2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[MizM]

Guys, I need to share this with someone. I've been offered a vacation scheme place at one of the most elite firms in the City. I actually can't believe this has happened. I come from a low socio-economic class and have had so many obstacles to overcome throughout my life. But, I must say, I was an absolute beast in the interview. I answered everything they threw at me. I felt like, at that moment, I could have achieved anything. They told me I was "one of the best candidates" they'd ever interviewed. It's taken me ages to process all of this and share it with anyone. I haven't told my friends yet, only my immediate family knows.

Please note, I don't intend for this post to be boastful or anything of that sort.

I want to share one thing with everyone - do not try to be anyone else, be only yourself.

I do not consider myself to be special in any way, or to have any particular talents. But, I work bloody hard, and if I don't know something, I will do everything I can to get the answer. I do not give up.

I want all of you who doubt yourself to know that; you've got this! It's in your hands. You can't control everything. Worry about the things you can and prepare to the fullest.

I hope that this has inspired some people and that you realise, it's not a competition with others, it's a competition with yourself. Better yourself each day.

Big hugs to everyone! Much love!

This really resonates with me. I am from a similar background in that my family was made homeless around 8 years ago. This also coincided with failing me my a levels. But I stuck at it, gave it my all. I had a TC interview with Slaughter and May in October which unfortunately didn’t go my way. I was obviously devastated but I haven't given up. I am yet to find a VS or a TC but I genuinely believe that I will find one eventually. I simply will not stop until I find one. Even if it takes me 10+ years - I’ll keep going for it. Success stories keep you motivated so thanks so much for sharing. Well done on securing your VS. Keep smashing it!!

 

[cmaj]

Guys, I need to share this with someone. I've been offered a vacation scheme place at one of the most elite firms in the City. I actually can't believe this has happened. I come from a low socio-economic class and have had so many obstacles to overcome throughout my life. But, I must say, I was an absolute beast in the interview. I answered everything they threw at me. I felt like, at that moment, I could have achieved anything. They told me I was "one of the best candidates" they'd ever interviewed. It's taken me ages to process all of this and share it with anyone. I haven't told my friends yet, only my immediate family knows.

Please note, I don't intend for this post to be boastful or anything of that sort.

I want to share one thing with everyone - do not try to be anyone else, be only yourself.

I do not consider myself to be special in any way, or to have any particular talents. But, I work bloody hard, and if I don't know something, I will do everything I can to get the answer. I do not give up.

I want all of you who doubt yourself to know that; you've got this! It's in your hands. You can't control everything. Worry about the things you can and prepare to the fullest.

I hope that this has inspired some people and that you realise, it's not a competition with others, it's a competition with yourself. Better yourself each day.

Big hugs to everyone! Much love!

I LOVE THIS!!!!!! Huge huge congratulations!!!!!!! You’ve done AMAZINGLY and you are amazing!!!!! If you keep trying, you will always get there as you slowly improve day by day. What an inspiration you are, congrats once again. Now take some time to slow down, process what’s happened and celebrate!

 

[Alice G]

Guys, I need to share this with someone. I've been offered a vacation scheme place at one of the most elite firms in the City. I actually can't believe this has happened. I come from a low socio-economic class and have had so many obstacles to overcome throughout my life. But, I must say, I was an absolute beast in the interview. I answered everything they threw at me. I felt like, at that moment, I could have achieved anything. They told me I was "one of the best candidates" they'd ever interviewed. It's taken me ages to process all of this and share it with anyone. I haven't told my friends yet, only my immediate family knows.

Please note, I don't intend for this post to be boastful or anything of that sort.

I want to share one thing with everyone - do not try to be anyone else, be only yourself.

I do not consider myself to be special in any way, or to have any particular talents. But, I work bloody hard, and if I don't know something, I will do everything I can to get the answer. I do not give up.

I want all of you who doubt yourself to know that; you've got this! It's in your hands. You can't control everything. Worry about the things you can and prepare to the fullest.

I hope that this has inspired some people and that you realise, it's not a competition with others, it's a competition with yourself. Better yourself each day.

Big hugs to everyone! Much love!

I love 'it's not a competition with others, it's a competition with yourself' - that is so true! Congratulations and thank you for sharing some excellent advice there too!

 

[E.A]

Guys, I need to share this with someone. I've been offered a vacation scheme place at one of the most elite firms in the City. I actually can't believe this has happened. I come from a low socio-economic class and have had so many obstacles to overcome throughout my life. But, I must say, I was an absolute beast in the interview. I answered everything they threw at me. I felt like, at that moment, I could have achieved anything. They told me I was "one of the best candidates" they'd ever interviewed. It's taken me ages to process all of this and share it with anyone. I haven't told my friends yet, only my immediate family knows.

Please note, I don't intend for this post to be boastful or anything of that sort.

I want to share one thing with everyone - do not try to be anyone else, be only yourself.

I do not consider myself to be special in any way, or to have any particular talents. But, I work bloody hard, and if I don't know something, I will do everything I can to get the answer. I do not give up.

I want all of you who doubt yourself to know that; you've got this! It's in your hands. You can't control everything. Worry about the things you can and prepare to the fullest.

I hope that this has inspired some people and that you realise, it's not a competition with others, it's a competition with yourself. Better yourself each day.

Big hugs to everyone! Much love!

This is what I like reading on a Monday morning!!! Absolutely amazing. Huge congratulations!

 

[Andrew M]

Guys, I'm feeling positive about this week. Good luck with all of your applications!

 

[studentgirl]

Has anyone heard from Taylor Wessing, Macfarlanes or BCLP?

No - I did the games based assessment for Taylor Wessing but haven’t heard back since.

 

[mpongo]

Do you know of any firms on the top of your head that use Forage? Just out of curiosity

I would say that a general rule is, the bigger the vac scheme (of trainee intake) the more likely it is that grad rec have chosen the forage option.
Clifford Chance, Slaughter and May, Latham & Watkins, White & Case, Linklaters, to name a few.

 

[J32]

Guys, I need to share this with someone. I've been offered a vacation scheme place at one of the most elite firms in the City. I actually can't believe this has happened. I come from a low socio-economic class and have had so many obstacles to overcome throughout my life. But, I must say, I was an absolute beast in the interview. I answered everything they threw at me. I felt like, at that moment, I could have achieved anything. They told me I was "one of the best candidates" they'd ever interviewed. It's taken me ages to process all of this and share it with anyone. I haven't told my friends yet, only my immediate family knows.

Please note, I don't intend for this post to be boastful or anything of that sort.

I want to share one thing with everyone - do not try to be anyone else, be only yourself.

I do not consider myself to be special in any way, or to have any particular talents. But, I work bloody hard, and if I don't know something, I will do everything I can to get the answer. I do not give up.

I want all of you who doubt yourself to know that; you've got this! It's in your hands. You can't control everything. Worry about the things you can and prepare to the fullest.

I hope that this has inspired some people and that you realise, it's not a competition with others, it's a competition with yourself. Better yourself each day.

Big hugs to everyone! Much love!

Congratulations! I love hearing stories like this, particularly the realisation that this process is a competition with yourself

 

[Rob93]

I would say that a general rule is, the bigger the vac scheme (of trainee intake) the more likely it is that grad rec have chosen the forage option.
Clifford Chance, Slaughter and May, Latham & Watkins, White & Case, Linklaters, to name a few.

Correct me if I'm missing something, but as I understand it the Forage/InsideSherpa programmes produced by each of those firms are completely separate from their actual vac schemes. The Forage activities involve no application and are freely accessible to give potential applicants a flavour of what the firm or a particular practice area are all about. The vac schemes run by those firms, albeit 'virtual' because they are being done remotely this year, are to the best of my knowledge still substantively similar to vac schemes in previous years w/r/t exposure to actual work etc.

 

[NikkiT]

I think that's a difficult one to answer because firms don't tend to have a set % to pass ie it's not like if a candidate gets 30 or above correct out of 40 they have passed. Firms seem to base it on a % based against how others who took the same questions did.

Last year I failed every online test I completed and I'd practiced for hours. However, this year I seem to have passed everyone so I think for me it really just took lots of practice and evaluating the reasoning behind each answer. Having said that, when I last completed the two full tests on JobTestPrep I got 36/40 and 35/40 and I scored in 76% for Hogan Lovells WG and was told I passed. Hope that helps in some way

Also just to add - I noticed this year that you're asked more questions on assumptions and evaluating arguments, so I prioritised practicing these ones.

Hi Flora,

How did you find out your score of the Hogan Lovells WG?

 

[MaG123]

I've also not heard from Mishcon de Reya post VI. I completed mine on the 22nd December.

Hey! I was wondering if you have any insight on the VI? and any tips?
Hope you hear back asap!!

 

[E.A]

Hi Flora,

How did you find out your score of the Hogan Lovells WG?

You can ask grad rec for your score - I did that too

 

[mpongo]

Correct me if I'm missing something, but as I understand it the Forage/InsideSherpa programmes produced by each of those firms are completely separate from their actual vac schemes. The Forage activities involve no application and are freely accessible to give potential applicants a flavour of what the firm or a particular practice area are all about. The vac schemes run by those firms, albeit 'virtual' because they are being done remotely this year, are to the best of my knowledge still substantively similar to vac schemes in previous years w/r/t exposure to actual work etc.

I am afraid I am going to have to correct you.

I've done vac schemes with three of the companies in that list, and can confirm that you do not do real firm work. You do the exact same kind of work that is available on their 'freely available' 'internships'. This is exactly why I was saying that for me, they were a bit of a waste of time. In essence, they are a week/two week long open day rather than a vac scheme.

 

[Bugsy Malone]

Hi Flora,

How did you find out your score of the Hogan Lovells WG?

Hey Nikki - I emailed grad rec last week asking for the report

 

[Daniel Boden]

Guys, I need to share this with someone. I've been offered a vacation scheme place at one of the most elite firms in the City. I actually can't believe this has happened. I come from a low socio-economic class and have had so many obstacles to overcome throughout my life. But, I must say, I was an absolute beast in the interview. I answered everything they threw at me. I felt like, at that moment, I could have achieved anything. They told me I was "one of the best candidates" they'd ever interviewed. It's taken me ages to process all of this and share it with anyone. I haven't told my friends yet, only my immediate family knows.

Please note, I don't intend for this post to be boastful or anything of that sort.

I want to share one thing with everyone - do not try to be anyone else, be only yourself.

I do not consider myself to be special in any way, or to have any particular talents. But, I work bloody hard, and if I don't know something, I will do everything I can to get the answer. I do not give up.

I want all of you who doubt yourself to know that; you've got this! It's in your hands. You can't control everything. Worry about the things you can and prepare to the fullest.

I hope that this has inspired some people and that you realise, it's not a competition with others, it's a competition with yourself. Better yourself each day.

Big hugs to everyone! Much love!

This is awesome! What you LOVE to see on a Monday morning! Huge congrats to you and best of luck for the vacation scheme - we're all right behind you

 

[Rob93]

Q regarding those Forage/Inside Sherpa programs people are mentioning.

Is it acceptable to put them in the work experience/history section of an application form?

I know their ‘CV policy’ says you can’t put them in work experience section of a CV but would firms care if you did?

Do firms pay any kind of notice to these virtual programs, esp as they’re freely available for anyone?

I wouldn't put them on a CV, but for application forms I've seen some recruiters say to include them in work experience, all under one entry if you've done more than one. This may vary firm to firm so it's worth checking with grad rec in any instance.

Naturally if you're applying to a firm which has produced its own insight programme it's probably a safe bet to include it if you've done it - just bear in mind they may go off and check your homework.

 

[layla rose]

Has anyone heard back from Simmons & Simmons post VI/ability tests? Thanks

 

[NikkiT]

Hey Nikki - I emailed grad rec last week asking for the report

I didn't realise you were allowed to do this? Have you heard back about getting through to the next stage?

 

[NikkiT]

You can ask grad rec for your score - I did that too

Is this before you hear back? I haven't heard anything since doing the WG test.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Q regarding those Forage/Inside Sherpa programs people are mentioning.

Is it acceptable to put them in the work experience/history section of an application form?

I know their ‘CV policy’ says you can’t put them in work experience section of a CV but would firms care if you did?

Do firms pay any kind of notice to these virtual programs, esp as they’re freely available for anyone?

You can put them in work experience sections if you want to (nothing stopping you) but firms know what they are and so could be seemed as a bit misplaced to do so.

Firms do pay attention to them though - they are better than not having them and show a lot of self drive/motivation to educate yourself about the career which is great. They just shouldn’t be considered more important than jobs where you have to actually turn up at fixed times/dates or to deliver actual work, even if that job is not related to law at all.