2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Alisha S]

anyone else heard from DWF? Wondering if they’ve starting to get through the applications (saw one VI invite)

 

[ab1147]

What a successful day for so many people! Congrats everyone!

Just wondering if anyone has heard back from SPB (post VI), Kennedys (post SST) or Hill Dickinson (post WG) ?

Haven't heard back from either kennedys or hill dickinson post tests!

 

[LegalNim]

anyone else heard from DWF? Wondering if they’ve starting to get through the applications (saw one VI invite)

Still haven't heard back from 2018-19 cycle

 

[Cardiff law grad]

Hi, congratulations.
Sorry this isn’t relevant, but I’m presuming that Gateley is recruiting on a rolling basis, seen as though their deadline is the 8th Feb?
I’ve been trying to find out if they are rolling or not.

I don't think they are recruiting on a rolling basis, I was asking about the AC which was supposed to take place last year lol (thx miss rona ;p)

 

[rose63]

just recieved eversheds VI for London does anyone have any tips and pointers for this?

I’d just say make sure you have examples of competencies! Hard to say more without saying the actual questions. Also the usual pointers - have a plain background, dress smartly like an in person interview, and look at the camera rather than the screen.

 

[M0723]

I did my CMS VI around 3 weeks ago but haven't heard back - is it unlikely to go forward at this point? (i know people who have finished their ACs and gotten vacation scheme offers)

I'm in the same boat too. Which office did you apply for?

 

[M0723]

Has anyone heard from shearman? Feel like I haven’t seen anyone received an invite or offer in the past week or so

Still waiting on them as well

 

[M0723]

Has anyone heard back from Sidley?

 

[Lumree]

Is cvmail down for anyone?

 

[Naomi U]

I'm hoping for some advice about an AC presentation I have coming up. The firm has given a totally free reign on topic choice other than it should be of interest to me, and it "does not have to be a legal topic, however it must link to legal implications or the legal sector". I have four years' work experience in PR, so I'm wondering if doing my presentation about PR issues would be a good idea? It's an area that I know a lot about, but I'm really wary of pigeon holing myself too much and making it look like I don't have any other interests/anything else to offer the firm, other than my background in PR.
I also previously worked in cyber security, so that's another option, and might be a bit more relevant and show more commercial awareness?
I'd be really grateful for any advice!

Hiya,

Congratulations on your upcoming AC!

I think if that's an area of interest then there is no harm in talking about either. Naturally, I'm sure your experiences in PR will be a big talking point after 4 years in the sector so I don't think you will be pigeon holing yourself.

Instead I think the focus here is to really emphasis the links to the legal industry to demonstrate how your interests merge and to show that you are able to combine and adapt your knowledge and skills. I would choose by deciding which is the most affected area right now - arguably this may be cyber security due to the increased reliance on technology and remote working brought on by COVID.

Hope this helps & best of luck ☺️

 

[Andrew M]

Still haven't heard back from 2018-19 cycle

It's not a no until you get that email 😁

 

[packhorse]

Can anyone recommend any platforms to stay commercially aware of specific sectors? Other than the FT, I struggle to find a platform specifically geared towards giving updates/comments on current trends about a certain industry/industries. I am mainly interested in energy and shipping. Thanks

100% Watson's daily ! It's honestly all you need for commercial awareness stuff imo

 

[LegalNim]

It's not a no until you get that email 😁

Forever hopeful hahaha. TBF I did email one firm MONTHS after I'd applied, well into the next recruitment cycle, asking if I could get an answer just so I could reapply (the system wouldn't let me apply with a live application still running) and they turned around and offered me an interview. Anything's possible.

 

[JayC]

This might be a silly question, but what happens if you miss the phone call with the results from your AC? The main reason I ask this is because I have a bad habit of waking up rather late... morning phone calls would likely go unanswered...

 

[kls]

Invitation for Stevenson Harwood’s critical thinking test! Applied on 30th Jan.

Congrats! Was it a vac scheme you applied for?

 

[Jacob Miller]

Bit of a wierd q - but for virtual interviews would it be okay to wear large over the ear headphones (mine are light pink ahah) I don't currently have my usual wired ones which I feel look slightly more professional and I don't own airpods

Folk have been wearing all sorts so I wouldn't worry too much. Personally I bought an external USB microphone which sits on my desk out of shot of my webcam, and I just let audio run out of my main speakers. Mic wasn't super expensive, like £40 tops

Photo of my setup:



Edit: Yes, that is ABBA on my Spotify. Yes, you better believe I was dancing.

 

[MzM]

This might be a silly question, but what happens if you miss the phone call with the results from your AC? The main reason I ask this is because I have a bad habit of waking up rather late... morning phone calls would likely go unanswered...

I think they would leave a voicemail!

 

[Taylah]

Does anyone have any insight or advice regarding Gowling AC? I have an AC coming up on Thursday 😟

 

[jan28]

This might be a silly question, but what happens if you miss the phone call with the results from your AC? The main reason I ask this is because I have a bad habit of waking up rather late... morning phone calls would likely go unanswered...

I missed mine once and they emailed me! On the other hand, I got woken up at around half 9 another time by a good ol' morning rejection and I wish I'd slept through that lol

 

[Naomi U]

Are people wearing suit jackets during their AC/interviews? I am curious what others have been doing or have observed. I do recognise that the standard is formal attire for an interview. However, anecdotally I've heard of some partners suggesting that candidates could lose their tie or were themselves dressed very informally.

Hiya

It depends on if this is explicitly mentioned by grad recruitment. My personal approach is that its always better to be overdressed than under dressed. As you mentioned, worst case is that they tell you to loosen your tie, but I think that is simply to make you more relaxed and comfortable. I probably wouldn't look too deeply into what the interviewers themselves are wearing as its often that they have multiple things going on that day besides the interview.

I think you can never really be too overdressed, if anything it shows thought and effort and so I don't think its something to be looked down upon.

Hope this helps ☺️