Davitt Jones Bould, the largest specialist real estate law firm in the UK, have opened their Undergraduate Placement applications. They have written for us about their placement opportunities and provided some application advice too.
The placement is truly like no other as we deliberately don’t put you through a structured programme. Instead, you will be working in line with the real-time demands of the business, giving you experience of what running a business is really like.
You will work directly with a talented team of Davitt Jones Bould people, including colleagues in the Business Services Centre, lawyers based all over the UK and Davitt Jones Bould’s leadership team. You will be given responsibility straightaway for a wide range of tasks – some will play to your strengths, and some will challenge you to learn new skills.
You will be provided with dedicated on the job mentoring and training, as well as access to Davitt Jones Bould’s wider training programmes and courses.
Find out more about undergraduate placements and apply here.
Our current Undergraduate Placement student, Daniel Adams, shares his top tips on how to ace your applications:
During my university years, like many students, I dedicated significant time to applying for internships and placements. Through a mix of successes and setbacks, I gained valuable insights into what truly works in the application process and what pitfalls to avoid. I have spoken with hiring managers at many large corporations and compiled a list of what I have learnt to help you with your applications.
The assessment centre
The final and most challenging stage of my application process to Davitt Jones Bould was an in-person assessment centre.
Although the concept of an assessment centre is fairly modern, it’s predicted that around 34% of employers utilise then. On average only around 5-10% of applicants reach this stage of the process, so you have done well to get to this stage.
Assessment centres are structured to assess how you perform in a range of activities. This usually involves a variety of individual and group tasks with the other people who have reached this stage. These usually last most of the day and also gives you the opportunity to meet the team and see the offices.
To excel in an assessment centre requires you to do lots of things effectively and efficiently.
As the final stage, assessment centres can feel stressful, especially when you’re competing alongside other strong candidates. I found that staying calm and collected allowed me to fully show my capabilities and appear more coordinated and confident. The main way I stayed calm was by doing lots of key research and preparation. This included learning the job description to fully understand the role, researching more about the company’s recent activities/events, understanding the organisational structure, and researching common assessment centre exercises.
Other tips for an assessment centre:
- Showcase leadership and teamwork: A mix is essential as leadership shows that you can make decisions and teamwork shows you’re attentive and co-operative.
- Utilise the STAR method for any interviews in the assessment centre: Focusing on the Situation, Task, Action, and Result provides a focused and organised answer.
- Don’t dominate conversation: This can suggest a lack of listening skills and an inability to work cooperatively.
- Remain professional at all times: Being professional shows you can conduct yourself appropriately by being respectful, composed, and focused.
- Stay engaged and energetic throughout: This engagement demonstrates enthusiasm, stamina, and commitment for a long period of time.
- Be polite to everyone you encounter: From the receptionist on the door to the interviewer themselves, or even other candidates; be professional and polite throughout, so anyone who is asked only has positive feedback about you.
The placement application process is challenging, but with preparation, professionalism, and the right mindset, you can succeed at every stage.
The most important advice is to do your research, maintain professionalism; and consider how things look from the recruiter’s perspective.
Stay in touch with Davitt Jones Bould
This blog is part of a series written by Daniel:
Further advice from the Careers Service
Get more support for assessment centres on the Careers Service website.
If you have any questions writing your application, interviews, assessment centres or anything else relating to careers, you can speak to us on live chat, or pop in to 5 Tyndall Avenue.
Small Business, Big Opportunity (SBBO)
SBBO is a new event series which will be running across the year which gives students the chance to meet local small to medium enterprises and network/secure future employment.
There is so much value in working for a smaller organisation and you can gain and develop so many skills which will kickstart your career. By going to these events, you can meet with smaller employers like Davitt Jones Bould, ask questions and find out more about the sector you wish to enter.
Look our for SBBO events on mycareer – there will be panels and presentations throughout the year.