About Browne Jacobson
Browne Jacobson is a law firm with offices across England and in Dublin, and the firm has a long history of providing legal services, having been founded back in 1832.
Browne Jacobson works across several different key sectors:
Health
Insurance
Brands
Retail
Education
Financial Services
Technology
International
With more than 1,000 employees in six offices, there are multiple opportunities to join the team at Browne Jacobson, whether you are an experienced legal professional or looking to start your career. There are also positions available for Business Professionals, providing essential services to support the firm and the staff, including HR, IT, Finance, Legal Support, Risk and Compliance, and Marketing.
The Future Lawyer programme is the hub of opportunities for people who are looking to get started on their career as a lawyer. There are several different employment streams and internship options, depending on where you are in your career.
The two most used routes into Browne Jacobson for Future Lawyers are:
Trainee Solicitor Pathway: This replaces the more typical Training Contract that you might find at other law firms; instead of just providing the two years of training required to complete the qualification, this also includes access to both parts of the SQL and is most suitable for those who have already completed a degree.
Solicitor Apprenticeship: School leavers can apply for the Solicitor Apprenticeship, which is a six-year programme covering all qualifications and experience that a Future Lawyer needs, combining study with hands-on experience and giving the apprentice the opportunity to get paid while they learn.
Other early careers options include pupillage, Virtual Work Experience, Summer Vacation Scheme, and FAIRE (Fairer Access Into Real Experiences), which is a programme designed to support social mobility, giving those from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to get insight into law through virtual events and paid work experience.
Working at Browne Jacobson comes with some great benefits, which are flexible to suit your needs, as well as a market-leading salary package. Some of the benefits include a pension scheme, plenty of paid leave options relating to family and children, private medical insurance and life assurance, as well as a range of health and wellbeing options.
Browne and Jacobson are also very committed to flexibility in terms of work/life balance, and for most positions, the opportunity exists to work from home as well as in the office.
Browne Jacobson Application Process
The application process at Browne Jacobson might vary slightly, depending on the role that you have applied for, but most of the early career opportunities will follow the below steps.
Browne Jacobson Online Application
Opportunities at Browne Jacobson are advertised on their careers website. Each job is listed with a full and detailed description of the role and responsibilities, as well as any particular criteria such as qualifications or experience that is needed.
To apply for one of these roles, you will need to complete an application form and send a CV.
The application form requires all your basic details, such as contact information, job history, and education, but there are also some questions included that you will need to answer. These questions are based on the specific requirements of the role, so you should make sure that you highlight your skills, aptitudes and competencies that match the details in the job description.
Applications are usually reviewed on a rolling basis, so make sure that you apply sooner rather than later.
Browne Jacobson Aptitude Test
If your application form matches the basic criteria of the job posting, then you will be invited to complete some aptitude tests. These are online assessments that are designed to evaluate particular things, such as numeracy and literacy, as well as your ability to think critically and make logical decisions. The tests that you take will depend on the type of role that you have applied for.
Browne Jacobson Verbal Reasoning Test
In a verbal reasoning test, you will be provided with some written information that you need to quickly read and understand. This is followed by a statement, and you need to decide if the statement is true or false according to the information provided.
This is a test of both your reading skills and your ability to use written information to make a decision. To be successful in a verbal reasoning test, you need to be able to use the data you are given (and not any knowledge that you might have on the subject) and reach a logical conclusion.
Browne Jacobson Situational Judgement Test
In a situational judgement test, you are provided with a work-based scenario where a problem or an issue needs to be resolved. You will get a description of the fictional but realistic problem, which is usually indicative of the sort of situations you might find yourself in when in the role, and this will be followed by several different courses of action.
In this assessment, you need to demonstrate the action that you would take to solve the presented problem. Some of the options might seem equally as good as the others, but this is about your problem-solving and judgment skills, and the answer you give will help the recruiters to see how you behave at work and how you approach a problem.
Browne Jacobson Numerical Reasoning Test
Numerical reasoning tests are not necessarily math tests, although you will be expected to complete some basic calculations to answer the question. You will be presented with some numerical information in the form of tables or graphs, and you will need to manipulate that data in the right way to find the answer from the multiple-choice options given.
You will need to be comfortable completing basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) as well as using percentages, decimals, fractions, and ratios to answer numerical reasoning questions correctly.
Browne Jacobson Logical Reasoning Test
Logical reasoning assessments are all about your critical thinking skills, and a popular logical reasoning test is sometimes referred to as abstract reasoning.
In this type of test, you are presented with a series of shapes or images. These are in a sequence and will have an item missing. You need to find the rule or pattern that governs the sequence and apply it to find the missing item from the multiple-choice options presented.
This type of reasoning test needs you to be able to make logical decisions based on unfamiliar information by spotting patterns.
Other Browne Jacobson Tests
For some roles, there may be other online assessments that you will be required to complete. These can include:
In-tray exercise: This is usually for legal assistant or administration positions, and is all about your ability to multitask and prioritize when dealing with the workload.
Case study: After reading a scenario, you need to analyze it and present a solution
SWOT Analysis: You may be asked to complete a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis on yourself to demonstrate that you have a deep understanding of your abilities.
Browne Jacobson Virtual Interview
The next stage of the application process is the interviews. While some are face-to-face, most are conducted virtually using Microsoft Teams, and you will be sent a link to book in when it is most convenient for you.
During the virtual interview, you will be asked competency-based questions that you will need to answer by giving examples from your previous experience. The interviewers are looking for evidence that you have the skills and competencies that they require for the role.
To prepare for a virtual interview, you need to know exactly what the recruitment team wants from an applicant, and with Browne Jacobson, the extremely detailed job description is an excellent place to start. Think about times in your life when you have demonstrated those key skills and competencies because they will want you to describe these events in detail.
As it is a virtual interview, you need to make sure that your technology is working well (both audio and visual as well as your internet connection) and that you treat it in the same way you would a real interview. Dress to impress, ensure that your background is clear and free from distractions, and give your full attention to the interviewer and the interview process.
Browne Jacobson Assessment Center
The last stage of the application process is the Assessment Center. Again, this tends to take place virtually using Microsoft Teams.
During the Assessment Center, you will need to complete several different exercises and activities, both individually and as part of a group. Throughout the Assessment Centre, you will be under constant scrutiny from the recruitment team, and they will be looking for you to demonstrate certain interpersonal skills like communication and teamwork.
Some of the exercises that you are likely to face at the Assessment Center include:
Case study exercise: You will be given up to an hour to read a case study and prepare, and then you will be required to make a presentation based on your findings. You will also need to be ready to field questions about the solution you have chosen.
Written exercise: Under exam conditions, you need to prepare a written proposal outlining the best course of action for a fictional client to take, based on the information you are given as a brief.
Group exercise: Similarly to the case study, you will need to decide on the best course of action for a client to take - but this time you will need to work as a group rather than individually
Interviews: There are often second interviews that take place during the Assessment Day; these tend to be more about your skills and qualifications as well as getting to know you - so you can expect to talk more about your actual experience and the details in your CV.
