British firm Linklaters is to move to a digital-only graduate recruitment process this autumn, if lockdown restrictions remain in place.

The firm’s assessment day for applications will move online, with timed testing and HR and partner interviews, using TopScore software, described as “interactive and user-friendly”.

Graduate recruitment partner Alison Wilson said that online recruiting takes practice and effort to put candidates at ease, as the gradual start of a face-to-face interview is lost. Virtual interviews are also more tiring for applicants, she said.

Individuals

And remote working will be challenging for junior lawyers in terms of learning about their new employer, Wilson agreed. “And, for us, learning about who they are as individuals is equally challenging.

“It’s one thing for a senior lawyer to think a remote office works just as well, but for junior lawyers it can be different.”

Global firm DLA Piper has staggered its trainee start dates, offering graduates Stg£10,000 to delay until August 2021.

And incomers at Irwin Mitchell will experience a delayed start, from August 2020 to February 2021.