Acing Virtual Assessment Centres: Top Tips from Future HFW Trainee Solicitors

Hear from HFW graduates, who have secured Training Contracts with the firm, on their experiences with the assessment centre process, and their top tips that they've gained along the way to help you navigate the process.

HFW's Virtual Assessment Centres comprise of a group activity, a written task, a critical reasoning test and an interview with two Associates.

Nicholas: It was a bit daunting at first not knowing how the conversation would flow during the interview, especially, when you don't have the in-person interaction that can often break the ice. I feel I grew into it as soon as we were introduced to the rest of the group, and we had the chance to introduce ourselves. During the interview, the interviewers were very friendly, and they set out their experiences in the firm (one of which had also trained at the firm), the culture, etc., which helped ease the stress and made me feel more comfortable.

I have not completed any in-person Assessment Centres, but I have previously completed in-person interviews. The in-person part, I think makes the interview a bit easier as it makes it easier to engage with the interviewers (e.g. I found it difficult to maintain eye contact through the screen.) That said, the more you practice, the more comfortable you become and you can give it your best shot.

Oscar: Having attended both virtual and in-person Assessment Centres at other law firms, HFW's virtual Assessment Centre stood out – the group exercise and written assessment (two of the four substantive elements of the day, the other two were the Associate interview and Watson Glaser test) both had a specific focus on the issues that clients in HFW's sectors face. Because of this, I felt that the exercises were beneficial for my development, in addition to targeting current global affairs and generally being interesting.

Furthermore, at the beginning of the virtual Assessment Centre, I was provided with the opportunity to meet and get to know some of the other candidates, which helped me to relax. I also found it interesting to learn that the candidates came from different walks of life, whether this was working in HFW's sectors, at other law firms, or having recently graduated from university (it is also worth mentioning generally that at the end of the virtual Assessment Centre, I got to meet some of the current HFW trainees).

I also felt that I had an enjoyable interview experience with the Associates who had interviewed me, in addition to learning lots!

As for how the virtual Assessment Centre differs from an in-person Assessment Centre, the virtual element allowed the day to run more conveniently and efficiently than it would have had it taken place in-person. For example, I did not have to worry about physically navigating different rooms throughout the day in a hurry (which is often the case with in-person Assessment Centres), as this was all taken care of by the Early Careers team, via the virtual meetings that were set up in advance.

Kalli: HFW had done an incredible job making this virtual assessment centre like an in-person one, by fostering familiarity and creating a sense of community.

In the beginning, we all got to meet each other and introduce ourselves, something that created a friendly and less stressful environment. We were all in the call all-day which meant that we could talk to each other if we wanted to and share our thoughts and feelings like with an in-person setting.

A member of the Early Careers Team was always present and would explain the schedule as well as the tasks to us.

The interviewers were very friendly and made sure we felt comfortable by introducing themselves and asking us questions that broke the ice and got the conversation going.

I also think that compared to in-person assessment centres, virtual ones can help reduce stress as you are in the comfort of your own space.

Josh: Participating in a virtual assessment centre at HFW was an enjoyable experience overall. You are given plenty of time to chat with the other applicants before you get started which helps break the ice and takes your mind off of your inevitable worries.

Virtual assessment centres differ from in person assessment centres in many ways. For example, whilst it can be comforting to be in an environment of your choosing for individual tasks like the Watson Glaser Test, during group assessments it can become awkward as the group of candidates tip toe around each other trying not to interrupt or cut each other off – something that is surprisingly difficult when working to time. That being said, being at home or in a familiar environment, can help bring out the best in you and removes some of the daunting elements of an in-person process.

I think that the interview can be more challenging virtually because it is harder to ‘read the room’, make eye contact etc. The experience is less personal online and it is hard to get a feel for the firm and the people through a screen. However, I have found that in situations where difficult questions come up, completing an interview online can give an applicant a feeling of having more time to breathe, have some water and think rather than rushing into answers.

Anushka: My experience participating in the virtual Assessment Centre at HFW was a very positive one. I appreciated the guidance and clear instructions from the Early Careers Team setting out the order of the day in advance of the Assessment Centre. On the day itself, the nature of completing different types of assessments successively made the day challenging yet exciting.

Having been a university student during the peak of COVID-19, I had become very familiar with virtual classes and zoom calls. Similarly, virtual assessment centres have some of the same benefits such as being in an environment that you are comfortable and familiar with, which is particularly useful on a day full of assessments. Not having to worry about a long commute or early start is also a significant advantage. Nonetheless, virtual Assessment Centres do come with some challenges such as difficulty reading people’s body language when completing group tasks and trying not to speak over each other. To overcome this, aim for a structured conversation that allows everyone a chance to contribute, helping to avoid awkward silences.

Nicholas: I prepared by practicing free Watson Glaser tests online, reviewing online resources on how to write short reports/advices (including LPC and University notes) and/or completing research tasks, seeking feedback and tips from previous candidates and future trainees and researching recent developments that could impact HFW's sectors. I also reviewed my answers on the application form, to remind myself of my previous responses, as some of the questions in the interview could be in the form of a 'follow-up', for example, you mentioned in your application form, your work experience at x form or volunteering for y cause, please elaborate. Finally, I prepared a grid with potential questions and answers and included real-life examples which I could mention for each one.

Oscar: I knew that I had a specific interest in some of HFW's key sectors, including the Shipping and Commodities sectors. I consequently tried to keep up to date with what was going on in these sectors through newspapers such as the Financial Times (in my case, I did not have a subscription to any trade publications such as TradeWinds).

I also researched HFW via resources such as the Chambers Student Guide, Legal 500 Rankings, Legal Cheek and HFW's website, including the Early Careers site, which includes useful information and advice.

Lastly, I made sure to be familiar with the information that I had put on my application form, for the Associate interview, and prepared for the Watson Glazer test via free versions of the test that can be found online.

Kalli: For the virtual Assessment Centre, I did the following:

For the Critical Reasoning Test:

• I watched and read tips on how to tackle the Watson Glaser on The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA.)
• I practiced many Watson Glaser tests online (the more you do, the more you understand the rationale and the thought process you need to follow.)

For the Interview:

• I tried to devise potential questions and answers which I split into Motivational, Competency, Commercial and Scenario Based.
• I thought of real-life examples that could complement the questions. I created a document consisting of all my relevant experiences (legal or not) and would then pair them with different questions.
• I studied HFW’s sectors and practice areas. For example, I recent work of the firm that interested me.
• I read recent developments that may impact any of HFW’s sectors/practices. Watson’s Daily is a great website that summarises updates in the commercial world.
• I re-looked at my answers to the application questions – often the interview questions are similar.
• I also practiced talking in front of a mirror or better in front of someone that was able to give me feedback.
• I also prepared questions that interested me to ask the interviewers.

For the Written Exercise:

• I researched how to write client emails and reports. What are the key components required?
• I practiced writing concisely, respectfully and appropriately and without heavy jargon.

General Set-up:

• Make sure your device is charged and connected to good Wi-Fi or mobile data.
• Clean your camera so that it is not blurry.
• Have a notebook and pen near you to take notes.
• Have a glass of water and maybe a snack considering that the Assessment Centre is long.

Josh: Reading my application through and ensuring I have prepared further points expanding on what I had submitted.

Getting myself ‘commercially aware’ – whilst no one really knows what this means, for me this took the form of reading around my interests and trying to work out how events/stories could affect the firm. You might look at an event that has caused fuel costs to rise for example. If fuel is more expensive what does this mean for our contractor clients in the construction sector? They will simply incur higher costs by paying more for fuel. This might impact the already very tight margins that contractors operate within – what happens if a contractor now can’t pay its staff and construction must stop? What legal issues arise here between the contractor and the employer? What does HFW as a firm do? What legal issues could we help with and are we placed to do so?

Looking after yourself – you’re no good to anyone if you rock up to an assessment centre after not sleeping for 5 days.

Anushka: I began preparing for the virtual Assessment Centre by revisiting my initial application, further exploring specific themes and topics I had mentioned.

Next, I brushed up on my knowledge of the firm, specifically looking at the HFW’s key sectors, strategy and strengths. The firm’s website itself is an excellent resource for gaining a deeper understanding of current ‘hot topics’, from Aerospace to Shipping.

Staying commercially aware generally was also very helpful for both the interview and the relevant exercises. While ‘commercial awareness’ can feel like a somewhat elusive concept, for me this was simply reading some articles which caught my attention on pages such as BBC News or the Financial Times and thinking about how it relates back to the firm or the legal sector more broadly.

Nicholas: Try to remain calm and inform the Early Careers Team as soon as possible so that they can try to help you fix the IT problems and also so that these issues can be taken into account when assessing your performance.

Oscar: Feeling prepared when going into a virtual Assessment Centre is the best form of protection when dealing with technical hiccups/difficulties. This will help you feel calm and not panic if anything unexpected arises (which is more often that you would think!). If you feel that it is a technical hiccup/difficulty that is impacting your performance on the virtual Assessment Centre, then I would suggest letting the Early Careers team know.

Kalli: Technical hiccups are so unpredictable and can happen to everyone. Turn on your computer and apps well in advance, and make sure no updates are needed or scheduled. If something happens, stay calm and contact the Early Careers Team immediately explaining the situation – they are very understanding of such issues and will help solve them. You will not be negatively assessed because of technical difficulties!

Josh: Inform the early careers team ASAP. Via email or during a session via a chat function if possible. You won’t be penalised for IT issues.

Anushka: Before the virtual assessment centre, check that everything is in working order, such as the device you plan to use and your WIFI/connection. If you are worried that there may be an issue, try to have a backup plan just in case, like a spare device or mobile data.

Most importantly, don’t panic! Should there be any technical issues on the day, notify the Early Careers Team as soon as possible.

Nicholas: Explaining my interest in HFW's sectors and how my personal experiences feed into this. For instance, being an avid cruise ship spotter, during my summer holidays in Norway every year growing up with MSC Meraviglia at 171,598 GT being the largest one I have seen in person (photo below), instilled in me an interest in shipping that would later on culminate in an enthusiasm in shipping law first through my studies of Admiralty Law at the University of Southampton, and subsequently through my role as a paralegal in the Shipping Litigation Team at HFW which enabled me to work on some of the largest casualties globally and with some of the leading shipping experts.

Oscar: I enjoyed meeting the other candidates, some of whom had experience in working in some of HFW's sectors. The group exercise – which as mentioned, I found beneficial for my development because of its specific focus on the issues that clients in HFW's sectors face – facilitated interesting discussions with some of the other candidates.

I also enjoyed the opportunity to meet the two Associates who had interviewed me. I learned a lot from the information that was covered during the interview, and also found it to be a two-way discussion, which enabled me to learn about the specific work that the Associates regularly undertake at HFW.

As for the Watson Glaser test, it was rewarding to have been able to use the preparation that I put in beforehand to do well in it.

Kalli: I really enjoyed how conversational the Interview was. The interviewer did not make it seem like a random list of questions for me to answer but rather a discussion. I enjoyed talking about my interest in the firm and in return I learned even more. I also appreciated exchanging ideas on certain commercial questions with my interviewer. On leaving, I felt excited about the conversation we had and the new things I learnt, whether these were about the firm or wider issues impacting the world! I did not feel like I had just been heavily assessed.

As mentioned, before I really appreciated how HFW had set up the assessment centre making it more participant-friendly and in-person like.

Lastly, I also valued being in the comfort of my own home, not having to worry about a long commute after the assessment centre. By the end of a long day of assessments, it is natural

to be emotionally charged, stressed and tired. So, being in a comfortable setting really helped.

Josh: Getting the chance to chat with current trainees. This element of the day is essential to get an insight into the people at HFW. This is especially important for an online assessment centre.

Anushka: Although the interview is designed to assess you, I found that it was a great opportunity to learn more about the firm and the people. I enjoyed being given the chance to ask some questions about areas which interested me, such as recent technological developments in the shipping space.

Nicholas: I found it challenging to maintain eye contact through a screen. I had faced this challenge in previous assessment centres so I spent some time practising video recording myself and talking to a mirror. This helped this feel more 'natural' to me.

Oscar: Because of the various activities and assessments which comprised the virtual Assessment Centre, I ensured that I was well rested going into the day, which helped me to stay focused throughout it.

I also found that the written and group exercises, along with the Watson Glaser test, required large amounts of information to be read and assimilated in a short space of time. To overcome this challenge, I kept track of the time and ensured that I managed to understand the substance of each piece of reading material.

Perhaps most importantly, I viewed all the exercises, including the Associate interview, as exciting growth opportunities rather than standalone assessments.

Kalli: Something that I find generally challenging in virtual assessments is communicating well and clearly when multiple people are on a call together. For example, in an in-person setting you can read one’s body language and understand if they are about to speak and add to the conversation. In a call with many participants, it is hard to tell, so someone may end up talking over someone else without meaning to interrupt or someone may not be able to say anything because they are not given a chance or because they find it hard to intervene. Because of these challenges, it is important to adapt one’s communication skills and be even more alert than usual. One needs to check the screens, note who wants to speak, be concise, and be mindful and respectful.

Josh: Showing enthusiasm – harder to do during group tasks online where it is slightly less of a chat and more a scenario where everyone takes it in turns to raise points quite systematically. You need to employ soft skills to include everyone in the group and in my opinion keep the discussion as much of a back-and-forth chat as possible.

It is likely you will be sat in the same spot for most of the day when completing the assessment centre. When you do have breaks, get up and stretch your legs, it can be easy to get tired and lose focus when you are sat staring at a screen all day especially given the nerves you are likely to feel.

Anushka: Managing my time properly, especially in a what can feel like a high-pressure environment, was somewhat daunting. I found it helpful to wear a watch so I could keep track of how much time remained for each task.

The assessment centre can feel quite long, and I found it important to keep reminding myself that it was a marathon not a sprint. Using the breaks in between to grab a quick snack or a cup of tea helped me to refuel and prepare for the next task.

Nicholas: Before the Assessment Centre, I video recordied myself when practising for the interview. I would practice a variety of questions and record myself again and again to ensure that I:

• maintained eye contact,
• spoke clearly, and
• answered the questions to the point without waffling.

During the Assessment Centre, I made sure to have a glass of water next to me so that if I was slightly unsure of my answers or how to respond, I would take a deep beath, sip some water and then, respond in a clear and concise manner.

Oscar: My preparation before the virtual Assessment Centre is the one thing that helped me to do my best on the day. It enabled me to feel confident and, most importantly, enjoy the virtual Assessment Centre.

Kalli: I practiced answering questions without having prepared full written answers. I remember in my first interview I had prepared a list of questions followed by paragraphs and paragraphs of answers. I would then try to memorise them. I immediately realised that my answers sounded robotic and not genuine. It is important to remember that you are talking about yourself and your own experiences and interests – something you know better than anyone else! By focusing on the experience rather than the memorised answer you will then be able to tweak you answer on the spot and apply it to different questions, questions you may not have prepared. The same applies to your interests that relate to the firm. You may not be asked that question directly. If you express your genuine interest in and research about the firm spontaneously, your excitement will prevail.

This may be overused advice, but it is often ignored. During the assessment centre, be yourself. Many people perceive being yourself as not being professional. But you can do both. It is incredibly important to be personable as that is how you build a rapport and show that you fit in with the firm’s culture. Showing your genuine excitement is also very important. Not only does it make you memorable and engaging but it is also a direct way of telling the interviewers that you want to be there, that you have enjoyed talking to them and that you have a true and strong interest in the firm and the work that they do. These are especially important in a virtual setting where you can be seen only through a small screen.

Josh: Focus on your interests when you are prepping. Of course, you need to understand the firm as a whole, that means all teams, offices etc, but your enthusiasm for the firm and the real stand out points you can make in interviews or during the written assessment should come from your unique style of answering questions and what you are really interested in. Don’t change your interview answer to a commodities focused one just because a commodities lawyer is interviewing you, if you have a passion for construction, tell them that, you can always link your answer to other departments. This will make your answers more genuine and feel less scripted. It is so common for criticism of applicants to include things like ‘their answers felt scripted’.

Anushka: Understanding and articulating your own motivation for wanting to become a lawyer at HFW is very important. Thinking about my responses to these questions in a structured and thoughtful way helped me give well-rounded answers and allowed me to show my passion.

I found that using the framework of WHAT (what does the firm do), WHY (how it connects to my own skills and interests), and HOW (providing evidence of the connection) was a helpful approach—especially when I was feeling nervous.

Nicholas: Practice as much as possible, and remember the three C's - Stay Cool, Calm and Collected.

Oscar: Be familiar with the structure and timetable of the virtual Assessment Centre before you attend and take each activity in turn without jumping ahead of yourself by overly focusing on something that is scheduled for later in the day, such as an assessment that you may consider as your "weak point".

This will help you to be fully present throughout the day and showcase the best version of yourself!

Kalli: Establishing eye contact in virtual Assessment Centres is done by looking directly at the camera. The importance of keeping eye contact in a virtual setting has been highlighted by many, but I also think it is important to constantly engage the look of your interviewer or other candidates through the screen. Looking at the other person can help read their facial expressions, body language but also the tone of the conversation. Observing the other person’s reactions, you can see how you are being received and can thus adapt your communication style accordingly: you can pick up the pace, you can slow down, change your tone, clarify a point etc. All these are important in building a rapport. In an in-person setting, non-verbal cues are easier to spot and read.

Josh: Imposter syndrome is real. You got the place on the AC because you earned it! You have every right to be there and you did not need to go to the best university in the country to be worthy of a training contract. Have confidence in yourself and focus on what makes you unique and your passions.

Anushka: Use your time wisely! Whether this is reviewing something you have written or checking an answer in the Watson Glaser test, always try to save a little bit of time at the end to review. The same goes for the interview - take a deep breath or a sip of water before answering a question that requires thought. Taking a moment to compose yourself can help you feel calmer and more grounded.