2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[els124]

Ugh I recently did an interview for s&m and I think it went well but I felt very informal. I don’t know how to wait through till the result. I hate the anxiety. Any tips on how to deal?

I felt mine was quite informal as well; more of an academic discussion than the grilling I was expecting. But I got an offer from them this morning so 1) hopefully you'll hear really soon as well and 2) just because it felt informal definitely doesn't mean you haven't done well. In fact, I like to think if you manage to build up enough rapport with the interviewer that it feels fairly relaxed, then you've actually done a lot to prove that you're a personable and friendly candidate

 

[Jaysen]

a

Mental Health Tip guys - don't open LinkedIn after reading a PFO email

You might just come across multiple posts regarding people securing TCs & VSs

I just did this and now I feel 10x more pathetic

I've mentioned this a couple of times but turning off LinkedIn notifications has been amazing for me. It stops the mindless scrolling when I can't think of anything better to do.

 

[Sam55]

Just got an invite to interview with Travers for summer VS! If anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it

 

[Tarnjeet]

Here you go! https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....nterviews-tips-and-tricks.2324/#post-27817str

Thank you!

 

[Jaysen]

Just got an invite to interview with Travers for summer VS! If anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it

Well done Sam!

 

[jcatherine]

Just got an invite to interview with Travers for summer VS! If anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it

well done! was that today? I still haven't heard

 

[jcatherine]

If anyone interviewed with Gibson Dunn last Friday, would they mind PM'ing me?
Thanks!

hey I did!

 

[Sam55]

well done! was that today? I still haven't heard

yeah just got called a few minutes ago

 

[hamza alam]

hi has anyone heard back from norton rose after watson glaser? i did it on Friday and haven't heard anything back

 

[Jacob Miller]

Just got an invite to interview with Travers for summer VS! If anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it

Many congratulations!

Some time between now and the weekend, I'll create a thread discussing my experience of the Travers (virtual) VS with some brief tips for conversion. Obviously can't go into particularly specific details of assessments etc but hopefully this will be of help to yourself and others as I've noticed a wee flurry of VS offers from them the last few days.

 

[HopeLaw1997]

Hey all, im new to TCLA and this is my first cycle of applications for VS and TC. I am a non-law graduate from a Russell group uni, and will be starting my MA at University of Law in Sept 21.
As this is my first application cycle, I'm hoping to learn as much as possible so that I can be better prepared for next year and maybe even secure a VS. Whilst i am conscious it may be premature to define what areas of law I aim to pursue at this stage (I am very new to the study of law and its various areas of specialism), I am particularly interested in disputes and in particular white-collar crime.
So far I have applied to 7 firms and have been rejected by 2 (Macfarlanes and BCLP), 2 Video Interview (Simmons and Stephenson Harwood) and 1 AC (Ropes) and am awaiting results from Dechert and Kingsley Napley.

As I now start to prepare for my VI and AC i would love any advice or tips anyone may have for me!

As a non-law grad, I have had various other jobs/experience in non-law industries, and I wonder how best to talk about how my experience has lead me back to a career in law. Previously I was committed to training as a detective and secured a space on a grad scheme with the Met police, but with Covid and time to reflect, I realised my skills are best suited to a career in commercial law. If I spoke about this in interviews, would it make me seem confused or lacking commitment to career choices?

Thanks so much!

 

[Anya B]

Has anyone got any advice for an internal meeting sort of exercise at an assessment center?

 

[Jaysen]

Hey all, im new to TCLA and this is my first cycle of applications for VS and TC. I am a non-law graduate from a Russell group uni, and will be starting my MA at University of Law in Sept 21.
As this is my first application cycle, I'm hoping to learn as much as possible so that I can be better prepared for next year and maybe even secure a VS. Whilst i am conscious it may be premature to define what areas of law I aim to pursue at this stage (I am very new to the study of law and its various areas of specialism), I am particularly interested in disputes and in particular white-collar crime.
So far I have applied to 7 firms and have been rejected by 2 (Macfarlanes and BCLP), 2 Video Interview (Simmons and Stephenson Harwood) and 1 AC (Ropes) and am awaiting results from Dechert and Kingsley Napley.

As I now start to prepare for my VI and AC i would love any advice or tips anyone may have for me!

As a non-law grad, I have had various other jobs/experience in non-law industries, and I wonder how best to talk about how my experience has lead me back to a career in law. Previously I was committed to training as a detective and secured a space on a grad scheme with the Met police, but with Covid and time to reflect, I realised my skills are best suited to a career in commercial law. If I spoke about this in interviews, would it make me seem confused or lacking commitment to career choices?

Thanks so much!

Not at all - you'll be very interesting at interview. One of our members I got to know fairly well was actually a former detective who recently secured a TC with a magic circle firm.

Just be very clear as to why you made the decision to change and move into commercial law. It's completely fine to have different experiences/an unusual background, the key is whether you can convince a law firm that you've deeply thought about the change you are making. If you do this well, I think it's very compelling because career changers are sacrificing a lot to move into commercial law.

Some great threads:

Video interviews - tips and tricks

Hi all, As promised, here are my top tips and tricks for video interviews. Please feel free to add any more below! If I think of any more myself I shall be sure to add them into this thread as well. - Schedule the interview in your diary as you would a face-to-face one and be ready 15 mins...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies! *Monday Article Series*

Apologies - we'll soon put them somewhere where they are easier to find! Legal Analysis: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/case-study-1-legal-analysis.77/ M&A Analysis: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/case-study-2-m-a-analysis.78/ Thank you so much!

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...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[rosie.l]

Is there any point to reapplying (to US firms) after getting rejected at VI stage?

100% - In my first cycle I was rejected from a US firm after VI. Picked myself back up, realised where I went wrong (confidence lol) and managed to get a VS offer from the same firm a year later!

 

[LegalNim]

Hey, I have an interview for it too. How did you find it? Also, do you know if we get it, they'd offer an interview for a TC?

You can't apply to Fieldfisher for their summer scheme and for their TC. If you've applied for the summer scheme this cycle then you can't get a training contract until next year.

 

[HopeLaw1997]

Not at all - you'll be very interesting at interview. One of our members I got to know fairly well was actually a former detective who recently secured a TC with a magic circle firm.

Just be very clear as to why you made the decision to change and move into commercial law. It's completely fine to have different experiences/an unusual background, the key is whether you can convince a law firm that you've deeply thought about the change you are making. If you do this well, I think it's very compelling because career changers are sacrificing a lot to move into commercial law.

Some great threads:

Video interviews - tips and tricks

Hi all, As promised, here are my top tips and tricks for video interviews. Please feel free to add any more below! If I think of any more myself I shall be sure to add them into this thread as well. - Schedule the interview in your diary as you would a face-to-face one and be ready 15 mins...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies! *Monday Article Series*

Apologies - we'll soon put them somewhere where they are easier to find! Legal Analysis: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/case-study-1-legal-analysis.77/ M&A Analysis: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/case-study-2-m-a-analysis.78/ Thank you so much!

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...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Thank you so much for this!!
Ive been reading the threads surrounding interview and AC prep today, and I have to say I feel very intimidated. As someone who is so new, I worry about how in the next week (VI on 2nd March and AC for Ropes on the 4th) I can get my knowledge and commercial awareness up to scratch! Is it best for me to find 2 or 3 stories or topics i find particularly interesting and really learn them so I can talk confidently? Thanks again

 

[layla rose]

I didn’t even know they’d handed out any VI’s yet??? Do you mind me asking when you heard back post app please?

hi yes I heard back end of Jan but heard nothing since submitting it. they are probably still going through apps I imagine!

 

[LegalNim]

Fun fact: This thread now has 1 million page views

Not to burst your bubble but I think 999,999 of these were me haha

 

[layla rose]

how much less competitive is it to apply for city firms regional offices (Leeds/Manchester etc) instead of London?

 

[Maude]

I think this is for their recruitment process outside of early careers. They will email with a rejection if that’s the case (plenty of people have had PFOs this year and I got last year)

Thank you!