We recently caught up with Warwick student Adeyemi, who has done brilliantly to secure himself a summer vacation scheme at magic circle firm Clifford Chance
Why did you choose this firm and this role?
I chose to apply for the Summer Vacation scheme because over all other firms, I had the greatest exposure to Clifford Chance. I attended the Rare unistart event at Clifford Chance, Open Day, Targetjobs City Law for Ethnic Minorities event hosted at the firm and spoke to employees at the Bright Network Festival. I was attracted to the firm's entrepreneurial reformed strategy, commitment to diversity/social mobility and unparalleled legal training.
What was the toughest part of the application process? And your favourite part?
The toughest part of the process was the Case Study Interview preparation. Specifically, how each department functioned within a transaction and practical application of commercial knowledge (garnered from Bright Network commercial awareness updates, FT, the economist) to the case/a practice area I had little prior experience of. My favourite part of the day was the competency interview due to its CV-blind nature. I enjoyed the ability to talk about my experiences at length and the skills they equipped me with to embark on a career in commercial law.
Were you surprised by anything in the process?
I was very surprised by the approachability of Graduate Recruitment and friendliness of my interviewers. This really helped to put me at ease during the day. Also, the structure of Assessment Day tasks during the half-day were ambiguous at first in the email sent to invitees, but were well-explained by Graduate Recruitment on the day.
What three top tips would you give your fellow Bright Network members?
1. Research the firm as a business.
2. Visit where you want to apply, interacting with the firm's people (basis of the firm's culture).
3. Be Ambitious.
What's your lucky charm or pre-interview ritual?
Wearing my lucky tie.
