Our Recruitment Process

Our Recruitment Process.

Hiring the right team is key to our success. We have a unique recruitment process to ensure we get the best candidates who fit in perfectly. This section has been written by one of our successful summer interns as a helpful guide to having that perfect interview.

How to apply?

We look to recruit dedicated and talented individuals in both legal and support roles. We are always interested to receive applications from quality candidates whether they are at the beginning of their career, or more advanced.

In order to apply, please send a covering letter and your CV to Ivan Gerovski ([email protected]). Try not to send us a standard “copy and paste” letter – we want to know why you want to work for Buckworths, and to get an insight into who you are. Remember that we get hundreds of applications for each role, and most candidates have very similar experience. Think about what makes you different to the masses.

What to expect at the interview?

There will be one or two interviewers. Usually, you can expect to meet our managing director, Michael Buckworth, or our COO, Ivan Gerovski.

The interview is divided into three sections. First, we will tell you a little bit about Buckworths and the role, then we will discuss your CV and experience, and we will finish the interview with any questions that you may have.

The typical questions that we may ask are about your education and work experience, and how they have contributed to your skillset. We will also try to find out a bit about you as an individual. Some standard questions might be: Why do you want to work here? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What are your goals? Why should we hire you?

With some roles, we may set a brief written or reading exercise. This is designed to judge the way that you think. You may be asked to write a brief document, or to read a case study and be prepared to discuss it and/or answer any questions at interview. These tasks are not designed to test your legal knowledge. Please don’t spend your time frantically searching for the correct law. We want to know how you think, and how you approach tasks. Spend the time thinking about the task that has been set and what you might be asked.

How to prepare for the interview?

Carrying out plenty of research about the firm, and thinking about how to present yourself is key. Think about how you will deal with any gaps in your CV or weaknesses in your qualifications or experience. No CV is perfect – the key to handling problems is to identify them head on and to have a reasonable explanation of what went wrong, and a positive spin on it. Identify the skills, interests and experience that make you stand out from the crowd.

Prepare answers to common interview questions as well as your own questions to ask at the interview about the role and ethos at Buckworths. Find out about the people who will be interviewing you – check their LinkedIn profiles. Research startup news, trends and new law and rules affecting Buckworths and our clients.

On the night before your interview, prepare your outfit and get plenty of sleep. On the morning of your interview, eat a healthy breakfast and do not consume too much caffeine. A good tip to combat nerves is to hit the gym or go for a run if you have time.

The interview dress code is professional: for men, a suit and tie; for ladies, something smart such as a dress, trouser suit or a skirt and blouse. Be well-mannered with any staff you meet before or after the interview. First impressions matter so do your best to appear friendly and approachable.

Remember to shake the hand of your interviewer before and after the session. Throughout the interview, remember to smile frequently and keep eye contact. Answer all questions clearly and provide evidence of your relevant skills, experiences and achievements. It is important that you allow your personality to shine at the interview. When leaving us, let us know that you are available to answer any further questions. If you also feel that things went well, you could email us the next day thanking us for our time.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for individuals with the following skills:

• Communication skills;
• Positive attitude;
• Co-operation/ teamwork;
• Goal-orientation;
• Flexibility;
• Business ethics;
• Creativity;
• Organisation skills;
• Intelligence;
• Common sense;
• Commercial awareness; and
• Willingness to take responsibility.

What happens after the interview?

We will tell you at the end of the interview the timescale for us to respond. This is usually between 2 and 5 days. We will email you with the outcome of the interview. We email all candidates we interview regardless of whether they have been successful. Try not to hassle the HR team – it tends to result in a bad impression.

With some roles, we may invite some candidates back for a second interview. This tends to be more informal and may involve a coffee with some other members of the team. If you are taken out for coffee, relax. The purpose of the meeting is simply for the other team members to get to know you. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions about working at the firm, and to get a feel for what life is really like. What you say is not fed back to your interviewers.