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A&O Shearman early careers: how to get in

Last checked 2026-10-12 against A&O Shearman's own careers pages. Every stage below links to where it was read. GoRizzume is independent and not affiliated with A&O Shearman. How we check

At a glance

Training Contract

How A&O Shearman recruits

not stated. 6 stages, from A&O Shearman's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-09. Test providers are named only where A&O Shearman names them.

  1. Online application

    Application form

    “You will need to submit an online application which details your education history and work experience. This does not need to be legal experience.”
    Source

  2. Online interactive assessment

    Situational judgement test

    “Once you have completed the written application form, you will be prompted to complete an online interactive assessment, which includes situational judgement questions, verbal and numerical reasoning items and a short motivation question to complete via video.”
    Source

  3. Video motivation question

    Recorded video interview

    “For the video response you will have unlimited time to prepare but your response time will be limited to two minutes.”
    SourceHow to prepare for a one-way video interview

  4. Discovery and assessment experience

    Assessment centre

    “Successful candidates will be invited to attend our two-day solicitor apprentice discovery and assessment experience.”
    Source

  5. Case study interview

    Case study

    “On Day 2 you will attend two interviews. The first interview will be a case study. You will be asked to review some documents, which will be followed by a discussion of the key points.”
    Source

  6. Scenario-based interview

    Final interview

    “In the second interview, you will be asked a series of questions based on scenarios you may encounter as a solicitor apprentice.”
    Source

Solicitor Apprenticeship, London, Level 7

Same 6-stage process as the training contract above. Programme details

Summer Vacation Scheme

How A&O Shearman recruits

not stated. 3 stages, from A&O Shearman's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-09. Test providers are named only where A&O Shearman names them.

  1. Online Application

    Application form

    Submit online application with work and education history.

    “Online application You will be required to submit an online application which details your work and education history.”
    Source

  2. Assessment

    Situational judgement test

    Online experience with situational judgement questions, verbal and numerical reasoning, and two short video motivation questions.

    • about 45 minutes
    • online
    “Assessment You will then be sent an email which will contain a link to complete our online experience, which includes situational judgement questions, verbal and numerical reasoning items and two short motivation questions to complete via video.”
    Source

  3. Interviews

    Live video interview

    Assessment day with two one-on-one interviews including commercial case study presentation and scenario-based discussion.

    “Interviews If your application is successful, the next stage will be an assessment day comprising two one-on-one interviews. The first interview is based on a commercial case study, where you'll have time to work through a brief and prepare a short presentation to deliver to your interviewer.”
    Source

Visa sponsorship

  • Training Contract

    No published visa-sponsorship statement found on the firm's own careers pages

  • Solicitor Apprenticeship, London, Level 7

    A&O Shearman requires three years of UK residency and permanent right to work for the whole six years, citing the apprenticeship levy funding rules.

    “Please note, due to funding requirements, all candidates must fulfil the criteria associated with the Level 7 apprenticeship levy, including living in the UK for the last three years and having the right to permanently live and work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship.”

  • Summer Vacation Scheme

    A&O Shearman publishes pay and dates for its Summer Vacation Scheme but no visa sponsorship statement was found on its careers site.

  • First-Year Programme, London

    A&O Shearman's London First-Year Programme is a two-day insight scheme in spring 2027, with no visa position published.

This is general information, not immigration advice. Check gov.uk and the employer's own FAQ before you apply: rules change.

Common questions

What is the A&O Shearman training contract application process?
A&O Shearman's own careers pages describe 6 stages: Online application, then Online interactive assessment, then Video motivation question, then Discovery and assessment experience, then Case study interview, then Scenario-based interview.
Does A&O Shearman use a recorded video interview?
Yes. A&O Shearman lists a recorded video interview stage ("Video motivation question").
Does A&O Shearman sponsor visas for graduates?
A&O Shearman requires three years of UK residency and permanent right to work for the whole six years, citing the apprenticeship levy funding rules.

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GoRizzume is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by A&O Shearman. Names are used only to identify A&O Shearman's recruitment process. Practice in GoRizzume is original material written in the style of common assessment formats, not the employer's or provider's actual tests. Processes change, so always check A&O Shearman's official careers site before applying.

Sponsorship data: Home Office register + job ad wording. Not immigration advice, verify on gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we check this data.