A sit down interview with Jolyon Connell
Jolyon Connell is our deputy graduate and solicitor apprentice recruitment partner. He is also a partner in our dispute resolution team and a member of our recruitment panel.
In this interview Jolyon shares with us what he most enjoys about the recruitment process for our trainees and solicitor apprentices as well as tips for future candidates.
What do you enjoy most about the recruitment process as Farrrer & Co? Every interview is different and each candidate brings something really interesting and insightful to the discussion. I enjoy seeing how the candidates approach the challenges posed by the questions and how they sometimes raise points of view which I had not previously considered. Overall, it is most rewarding to interview a “rough diamond” and to be part of the process by which that person’s potential can be recognised and harnessed towards a career with the firm.
What do you look for in successful applicants – is there anything in particular that helps them to stand out? Authenticity, enthusiasm and humility. All of our applicants are very bright. The best candidates are ones who are themselves, rather than trying to say what they think the interviewers want to hear. Similarly, hearing a candidate speak with real passion and enthusiasm is compelling, even a very shy and nervous candidate can show their quality by speaking with conviction and insight about topics in which they are clearly genuinely interested. Finally, most of our applicants have held leadership roles, but I am always impressed by candidates who also have a track record of being willing to carry out unglamorous (and perhaps thankless) roles in which teamwork and determination are the more important aspects.
Why do you think our retention rate is so high? In addition to the things one might expect from most leading law firms, such as interesting clients and challenging work, Farrer & Co also has a rare culture which allows its staff to excel. It offers an environment in which solicitors are expected to take on early responsibility but given the tools and the space to develop while being supported by friendly and knowledgeable colleagues.
What tips would you give to someone prepping for an interview with Farrer & Co? Think carefully about why you want a career at Farrer & Co. There are lots of good law firms at which you might thrive, but they are all different. Ask yourself what it is about Farrer & Co in particular that makes you believe it is the right firm for you (and you the right candidate for us), and then be ready to articulate that.
How did you find your journey to partnership – is there any advice you would give to someone aspiring to a career similar to yours? Solicitors at Farrer & Co are expected to be proactive and can take responsibility for cases at an early stage of their careers. This suited my autonomous approach and provided me with a solid foundation of experience on which to progress through to partnership. I was a late entrant to law, after a background in business and a brief (and undistinguished) career in management consultancy. I would advise anyone aspiring to a career similar to mine to be brave enough to start again, it’s better to be at the bottom of a ladder you do want to climb than halfway up a ladder you don’t want to climb!
If someone has previously applied and hasn’t been successful, what advice would you give them? Don’t give up. Just because last year’s version of you was not what Farrer & Co was looking for at that point, that doesn’t mean that this year’s version of you isn’t what we’re looking for now. Take the time to understand and reflect on what was missing from your application last year. Spend the intervening period trying to gain what was missing. Then give it another shot. And don’t be afraid to cast the net wider too: you may not be well-suited to one firm, but might be perfect for another. Keep an open mind about routes into the profession.