Freshfields Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 194 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
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30 roles · 194 reportsCandidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at Freshfields.
Freshfields
Summer Associate
Entry Easy Neutral experience Accept offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
The interview process started with a screener chat with a counsel, and I got a callback the very same day. After that, I had a callback interview with four attorneys: two associates and two partners. They gave me an offer on the same day, first by phone from a partner, and then I got the written offer via email from recruiting.
Confirmed questions2 questions
- Could you introduce yourself and explain your motivation for pursuing a role at Freshfields?
- What is your interest in Freshfields?
Freshfields
Vacation Student
Intern Difficult Positive experience Accept offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Group Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Case Presentation
I went through two interviews. The first was a competency interview with a partner and senior associate, and it really focused on why I wanted to do commercial law and if I had examples of teamwork and problem-solving. Then, there was a commercial interview where we talked about a recent deal and what's happening in the market. I also had a casual coffee chat with some trainees, which was great for getting a feel for the firm's culture and asking any questions I had.
Confirmed questions3 questions
- What are your reasons for wanting to practice commercial law?
- What draws you to Freshfields specifically?
- Can you share an instance where you managed to sort out a disagreement within a team?
Freshfields
Lead Azure Architect
Lead Average Positive experience Accept offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Onsite
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
The interview had three stages. First up was a non-technical chat about my background and work history, which felt like a basic filter. Then came a deep dive into my work history, where I had to walk through different scenarios and give examples of how I've handled things. There were also about 10-15 technical questions covering Azure and general competency. The last stage was with a C-Suite exec for a more conversational interview to see if I was a good personal fit for the role.
Confirmed questions1 question
- What's your strategy for handling a tough conversation with an executive who doesn't agree with your design or technical plan?
Freshfields
Vacation Scheme
Intern Average Positive experience Accept offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Group Presentation
Interview formats
Coding Behavioral Technical Case Presentation
The process started with an online application, followed by a Watson-Glaser Test and a written exercise which was a straightforward proofreading task. After that, I attended an assessment centre which involved a general interview and an analytical interview. The general interview lasted an hour and was mainly competency-based with some hypothetical scenarios. They asked about why I chose commercial law and Freshfields, and a lot about my vintage clothing reselling business. The analytical interview involved reading an article and taking notes for 30 minutes, then answering questions about it for about 50 minutes. Everyone was friendly and seemed to guide us if we were struggling.
Confirmed questions8 questions
- For the general interview: A partner (who is not your supervisor) has given you very negative feedback regarding your work (which you don't think is justified). How would you react?
- Are you going to miss being on the 'exciting' side of business (buying, selling, figuring out how to maximise profit etc.) when you move over to the more 'boring' legal aspects?
- I see that you have attended an open day at X firm. How are we different to them?
Freshfields Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from Freshfields interview reports.
“Could you explain what constitutes an abuse of margin squeeze and describe the legal test as established by case law?”
Read reports →“In what ways can a business operate a building without owning it or using franchising?”
Read reports →“What's the best way to restart a virtual server when an application service is stalled, ensuring minimal user impact?”
Read reports →“If you had 100k to invest, where would you put it?”
Read reports →“Regarding the upcoming shifts away from LIBOR in interest rates, what are your thoughts?”
Read report →“Which class did you enjoy the most during your first year of law school and what made it your favorite?”
Read report →“Suppose you were given £5000 to start a business; what venture would you pursue?”
Read report →“How do you deal with assertive people who want to domineer over everyone in a group project?”
Read report →“Regarding the analytical interview about the Economist article on the future of self-driving cars, what other industries have seen significant technological changes in the past decade?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 194 Freshfields interview reports.