2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[collie_121]

@leolegal @collie_121 did either of you receive an email confirmation post-completion?

Yes, I received a sort of review of my personality

 

[anon32323232]

Did anyone receive news from Baker Mckenzie today?

I emailed them today to follow up after 2 weeks and I was told they were in the process of finalising offers - but I was offered no firm date

 

[collie_121]

Can you switch from phone to laptop midway then? it's annoying you can't do the practice on a laptop!

I think so? I was able to literally just go off the test and then when I logged in on my laptop it took me to where I left off.

 

[Deleted member 8227]

1) What's something you could spend hours talking about?
2) What's a hobby that you would drag a friend out to?
3) What's an accomplishment you're particularly proud of?
4) Do you like helping others? If so, when?

Thank you!

 

[Hele25]

I think the fact you run your own business is immensely impressive and should impress firms. I'd even go as far as saying that extracurricular activity is perhaps the focus because most students dont, as you do, run their own business. Extracurricular is usually a supplement for actual experience in time, team, and organisational management. Team player could be exemplified by any engagements you have with your business, whether that's clients, working with people from other companies etc. Also working part time is also pretty impressive, do you work in a team?

This is really great advice thanks so much! I run my own wedding cake business and I don’t actually work as part of a team as I work nights as a baker part-time. I’ll try and draw more from these experiences/big up the relevant skills! Thanks again

That’s all a lot of positive evidence. I suspect you will be able to leverage your part time work and running a business to show a lot of the skills needed in a trainee.

thanks Jessica I’ll try and show the relevant skills!

For what it's worth, I'm at a 'conventional' uni and don't have EC's coming out my ears (in fact, only like 1 in the entire time I've been at uni) - 99% of what I talk about comes from work history/ work experiences/ life experiences/ running my businesses etc

Thanks Jacob! I’m going to have another crack at it - getting those final couple of apps in 👍🏻

 

[Soccerox73]

I emailed them today to follow up after 2 weeks and I was told they were in the process of finalising offers - but I was offered no firm date

Was your AC for a vacation scheme 2 weeks ago?

 

[OB]

Has anyone heard back post-interview for Stephenson Harwood Spring Placement Scheme?

 

[OB]

This is really great advice thanks so much! I run my own wedding cake business and I don’t actually work as part of a team as I work nights as a baker part-time. I’ll try and draw more from these experiences/big up the relevant skills! Thanks again

thanks Jessica I’ll try and show the relevant skills!

Thanks Jacob! I’m going to have another crack at it - getting those final couple of apps in 👍🏻

Can I just say you must have so many great transferable skills that law firms will love just from hearing this!

 

[frksch]

What's the etiquette in terms of accepting vac scheme offers? I'm waiting to hear back from some places so I haven't yet accepted an offer that I claimed in the interview was my first priority (it is kinda but I want to know if I get other offers) .... Do you think this reflects badly from a grad recruitment perspective or is it fair enough that I wait until the deadline to accept ?

 

[tk166]

What's the etiquette in terms of accepting vac scheme offers? I'm waiting to hear back from some places so I haven't yet accepted an offer that I claimed in the interview was my first priority (it is kinda but I want to know if I get other offers) .... Do you think this reflects badly from a grad recruitment perspective or is it fair enough that I wait until the deadline to accept ?

The offers I was given gave me just a few days to accept it

 

[frksch]

I looked into this because I thought "hackathon" meant some kind of hacking competition. 😂 It's not, it's "a competitive event to develop ideas in response to a particular challenge within a short timeframe (for example, 24 or 48 hours). The real benefit of the process is getting technology experts to discuss with users exactly what they want, drilling down into the heart of the problem before developing a solution in response to that. It’s amazing what can be achieved in the short timeframe by providing the right environment to focus on innovation" - https://placetech.net/analysis/mills-reeve-hackathons-and-automatons/

hahaha i don't know if that's calmed my nerves that much ... hopefully it's just a clever way of saying a normal group exercise as opposed to actually being that tech focused

 

[frksch]

The offers I was given gave me just a few days to accept it

I have just under a month!

 

[tk166]

I have just under a month!

Oh then take your time I’d say, blame it on undecided exam dates or something if you really need to

 

[NSinger]

Has anyone heard back from their Vacation Scheme application @ Ashurst?

The application closed only 3 days ago and they are non-rolling so it will be a while before anyone hears back.

 

[MJ]

Has anyone heard from:

Farrer & Co
Penningtons
Dentons (Direct TC)
HFW
Withers

I submitted my application for the summer vacation scheme at Penningtons on 22 December 2020, received an invite to the virtual assessment centre on 12 January 2021, and completed the AC on 27 January. Grad recruitment said they'll get back to me before the end of February.

 

[cmaj]

What's the etiquette in terms of accepting vac scheme offers? I'm waiting to hear back from some places so I haven't yet accepted an offer that I claimed in the interview was my first priority (it is kinda but I want to know if I get other offers) .... Do you think this reflects badly from a grad recruitment perspective or is it fair enough that I wait until the deadline to accept ?

It's always lovely to hear from candidates straight away and shows how keen they are... but once you're on the scheme, no one remembers if you accept on the first or last day of the offer! That's just my opinion though When we've recruited in my non-law company, some of the best interns have been those that took their time considering the offer before accepting

This is really great advice thanks so much! I run my own wedding cake business and I don’t actually work as part of a team as I work nights as a baker part-time. I’ll try and draw more from these experiences/big up the relevant skills! Thanks again

WOW I mean DUH why are you not SHOUTING ABOUT THIS?! Amazing experience!!!!! it shows so much resilience and strength, the initiative to run a successful business, commercial awareness in terms of dealing with marketing, finance, strategy... use this to your advantage! This is far more relevant than any extracurriculars in my opinion and I wish I was entrepreneurial enough to start my own business! Maybe try to think about what your business may require from a law firm? What about if it was a franchise? How can you show that this work attracts you to becoming a commercial solicitor?

 

[Jessica Booker]

What's the etiquette in terms of accepting vac scheme offers? I'm waiting to hear back from some places so I haven't yet accepted an offer that I claimed in the interview was my first priority (it is kinda but I want to know if I get other offers) .... Do you think this reflects badly from a grad recruitment perspective or is it fair enough that I wait until the deadline to accept ?

Its fine to wait until the deadline to accept.

 

[Lily721]

Anyone ever recorded themselves practicing for video interview and then been horrified at the tragic picture?

Apparently, I can't even talk correctly or just talk without moving my head.

*me watching back my video recording, feeling sorry for grad recruitment when they have to watch the real thing.

 

[Soriginal234]

Has anyone heard from Brown Rudnick?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Anyone ever recorded themselves practicing for video interview and then been horrified at the tragic picture?

Apparently, I can't even talk correctly or just talk without moving my head.

*me watching back my video recording, feeling sorry for grad recruitment when they have to watch the real thing.

You will be your worst critic. It’s generally not even noticeable to grad rec while you are over analysing ever micro behaviour.