We want our trainees to get on with us, in every sense of the phrase.

Would we be right for you? Would you be right for us? To help you gain a clearer idea before you apply, try answering the following ten questions:

Q1 On your first day in your first seat the partner you're sitting with has to rush off to an urgent client meeting. You're going to be on your own for a while. Do you:

A Get stuck into one of the files on the partner's desk.

B Take the opportunity to catch up on a few personal emails and calls.

C Go and see if you can give a hand to anyone else in the department.

Q2 The Finance Director of the firm's biggest client gives you a piece of work that needs to be done in an hour. You don't know how to do it. Do you:

A Knuckle down and give it your best shot.

B Tell the client it can't be done in an hour.

C Speak to a partner about how to deal with it.


Q3 Your ideal work environment is:

A Gung ho and aggressive - work work work.

B Laid back and low key.

C Friendly, dynamic and supportive.


Q4 Early on in your traineeship you are asked to play a leading part in a client project. Do you:

A Jump at the chance - this is your chance to show everyone how great you are.

B Ask if someone else can step in - the thought of such early responsibility gives you butterflies in your stomach.

C Jump at the chance - you're keen to develop and contribute to the firm as quickly as possible.


Q5 You're just packing up for the day when one of your fellow trainees asks if you can help with a job that has to go out that night. Do you:

A Refuse. How does it benefit you to help finish somebody else's job?

B Refuse. You need to get home to watch Eastenders.

C Take your coat off and help out.


Q6 You are scheduling an enormous pile of documents against the clock, when somebody gives you another equally time consuming task that must be completed by lunchtime. Just then the phone rings. Do you:

A Swear loudly and storm out.

B Panic and do nothing.

C Take a deep breath and pick up the phone.


Q7 It's your secretary's birthday. They invite you and some of your fellow trainee colleagues for a meal out, to celebrate their birthday. Do you:

A Make an excuse - you don't hang out with secretaries.

B Make an excuse - you'd rather be at home.

C Say 'great, thanks, where are we going?'


Q8 It's the firm's pool tournament. Your reaction is:

A I'm not very good at pool - there's no way I'm going to enter something that I can't win.

B I'm not very good at pool - best not make a fool of myself by joining in.

C I'm not very good at pool - but what the hell, it'll be fun.


Q9 To succeed, law firms need to organise and focus their varied expertise around the often fast-changing markets and requirements of their clients. You think this statement is:

A Twaddle - to succeed, law firms just need to focus on their legal disciplines.

B A bit daunting - sounds like you'll need to immerse yourself in the real world of work.

C Interesting, but a bit long!


Q10 A potential employer asks you to take part in a light-hearted self-assessment quiz. Your reaction is:

A "For goodness sake, I'm too busy to waste time with such foolishness!"

B "What if the questions look a bit hard?"

C "Sure, why not."


So......how did you do?

Mostly As
You're clearly very self-confident and driven, but are you a team player? To get on with us, you'll need to be not only fired-up but also friendly and collaborative with it.

Mostly Bs
You might find life at Lewis Silkin a bit stressful. We're a very hard working, sociable firm. Maybe a less demanding environment would be more you.

Mostly Cs
You sound ideal. Any chance you could send us your application today?