About Bird and Bird
Bird & Bird is an international law firm that was founded in London in 1846. The company has more than 30 offices spread throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with a focus on helping companies in the technology, telecommunications, and media industries.
The core practice areas at Bird & Bird include litigation, intellectual property, corporate and commercial law, as well as employment, regulatory, and competition law.
If you are looking for a role at Bird & Bird, the London office is the biggest.
Bird & Bird has opportunities available throughout the business, from early careers through to experienced lawyers and support staff too.
Bird & Bird have a lot to offer for those starting their career in the law industry, from open days and vacation schemes to post-SQE Training Contracts and full Solicitor Apprenticeships.
Other roles available at Bird & Bird include:
- Marketing and Finance
- IT
- Human Resources
- Facilities
- Executive and Office Support
- Risk and Compliance
For those who are chosen to work at Bird & Bird, some of the benefits include:
- Flexible working
- Learning opportunities in a technical skill-based curriculum
- Family-friendly policies
- Health schemes and well-being support
- Award-winning development schemes
- Competitive, market-led salary and bonus structure
- Personalized benefits scheme
Bird and Bird Application Process
To start the application process, you need to find the right opportunity online through the Careers page. Each division of the company is represented, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis - so don't wait for the deadline to get your application started.
Bird and Bird Online Application
The first stage in the application process is the online application form. You will be asked to add your details to this form.
You will need to add personal details, information about your education, and previous work experience. You may also have to answer some more specific questions relating to the area you have applied for, and some strengths-based questions.
Bird & Bird uses blind screening when looking at application forms, so there are no identifying details included.
If your details match the requirements of the role, you will be invited to the next stage of the application process - the aptitude test.
Bird and Bird Aptitude Test
Bird & Bird use the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal as their aptitude test for potential candidates. This is a pre-employment assessment that allows candidates to demonstrate that they have the right critical thinking skills and can draw relevant conclusions from the information that is presented.
The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal consists of 40 questions divided into five sections. The multiple choice test is taken at home in your own time and has a time limit of just 30 minutes so it is very challenging.
The sections are as follows:
- Inference: 5 questions - decide how true or false a statement is based on the written information provided.
- Recognizing Assumptions: 12 questions - A statement is presented with a proposed assumption, and you need to decide if the assumption is made or not made.
- Deduction: 5 questions - You are provided with a premise followed by a suggested conclusion, and you need to decide if the conclusion absolutely or necessarily follows.
- Interpretation: 6 questions - You are presented with a premise followed by a suggested conclusion and you need to decide if the conclusion follows beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Evaluation of Arguments: 12 questions - You are given a question that has a yes or no answer and an argument that supports one or the other. You need to decide whether the argument is strong or weak.
The Watson Glaser Critical Reasoning Appraisal is scored positively and out of 40, so you will only be marked for the answers that you have got correct. The pass mark that you will need to achieve will depend on the role that you have applied for, but you can expect it to be at least 80% if not more.
Bird and Bird Video Interview
The video interview is usually the next stage, and you will access this through a link that will take you to a specific interview platform.
You will be required to answer four questions, which are all about getting to know you as a person. The questions are pre-recorded, and you need to present your answers on the video to the recruitment team who will watch it back later. For each question that you need to answer, you will be given 60 seconds of thinking and planning time, and then two minutes to record your answer.
The questions here are usually competency-based, so you will be expected to give examples from your previous experience of times when you have used a particular skill or competency.
Before you get started with your video interview, be sure that you are well-presented and that your background is as plain and professional as possible so that it does not distract from what you are saying. You will also want to make sure that you test your audio and visual equipment thoroughly too.
Bird and Bird Assessment Center
The final stage in the application process is the Assessment Center.
This takes place in the offices or somewhere similar, and you will be among other applicants who may be applying for the same role or program as you, or they might be applying for something else.
The day is split into different activities, and you will be under constant assessment from the recruitment team who want to see some of your soft skills in action.
The specific activities that you will be asked to complete will depend on the role or program that you have applied for, but you can expect to deal with the following:
Interviews
These in-person interviews may include competency questions similar to the video interview, or more technical questions relating to your previous experience. They can also include skills checks if you are applying for a role that needs a specific skill set, like programming for IT. There may also be more than one interview, and you may have to speak to a single hiring manager or a whole panel.
Written Assessment
In the written assessment, you will be given some information as a case study, usually about a fictional client of the business. You will need to solve a problem for them and provide a written report outlining your proposed actions, including details about the possible outcomes.
Group Activity
As an assessment of teamwork and leadership, the group activity might be based around something work-based like a case study, or you might be asked to do something like build the tallest tower using only basic office supplies. Whatever the activity, the recruiters will be looking at certain soft skills including teamwork and communication.
The Assessment Center is a great opportunity for the recruitment team to get to know you as a person, and for you to learn more about the business and what your role might entail.
