2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Gracey]

Since CC has been transparent about recruiting this year - I'm talking priority candidates (penultimate year law and final year non-law);

Did anyone who was a non-priority candidate get invited to an AC at CC for the TC?

I did - I’m a penultimate year non-law student and was successful in securing a TC with CC. Although they have priority candidates, they do say that if your application is good enough they will find a way to consider you even if you don’t fall into the priority group. I know three other non-priority candidates (2/3 are postgrads) who were invited to CC’s AC for the TC as well, so they’re definitely not being discriminatory like I’ve seen people say.

 

[OB]

I did - I’m a penultimate year non-law student and was successful in securing a TC with CC. Although they have priority candidates, they do say that if your application is good enough they will find a way to consider you even if you don’t fall into the priority group. I know three other non-priority candidates (2/3 are postgrads) who were invited to CC’s AC for the TC as well, so they’re definitely not being discriminatory like I’ve seen people say.

Are you implying non-priority candidates’ applications need to be of a better standard than priority candidates?

 

[Gracey]

Are you implying non-priority candidates’ applications need to be of a better standard than priority candidates?

No I’m not implying that at all, I wouldn’t know loool - all I said is if they are impressed by your application, they will find a way to progress you even if you’re not a priority candidate. It’s hard to say what a ‘better standard’ looks like anyway considering their application is based on your personal experiences with no commercial or motivational questions involved. Hope that helps!

 

[Celestie]

No I’m not implying that at all, I wouldn’t know loool - all I said is if they are impressed by your application, they will find a way to progress you even if you’re not a priority candidate. It’s hard to say what a ‘better standard’ looks like anyway considering their application is based on your personal experiences with no commercial or motivational questions involved. Hope that helps!

Well done in your progress! That's an amazing achievement and I have all my fingers crossed for you!!!🥳

On the topic in CC rectuitment:
It doesn't sit well with me that they act as though they're doing you a favour by progressing a non-priroirty candidate who has a great application.

As I said in my original reply, I personally believe TCs should be open to all, rather than targeted.

 

[chromaticaqueen]

Morning frenzzz, was so happy to receive an invite to situational judgement test and video interview for Charles Russell Speechlys yesterday. Anyone else / got any question tips? 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

 

[tk166]

i think unfortunately with any graduate career that pays as much as law does, there will be a huge influx of candidates, and I 100% think law is tending towards a similar process to investment banking where if you didn’t complete a spring week in first year you essentially have no chance...

 

[Jaysen]

i think unfortunately with any graduate career that pays as much as law does, there will be a huge influx of candidates, and I 100% think law is tending towards a similar process to investment banking where if you didn’t complete a spring week in first year you essentially have no chance...

I'm not convinced by this. I do think more firms will want candidates to complete a vacation scheme, because it gives them more data points and requires more investment from candidates. I don't think many firms will adopt CC's approach of strict priority groups.

 

[TChopeful2021]

Does anyone know if it’s okay to change an AC slot via the applicant portal or should we still contact graduate recruitment first?

My AC is in a week and we were given a list of dates to select via Apply4Law. Unfortunately, an unforeseen family emergency has come up today and I might have to reschedule. The link they sent for AC slot selections is still valid and provides the opportunity to amend our slot (the original email also advised for us to select the slot by the 23rd of Feb). Would it be appropriate for me just to do so via the portal without contacting graduate recruitment first? Thanks.

 

[E.A]

No. A lot of firms are not moving to the SQE until 2024 as far as I am aware.

Firms who sponsor the LPC will provide an equivalent sponsorship for the SQE, depending on how they are preferring to train people. Some people are learning on the job, some people are only doing SQE1 before a TC, some firms are saying you have to pass SQE 1 and 2 before starting a TC.

So what will happen to those that have already done the LPC before applying to firms?

 

[GK8997]

Does anyone know if it’s okay to change an AC slot via the applicant portal or should we still contact graduate recruitment first?

My AC is in a week and we were given a list of dates to select via Apply4Law. Unfortunately, an unforeseen family emergency has come up today and I might have to reschedule. The link they sent for AC slot selections is still valid and provides the opportunity to amend our slot (the original email also advised for us to select the slot by the 23rd of Feb). Would it be appropriate for me just to do so via the portal without contacting graduate recruitment first? Thanks.

So I had to change my AC also, I called GR and on the call they mentioned I could change it on the portal and did it for me so I think you can just change it but if you're worried you could always call GR and let them know (shouldn't be an issue as there are still other slots available)!

 

[Celestie]

i think unfortunately with any graduate career that pays as much as law does, there will be a huge influx of candidates, and I 100% think law is tending towards a similar process to investment banking where if you didn’t complete a spring week in first year you essentially have no chance...

This is not true - I have zero law experience, this is my first cycle as as a Non-Law student, and I had no idea about this process until August. I secured a VS about a month ago.

Though the trend of number of applicants is increasing, it is still super doable! Plus, law firms have more character imo than most IB banks, so you can choose places that fit you etc.

 

[E.A]

mayer brown AC summer VS!! so happy! if anyone has any tips i would really appreciate it

Congratulations! May I ask when you had the telephone interview?

 

[GK8997]

So what will happen to those that have already done the LPC before applying to firms?

I've done my LPC and I asked this and they said it won't impact your app because the SQE is only for new applicants- it's like the way firms say they don't really care what electives you take for the LPC if you've already completed it but if they sponsor you, they choose your electives.

 

[Florawilliams]

Congratulations! May I ask when you had the telephone interview?

thank you! i think it was 18th dec (around then)

 

[E.A]

thank you! i think it was 18th dec (around then)

Well done! 🥳

 

[Florawilliams]

Well done! 🥳

thank you so much

 

[M1999]

i think unfortunately with any graduate career that pays as much as law does, there will be a huge influx of candidates, and I 100% think law is tending towards a similar process to investment banking where if you didn’t complete a spring week in first year you essentially have no chance...

Shall I just give up now

 

[tk166]

Shall I just give up now

haha its definitely not at that stage now, as others have stated and from my own experience you can be so successful with no previous experience, so don’t let that get you down!! I just said it as an observation because thats the impression I have of where the recruitment process is heading but its definitely not concrete and theres a very big chance I could be wrong

 

[Dheepa]

i think unfortunately with any graduate career that pays as much as law does, there will be a huge influx of candidates, and I 100% think law is tending towards a similar process to investment banking where if you didn’t complete a spring week in first year you essentially have no chance...

I disagree. If you look at conversion rates following first year schemes for law firms, many people on first year schemes don't actually manage to secure vac schemes. You definitely still have a good chance. I didn't know the first thing about commercial law in first year, didn't do any open days let alone first year schemes, so I really wouldn't see that as a disadvantage in any way.

 

[layla rose]

has anyone heard from AG post VI for the Leeds office? Ive seen some people get VS offers on LinkedIn..