FAQs

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• How do I find out more?
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• Come along to our presentation in your university or attend our open evening at our offices at 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay.
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• How do I apply?
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• By completing the Matheson Ormsby Prentice online trainee solicitor application form, please note additional information such as a CV will not be accepted.  Make sure to submit your application form before the closing date of 29 October 2010.
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• How can I create a great application form?
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• Take your time completing your application form – it can take a couple of hours to get it right but the effort will be worth it if you secure an interview. Ensure that you follow the instructions on the application form and answer all the relevant sections. The questions asked by different firms may look similar but it is unlikely you will be able to use exactly the same answer each time. Get someone you trust to review your application form before submitting and ensure your form is free from spelling and grammatical errors – attention to detail is an essential skill for a lawyer to have. Ensure all your contact details are correct as these are the contact details we will use to notify you if have been successful or not.
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• When do the interviews take place?
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• Candidates who are successful following the initial screening process will be asked to complete a telephone interview. Telephone interviews will take place in early December 2010. For successful candidates, the first round face to face interviews will take place on Wednesday 5 January 2011. If you are successful at this stage you will receive an email that evening to schedule your second round face to face interview. These interviews will take place on Friday, 7 January 2011.
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• What does the telephone interview entail?
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• The telephone interview is the second stage of our screening process which takes place in early December. You will be notified by email if have been shortlisted to this stage. You will be contacted by a member of the HR team who will ask you a selection of competency based questions. The telephone interview should last approximately 10 minutes.
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• When will I hear if I have been successful?
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• If you have been successful following the telephone interview, you will be notified by e-mail in mid December 2010. You will be notified by e-mail if you are successful or not in obtaining a second round interview. You will receive a call the evening of the second round interview to let you know if you have been successful or not in obtaining an apprenticeship with Matheson Ormsby Prentice.
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• What advice do you have for preparing for an interview with Matheson Ormsby Prentice?
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• Ten simple interview tips:

  
  
  1. Do your homework: read your application form, read the Firm’s website, the Partners biographies and the recent business papers.
  2. Formulate your thoughts, be prepared to explain why you chose to interview with Matheson Ormsby Prentice and why you are a good fit for the firm.
  3. Look the part - always wear proper attire and greet your interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake.
  4. Be positive and project a good attitude.
  5. Listen to the questions asked by the Interviewer and answer the questions clearly and concisely. Provide a variety of examples to demonstrate your skills, interests and capabilities.
  6. Market yourself - show that you are well rounded and speak beyond what appears on your application form.
  7. Use a balance of academic, work experience and extra-curricular activities in your examples.
  8. Keep up to date with commercial issues and incorporate this knowledge into your responses including consideration of the impact they have on Matheson Ormsby Prentice and our clients.
  9. Be enthusiastic and show your interviewers you are excited about a training contract with Matheson Ormsby Prentice.
  10. Relax, be yourself and enjoy the process!
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• How many applications does Matheson Ormsby Prentice receive each year?
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• We receive between 800 – 1000 applications each year
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• Do I need to have completed my undergraduate degree to apply for a training contract with Matheson Ormsby Prentice?
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• No, many of our applicants are in their final year of their degree.
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• Must I have a law degree?
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• No, we recruit people from a wide range of disciplines, not just law. However it is preferable to have some legal training or an intention to pursue some training or education in this regard.
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• Should I have completed all my FE1 exams?
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• It is not a requirement to have completed your FE1 exams in order to apply for a training contract with Matheson Ormsby Prentice. However the FE1’s need to be completed before you commence your apprenticeship with the Firm.
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• When can I start?
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• We are flexible as to when people start their training contract.
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• What is your retention rate on qualification?
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• The aim of our recruitment programme is to recruit talented people and train them as solicitors to be the future of the firm. From each class of qualifying trainees over the past number of years we have retained over 85% of qualifying trainees.

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