2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Ricky]

I am doing a Dechert application and their last question is "If applicable please state any additional information which you think is relevant to your application or which you think has not been covered adequately in this form". What do they expect to see in this section and is it ok to leave it blank?

100% use it to expand on the other answers etc. Make every word count.

 

[FeuxFollets20]

No, I submitted my application today but the confirmation email doesn’t say anything about an online test. Also based on earlier responses it’s seems like there isn’t a set time between when you receive the online test (one response said a day after, another said three weeks). Not sure if this means that the online test is an additional stage of the application as opposed to being part of the initial written application stage.

Looks like we'll just need to be patient then! If it's not automatic it should be an additional stage!

 

[Lawbour]

For an AC interview, is it a good idea to draw on different competency / why commercial law examples than I used in my initial application?

You should be fine sticking with what you had in your application as long as you expand on the reasoning

 

[rose63]

Had a rejection from Burges Salmon for their summer VS, but the email said to apply for their TC. I’m not sure how I could make my application better to apply again - how can I know where I’ve gone wrong?

 

[Jhn222]

Hi everyone! Just a quick question:

Has anyone heard back from Bird & Bird re the Summer Vac (feel like a broken record now🤣)

 

[Naomi U]

Hi guys, for the Reed Smith application the question that asks what are your main activities and interests outside study/work-life is it okay to include the career societies that I am a part of at University. Especially if they are finance/law related. Or are they looking for interests like music/sport etc. Thanks!

Hi @Jot Soor
I don't think there is a particular answer they are looking for here. I think questions likes these are to get a feel for your character and personality, so don't feel like you have to put finance and law related hobbies if these aren't your preferred options. Or simply you could put a mixture of both- I think this helps demonstrate that you are well-rounded.

Hope this helps

 

[OB]

Random question:

Is anyone aware of any grad jobs which are legal related but not TCs per se? E.g. I was looking at the Farfetch legal graduate scheme but its now disappeared offline haha

 

[Jacob Miller]

Random question:

Is anyone aware of any grad jobs which are legal related but not TCs per se? E.g. I was looking at the Farfetch legal graduate scheme but its now disappeared offline haha

Don't know of any schemes per se but I could never work at Farfetch because if I got a staff discount my entire salary would evaporate within about 2 hours of getting paid.

 

[Naomi U]

For an AC interview, is it a good idea to draw on different competency / why commercial law examples than I used in my initial application?

Hi @rob29

I think this is fine, but I wouldn't depart too much from my why law answer. I think this question is often asked for you to expand on the answer and themes you raised in your application. So I would approach this from an expansive point rather than diverting from your initial statement. I think for competency examples this is less of an issue.

Hope this helps ☺️

 

[I.Like.UFOs.Not.PFOs]

Random question:

Is anyone aware of any grad jobs which are legal related but not TCs per se? E.g. I was looking at the Farfetch legal graduate scheme but its now disappeared offline haha

Hi are you referring to this?😊

Legal - Graduate job with FARFETCH Group | 153537

and take on new challenges Available to start in July 2021! REWARDS & BENEFITS FARFETCH Equity plan Annual discretionary bonus Flexible benefits - ...

www.businessoffashion.com

 

[Nkechi Emodi]

Has anyone applied to CRS? Having trouble finding a thread for it here. This question, which is 250 words, is a tricky one, especially as they want you to focus on *one* thing. Any one have any advice?

"If you were given the opportunity to change one thing at Charles Russell Speechlys, what would you change and why?"

Hi,
I am applying to CRS and I was thinking about writing about them utilising their social media platforms a bit more. I also spoke to an associate and he said another thing could be changing the perception of the firm since most people associate it with just Private Client work when they have a full-service offering and expertise in other areas like Corporate and Sports.
There's also a post on Instagram by @whatthelawyer that has suggestions on how to answer this question so you can also take a look at that if you want.

 

[Naomi U]

Hi! For the application question, “what is one thing you would change about our firm and why”, is it risky to mention wanting to see an improvement in diversity and inclusion? I wanted to begin the answer by acknowledging what the firm has started doing, but that their statistics indicate that they really have a long way to go. Furthermore I would mention the benefits of the firm incorporating more D+I. However, I’m not sure if I should instead focus on a more purely “commercial answer” (e.g. expansion to different countries etc).
Thank you 😊

Hi @N123

I think this is a great point as I think the focus here is on your understanding of the firm's goals and culture generally. Diversity & Inclusion is a key focal point in the legal industry right now, so it is worth a mention if you personally feel that this is indeed an area the firm can and should improve on. Also, I probably would be less likely to talk about a commercial answer because I think is more to do with strategy rather than the firm as a whole. This is unless the commercial answer is something you have identified would benefit the firm in a specific way that they are presently lacking in.

Hope this helps ☺️

 

[I.Like.UFOs.Not.PFOs]

Hi @N123

I think this is a great point as I think the focus here is on your understanding of the firm's goals and culture generally. Diversity & Inclusion is a key focal point in the legal industry right now, so it is worth a mention if you personally feel that this is indeed an area the firm can and should improve on. Also, I probably would be less likely to talk about a commercial answer because I think is more to do with strategy rather than the firm as a whole. This is unless the commercial answer is something you have identified would benefit the firm in a specific way that they are presently lacking in.

Hope this helps ☺️

Wow thank you! This is really helpful🤗

 

[Naomi U]

I am doing a Dechert application and their last question is "If applicable please state any additional information which you think is relevant to your application or which you think has not been covered adequately in this form". What do they expect to see in this section and is it ok to leave it blank?

I think this is dependent on the nature of the questions you have already answered. Perhaps you could use it to explain some of your experiences (legal, uni related, extra-curricular) and subsequent skills in further detail if you were only able to mention this in brief.

Hope this helps

 

[Naomi U]

Had a rejection from Burges Salmon for their summer VS, but the email said to apply for their TC. I’m not sure how I could make my application better to apply again - how can I know where I’ve gone wrong?

Hi @hannahs

Sorry to hear!
Maybe try to get in contact with grad rec for some feedback. If not, sometimes it might just be an intake preference. In this case, I think it would be worth to just update your application with any new events, skills or experiences you have during the break.

Best of luck for your future application!

 

[OB]

Hi are you referring to this?😊

Legal - Graduate job with FARFETCH Group | 153537

and take on new challenges Available to start in July 2021! REWARDS & BENEFITS FARFETCH Equity plan Annual discretionary bonus Flexible benefits - ...

www.businessoffashion.com

Yeah, when you click through it says the position has been removed 😣

 

[Monkeyray]

Hi @rob29

I think this is fine, but I wouldn't depart too much from my why law answer. I think this question is often asked for you to expand on the answer and themes you raised in your application. So I would approach this from an expansive point rather than diverting from your initial statement. I think for competency examples this is less of an issue.

Hope this helps ☺️

Thank you, that's really helpful

 

[JayC]

I realised that CVmail has a sneaky question embedded in the education section asking where you intend to take the GDL/LPC and I filled it in ages ago and never changed it for subsequent applications. I put that I would take at BPP, so I'm wondering for those firms where they want to send you somewhere else like the University of Law, might I be disqualified for lack of attention to detail? :/

 

[Legalmel_99]

Has anyone been PFO by Clyde&co Manchester office?

 

[layla rose]

I realised that CVmail has a sneaky question embedded in the education section asking where you intend to take the GDL/LPC and I filled it in ages ago and never changed it for subsequent applications. I put that I would take at BPP, so I'm wondering for those firms where they want to send you somewhere else like the University of Law, might I be disqualified for lack of attention to detail? :/

I actually don’t fill that out even where it says intend to take and I’ve been fine progressing apps so I wouldn’t worry too much