How to impress in three minutes or less

What do singletons looking for love have in common with students looking for jobs? (other than anxiety, self-doubt and a desperate need to impress)  Why, speed dating, of course! The Lawyer reports that UK firm “Nabarro has spiced up its vacation scheme application process by introducing a speed-dating inspired networking exercise to its assessment centres.”

As Anu Rao noted in a recent article, when it comes to student hiring, UK law firms generally go beyond standard interview and academic requirements to measure “softer skills”, such as “interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.” Candidates at British firms often attend one or two assessment days where they might take a written exam, present a case study, participate in group exercises or undergo psychometric testing.

And now applicants for Nabarro’s vacation scheme (often the precursor to a coveted two-year solicitor training contract) get to enjoy the questionable pleasures of timed, three-minute meet-and-greets with firm staff. The firm’s hiring process has already been likened to the X Factor by one Nabarro trainee participating in this year’s Vault Solicitor Survey. Will it now become more like the Graham Norton Show?

- posted by vera