I applied through a recruiter. I interviewed at A&O Shearman (Belfast, Northern Ireland) in Dec 2025
Interview
2 rounds of interviews, both just over an hour long.
First was with a senior member of team and lead architect, and was by and large technical focused. Scenarios relating to how I would design a system. This was followed in the same interview with questions on my own experience for specific situations.
The company had forwarded me some of its own documentation where they prefer the "STAR" method of appraising this experience, i.e. situation - task - action - result, focusing on what you did (i.e. don't say "we].
Second interview was in person in the Belfast office, with the London based architect joining remotely.
(Note thatIt wasn't clear to the interview panel if there would definitely be a second interview, they mentioned there may not be.)
It started off with yet more technical questions in a similar vein but focusing on how I'd architect a technical problem. Second part was a much more open ended chat from the new member of the panel, the non technical manager who would be assigned. Asked about my past and things of that nature.
Due to Xmas disruption, this was a wait of a couple of weeks.
Was given, via the recruiter, very scant feedback and it seemed like he was keen to move on.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe a situation where you encountered a technical difficulty, using the STAR method (brief explanation of what that was)