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2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion
- Thread starter Jaysen
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I did my VI around Nov/Dec and got my PFO just before the new year, seems promising for you and best of luck!
Can anyone who has applied to Reed Smith offer some advice on how to approach the final commercial awareness question?
I didn’t know that, thanks!
I applied for a direct TC with them, but that was a while back in November, is it worth changing it now?
I’m worried they will have screened me out by now
Yes in my experience 99% of firms reply with a rejection at some point. The only firm that doesn't I think is Milbank but they do say that they will only be in contact to invite you to an AC
I offer this advice based on last year so it’s possible that it could be different this year in that maybe there isn’t a template- though I have seen applications in the template submitted for review. Even if there is, I wouldn’t worry about it
Almost every firm will send a confirmation of rejection or acceptance to next stage. The only firm I've ever had ghost me was Vinson & Elkins.
Thanks Jacob,
Do you know if they wait for a while before sending a rejections n or would they reject right out after reviewing your application/WG? I’m waiting to hear back from some firms post-WG/SJTs and also from just the applications and not sure if no news is good news!
Hi! Does anyone have any past experiences or advice for a Macfarlanes AC? I have mine tomorrow and am looking for any advice!! Thanks!!
That will depend a lot on the firm I should think. Some firms who recruit rolling might reject you quickly if you're clearly short of the margins, others I've waited ages for a rejection (my feeling is that those have been situations where they've had a limited number of interviews left and are directly comparing some apps for the last few interview spots).
Does anyone know if CMS sends the WGT to everyone? I thought that it is the second stage of the process but I have not seen anybody getting rejected post-app (may be I am wrong). Do they check the app alongside the WG score before deciding whether to invite a candidate to VI? Or once a candidate pass the initial screening, he just needs to pass their WG benchmark? Thanks
They definitely read your application before inviting you to the WG, then if you do well on that they invite you to VI and so on and so on...
The reason loads of people are getting WG invites might be because (on an online event) the grad rec team said they have a "really quick" look at the app before making a decision on it.
Hope this makes sense
Rejection from Bird & Bird after taking the WG yesterday, spent so long practising for the test as well! but never mind, onwards and upwards!
but never mind, onwards and upwards!Also heard nothing, and completed it on the 9th Nov. From what I can gather, they haven't got back to anyone post-VI yet but not entirely sure!
I imagine they just check the form has been completed. Last year, I received and passed the WGT but wasn’t moved onto interview on the basis my answers to the application questions weren’t good enough ( I was able to speak to grad rec about my app). I think the same has happened to me again this year. For reference, i don’t meet the grade requirements but still received the WGT.Does anyone know if CMS sends the WGT to everyone? I thought that it is the second stage of the process but I have not seen anybody getting rejected post-app (may be I am wrong). Do they check the app alongside the WG score before deciding whether to invite a candidate to VI? Or once a candidate pass the initial screening, he just needs to pass their WG benchmark? Thanks
Great question!Hi guys! How are people approaching application questions regarding what you enjoy doing in your spare time?? What structure are people using? Do we link these to the firm? I'm a bit confused as to what the firm want to hear from us. Thanks
When I answered this, I was generally very open about my hobbies and interests. Remember that firms do want to get to know who you actually are and getting a little insight into your personal life like that is a great means for them to do so. Typically, I would discuss two outside interests here and, in planning my answer, try and attach specific skills that I used in the course of each hobby/ interest. Then, I would look for ways to link those skills to the skills associated with being a successful commercial solicitor, and show the parallels in the course of my answer.
One of the key pieces of advice that I was given was to be authentic in this answer. If you try to frame the answer with hobbies or interests that you don't actually have but think the firm want to hear about, it will come off as contrived and won't be received as well. I've also ended up (more than once) in a situation where the interviewer has actually shared a hobby/ interest with me, or wanted to know more about it on a personal/ interest level, and it would have became apparent very quickly if I wasn't actually into that particular thing. Hope this helps!
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