2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[sabma]

Unfortunately, I cannot afford the JobTestPrep - its really expensive and oddly priced. Does anyone know any good free websites?

If you're still in uni, check to see if you can get a free membership through your Careers Service. Thats how I got mine!
Some of my friends also split membership between them but that wasn't an option for me.

 

[syw]

Invite to dentons AC for summer scheme!!!

That's great, well done! Do you know what you scored on the WG to pass to next stage?

 

[lawgirl1234]

Unfortunately, I cannot afford the JobTestPrep - its really expensive and oddly priced. Does anyone know any good free websites?

As someone has already said, it's definitely worth contacting your uni (even if you're a graduate) as their careers service should have a variety of practice tests including WG, SJT etc.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone have any good WG cheat sheets or any recommendations of where to find them?
Every Pearson practice test seems to do me over however I have passed firms like CC. Getting a bit frustrated.

Watson Glaser:

• https://www.assessmentday.co.uk/watson-glaser-critical-thinking.htm
• http://www.linklatersgraduates.co.uk/application-process/critical-thinking-test
• https://www.assessmentday.co.uk/watson-glaser-critical-thinking.htm
• https://www.assessmentcentrehq.com/watson-glaser-practice-test/

Completely agree about contacting your careers service - a lot of them have subscriptions to sites like JobTest that they can provide to you. A lot of careers services are providing access to their services for at least three years post graduation now too (many at least 5 years and some even for a lifetime).

 

[Dheepa]

In their VS application form, Dentons asks if you've ever applied to them before and "if unsuccessful please include details of how you have developed since." I was unsuccessful for the 2022 direct training contract application, which was obviously quite recent so I haven't had much time to "develop." I've made a big effort to improve my standard of applications through TCLA, attending commercial awareness webinars etc, but is that appropriate to put on the form?

Attending webinars on TCLA is more than appropriate to put in the form. I think really anything you've done at all counts even if it's something simple. The key thing is to really explain what you learnt from everything you did and why you think it makes you a better applicant!

 

[33c]

Have just checked my Dentons portal and realised that I was assigned the WG test (deadline tomorrow) but never received an email about it! Would urge everyone else who is yet to hear back to check the portal

 

[Dheepa]

Does anyone have any good WG cheat sheets or any recommendations of where to find them?
Every Pearson practice test seems to do me over however I have passed firms like CC. Getting a bit frustrated.

Do you have any friends that you can share the subscription with? I agree that the price is borderline extortionate, but I split it between three other people and that made it way more affordable!

 

[Legal_rawn]

Am i correct in thinking that K&E require a cover letter and have application questions? Just want to check because the cover letter says to include why them but they also have a separate question asking that. Thanks!

 

[Dheepa]

Am i correct in thinking that K&E require a cover letter and have application questions? Just want to check because the cover letter says to include why them but they also have a separate question asking that. Thanks!

Yes! K&E require both a CL and some questions. I think the area where people get confused is the overlap between the "Why do you want to be a transactional lawyer at Kirkland & Ellis" question and the cover letter. From what I've seen I think most applicants tend to include more general reasons on why K&E in their CL (like their culture/opportunities they offer) while they use the transactional lawyer question to explain things like why they're attracted specifically to the PE work that K&E does.

 

[ZaraB]

Completely agree about using JobTestPrep to prep for WG's. I used to fail WG's, but this application season I got confident in my answers because of the explanations given about why I went wrong. I then made a list of common mistakes to watch out for and honestly think that this is the only resource that helped me pass the Bird & Bird WG, best resource I have used so far.

 

[Celestie]

Unfortunately, I don't have anyone to share it and checked my unis services. So, if anyone has notes from the JobTestPrep one they wouldn't mind sharing, that would be greatly appreciated!

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

The questions for Morrison & Foerster don't have any word limits. Do you think I should still try and keep my answers roughly 250-400 words?

 

[Celestie]

The questions for Morrison & Foerster don't have any word limits. Do you think I should still try and keep my answers roughly 250-400 words?

I met the grad red a couple months ago and they said its part of the test to see how much you write. I recommend not going above 350.

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

I met the grad red a couple months ago and they said its part of the test to see how much you write. I recommend not going above 350.

Makes sense tysm!

 

[dosblancos7]

Hi! i was invited to a VI for a firm's SVS, and they use LaunchPad. LaunchPad have told me to install the latest flash player but this isn't possible due to Adobe phasing it from today onwards. Any tips on what to do?

 

[Celestie]

Out of curiosity, how long are/were people's White & Case cover letter? Mine is currently sat at 600 which feels rather long

 

[Jessica Booker]

Out of curiosity, how long are/were people's White & Case cover letter? Mine is currently sat at 650 which feels rather long.

Usually see them around 750 words so that is fine

 

[Celestie]

Usually see them around 750 words so that is fine

Thank you! Thought I would spend the entire evening editing and trimming but now I can spend it on Netflix instead ahaha

 

[Lauren]

Thank you! Thought I would spend the entire evening editing and trimming but now I can spend it on Netflix instead ahaha

Mine is currently at 850, should this be cut down further?

 

[bzheng]

Out of curiosity, how long are/were people's White & Case cover letter? Mine is currently sat at 600 which feels rather long

I reached final interview stage last year for the vac scheme and mine was 1242 words - in hindsight very long - but I think it depends on the quality of what you're writing so don't worry if you think it's too long if what you write is strong and tailored