2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Naomi U]

So I asked for feedback on my interview and they said: "we don't have any constructive feedback for you" and then said where I went well etc - how am I meant to improve ahead of the TC interview in the future?

(Im not blowing my own trumpet here, genuinely stuck as I wanna make sure I improve for the next interview but I have nothing to go off)

Hiya,

Congrats on your vacation scheme offer!

In this case, I would just carry on prepping as you did for your initial interview. There is only so much prep you can do for the tc interview ahead of time as a lot of it will be dependent on your experience and performance on the vac scheme. I wouldn't worry too much, it's a positive thing. ☺️

 

[packhorse]

just got a PFO from Watson Farley Williams post-VI

Yep me too!

 

[Luiz1001]

Yep me too!

same!

 

[Celestie]

Hiya,

Congrats on your vacation scheme offer!

In this case, I would just carry on prepping as you did for your initial interview. There is only so much prep you can do for the tc interview ahead of time as a lot of it will be dependent on your experience and performance on the vac scheme. I wouldn't worry too much, it's a positive thing. ☺️

Thank you and thank you @Dheepa! Will definitely think and reflect once I have completed the vac scheme. Might contact you closer to the time on how to do this effectively.

 

[Kopperskjold]

Is it normal for a firm not to share the results of the WG Test? I asked the GR Team from DLA and they were pretty rude about it. I was shocked haha I guess I won't be applying for any positions there again. Such lack of empathy is appealing coming from Human Resources tbh.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Is it too late to apply for firms who recruit on a rolling basis when the app deadline is in 2 days? Don't want to spend time on them if it's going to be a straight rejection regardless

No as I am in the process of doing that

 

[Naomi U]

Thank you and thank you @Dheepa! Will definitely think and reflect once I have completed the vac scheme. Might contact you closer to the time on how to do this effectively.

Sure- no problem! ☺️

 

[Celestie]

Is it normal for a firm not to share the results of the WG Test? I asked the GR Team from DLA and they were pretty rude about it. I was shocked haha I guess I won't be applying for any positions there again. Such lack of empathy is appealing coming from Human Resources tbh.

Thats a bit odd... I think you are legally allowed to ask for it (freedom of info?) but I could be wrong. What did they say?

 

[Andrew M]

Can I just say DLA ghosted me in 2018 for their summer VS app and I still have yet to hear back. 😂

Imagine if you received a "congratulations" email now...

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hi! I am also working on Cooley, and I was wondering how you're tackling the 'tell us about you' question? I'm trying to decide whether to talk about why I'm a 'good fit' for the firm in this answer, or in the 'why does Cooley appeal to you' section.

The good and bad about you question do you mean. I am in the process of submitting their application soon.

 

[Ricky]

Thats a bit odd... I think you are legally allowed to ask for it (freedom of info?) but I could be wrong. What did they say?

Yeah, you can definitely do a subject access request.

 

[LegalNim]

Tried calling Macfarlanes grad rec but no one picked up. Basically for their referees section it says it must be someone from undergraduate degree. Im a non-law grad and completed my GDL. Does anyone know if it’s okay to put down someone from my GDL instead? Thanks

I did last year. My personal tutor and allocated reference from my undergrad no longer work at the uni and my course had been cancelled and no longer runs, so I didn't have an undergrad reference. They said to use my personal tutor from my QLD instead.

 

[Naomi U]

Hey guys, I've got an AC next week and the firm have specified that there is 'no formal dress code'

I always wear a suit for an interview, however, so I'm abit unsure how to dress now. Would you advise wearing a shirt without the tie? I don't want to come across too casual however! Thanks in advance

Hiya,

I would approach virtual interviews as you would a real interview. So dress in the same way you would if you were going into the office. Not only does this help you look professional, I think it also helps get you into the right state of mind. Personally I don't think you can ever be too overdressed ( plus its virtual so you can always minus the shoes!)

Congrats on getting your AC & best of luck! ☺️

 

[Kopperskjold]

Thats a bit odd... I think you are legally allowed to ask for it (freedom of info?) but I could be wrong. What did they say?

It is odd isn't it??

They said:

"Thank you for your email. Unfortunately we do not share the Watson Glaser results with students. The reason for this is because the score is a percentile based on a norm group which may vary from organisation to organisation".

And when I asked if I could know which percentile I was in compared to the norm group, they said:

"Thank you for your response. We do not share the results externally."

Lol that was literally it. I'm guessing she is having a bad day but stilll haha gave me a very unnecesary stomachache

 

[Kopperskjold]

Yeah, you can definitely do a subject access request.

Ohh I have no idea what that is sadly

 

[Andrew M]

Is it normal for a firm not to share the results of the WG Test? I asked the GR Team from DLA and they were pretty rude about it. I was shocked haha I guess I won't be applying for any positions there again. Such lack of empathy is appealing coming from Human Resources tbh.

I believe it's because they don't use a benchmark in the same way that other firms do. Or that's what a couple of others have been told by GR.

You could push them using a FOI, in theory. But I'm not sure it would endear yourself to them if you did that.

 

[Ricky]

Ohh I have no idea what that is sadly

See here https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/your-right-to-get-copies-of-your-data

 

[Kopperskjold]

I believe it's because they don't use a benchmark in the same way that other firms do. Or that's what a couple of others have been told by GR.

You could push them using a FOI, in theory. But I'm not sure it would endear yourself to them if you did that.

I mean, to be completely honest, I wouldn't like to work in a place where GR is so rude. Like if that's the case, what should I expect from the partners in a bad day lol.

But yeah I can't be bothered using a FOI anyway, it's unnecessarily belligerent.

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hey guys, I've got an AC next week and the firm have specified that there is 'no formal dress code'

I always wear a suit for an interview, however, so I'm abit unsure how to dress now. Would you advise wearing a shirt without the tie? I don't want to come across too casual however! Thanks in advance

I'd always be suited and booted for an AC - shirt, tie, jacket, decent haircut too (I end up looking homeless when my hair gets too long so I keep it pretty cropped for ACs haha)

 

[Kopperskjold]

See here https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/your-right-to-get-copies-of-your-data

Ohh I see! Thanks so much!!