Insights

For those seeking employment in the legal sector, there are few destinations more prestigious than the ‘Magic Circle’ and ‘Silver Circle’ law firms. These organisations are famous around the world, with hard-earned reputations for excellence. This select group of legal firms have become widely known for their commitment to the very highest standards of performance and success. As such, obtaining a role with these companies can be seen as a real marker of accomplishment for the UK’s most skilled legal professionals. Here, we explore the firms that comprise the Magic Circle and Silver Circle, looking at what differentiates these organisations and what is expected of those chosen to represent these firms. What is the Magic Circle? The term “Magic Circle” was first coined by the legal media in the 1990s to describe the most prestigious, high-performing law firms in London. All of the members of the Circle are known for their high-profile corporate and finance work, overseeing multi billion-pound transactions and delivering the highest earnings per lawyer of any law firm headquartered in the UK. This group used to be known informally as the Club of Nine, but this term fell out of use as its perceived membership became more exclusive. Today, the Magic Circle consists of five firms: Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters and Slaughter and May. Each of the firms in the Magic Circle shares the following characteristics: Based in London, with substantial international operations. Industry-leading offerings in banking, finance and corporate law. Working with the world’s biggest and best-known corporations on major transactions with significant economic implications. Revenues and salary levels far above the UK industry average. There is no doubt that these five firms are still among the most respected names in law, retaining a powerful attraction for candidates who seek to make an impact at the very top of their profession, working on cases with global impact. What is the Silver Circle? Although the Magic Circle is seen as the top tier for UK law, this is not to say that other firms are not also capable of commanding huge respect and strong reputations. Indeed, the more recent creation of the so-called “Silver Circle” reflects this reality. This term was conceived by the industry publication The Lawyer to describe the law firms that fall just outside the Magic Circle, but which nevertheless deliver far higher revenues per lawyer than the average UK firm. When the concept was created in 2005, the Silver Circle was said to consist of Ashurst, Herbert Smith Freehills, Macfarlanes and Travers Smith, as well as the now-defunct SJ Berwin. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is also widely considered to be in the conversation for membership of this elite group, who share many of the same traits: A focus on serving a premium London-centred client base in the UK. Significantly higher profits per equity partner and revenue per lawyer than the UK average. A generally broader range of specialisms than the Magic Circle. A flexible approach to management, with an avoidance of top-down leadership and excessive bureaucracy. There is more debate about the exact membership of the Silver Circle than the Magic Circle, with The Lawyer arguing that the increasingly international focus of firms like Ashurst and Herbert Smith Freehills means they no longer belong in this category as well as debating that Mischon de Reya should now be granted membership. What is it like to work for Magic and Silver Circle law firms? Working for a Magic Circle law firm is a dream come true for many in the sector, but those seeking roles with one of these organisations must be prepared to put a lot in if they wish to earn the associated rewards. Magic Circle firms are known for their lengthy working hours, clear sense of hierarchy and demanding professional requirements. For those able to keep pace with these requirements, the payoff comes in the form of generous salaries, cutting-edge working environments and an opportunity to work on some of the industry’s biggest and most important cases. By comparison, working experiences in the Silver Circle tend to be more varied. Each company has its own distinctive culture, and are generally known for being less rigidly formal and more flexible than their Magic Circle counterparts; as such, staff can still expect to work long hours as a rule, but may experience a better work-life balance on the whole. It is worth noting there will be many well-respected, top-performing organisations who are not included in the rankings. However, for ambitious professionals, the pull of these recognised names will always be considerable provided that they are able to do what it takes to succeed in these demanding, highly competitive roles.

In the last few years, video interviews have become a common part of the recruitment process, especially since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, those applying for new roles have had to get to grips with a whole new set of interview etiquette rules. Instead of practising their best handshakes and picking out an appropriate perfume or cologne, applicants now have to consider their webcam positioning, background noise and wifi reliability as they seek to make the best possible impression on a potential future employer. Here, we highlight some of our best tips to create the perfect setting and conditions for a video interview, bringing you one step closer to landing a dream role. Creating a clear, uncluttered and professional interview space In any interview setting, making a good first impression is crucially important, and this is no different even when you are interviewing from home. Video calls will give the interviewer a window into your personal environment, so it is important to do all you can to ensure that you represent yourself in a positive light. Arrange a neutral, tidy and uncluttered background for your interview call. An untidy or messy background could potentially reflect poorly on you, so take the time to clean up before starting the call. Use plants, tasteful furniture choices and relevant books placed in view to make your environment visually interesting. Your interviewer will inevitably be looking at what is behind you, so use this as an opportunity to underline your professional image. Remove anything overly distracting from the background. You do not want your interior decor to draw attention away from you, so make sure that you do not have any distracting items within your camera frame. Test the lighting conditions to get them just right. Once your interview space is set up, test out your camera to make sure the lighting looks correct. Is there any glare or shadows covering your face? If so, you may need to readjust the furniture or window coverings; make sure to do this around the same time of day that your interview will take place, so that your setup will reflect the actual lighting conditions. Test the position of your camera. Make sure you are not too close or too far away from the camera and that your head and shoulders are visible. Try facing the camera as well as sitting slightly to the side to find the best angle. You might need to raise or lower the height of your computer screen or your chair so it is best to test all this out ahead of the interview. Make sure you can provide a quiet environment for the interview. Your interview will go poorly if your interviewer cannot hear what you are saying, so it is vital to set yourself up in a quiet part of your home, ensuring that nobody will disturb you and that you are away from noisy pets, appliances or sounds from the TV. Double-checking your tech setup Getting your video interview space ready also means taking the time to set up and test out your tech setup in advance, ensuring that your conversation will not be delayed or disrupted by any technical glitches. Get the positioning of your computer and webcam right. When speaking to your interviewer, you will want to be framed just right by your camera. That means positioning the lens at the right angle and distance to get a good view of your head and shoulders, making sure the image is not too high or low, or that you are not too near or too far from the lens. Check the sound quality and iron out any problems. Are you certain you can be heard clearly during your call? Is there an echo in your chosen room? Will you need to wear noise-cancelling headphones? All of these are questions that you should be able to answer well before the interview starts. Ensure you have the software installed and test it out in advance. Whether your interviewer wants you to use Skype, Zoom or some other video platform for the interview, it is vital to get the software installed and set up well in advance. If you have never used it before, take the time to learn all of its key functions, potentially by holding a test call with friends or family. Make sure your internet connection is strong enough. A patchy or temperamental wifi connection could make it impossible to hold a coherent conversation. As such, you will need to make sure you are holding the call from a location with a strong connection, or else use a wired connection for the duration of the call. Check that your device is fully charged. Nothing will end your interview faster or more unceremoniously than a depleted battery! Make sure your device is properly charged before the interview starts, or keep it plugged in throughout the call to be on the safe side. Dressing to impress It is clear that many of the rules for making a positive impression on a video call are quite different from a traditional in-person meeting – but when it comes to getting your personal image right, many of the familiar old considerations will still apply. Dress appropriately for a professional meeting. When interviewing from home, it is still important to look the part. That means wearing a washed, ironed, smart and professional-looking outfit, avoiding anything too loud or overly casual. Do not wear anything distracting for the video call. Some clothing items and accessories may create unnecessary distractions during a video call, such as shiny buttons that cause a distracting glare, or jewellery that rattles against the desk or keyboard. If you notice anything like this during your practice calls, make sure to avoid these items for the interview itself. Hygiene and grooming are as important as ever. As with an in-person interview, you will want to look fresh, well-kept and smart, so make sure you take the time to shower and style your hair. The interviewer will notice and appreciate the effort you have made. Pay attention to your body language. Body language is almost as important on a video interview as it would be in person. Make sure you maintain good posture, avoid slouching, maintain eye contact and smile where appropriate – otherwise, you may risk coming across as disengaged or bored. By taking the time to make the right preparations, you can create the perfect conditions for a smooth interview experience, giving you the best possible chance of securing the role you are seeking – without even having to leave your living room. If you would like some additional support on getting ready, get in touch with the experts at Sellick Partnership today. Alternatively, you can check out our latest live jobs here.

When attending a job interview, it is only natural to be focused primarily on the questions you will be asked, and making sure that you are able to provide the interviewer with answers that give them a strong impression of your capabilities. However, it is important to remember that the direction of the questioning should not only be one-way. A job interview is not only an opportunity for an employer to get to know you; it should also be seen as a chance for you as a candidate to find out more about a prospective employer, and to figure out whether or not the company is able to offer what you will need to be happy and successful in the role. A positive working relationship needs to be mutually satisfying, and the interview represents a first opportunity to establish that dynamic. As such, when entering an interview, you should come prepared with a few questions of your own, in order to demonstrate that you are fully engaged with the process and thinking proactively about how best to succeed in the job for which you are applying. Here, we examine some of the best questions you can ask in an interview as a candidate to find out all you need to know. “What does a typical day look like here?” This is a straightforward question to ask, but is nevertheless extremely useful in giving you a clearer impression of what you could expect your day-to-day responsibilities to be in this new role. The interviewer’s response will tell you much about the ebb and flow of everyday life at the company, as well as highlighting potential challenges and opportunities for you to excel. In addition, asking this question will help to demonstrate to the interviewer that you are thinking in pragmatic terms, and that you will be keen to learn about what it takes to succeed. “What does success look like for this role, and how will you measure this?” Similar to the previous question, this presents an opportunity for you to find out what the employer would be expecting from you as you settle into the new role over a period of days, weeks and months. By asking this question, you can get an idea of what your bosses would be looking for you to achieve, how fast they are expecting you to progress, and how you can orient your personal development to hit the targets they have set for you. The interviewer is also likely to appreciate the ambition and forward thinking that this question demonstrates. “Are there opportunities for training and progression within this role?” Asking about potential training opportunities is another great way of showing the employer that you are serious about enhancing your skills and developing beyond your current capabilities. Of course, you are also sure to be interested in the answer from the perspective of your own personal development as well. This question will help you learn whether or not you will be entering into a dynamic role that can grow and change as your skills expand, and will give you an insight into how you can keep moving forward with your career within the company. “How do you look to staff to represent corporate values?” Corporate values often seem like a somewhat abstract principle, so it is useful to take time to find out more about how they actually affect workers on the ground. After all, finding the right cultural fit is just as important as simply evaluating credentials and salary rates. By asking this question, you will be able to learn how formal or relaxed the working environment is, or learn if there are any exceptional expectations placed on staff that you may need to know about. This will help you make a more informed decision about whether or not to pursue the role further. “What do you enjoy about your job? What’s your favourite part of working here?” This question allows you to flip the script to a certain degree, prompting the interviewer to share their own first-hand experiences of what it is really like to work for the company. This will tell you a lot about the qualities of the working culture and environment, and how the company’s stated principles work in practice. It is important to pay attention to your interviewer’s response to a question like this; if they seem to find it difficult to give you a positive account of their working lives, this will tell you a lot about the company that you might not otherwise have learned. “Can you tell me more about the team or colleagues I would be working with?” It is hard to know whether you will fit in with a company’s existing staff without knowing anything about them, which is why it is a good idea to ask about the individuals you are most likely to be paired with if you are given the role. Not only will this tell you a lot about the team dynamics within the organisation, but it can also reveal details about the structure of the team, the chain of command and their current project focus. All of this information will make it much easier for you to hit the ground running if you are given the chance to join the team. “Are there any other questions I can answer about myself?” With this question, you can invite your interviewer to bring up any other questions that might still be on their mind. It may be a good idea for you to prompt them to address any lingering areas of uncertainty they have about your application, giving you a chance to provide a conclusive answer. By asking this question, you can also demonstrate that you are not afraid of being questioned, rather than giving any impression that you are keen to get the interview over with as soon as possible. “What are the next steps?” This final question is always helpful, if only from a purely practical point of view. At the close of the interview, you should make sure the interviewer has everything they need from you, and that you have an idea about the timeline of when to expect a response. By closing off with this question, you can get a clearer idea of when you will hear back, and when a final decision will be made – as well as showing the interviewer that you are keen for the process to continue. Naturally, you will not necessarily need to ask every one of these questions to get the most out of your interview. However, by asking the right ones when appropriate, you can make sure that both candidate and interviewer come away from the experience with a better, clearer understanding of what each party has to offer the other.