here
At a talk I gave yesterday, a student asked me if City law firms test at interview for Commercial Awareness.
The answer is: yes, they do – but in a specific way. They'll expect you to show that you're interested in business - typically, that you've been following the big news stories about major businesses. That's the minimum and every candidate who wants to work there needs to show they do that.
But I think you can do more to stand out.
In my view commercial awareness goes deeper. It’s about understanding how business works. And by business I mean the business of clients – the organisations that City law firms advise. But also the business of law firms themselves. It means understanding the business of the law firm you want to be part of, and one day may help to run. If you know that, you will impress at interview.
This is what I've explored in the new edition of Commercial Awareness (All You Need To Know About Commercial Awareness). I talk directly about how law firms win clients, manage work for clients and make money doing it.
The book will also help you choose the firm that is right for you - which isn't just about the firm's reputation or package of benefits.
CHRIS STOAKES’S BLOG
Chris’s thoughts on what’s happening in the markets, firms, Brexit and beyond...
Law Firms and Commercial Awareness
11 June 2019
Disclaimer - These views are personal to Christopher Stoakes and are not necessarily shared by any of the bodies he belongs to or represents. Nor is this advice of any sort. Do not take any specific actions based on it. Christopher Stoakes and Christopher Stoakes Ltd hereby exclude liability of any sort for any of the views he expresses or any actions others may take based in whole or in part on them.
