INTERVIEW GUIDE
Entente de Recrutement
2019 Recruitment Process: Important Dates
Interview Process
Cocktail Receptions and Dinners
On-campus and In-house Activities
Entente de Recrutement
Blakes is a party to the Entente de recrutement and, as such, will respect all of its terms as well as the dates and deadlines for applications, interviews and offers provided therein. To be eligible to participate in the Course aux stages, students must have accumulated a minimum of 36 credits.
Although they are free to do so, students who have accumulated a minimum of 48 credits are not bound to participate in the Course aux stages process and can apply for a “stage” at any time of the year by submitting their cover letter, curriculum vitae and transcripts to Julie Brisson, Director, Students, Associates & Professional Development, by email or by mail.
2020 Recruitment Process: Important Dates
Career Days
- University of Ottawa; Université de Sherbrooke; McGill University; Université de Montréal; UQAM : January 17, 2020 (Common Career Day)
- Université Laval: January 20, 2020
Applications
Cover letters, curriculum vitae and transcripts may be submitted on the VIRecruit portal from February 7, 2020, at 9 a.m. to February 13, 2020, at 1 p.m.
Interviews and Recruitment Activities
Interviews and recruitment activities as part of the 2020 Course aux stages will be held from March 16 to 30, 2020.
Offers
Offers as part of the 2020 Course aux stages will be made on March 30, 2020, as of 8 a.m.
Interview Process
After the VIRecruit portal has closed and prior to the dates set for interviews to be conducted, all successful interview candidates will be contacted by telephone, and a convenient interview date and time will be arranged. If available, the names of the lawyers who will be conducting your interview will be provided to you at that time.
Please allow approximately 45 minutes for your first interview. When you arrive, you will first be greeted by current students and/or articling students. You will then meet with two lawyers who will spend approximately 25 minutes speaking with you. Students and/or articling students will also be present to answer any further questions you may have before your leave.
If you are called back for a second interview, you will be assigned a “host,” usually an associate who will greet you and chat with you prior to your second interview. You will then meet four lawyers for your second interview, which should last between 30 and 45 minutes. Your host will also provide you with a tour of the Firm and will remain available to answer any questions you may have following your second interview.
Cocktail Receptions and Dinners
It’s just dinner!
We know that cocktail receptions and dinners can be a little stressful for candidates. However, they are an excellent opportunity to meet many lawyers, students and articling students, and to see how they all interact with one another.
Cocktail receptions and dinners are also an opportunity for more relaxed conversation. Use this time to learn more about the culture of the Firm. Listen to the lawyers’ stories about their experiences, and ask questions about their careers and individual paths.
These types of events also allow you to provide more details about yourself and help us to get to know you better. So relax, be yourself and have fun!
On-campus and In-house Activities
Each year during the fall and winter months, we organize and participate in a slew of activities for students that take place on campus and at our Montréal office. Our goal is to meet and get to know you, and to allow you to get a sense of who we are and why it is so great to work here.
We know that choosing the right firm can be a daunting task. From career days and conferences to cocktail receptions and breakfasts, we try to be as available as possible to answer all of your questions and allow you to gather all the necessary information to make the choice that is best for you.
Follow us on Facebook and look for our ads on campus to register to attend our fall and winter recruitment activities on campus and at our offices!