Contact was always made when it was promised.

I was hired as a summer clerk (intern), which has a very specific process of 2 interviews, one with HR and one with a partner. This is not the same for other levels of intake.

I was asked what attracted me to the firm, why I chose to study law and what I liked to do outside of work.

Why do you want to work at our firm - what makes us different? Who is a role model in your life? What do you hope to get out of a clerkship at our firm?

Questions about past employment and experience and why I wanted to work with the company.

Range of questions - from ones focused on my technical skills and academics, to what I like to do in my spare time.

Why did I study law, why would I work at the company and what 3 words would sum me up.

Genuine questions to understand me as a person. No complex or psychoanalytical questions during the interviews.

The interviews were very much an exercise allowing my employer to get to know me on a personal level, allowing both my employer and me to get an understanding of whether the firm was the right fit for me. I could see that the purpose of the recruitment process was to establish long-term relationships between the firm and successful candidates.

Why would you want to work here? What interested you about the firm? What brought you to law as opposed to commerce or elsewhere? The typical kind of questions that you would expect, however, perhaps more focussed on a personal level because the firm values who you are as a person to a high degree.

Particular focus on my interests specifically and why I was interested in law generally.

I was questioned on my expectations for the role and my university and extra-curricular experiences.

Be honest and genuine. Any experienced lawyer can see through lies or elaborations on the truth. Write an excellent cover letter. Even if you get an interview, the strength of your application may come back to distinguish you at the final hurdle.

Understand our firm and where we sit in the market, and why this appeals to you.

Be yourself in the interview. Employers are recruiting to create long-term relationships so it is important to be confident that the firm is the right fit for you, as well as you being the right fit for the firm.

I would advise potential candidates to discuss their hobbies and achievements outside of work as well as professionally. Be yourselves, because this is an important quality to have in a firm with such a friendly, down-to-earth culture.

They can prepare by asking questions of people they know, or would like to get to know, within the firm. It is important to do the usual research that one would do on a firm like websites, blogs and articles.

Be honest and be yourself. Research the firm and have a genuine understanding of the areas in which the firm practices. Be honest about the areas of law which interest you and why.

Be yourself. Do not say you have a passion for commercial law.

Prepare by knowing the culture of the company. If a candidate can say how they have developed that knowledge that is even better. As clich� as it sounds - be yourself in the interview and set yourself apart from the other candidates.

Be genuine in your responses and keen to learn more. Demonstrate a specific interest in the firm and explain why. Get to know the people and decide whether you enjoy the culture.

Anticipate questions that will be asked and think of questions you can ask.

Be prepared. Have examples of things you have been involved with. Be yourself.