[Chatter1989]

Hi,

I´ve got a place on Macfarlanes´s summer scheme and would really appreciate tips on how to prepare effectively, what to expect during the scheme itself, and how to stand out from the other candidates. Advice from those who have done the same scheme would be particularly helpful. Thanks!

[Brevity]

My advice is to practice saying vaguely homophobic things like "Yeah, they've raping us over this table at the moment" in the context of fund formation (translation: investors are imposing particularly strict performance criteria before allowing industry-standard 2 + 20 renumeration to begin).

[Schott]

Don't prepare using a Macfarlanes branded pen. I got one from a law fair recently and it's run out already. Sorely disappointed in such an otherwise promising firm.

[Wildcard]

(Original post by Schott)
Don't prepare using a Macfarlanes branded pen. I got one from a law fair recently and it's run out already. Sorely disappointed in such an otherwise promising firm.

Agree with this. For a firm that many consider to be culturally stationary, I'd have thought they'd have had better stationery.

[etcetc]

Its ink flow can also be fairly inconsistent.

EDIT: OP I think the reason you're not getting much of an answer is because there isn't really one to give. Macs hold a very friendly scheme, no prior knowledge required. Just be yourself, try to strike a balance between being outgoing and memorable, and professional. Its a really great scheme, so enjoy.

[Wildcard]

Yeah, agree with etc. I did the scheme a couple of years ago and it's a really nice firm with exceptionally friendly people. There's a fair bit of information about it online - two departments, two interviews and a written assessment at the end of it, a group exercise running throughout the two weeks, lots of social activities, and so forth. If only they'd sorted out their mid-tier pens, which just can't compete with the kind of stationery provided by the US and MC firms.

[Brevity]

Yeah, the stationary at Slaughters (who are basically a better Macfarlanes) is so good. I'm still using one of their mechanical pencils.

[Norton1]

My CC pen is excellent. Shame it make you look such a bell end to use it.

[etcetc]

(Original post by Brevity)
Yeah, the stationary at Slaughters (who are basically a better Macfarlanes) is so good. I'm still using one of their mechanical pencils.

On my Mac scheme a guy was using one of those because they're so good. Bit awkward.

[Wildcard]

Nah, that's just making sure Macfarlanes don't get too cocky. At all the networking events, spend ages talking to the partners, associates, HR, etc., showing your interest in the firm, then when it comes to writing down their personal email address, whip out the Slaughters pen and make sure they see it. Make sure they see it.

It's very much akin to Larry's job interview advice to Leon. You gotta flip it round!

[Schott]

Although I'm sure they're not representative, the trainee I spoke to at a law fair from Macs was a bit of a knobber in my opinion. Kept talking about how the internationalism of other firms was rubbish and Macs had the right direction.

Whether he was right or wrong, it did put me off slightly. I ended up being offered a vacation scheme interview and a training contrac interview but ended up declining both.