Discover Placement Review
at Shoosmiths
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
Manchester
Review Submitted: July 2024
Overall Rating
4.9 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Experience
5/5
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Skills Development
4.8/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
Overall Experience
5/5
-
Recommendations and Advice
Overview of Experience
Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
Every day at Shoosmiths was unique yet followed a consistent structure. I would arrive around 8:30 and meet with my trainee buddy. Together, we would have a casual chat to outline the day's agenda. My tasks varied, including legal work, attending webinars, and working on my project for the final day assessment. These days offered an excellent balance between handling legal assignments and gaining insight into the operations of a law firm.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
Gaining an understanding of the various roles and operations at Shoosmiths truly opened my eyes to how a law firm functions. Through webinars and conversations, I received valuable insights into the daily work of lawyers, the significance of business development, and the firm's dedication to data and analytics to meet client needs. It was also enlightening to learn about roles beyond solicitors, such as Legal PAs, who handle anything and everything - I was given the advice to stay on their good side :)
Please rate how insightful you found the insight
5/5
How would you rate the structure of the insight
5/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
I believe the most significant development I experienced was in my networking skills. From the outset, we were encouraged to step out of our comfort zones and engage with everyone, including the highly approachable partners. This practice boosted my confidence and enhanced my soft skills, which proved essential for the later assessment center.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
5/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?
5/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
5/5
Company Culture
How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
4/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
The culture and atmosphere were fantastic. I was part of the Employment team, and everyone made me feel welcome, often going out of their way to provide work or offer advice. The positive experience extended beyond my immediate team as well. I was pleasantly surprised by the ease with which I could approach partners for a chat, and they were always willing to oblige. Overall, it felt like a happy place to work and be part of a cohesive team.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the networking opportunities?
5/5
Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?
5/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
I loved the insight into Shoosmiths and knew straight away it was the place I wanted to start my career. The people were a pleasure to be around and the tasks provided were engaging and extremely useful. I felt like I left after the week as an improved individual but also had a great time doing so.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
I was paid
Recommendations and Advice
Please rate the future employment prospects at Shoosmiths
5/5
Would you recommend Shoosmiths to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Shoosmiths
I would highly recommend applying to the discover placement if possible. It gives you a real insight to see if the firm is for you but also a head start for the dreaded assessment day. I reflected on my experiences and used them on the assessment - for example in my written task I name dropped a partner I met, and a piece of legal tech Shoosmiths use.
Beyond the placement I would recommend trying to ascertain where your motivations specifically align with Shoosmiths and get this across at every stage. Don’t waste time being generic, your answers need to be developed personally. Furthermore, I would focus on commercial awareness. It was quite difficult to use this at the assessment centre with no direct questions, however if you find a way to slide it in, it can go a long way.
Beyond the placement I would recommend trying to ascertain where your motivations specifically align with Shoosmiths and get this across at every stage. Don’t waste time being generic, your answers need to be developed personally. Furthermore, I would focus on commercial awareness. It was quite difficult to use this at the assessment centre with no direct questions, however if you find a way to slide it in, it can go a long way.
DISCOVER Placement & Mentoring Programme
at Shoosmiths
- Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
- London
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5
