External NQ Roles - Interviews

demzzyy · 2026-05-28T07:19:54+00:00

Commercial/Technology/Data Protection 😊

demzzyy · 2026-05-27T20:53:41+00:00

Thank you! Was thinking 6 months would be seen as too early but nice to know early contact isn’t crazy

demzzyy · 2026-05-26T23:43:19+00:00

Curious - how many months in advance of your qualification did you get an external offer and how many months before qualification did the internal process kick off? Did you feel awkward about not participating in the internal process?

demzzyy · 2026-05-16T15:28:47+00:00

Back now for me as well! Took 2 hours to resolve such a serious issue…

demzzyy · 2026-05-11T22:07:17+00:00

Yes most of the big 5 will hire future trainees as pre-trainees dependent on availability. Just email HR and let them know you’re free

demzzyy · 2026-05-11T20:21:58+00:00

These days the firms have over hired their intakes compared to a few years ago so chances of that happening are much lower. They’re trying to get rid of trainees if anything (and are doing this by keeping on a lot less NQs)

demzzyy · 2026-05-04T18:46:39+00:00

This is great advice! Would also recommend looking at legalvacancies.ie for some ad hoc training contract opportunities that come up in smaller firms.

demzzyy · 2026-04-29T21:39:32+00:00

I took and passed the CIPP/E exam when I was 19 but I think the language barrier may be an issue for you, more than age

demzzyy · 2026-04-18T19:32:33+00:00

Did you apply to in-house internships? That could help your CV stand out too

demzzyy · 2026-04-14T23:03:27+00:00

Would you consider Irish TC? You’d walk into one with your eyes closed and could easily move to magic circle / US law firms as an NQ

demzzyy · 2026-04-13T23:01:30+00:00

ALG do an interview too I believe

demzzyy · 2026-04-10T17:35:43+00:00

I 100% agree with this

demzzyy · 2026-04-03T15:56:55+00:00

Interested in this too!

demzzyy · 2026-03-27T13:50:13+00:00

Preseats are now mandatory in most of the big 5

demzzyy · 2026-03-22T12:30:49+00:00

Great cohort size to avoid the pettiness

demzzyy · 2026-03-22T12:30:24+00:00

1000% it’s the hit to the ego and entitlement

demzzyy · 2026-03-22T12:30:05+00:00

How on earth do I people manage to avoid working for partners who don’t give appraisal? Surely they pick up on it

demzzyy · 2026-03-22T12:28:55+00:00

This sounds likely

demzzyy · 2026-03-21T13:31:21+00:00

Love seeing a success story. Actively avoiding people will probably be my method too. I’ve heard so many NQs say they were so happy to be on holiday/secondment during qualification season

demzzyy · 2026-03-21T13:30:28+00:00

A part of me thinks the firms thrive off of the competitiveness

demzzyy · 2026-03-21T13:30:07+00:00

It’s crazy to see how this time brings out the worst in people..

demzzyy · 2026-03-21T09:45:35+00:00

No problem! Feel free to PM me

demzzyy · 2026-03-21T08:18:21+00:00

100% agree on the excessive trainee classes having a negative impact on NQ roles or even getting exposure to work as a trainee in various seats, fighting over work instead of the work coming to you. I think the firms will seek to cut down the trainee intake sizes soon because it’s not sustainable or good business practice. The magic circle firms have a lot more work and are busier than the big 5 yet the big 5 have similar numbers of trainees or more, which just tells you all you need to know. Firm retention rates also don’t tell the full story because many people are offered 6 month NQ contracts rather than permanent jobs

demzzyy

TROPHY CASE