Reimagine Law

A competency is another word for a skill. Employers use competency based interviews as a way for you to give examples when you have actually used / put into practice some of the key skills / competencies, needed for the role you are applying for. Why does Simon think it is easier to prepare these types of interviews and what are his tips and tricks to work out the types of questions you are likely to be asked? Kerry talks listeners through the very useful STAR technique, to ensure the answer you give are complete and full. And the team discuss the dreaded question…. what is your biggest weakness!

Useful resources-   

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/interview-advice-       

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/interview-tips-       

https://career-advice.jobs.ac.uk/professional/how-to-be-more-than-competent-in-competency-based-interviews/#:~:text=Competency%2Dbased%20interviews%20use%20questions,often%20used%20in%20first%20interviews. 

In this episode listeners learn the art of good conversation and relationship building from the principles of ‘improv’ (improvisation). What is ‘accept and build’, and how can the technique be used by all of us?  Pippa Evans and Steve Weiner discuss what listening really means, and how you can focus on the other person in your conversation whilst keeping the ebb and flow of a joint discussion.   

Every key conversation should raise questions in your mind; what is my purpose, what is the other person’s purpose and what is the purpose of the relationship?  The particular challenges of managing conversations with people who are more senior is explored, as well as what Steve means by the ‘cake’ and the ‘icing’! 

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. 

-       Practice listening.  And we mean, really listening.  Perhaps choose a conversation and use the techniques discussed in the episode.  How did you find it?

-       Watch some improvisation.  We usually think of ‘improv’ as purely comedy, but there are lots of different environments where the techniques are used (tv, theatre etc.) Can you see the techniques when watching?  And which of them could you bring into situations in your current environment (work, college, school)?  

-       Before a next project meeting you are attending, whether at university or in the office, try ‘contracting’ with your senior colleague leading it: “What will my role be?”, or “I was thinking of leading this part of the discussion, how do you think I can best contribute?”

Useful resources

-       Steve Weiner’s website: https://www.swlearning.co.uk/

-       Pippa Evan’s website: http://www.pippaevans.com/

-       Read the book ‘Quiet’ by Susan Cain

-       The power of introverts by Susan Cain (Ted Talks) https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts

-       Watch Pippa’s talk on Talks at Google: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNq71AjQZLc

The spirit of online aptitude tests is to provide an objective way to test candidates.  Some are tests with right answers (e.g. ability tests) and others are personality profiles with no ‘correct’ answers. Jump into the discussions with Kerry and Simon to see how to approach and succeed to your full potential. Don’t forget you can engage with your careers teacher/service or Job Centre Plus. 

Useful resources-       
Look at the Watson and Glazer tests which are used a lot in the legal profession:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/interview-tips/watson-glaser-critical-thinking-test-     

Take these practice aptitude tests:
https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/testing-publishers/cut-e/   
https://www.shl.com/shldirect/en/practice-tests https://www.assessmentday.com/-       

Target jobs have tips and tricks to help you out:
https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/psychometric-tests-     
https://www.shl.com/shldirect/en/practice-tests

This is the first episode in our mini-series about applications.  We start with an episode exploring how to write successful CVs and online application forms. In this episode Kerry and Simon explore the top tips to help you stand out from the crowd and get off to a good start in the application process. 

Networking is not about taking: it is about generously giving, and connecting.  In this episode, Nigel and Fran are joined by Anne Marcotty and Beth Crocker who discuss how to build your networking ‘muscle’, and how important it is to focus on this activity from your time in education as well as in the workplace. 

We often think about networking in a very short-term, transactional way, but in reality it is a skill to be practised over time, and a habit that we can develop.  This episode discusses the importance of bonding with people who are both like, and unlike you, listen out for their personal interests and hobbies, look for common ground.  Did you know that networking has benefits ranging from your happiness and mental health to quicker promotions in the work place? The pandemic has shrunk all of our networks, but what can we do to compensate?

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. 

-       Evaluate your web of contacts. Think about where you have gaps and what those gaps are.
-       Once you have thought about those gaps, in the next week reach out to five people in a personal, education or professional context and connect with them.   

Useful resources
-      Consider reading the book Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time.
-       https://news.linkedin.com/2017/6/eighty-percent-of-professionals-consider-networking-important-to-career-success
-       Professional Networking Makes People Feel Dirty by Carmen Nobel. https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/professional-networking-makes-people-feel-dirty

When the pandemic struck in March 2020 the court system in England and Wales had to adjust - and quickly.  Adaptations included making some hearings virtual, ensuring other face-to-face hearings could be made ‘Covid secure’, and introducing ‘hybrid’ models which uses elements of both approaches. 

This episode welcomes Her Honour Judge Sarah Cove, a Circuit Judge in the Family Court, and Rudi Fortson QC, a criminal barrister at 25 Bedford Row, to discuss what changes were made and which adaptations might remain in the future.  They discuss which types of hearings are more suited to virtual court hearings and the advantages and disadvantages of technology in court rooms.   

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode.

-       Take a look through the Nuffield Report which reflects on the experiences of court users in the family law, discussed by Her Honour Judge Cove. https://www.nuffieldfjo.org.uk/app/nuffield/files-module/local/documents/remote_hearings_sept_2020.pdf

-       After listening to the podcast, discuss with a friend / class mate which skills might be needed in the future, especially if more technology is used into the courtroom. 

-       Tune into the Supreme Court website to watch a live remote court hearing. If you are listening to this after the pandemic, watch a court hearing in person and see what tech you can see being engaged: https://www.supremecourt.uk/ 

Useful resources

-       The Nuffield Report referred to by Her Honour Judge Cove in the episode.  https://www.nuffieldfjo.org.uk/resource/remote-hearings-rapid-consultation

-       A follow up to the Nuffield Report above: https://www.nuffieldfjo.org.uk/resource/remote-hearings-september-2020#:~:text=In%20light%20of%20this%20significant,well%20over%201%2C000%20people%20responded. 

-       Yes we can. Remote Justice. The New Norm? by Jane Colston and Ravinder Thukral:  http://www.brownrudnick.com/alert/yes-we-can-remote-justice-the-new-normal/

-       An anonymous post written by a Circuit Judge in the Family Court on remote justice: http://www.transparencyproject.org.uk/remote-justice-a-judges-perspective/ 

If Albert Mehrabian is right and only 7% of communication are the words that we use, what is the other 93 %? In this episode Kerry and Simon from the ReImagine Law team get under the skin of what is involved in the two way process of communication. How do you make sure that you are totally present in the conversation, and really listen to the other person? And what difference does tone and body language make?

This episode explores whose responsibility it is to make sure the other person ‘hears’ and why does Simon not consider an email as communication? Are your own views on communication holding you back from being a great communicator?

Useful resources

-Read more on Albert Mehrabian’s 7-38-55 Rule of Personal Communication: https://www.rightattitudes.com/2008/10/04/7-38-55-rule-personal-communication/

- 70% of business mistakes are due to poor communication says US Firm Gartner: https://www.careeraddict.com/the-importance-of-effective-communication-in-the-workplace

Reflection is an important tool to turn an experience into a moment when learning is captured for the future.  In this episode Nigel and Fran explore why it is important to reflect and how to do this practically.  They discuss the importance of ‘journaling’ (or even ‘double journaling’) and how your peers and networks can help you with reflection.

Useful resources
-       What is reflection (The Open University): file:///C:/Users/ltw571/Downloads/Activity%2011%20What%20is%20reflection.pdf
-        Jisc – Student Self Reflection: https://www.jisc.ac.uk/guides/transforming-assessment-and-feedback/self-reflection

Ted Talks – Personal Empowerment through Reflection and Learning https://www.ted.com/talks/dr_craig_mertler_personal_empowerment_through_reflection_and_learning

We often think of innovation and risk-taking as being linked to big, stressful ‘eureka’ moments. The truth is that change can be quite small, simple and uncomplicated.  Innovating is about connecting with the person you are trying to communicate with, or the person who might use your product or service. How does this link with the principles of delivering legal services?  In this episode Fran and Nigel explore these issues, starting with the question: ‘If you could change one thing about the way we work together, what would it be?’  There are also practical examples to help listeners identify their own innovation and how they might present it.

Useful resources

-       The importance of team culture to innovation and giving each other the confidence to take risks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WylNA2LWsfQ
-       The Harvard Business Review, The Discipline of Innovation by Peter F Druker (August 2002)
https://hbr.org/2002/08/the-discipline-of-innovation
-        Forbes, Why Innovation Is Crucial To Your Organisation’s Long-Term Success:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/05/08/why-innovation-is-crucial-to-your-organizations-long-term-success/?sh=1589e14e3098