Bird & Bird (Proactivity & Initiative) Flashcards
Law firms value individuals who take initiative. Can you give an example of a time when you identified a problem and took steps to solve it before being asked?
S:A time where I have taken initiative was In my current role where we regularly host community events for the local area. During these events, each team member is given responsibility for a different stand.
T: During a recent event, I noticed one of my colleagues who seemed to be struggling with her workload, having a large flow of customers to her table which she could not seem to manage by herself.
A: Noticing my manager was engaged in another matter, I decided to take a proactive approach. My stand was quieter and with fewer customers so I took the initiative to go and help her, prioritising a collaborative effort to meet the demand. We then created a system in which I would take payment from each customer and she would oversee product distribution and supply.
R: As a result of this, we managed to cope with demand, increase customer satisfaction and end up being the first stand to sell out of our 80 units. I returned to my station afterwards and my colleague had the opportunity to take on a different role during the event. My colleague personally thanked me and even noted my help to our supervisor, who praised my performance. From this experience, I learnt the importance of being a team player and supporting other colleagues towards a mutual goal as well as adapting to the demands of a situation in order to achieve the highest outcomes possible.
Apply: As a solicitor apprentice, I have therefore developed skills of initiative and adaptability, which are key to independently managing your own workload as well as supporting your team effectively in time-compliant situations such as a court deadline.
How do you stay motivated when working on long or repetitive tasks?
When working on long or repetitive tasks, I stay motivated by breaking them into smaller, manageable chunks and setting clear goals. I also use incentives and reflection to maintain focus and progress. A key example of when I had to stay motivated during a long-term task was my EPQ.
Situation:
My EPQ was a 5,000-word dissertation with a completed logbook and a final presentation. Given its long-term nature, it was crucial to remain organised, adhere to deadlines, and balance my other academic commitments.
Task:
To ensure steady progress and avoid feeling overwhelmed, I needed to implement strategies that would keep me motivated and accountable throughout the year.
Action:
I started by creating a structured timeline, breaking the project into four main phases: research, writing, formatting, and presentation. Each phase was further divided into smaller weekly tasks, which I logged into an Excel calendar. I used a traffic light system to track my progress—green for completed tasks, amber for partial progress, and red for tasks requiring urgent attention.
To maintain motivation, I introduced a sponsor system, partnering with a fellow student to keep each other accountable by updating our weekly progress in a shared document. Additionally, I set personal deadlines alongside those given by my supervisor, using small incentives like breaks or rewards to stay on track.
Result:
As a result, I managed my workload effectively, achieved full marks for my EPQ, and was commended by my EPQ coordinator. This experience developed my ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and remain disciplined—essential skills for a solicitor apprentice handling casework and legal research.
Describe a situation where you had to learn a new skill or area of knowledge quickly. How did you approach it?
S: An instance where I had to learn a new area of knowledge quickly was during my last school Christmas showcase. Whilst my friend had the opportunity to perform a solo, she had become too nervous to perform by herself and therefore asked me to accompany her at the last minute.
T: With only a week until the showcase, the challenge I faced was developing a piano accompaniment that complimented the piece originally written for only a guitar that sounded seamless as a performance to the audience.
A: Therefore, the first step to tackling this issue was listening to the piece several times, identifying the key chords that underpinned the music. Breaking the piece down into several sections, I then was able to develop harmonies from this information, bearing in mind the melodies and textures already played by the guitar. I noticed that some sections also repeated, allowing me to streamline my focus and time. I then ensured to set up a last-minute rehearsal with my friend, clearly dictating how I planned to work together and making any final adjustments as needed. This then had to be communicated to the tech team, where we collaborated on adjusting the acoustics and set-up to highlight the newly revised piece.
R: As a result of our combined efforts, the performance went smoothly and as planned, being well-received by the over 200 members of the audience. I was further asked by the Head of Music to fill in last-minute for similar roles, demonstrating my ability to adapt and keep a level head under pressure.
If you were working on a case and came across a challenge or unexpected obstacle, what steps would you take to overcome it?
From experience, the strongest way to combat unexpected challenges is through a logical approach, keeping a level head and breaking down the problem into more manageable steps to find a relevant solution.
S: A key example of this was during my role working at a cafe, in which I am tasked to cater daily to over 40 children. However, during one shift, I was asked to cater for an extra 5 children with little notice, which meant I had to quickly adjust my plans while still meeting deadlines and maintaining the quality of service.
T: My task was therefore to manage the increased demand efficiently, while still ensuring that food safety regulations were followed and that the children’s dietary needs were met without delays.
First, I ensured I understood any allergies or specific preferences for the additional children, as that was a critical consideration. I then made a list of all the extra tasks required to prepare the meals, prioritizing the most urgent ones. I rearranged my tasks, delegating where possible, and kept the nursery staff updated, providing them with a clear time frame of 15 minutes for when I would complete each step.
I also had to balance multiple tasks at once, ensuring the quality of the food didn’t suffer under time pressure. I remained mindful of food safety, particularly when preparing meat, making sure to follow regulations while adhering to the deadline.
Result:
By staying organized and clear-headed, I successfully met the increased demand while maintaining the same quality of service. This experience taught me how to manage multiple priorities and remain adaptable under pressure, skills that are essential when dealing with unexpected obstacles in a solicitor apprenticeship.
Can you recall a time when you went beyond what was expected of you in a work or academic setting?
S: Working in leisure and hospitality, I always aim to go above and beyond in my role, in order to make sure customers have the best service and leave feeling happy rather than merely satisfied. An example of when I have done this was during a children’s party booking, in which the child’s mother was feeling very stressed and anxious.
T: Although my tasks are clearly defined, I understood that the client needed some extra support in order for the event to run smoothly and as planned.
A: Therefore, taking initiative, I aided and checked up on the client whenever I could. Before the event, I helped her take supplies into the facilities from her car and set up decorations. Throughout the event, I remained proactive and receptive to make sure everything ran according to plan, ensuring to provide extra amenities such as free water and a knife to cut the cake when asked.
R: As a result of this, the customer left very grateful and happy from my work, even mentioning my name in the feedback form that we ask each client to complete at the end of their booking. She even left some food for me and my colleague and has booked with us again since.
Apply: Applying this to being a solicitor apprentice, this highlights the interpersonal and communication skills that I have developed as an essential part of the role, consistently trying to provide the highest quality of service and the greatest client experience possible that is tailored to their business needs.
