Congratulations!My flatmates don't know what vac schemes are but just got the drinks out. PARTAY
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2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion
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Dheepa
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Junior Lawyer 43
- Jan 20, 2019
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Yes!! Live your best life!!! (I'm 100% living vicariously through you haha)My flatmates don't know what vac schemes are but just got the drinks out. PARTAY
hey i would say if you have a reasonable excuse they would be more than happy to help. Times are tough and unpredictable and I assume responsible firms acknowledge this during their recruitment process.
Thank you so much for this! I also feel suddenly reassured and a bit more at ease about the whole processHey, can I just start by saying how relatable your username is 😅 .
Honestly, I used to feel exactly like this as well and I think most people do. I think almost everyone goes into the app process thinking barely any of their apps will work out and then when you do get to the AC stage the panic sets in because you feel like you either don't know where to start or if you do it's stressful cause it can feel like you're starting from zero all over again. Please don't feel like you are alone in feeling like you are unprepared. Everyone feels like this and in fact I was literally just talking to a close friend still doing apps about how she feels the same thing!
The best way to approach them would be to systematically break down the different components of the AC. Typically most ACs involve a case study, a partner interview and a group exercise of some kind (sometimes a negotiation, sometimes a discussion)
@Jacob Miller has written some of the most fantastic resources out there on most of these AC elements and I'd recommend starting there.
Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies! *Monday Article Series*
Hi all, please see below the third of my Monday Article Series! This week is my definitive guide to case studies. It's a long one - you might want to go get a coffee and settle in! Introduction This week’s Monday Article will cover how to approach law firm case studies, one of the most...www.thecorporatelawacademy.com
Definitive Guide to Assessed Negotiations! *Monday Article Series*
Hi All! Please see below my Guide to Assessed Negotiation Exercises at Assessment Centres and during Vacation Schemes. This guide has been built from my own experiences of assessed and real-world negotiations as well as having consulted with Grad Rec specialists. This is also the first in a...
In terms of commercial/legal knowledge, law firms definitely don't expect you to be a legal genius or know every intricate detail. Some great advice a friend once gave me was that no law firm would hire someone who is an expert in these things for an entry level role in which the whole point is to train you! Firms just want to see that you have a clear interest in the commercial world, the ability to develop an opinion on issues, and that you are able to logically work through problems. To help you understand basic commercial concepts I'd really recommend Jake Schogger's Commercial Law Handbook, TCLA's own Commercial Booklets and the M&A Course on TCLA as well (the latter is especially helpful because a majority of law firm case studies tend to involve an M&A transaction) Other than that there are some great podcasts you can listen to (linked to a thread on this here), to help you keep up to date on news stories.
Also don't forget that AC invites are extremely difficult to secure and you only make it that far because 1. You've already demonstrated some of the most important qualities they are looking for (including the commercial knowledge) and 2. The firms genuinely want to understand your motivations better. It's all about selling your experiences and the great thing about that is that all you have to do is talk about yourself in the best way possible!
Yeah so mine was two weeks ago tomorrow.I'm sorry about that! May I ask when your telephone interview was? I completed my telephone interview last week and I just want to know when to expect to hear back
Hi, does anyone have any experience with requesting adjustments for the interview process. I have a disability which enables me to get extra time for my exams at university and I was considering asking for extra time regarding the article reading portion of my upcoming interview. I am able to provide evidence for the request, however my concern is whether asking for adjustments is likely to disadvantage my application as if so, I'd rather just try and perform my best without the adjustments.
I'm sure nobody has a definitive answer to this question however if anyone has experienced this, I would be grateful for any insight or advice.
I'm sure nobody has a definitive answer to this question however if anyone has experienced this, I would be grateful for any insight or advice.
Dheepa
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It definitely will not disadvantage your application and I'd really strongly recommend letting the firm know about your circumstances! I think firms are more than used to making adjustments like this anyway. Perhaps @Jessica Booker can give you more insight
Hey - if you email grad rec explaining how much extra time you usually get and with evidence, eg a report, then I’m sure they will allow you extra time. I’ve done this will acs at different City firms and never been refused. Good luck with your ac
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I would maybe go for something 'objectively' bad, for example its reputation for long hours and a bad work / life balance... then expanding on that, you could qualify that you don't mind doing it when its to achieve a goal or alternatively, use it as a springboard to emphasise firms' supportive cultures.
Is contributor on a meme page an achievement? If your memes got 10,000 likes?
I think thats a fun achievement to make you stand out from the crowd!!
Thank you so much, Dheepa! This makes me feel a bit better because at least I now know what I don't know!Hey, can I just start by saying how relatable your username is 😅 .
Honestly, I used to feel exactly like this as well and I think most people do. I think almost everyone goes into the app process thinking barely any of their apps will work out and then when you do get to the AC stage the panic sets in because you feel like you either don't know where to start or if you do know where to start it's stressful because it can feel like you're starting from zero all over again. Please don't feel like you are alone in feeling like you are unprepared. Everyone feels like this and in fact I was literally just talking to a close friend who is still going through the process about how she feels the same thing!
The best way to approach ACs would be to systematically break down the different components of the AC. Typically most ACs involve a case study, a partner interview and a group exercise of some kind (sometimes a negotiation, sometimes a discussion)
@Jacob Miller has written some of the most fantastic resources out there on most of these AC elements and I'd recommend starting there.
Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies! *Monday Article Series*
Hi all, please see below the third of my Monday Article Series! This week is my definitive guide to case studies. It's a long one - you might want to go get a coffee and settle in! Introduction This week’s Monday Article will cover how to approach law firm case studies, one of the most...Definitive Guide to Assessed Negotiations! *Monday Article Series*
Hi All! Please see below my Guide to Assessed Negotiation Exercises at Assessment Centres and during Vacation Schemes. This guide has been built from my own experiences of assessed and real-world negotiations as well as having consulted with Grad Rec specialists. This is also the first in a...
In terms of commercial/legal knowledge, law firms definitely don't expect you to be a legal genius or know every intricate detail. Some great advice a friend once gave me was that no law firm would hire someone who is an expert in these things for an entry level role in which the whole point is to train you! Firms just want to see that you have a clear interest in the commercial world, the ability to develop an opinion on issues, and that you are able to logically work through problems. To help you understand basic commercial concepts I'd really recommend Jake Schogger's Commercial Law Handbook, TCLA's own Commercial Booklets and the M&A Course on TCLA as well (the latter is especially helpful because a majority of law firm case studies tend to involve an M&A transaction) Other than that there are some great podcasts you can listen to (linked to a thread on this here), to help you keep up to date on news stories.
Also don't forget that AC invites are extremely difficult to secure and you only make it that far because 1. You've already demonstrated some of the most important qualities they are looking for (including the commercial knowledge) and 2. The firms genuinely want to understand your motivations better. It's all about selling your experiences and the great thing about that is all you have to do is talk about yourself in the best way possible!
Dheepa
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Junior Lawyer 43
- Jan 20, 2019
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This is a tough one. I'd probably focus on some of the more generally known/agreed upon downsides (proofreading hundred page documents, the hours etc.) and after explaining why I wouldn't enjoy them perhaps include why I'd still be attracted to the career regardless.
For example, if I said the hours are the least enjoyable thing, I'd explain that ideally no one would need to work past regular office hours but what would keep me going in those situations is the knowledge that those hours are required for the kind of cross-border (cross time zone!), complex work I want to be apart of. That and the knowledge that I'd be surrounded by my team whose company would make the hours far more enjoyable or bearable at the very least!
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This is a really interesting one.
The general advice I've seen is to always make these answers sound like a positive - you could perhaps talk about the amount time that lawyers still need to spend on process-based work such as due-diligence, proofreading, and admin; this means less time is spent on interesting tasks such as providing sound, legal judgement. However, you could then add that AI is slowly changing the legal landscape so that these situations are a problem of the past.
I think something like this brings in your commercial awareness and shows you understand what limitations lawyers face.
Good luck!
- Feb 17, 2018
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I think so. I’ve never seen so many gifs in my lifetime.
Definitely need to add a new badge/ranking for number of gifs used! Haha.
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