2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[jds555]

Tha

Thank you, though I do not feel as though a congrats are in order as I am not sure I am suited to the interview style - which will cause issues.

Look at you! I am sure you will smash it - and dw about LL. And don't think like that, putting yourself down before you even start is not good for your health. Look after yourself, you are your own best friend and you wouldn't say to someone 'you're not gonna get it' before you have even done it.

Thank you Celestie. I appreciate your kind words. Well if you look at it as a whole, you are already past the hardest part in my opinion being the application stage. I am sure you will really shine when it comes to the interview just take slow deep breaths and repeat to yourself that “I am good enough” and use that as a mantra. You would be surprised how much it has helped slower my heart rate to enable me to fully concentrate before an interview. Where have you applied for then?

 

[Bugsy Malone]

Are you setting this out like a normal cover letter with addresses and the date or are your just starting with 'Dear Mr Dubes' ?

Just Dear Mr Dubes - the word count is quite tight and it’s just pasted into a text box so I don’t think they’d expect addresses etc

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hi everyone, does any have any insight on how to approach the following question:

What advice would you give to a friend who wants to set up a business?

I would be really grateful for your thoughts!

Speaking from experience of setting up 3 businesses, the 3 bits of advice I wish I'd had the first time that I told myself the second & third times:

- have a solid plan in place. Imo a strong business plan is the difference between a failure and a success
- research research research... you literally cannot know too much about the sector you're going into
- ask yourself the toughest questions: you need to be able to understand and respond to what your worst critics could say, if you can't answer those questions then you probably need to either plan more or research more!

Bonus point:
- never settle for how things are: always look to grow and develop the business, stagnancy is the first step towards a business collapsing.

 

[Phoebe]

Incredible news - your determination and resilience is really inspiring

Thank you - that's so kind to say

 

[KM74]

I'm at Dentons AC this year and happy to help feel free to message me

Hey, could I also message you? I have the telephone interview soon !

 

[R1a01]

Has anyone had an interview with BCLP?

 

[Legalmel_99]

I don’t know if this is a silly question but if I’ve applied for a vacation scheme and the firm says they will ask me about the role I’ve applied for is the role a Vac schemer or trainee solicitor? As I want to do the Vac scheme to hopefully get a TC?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I don’t know if this is a silly question but if I’ve applied for a vacation scheme and the firm says they will ask me about the role I’ve applied for is the role a Vac schemer or trainee solicitor? As I want to do the Vac scheme to hopefully get a TC?

Vac schemer - not to say questions may not cross over into opportunities after a vac scheme though.

 

[Kablahc]

Hey, could I also message you? I have the telephone interview soon !

For sure, ask away I will be replying to everyone's tomorrow

 

[Daniel Boden]

CMS Academy offer!!!

4 years of applying and 5 ACs later I’ve finally got a vac scheme

Amazing news absolutely delighted for you! Your determination really is what will set you apart and will 100% help you get that TC offer

 

[Daniel Boden]

Guys, just been catching up on all of these wonderfully supportive messages today. It's amazing to see how far TCLA has come since I joined in 2018 - big credit to you @Jaysen for facilitating that! You guys are all a credit to yourselves and to each other and I have no doubt that you will make wonderfully empathetic lawyers in the future

To those who have had good news today (on blue Monday as well!) many congratulations! It's a testament to your fantastic drive and determination in the middle of a pandemic so you should all be very proud.

To those who didn't, keep your heads up. I read a brilliant quote today which I think can definitely be applied to the TC process and it goes like this:
"Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard.
Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard.
Being in debt is hard. Being financially disciplined is hard. Choose your hard.
Communication is hard. Not communicating is hard. Choose your hard.
Life will never be easy. It will always be hard. But we can choose our hard."

The above has motivated me to try and smash my last GDL exam and I really hope it can help give those of you are struggling a bit of strength to carry on because applying for TCs is hard. Giving up on TCs because you think you're not good enough is hard. For me personally and I know @Alice G can relate to this, some of our hardest moments and toughest rejections come just before the greatest successes - as the saying goes, it's always darkest before the dawn so just keep moving forwards! You will get there and it will be worth it

Also to those who are wondering about virtual vacation schemes, in my virtual vacation scheme at Gibson Dunn last summer, whilst it lacked the socialising and camaraderie of an office environment, I was still able to do some brilliant real work (including an international bribery investigation where I could use my language skills) thanks to my supervisors who really got me stuck in and allowed me to meet some really interesting people so they can still be highly beneficial and useful to you

PS: forgive my essay but I hope it helps some of you who have got this far

 

[TLC20]

Did anyone apply to Dechert and got to the next stage?

Hi there - I was invited to VI today - applied on deadline day. I've been out of the app cycle for a year so any tips on VIs welcomed. Thanks

 

[NextStageOfTheApplication]

Hi there - I was invited to VI today - applied on deadline day. I've been out of the app cycle for a year so any tips on VIs welcomed. Thanks

Hey, did you apply for Dechert's Spring vac scheme? Thanks!

 

[Grace_winter9]

Can’t believe it but Akin Gump and Shearman & Sterling interview invites!

Do you know when your interview with Shearman is? Like how much notice do you have?

 

[ibs97]

Anyone heard from Cleary Gottlieb or Debevoise?

nothing from debevoise? does anyone know is cleary is rolling?

 

[cmaj]

Guys, just been catching up on all of these wonderfully supportive messages today. It's amazing to see how far TCLA has come since I joined in 2018 - big credit to you @Jaysen for facilitating that! You guys are all a credit to yourselves and to each other and I have no doubt that you will make wonderfully empathetic lawyers in the future

To those who have had good news today (on blue Monday as well!) many congratulations! It's a testament to your fantastic drive and determination in the middle of a pandemic so you should all be very proud.

To those who didn't, keep your heads up. I read a brilliant quote today which I think can definitely be applied to the TC process and it goes like this:
"Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard.
Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard.
Being in debt is hard. Being financially disciplined is hard. Choose your hard.
Communication is hard. Not communicating is hard. Choose your hard.
Life will never be easy. It will always be hard. But we can choose our hard."

The above has motivated me to try and smash my last GDL exam and I really hope it can help give those of you are struggling a bit of strength to carry on because applying for TCs is hard. Giving up on TCs because you think you're not good enough is hard. For me personally and I know @Alice G can relate to this, some of our hardest moments and toughest rejections come just before the greatest successes - as the saying goes, it's always darkest before the dawn so just keep moving forwards! You will get there and it will be worth it

Also to those who are wondering about virtual vacation schemes, in my virtual vacation scheme at Gibson Dunn last summer, whilst it lacked the socialising and camaraderie of an office environment, I was still able to do some brilliant real work (including an international bribery investigation where I could use my language skills) thanks to my supervisors who really got me stuck in and allowed me to meet some really interesting people so they can still be highly beneficial and useful to you

PS: forgive my essay but I hope it helps some of you who have got this far

Love this post so much I have bookmarked it to read again in the future!!! ✨

 

[Maculay]

Is Ashurst vacation scheme on a rolling or non-rolling basis?

It is non-rolling.

 

[anon101]

Hi everyone, I started a thread for insights on the NRF AC. If anyone has been through the process, would really appreciate your response. https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/nrf-ac-insight-prep-tips.3237/

This is my first AC and I'm really confused about how to start preparing for it so I'd also be grateful for any general advice on how to effectively prepare. Thank you!

 

[jan28]

Hi all, does anyone know the benchmark for pwc's career unlocked test? have googled but the results are mainly from non-legal applicants.

 

[els124]

Rejection from NRF post telephone interview.

I genuinely feel so emotionally exhausted from the process with so little feedback at the VI and telephone interview stage. This cycle I’ve got through to the next stage on every app but as soon as video interviews and telephone interviews come into play I’m letting myself down.

I follow all the structures. Prepare loads before hand. Reference key deals, key jurisdictions, I read the FT every day and I genuinely find the articles interesting. I have good experience and good grades. I know that the process is tough, but I just don’t know how to improve.

I completely understand that law firms have so many applicants. I’m not even frustrated with the process, Im more frustrated that I can’t identify which bits are going wrong.

If you're at university, try reaching out to the careers service. they often do short sessions or interview practices and they might be able to point something out that you're not aware you're doing