In this blog, Jada, a History student at the University of Manchester and LEAP mentee, describes how she came to secure a training contract at a top Silver Circle firm.

Application Process

The application process consisted of a written application, a situational judgement test (SJT), and an assessment centre. As I was previously the firm’s Campus Ambassador during my first year, I did not have to re-sit the SJT when applying for the vacation scheme. However, I did complete a written application consisting of three questions: introducing a topic of my choice and explaining why it interested me, outlining my reasons for pursuing a career at HSF Kramer, and discussing the skills I would bring to the role. 

Following a multi-interview recruitment process, I was lucky enough to be offered a vacation scheme with HSF Kramer, and, after the vacation scheme, offered a training contract. Below are the tips I wish I had known at the start of the recruitment cycle!

Tips

1. Your mindset matters more than you think

Two weeks before my HSF Kramer assessment centre, I had been unsuccessful at my first-ever assessment centre for a summer vacation scheme at a Magic Circle firm, which affected my confidence. However, it also changed my mindset. Instead of treating the assessment centre as something I had to succeed in, I approached it as a learning opportunity. I wanted to experience another firm’s recruitment process, see different interview styles, and develop my understanding of what firms look for in candidates.

Removing some of the pressure allowed me to relax and present myself more authentically. It also helped me remember that firms are assessing whether you would make a good future colleague or trainee in their team.

2. Prepare thoroughly, but don’t memorise scripts

The motivational interview was the most predictable part of the process, making it the easiest for me to prepare for. I spent most of my preparation time perfecting my answers to the questions that almost always come up in some form (“Why commercial law?” and “Why this firm?”). Many applicants memorise their full answers, but I think this can sometimes

come across as almost robotic or make it difficult to adapt when questions are phrased differently. What worked well for me was memorising the structure of my answers rather than a script. For example, when answering “Why commercial law?”, I used three main points:

• My first exposure to commercial law was through negotiating a sponsorship agreement, where I realised contractual clauses reflected broader commercial strategy.
• My interest in helping businesses achieve their objectives was reinforced by an open day workshop that highlighted how legal, regulatory, and reputational considerations shape commercial decisions.
• My enjoyment of careful drafting and analytical thinking was developed through my History degree and strengthened through legal work experience.

This approach allowed me to answer naturally whilst ensuring I covered the key points I wanted to communicate. Most importantly, my answers told a coherent story about how I had arrived at the decision to pursue commercial law.

3. It’s OK to get things wrong

During my case study interview, I incorrectly explained the difference between a share sale and an asset sale because I was nervous. On the first day of the vacation scheme, however, I received feedback that although my initial answer was incorrect, I responded well when corrected and was able to adapt my reasoning based on the correct definitions. This emphasised the fact that interviewers are often more interested in how you think, respond to new information, and work through problems than whether you know every technical answer immediately.

4. Understand what commercial awareness actually means

After my unsuccessful first assessment centre, I realised that commercial awareness was a significant weakness of mine. At the time, I was regularly reading the news and listening to current affairs podcasts, and, while this was useful, I lacked a deeper understanding of how businesses, markets, and the City operate. Developing this broader commercial knowledge made a noticeable difference in my subsequent interviews. It helped me understand the context behind business decisions, identify commercial risks more effectively, and discuss solutions with more confidence. I wish I had known earlier that commercial awareness is less about knowing the headlines and more about understanding how macro events affect businesses and how businesses make decisions in response.