2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[packhorse]

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

I won't lie I honestly don't think that this is that rude. Like obviously it isn't overly friendly, but I wouldn't call it rude. Just an opinion from a neutral observer but yeah- it's them just reiterating their policy stance and applying that consistently no?

 

[packhorse]

I do get it is annoying though not getting the results!

I won't lie I honestly don't think that this is that rude. Like obviously it isn't overly friendly, but I wouldn't call it rude. Just an opinion from a neutral observer but yeah- it's them just reiterating their policy stance and applying that consistently no?

 

[Ricky]

Following on from the discussion of how many apps people have made, I just put together a table of all of mine. This includes vacation scheme and training contract apps but not open days etc. This cycle I have made 16 out of a total of 44.

	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	Total Apps
Allen & Overy			Interview	Written	2
Baker McKenzie			Video Interview	Written	2
Bird & Bird			Watson Glaser	Written	2
BCLP	Assessment Centre	Written	Written		3
Clifford Chance			Written		1
Clyde & Co			Written		1
Dechert			Written	Awaiting	2
Deloitte			Online Test		1
DLA Piper	Written				1
Gowling WLG			Online Test		1
Hassans		Written			1
HSF		Written	Written	Written	3
Hogan Lovells		Written	Written		2
Latham & Watkins				Awaiting	1
Linklaters			Online Test	Awaiting	2
Macfarlanes				Awaiting	1
Mayer Brown			Written	Awaiting	2
Memery Crystal			Interview		1
Norton Rose Fulbright	Written			Written	2
Reed Smith		Written	Interview	Awaiting	3
Skadden				Written	1
Slaughter and May	Written			Written	2
Stephenson Harwood			Written	Written	2
Travers Smith		Written	Interview		2
Weil			Written	Awaiting	2
Willkie				Video Interview	1
				Total Apps	44

 

[Kablahc]

This is a super long shot but does anyone happen to have any tips for professional looking hair styles for ACs and interviews? 😂 I've never quite been able to imitate the neat, professional blow-dry type hair styles or even fancy updos I see most fellow gals wearing on open days because my hair is super thick, wavy textured and ALWAYS seems to look messy (perks of mixed race parent lol). I know firms shouldn't/won't discriminate against me as a candidate for hair texture of all things, but it definitely doesn't make me look very put together! I usually flat iron and try and make it into nice curls but after a while it tends to look a bit fried. Anyone else out here have a similar problem and any tips? 😂😂

 

[Ricky]

I won't lie I honestly don't think that this is that rude. Like obviously it isn't overly friendly, but I wouldn't call it rude. Just an opinion from a neutral observer but yeah- it's them just reiterating their policy stance and applying that consistently no?

Agreed. That isn't rude. it is neutral and informative.

 

[Sara648926]

From the vibe from Cooley that I've read about, they seem to want folks who've done 'different' things in life. Check out Chambers. Not that they don't seem to hire non career-changers, but they really try hard to come across that way!

I'm really just going for someone sitting down for a coffee with me and asking about ... me! Aka taking the question as it is. It might help if you imagine yourself at an interview, and the interviewer's just asking you this question. The first thought I'd have is - what makes me stand out?

So I'm writing about how I was a 1st Lieutenant in the Singaporean Air Force trained to shoot down F16s, how I've lived and worked in Occupied Palestine, hitchhiked across Europe, walked the length of Scotland etc. Coffee shop introductions that stick in people's heads, making folks wonder: 'ah, I'd like to know a little more.'

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

yes that's the one! good luck with your app.

 

[packhorse]

Following on from the discussion of how many apps people have made, I just put together a table of all of mine. This includes vacation scheme and training contract apps but not open days etc. This cycle I have made 16 out of a total of 44.

	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	Total Apps
Allen & Overy			Interview	Written	2
Baker McKenzie			Video Interview	Written	2
Bird & Bird			Watson Glaser	Written	2
BCLP	Assessment Centre	Written	Written		3
Clifford Chance			Written		1
Clyde & Co			Written		1
Dechert			Written	Awaiting	2
Deloitte			Online Test		1
DLA Piper	Written				1
Gowling WLG			Online Test		1
Hassans		Written			1
HSF		Written	Written	Written	3
Hogan Lovells		Written	Written		2
Latham & Watkins				Awaiting	1
Linklaters			Online Test	Awaiting	2
Macfarlanes				Awaiting	1
Mayer Brown			Written	Awaiting	2
Memery Crystal			Interview		1
Norton Rose Fulbright	Written			Written	2
Reed Smith		Written	Interview	Awaiting	3
Skadden				Written	1
Slaughter and May	Written			Written	2
Stephenson Harwood			Written	Written	2
Travers Smith		Written	Interview		2
Weil			Written	Awaiting	2
Willkie				Video Interview	1
				Total Apps	44

When you have put written: I assume that means you have submitted and are awaiting to hear back? "Awaiting" means you have got past the intial screening?

 

[Lawyer101]

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! ☺️

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)

Thank you both for your advice! I think I'll stick with the full suit. I would love to have a decent haircut, but with lockdown I cannot trust my housemates to cut my hair 😁

 

[ar2r]

This is a super long shot but does anyone happen to have any tips for professional looking hair styles for ACs and interviews? 😂 I've never quite been able to imitate the neat, professional blow-dry type hair styles or even fancy updos I see most fellow gals wearing on open days because my hair is super thick, wavy textured and ALWAYS seems to look messy (perks of mixed race parent lol). I know firms shouldn't/won't discriminate against me as a candidate for hair texture of all things, but it definitely doesn't make me look very put together! I usually flat iron and try and make it into nice curls but after a while it tends to look a bit fried. Anyone else out here have a similar problem and any tips? 😂😂

Hey! I don't have the same hair texture, but maybe try a high ponytail- then its out of your face and won't distract you or the interviewer (and they can't really see the 'tail' bit as its behind you if that makes sense aha). Maybe try looking on YouTube or googling to see if you find anything that would work better!!

 

[Ricky]

When you have put written: I assume that means you have submitted and are awaiting to hear back? "Awaiting" means you have got past the intial screening?

Nope. Written means I got PFO at written stage haha. Awaiting for Macfarlanes and Weil after AC, Mayer Brown after telephone interview and Links, Latham, Dechert and Reed Smith after written app.

 

[FredC]

PFO from TLT (Bristol VS) post-WG

Annoying as I would have had a VS with them last year (cancelled due to COVID), got really positive feedback in a phone call after the final stage interview, worked on the feedback and thought I'd done well in the app and WG this year.

Suppose it shows there's a degree of randomness somewhere even when the firm knows you well! Or otherwise what works really well one year doesn't at all the next.

 

[LegalG]

Hi everyone, I'm just finishing off my Gateley application and I have no idea how to structure the last question;
Please provide an example of when you have been ambitious for success (200 words)

I have a brief list of bullet points with some ideas but if anyone could give me some tips on what to include/ how to structure this question that would be great!

 

[whisperingrock]

Ohh I see! Thanks so much!!

Doing a DSAR is only going to sour a firms impression of you. They're a pain in the ass for people to do and its really not worth it for the result of a Watson glaser.

 

[33c]

PFO from WFW post-VI and just did my Dentons telephone interview which I think went really badly.

Just need that PM rejection for that real Friday feeling ahahahah

 

[Andrew M]

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)

I agree, if you don't know what the firm is like. But some firms do make a point of saying that they don't mandate or wear ties. I've been asked to take mine off, in the past.

If the invitation says that there is no formal dress code, I personally wouldn't wear a tie unless that's how I felt most comfortable. Which I would imagine is not the case for most people.

 

[Jacob Miller]

Thank you both for your advice! I think I'll stick with the full suit. I would love to have a decent haircut, but with lockdown I cannot trust my housemates to cut my hair 😁

For virtual stuff I'm almost always rocking slippers or Yeezys under the desk, days when I was feeling particularly lazy I would often be in a shirt and pyjama shorts lol!

 

[KS94]

I like seeing the organised methods everyone uses to keep track of their applications.

However, I prefer the method of receiving rejections and thinking "ha I don't even remember applying to you guys!".

100% effective for overcoming rejections thus far - (until you open up the actual application and realise this was your DREAM firm - this applies to every single firm of course).

 

[Jacob Miller]

I like seeing the organised methods everyone uses to keep track of their applications.

However, I prefer the method of receiving rejections and thinking "ha I don't even remember applying to you guys!".

100% effective for overcoming rejections thus far - (until you open up the actual application and realise this was your DREAM firm - this applies to every single firm of course).

Haha this was me, no log or record whatsoever of my applications lol

 

[CorporateB3]

So I have one vac scheme, and I am at various stages with other VS'. Unfortunately, all of them overlap and naturally the anxiety of only having 1 VS is killing me. What do we think about continuing the process in the hopes that I secure more VS', and things are still virtual, and therefore only 1 week. Judging by the vaccine schedule, I don't really see how things could go back to normal by July.

 

[thewaythecookiecrumbles]

Hi guys, I'm applying to Taylor Vinters and came across this question: If you were asked to advise our management team on one key area for Taylor Vinters to focus on in the next three years, what would that be and why?

I would love to talk about D&I and what I could bring, but the firm specialised in technology so would it be better to focus on that?