Pinsent Masons is a global law firm founded in 1769. The firm is headquartered in London, UK, and specializes in energy, financial services, infrastructure, technology, real estate, science, and industry sectors. They have over 2,500 employees across 25 offices in more than 10 countries.
Pinsent Mason employees enjoy big firm opportunities with a small firm feel. Their culture is continuously evolving to reflect the changing world, but three fundamental values are at the heart of the firm:
Approachable: All employees at Pinsent Masons are down-to-earth and respectful of others.
Connected: The firm is focused on building relationships with clients, colleagues, suppliers, and communities.
Bold: Employees at Pinsent Masons know when to push boundaries and operate the firm with progressive, innovative, and passionate thinking.
Working at Pinsent Masons
The Pinsent Masons firm values diversity and is committed to eliminating discrimination in the workplace and promoting equality and inclusion. The firm has openings for experienced professionals and several opportunities for students and recent graduates.
No matter the position you are seeking, there are certain qualities that the firm looks for in its employees:
Confidence
Business-minded
Detail-oriented
Openness
Drive
Intelligence
Responsibility
Organized
Be sure to highlight these qualities throughout the recruitment process.
What Is the Hiring Process at Pinsent Masons?
Online Application
No matter what position you are applying for, you must start the process by filling out an online application. This will include answering questions about your educational background, work history, and other skills and interests that you have.
You’ll also be able to upload a current CV and cover letter. Be sure that these documents are concise and error-free. Your application is the hiring team’s first impression of you, so you want to highlight why you are qualified for the position and better suited for the role than other candidates.
Online Assessments
If your application passes the initial screening, you’ll receive a link to complete the online aptitude and psychometric assessments. The recruiter uses these tests to confirm your cognitive ability and compare you with other applicants. Therefore, you want to do as well as possible on every test.
All tests during this stage of the hiring process will be timed and multiple choice. The exact tests that you take may vary depending on the role you are applying for. However, all candidates should be prepared to take the following exams.
Numerical Reasoning Test – The numerical reasoning test will assess your ability to perform basic calculations and data analysis. Unless your role is particularly math-heavy, such as an accountant or data analyst, the content on this exam will be relatively easy. For example, you must solve problems using addition, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios. You may also need to interpret data from graphs and tables to answer questions. If it has been a while since you completed a math test, consider dedicating extra study time to this exam. Preparation is an essential skill in the legal profession, so showcasing this early in the process by preparing for this exam is an excellent idea.
Critical Reasoning Test – Another exam you will likely encounter is the Watson Glaser critical reasoning test. This test is a common pre-employment assessment among law firms because it assesses a candidate’s ability to understand a situation from multiple perspectives and make sound decisions. The test will consist of five distinct sections:
Interpreting
Deduction
Recognizing assumptions
Drawing inferences
Evaluating arguments
You’ll want to read all instructions and questions on this exam carefully to ensure you come to the correct conclusions.
Abstract Reasoning Test – Lastly, most candidates will also take an abstract reasoning test. This will assess your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills and ability to identify patterns. Lawyers are often given pieces of information, and they must look at the big picture to develop a good argument or position. The abstract reasoning test will ask you to look at several figures or images and identify a common pattern. Then, you must decide which image will come next in the sequence or which figure is missing from the series.
Assessment Centre
The hiring team will review your assessment scores, and if you have done well enough, you will be invited to participate in the assessment centre. The assessment centre is a day-long event in which Pinsent Masons will bring candidates onsite to complete tasks and interviews with the team.
Business Simulation Exercise
The business simulation exercise is the first exercise you will complete during the assessment centre day. This will be related to the department you are applying to. The firm will group candidates to review a case study and discuss the problems presented. During this discussion, you will want to speak up to voice your opinions but not talk over anyone so others can be heard too. Remember that you work in a team here and want to showcase your leadership skills and collaborative nature.
After the group portion of this activity, you will have a one-on-one discussion with a senior associate to discuss the case.
Presentation
You may also have to prepare a presentation on the assessment centre day. Pinsent Masons will give you all the information you need to prepare beforehand. You will research the given case study and build a solid argument to present to the hiring team and a group of your peers. You should also be prepared to answer questions and defend your position during the presentation.
You’ll want to be confident and professional when presenting your argument. The firm is looking for people who can communicate clearly and effectively.
Partner Interview
The last stage of the recruitment process is the in-person partner interview. This interview may occur during your assessment centre day, or they may ask you to return later to complete it. The purpose of this interview is to gauge your interest in working with Pinsent Masons and get a better understanding of your personality and qualifications.
The interviewer may ask questions about your past experience and related skills mentioned on your resume. It is essential to think of specific examples you can share with the interviewer related to traits you want to highlight. For instance, since Pinsent Masons is looking for someone with drive, you may talk about a time when you went above and beyond your role to gain new knowledge or experience that you could apply to further your career.
The interviewer will also want to know your motivation behind applying for a position at their firm. Be prepared to discuss why you want to be in a legal profession and what about Pinsent Masons that made you want to join their firm specifically. Do your research on the company and recent accomplishments they’ve had so you can point to specific examples and show that you have a genuine interest in the firm.
How to Prepare for the Pinsent Masons Assessment?
Pinsent Masons welcomes job seekers of all career levels to apply for a position at their firm. They are looking for passionate and motivated individuals to join their team and bring value to the business. Only the best candidates will succeed in the Pinsent Masons recruitment process, and to show the hiring team that you are the best candidate for the position, you must do well on the online assessments.
The online assessments objectively compare candidates and decide who would be best suited for the position. Using online resources such as practice tests, you can receive a high score on the exam and stand out from the competition.
Online practice exams will not only give you sample questions similar to the actual test, but they will provide answer solutions so you can understand why you got an incorrect answer and know how to approach the question in the future. Working through a practice test is also a great way to rehearse your timing before the exam.
