2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[SouffléSouffléSoufflé]

Mishcon de Reya have started sending out video interview invites. (I just received one and I sent my application off on the 20th of October).

 

[LS12]

Has anyone heard from NRF?

 

[Veep9]

On a side note, does anyone know how long it takes to hear back from Reed Smith after completing the SST?

I heard in a week but I get the definite feeling that they're progressing people in batches.

 

[Manifesting]

Hello Guys,

I have been invited to complete the Reed Smith SST online test.
I have never done an SST test before, could you give some tips or online resources?
Thank you in advance

Hey hey!

• You can do a practice SST here: https://practice.cappassessments.com/Sst/Sst.html
• From my understanding an SST is different from a SJT because questions set out to also evaluate different strengths. So I think that multiple answers can be "right" because the test is looking at what your strengths are.
• Honestly, I found the Reed Smith SST to be kind of frustrating because it was really hard (for me) to rank the statements they give. Some of the statements felt pretty different from others and I found it so much harder for justifying why I ranked a response second and not third. That said, I failed lots of SJTs this cycle and miraculously passed this SST, so in retrospect it wasn't that bad. So my advice if you feel confused during the test is to not panic and take all the time you need!
• After doing the test you get a report on 3 of my strengths and I felt that they really were spot on for me, which was nice.

 

[Manifesting]

Has anyone got any tips for the Reed Smith research questions?

I have tips for this too!

• When you do research for the questions, say what your sources are! GR mentioned this for applicants to do at their Open Day. So if you mention something The Lawyer published, say the name of the publication in your writing. (I don't do this in other applications, but Reed Smith wants this level of detail.)
• The firm also loves hearing evidence and backing for everything you say. So make sure you back up any qualities and competencies you write with an example. The firm really promotes a strength-based recruitment approach, so perhaps you could reflect on those before you commence your writing. Look up some of @Alice G's advice for evidence on this on this forum.
• The questions will be evaluated on the basis of research, analysis, and commercial awareness skills. So keep that in mind when writing!
• When you do essays on a timed basis (i.e. the 5-day deadline), it might help you to break down your work and give yourself goals for each day and plan enough time to send your answers to friends/relatives/TCLA, etc.

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

Has anyone heard from Kirkland & Ellis after VI?

 

[Celestie]

For Reed Smith "What are your main activities or interests outside of your study or work-life?" I have listed what I have done with societies on campus in my first, second and third year as well as my part-time jobs. @Jessica Booker is this the right approach? How did everyone else approach this?

 

[SLKEJRWOI97]

For Reed Smith "What are your main activities or interests outside of your study or work-life?" I have listed what I have done with societies on campus in my first, second and third year as well as my part-time jobs. @Jessica Booker is this the right approach? How did everyone else approach this?

hey! I did this too. I just listed each PoR. I read somewhere on the forum that this part actually isn’t assessed so don’t worry about it too much.

 

[SLKEJRWOI97]

Hi guys. I was wondering if anyone has any general advice for Dechert's video interview? Many thanks in advance

Congratulations on getting to VI!

im thinking of applying for spring but not sure if it’s too late. when did you apply?

 

[Jony]

Congratulations on getting to VI!

im thinking of applying for spring but not sure if it’s too late. when did you apply?

I just sent in my spring application today. Go for it!

 

[Celestie]

hey! I did this too. I just listed each PoR. I read somewhere on the forum that this part actually isn’t assessed so don’t worry about it too much.

Thank you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

For Reed Smith "What are your main activities or interests outside of your study or work-life?" I have listed what I have done with societies on campus in my first, second and third year as well as my part-time jobs. @Jessica Booker is this the right approach? How did everyone else approach this?

the part time jobs would technically be work-life but it’s ok to include them if you haven’t covered them in your work experience section (I just would focus on how often you work/shift patterns/how many hours a week etc).

 

[202023r]

Hi guys. I was wondering if anyone has any general advice for Dechert's video interview? Many thanks in advance

Congrats on the VI! Did you apply for spring or summer?

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Hi guys, does anyone know if Latham is using a sector-approach or the traditional practice-area focused model?

 

[Manifesting]

Hi guys, does anyone know if Latham is using a sector-approach or the traditional practice-area focused model?

Hey! I don't have a definitive answer but based on what I have seen, Latham uses both approaches. For example, you can do a seat and qualify into a department called Entertainment, Sports & Media, where you do things that are sector-focused in various capacities. But equally you could join Private Equity, which would cover a wide range of industries but probably entails similar type of work day-to-day. If you take a look at how they name their practices (https://www.lw.com/practices), it looks like there is a good mix of both approaches.

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Hey! I don't have a definitive answer but based on what I have seen, Latham uses both approaches. For example, you can do a seat and qualify into a department called Entertainment, Sports & Media, where you do things that are sector-focused in various capacities. But equally you could join Private Equity, which would cover a wide range of industries but probably entails similar type of work day-to-day. If you take a look at how they name their practices (https://www.lw.com/practices), it looks like there is a good mix of both approaches.

Thank you! That seems to be the impression I got as well but I do remember someone mentioning that they use a sector approach now. So just wanted to get some clarifications!

 

[ANM]

I got invited for an interview!

Well done! When did you send off your application?

 

[MZ]

Hey guys, I know it's quite late in the application cycle but I'm not sure how to approach this question: "What types of innovation will drive growth at Taylor Wessing?" on the TW app. I'm probably overthinking it, but I can think of 3 different ways to interpret the phrase "types of innovation" in this question and I don't know which one is best/closest to what they're looking for:
1. Types of innovation as in specific types of AI/technology, like predictive coding or machine learning technology.
2. Different areas of innovation as in new technology in different sectors, like recent innovation in the healthcare sector.
3. Types of innovation in a less literal/more descriptive sense, as in "innovation that caters to x need" or "innovation that is based on extensive research of client needs" to illustrate the type of commercial knowledge and client-centric mindset needed to drive successful innovation and the firm's growth.

Option 1 makes the most sense intuitively but something about the way the question is worded is throwing me off a bit, so it would be really helpful to hear how you guys would approach this

 

[corplaw0702]

Any tips for Weil VI?

 

[Helpme12345]

First PFO of the cycle! Hogan Lovells summer vac, pretty disheartening as I got to the AC last time