Get ready for the partnership admissions process
Most firms will put all of their partner candidates through a grueling series of interviews to assess whether they are mentally, personally, and professionally committed to making partner. This makes them an absolutely essential part of the partnership admissions process. Even if you look good on paper, it is vital that you are on your A-game for your interview as this is what counts the most. What most candidates don’t know, however, is that you can’t just wing it. Here’s how to bring your A-game to your partnership panel interview.
Practice your business case presentation for both partnership panel interviews and informal conversations
Most firms will put all of their partner candidates through a grueling series of interviews to assess whether they are mentally, personally, and professionally committed to making partner. This makes them an absolutely essential part of the partnership admissions process. Even if you look good on paper, it is vital that you are on your A-game for your interview as this is what counts the most. What most candidates don’t know, however, is that you can’t just wing it. Here’s how to bring your A-game to your partnership panel interview.
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How to successfully pitch your business case at your partnership panel interview
In this masterclass, You'll learn a proven process to put together your one and three-sentence sell to make your business case succinct and punchy, an easy-to-follow and successful structure for your business case pitch that make an impact and you memorable for the right reasons. Also, the 3 key elements to make your business case presentation more persuasive and effective, and how to anticipate and answer the 3 types of questions you will receive in your partnership panel interview.
Create Your One-Page Talksheet
When faced with a powerpoint slide, it can be tempting to cram in all the detail you think may help. This is a massive trap, and one which will trip you up.
Before you start your presentation, make sure you can reduce your business case for partnership into ideally 4-5 visuals and a small amount of text. These are the essential elements of what we call a one-page talk sheet. The beauty of a one-page talk sheet is it forces you to get incredibly clear about the important messages you want to communicate at your partnership panel interview. Once you are clear about these important messages you will find it easy to put together the presentation of your partnership business case.
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Example Talk Sheet
Use this template to create the 1-page document which visually demonstrates your business case and why you are the right person to implement it.
Identify the weaknesses of your business case and how you will get around this
You should also be spending time with the partners in and out of your department during the lead-up to your interview. They can give you their thoughts on your Business Case and Personal Case and tell you what skills they think you bring that the partnership needs – plus it never hurts to have advocates!
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Partner Panel Checklist
Use this checklist to prepare for your partnership panel interview.
Brainstorm the likely questions you will get in partner panel interview,
When it comes to the question and answer section of the interview, you will be subjected to challenging questions, conflicting opinions, and potential criticism from all partners which can make candidates get defensive. These are the times that can make or break your partnership panel interview. Take a deep breath, clarify what they are asking, acknowledge it and try to answer questions in a logical way that doesn’t offend their years of experience. If they still don’t agree? Leave it as an agree-to-disagree.