2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[GK8997]

Tonight is thursday night?

Yep sorry,it's because technically it's Friday morning so wanted to be clear and I just complicated it more 😂

 

[OB]

Thanks. Isn't there some sort of mentoring scheme or something that you need to actually apply for though? x

EDIT*: I believe it's the Aspire programme - https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/as-aspire/ - is it any good anyone?

Just beware of the nasty emails if for some reason you cannot attend an event. Bonus points if they send a nasty email claiming you didn’t warn them you couldn’t go in due time, then they go quiet when you match their tone 😌

#sassyemailcrew

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Has anyone else not heard back from NRF post-WG regarding summer scheme? Don't understand what takes so long - I either met the mark they were looking for, or I didn't. This makes me feel paranoid that my test results were not received.

Also, I've seen some ppl get W&C PFO and others progress (summer scheme), so what does it mean to have not heard anything? Am I in some "maybe" pile?

 

[tkhkat]

Are these going to be the last ACs? Asking because I haven't heard back post-app so assuming rejection

I just did the AC yesterday and GR said that they're still interviewing people from this week till next week, not sure if it means that they're still going to be offering more. I'd just wait to hear back from them 😀

 

[tkhkat]

Has anyone else not heard back from NRF post-WG regarding summer scheme? Don't understand what takes so long - I either met the mark they were looking for, or I didn't. This makes me feel paranoid that my test results were not received.

Also, I've seen some ppl get W&C PFO and others progress (summer scheme), so what does it mean to have not heard anything? Am I in some "maybe" pile?

Hey! When did you do the WG for NRF? I just completed it two days ago, so if you did yours way earlier than me, they might just be waiting to collate everyone's WG scores before giving out offers? I'm sure that your test results were received if you didn't have any tech issues during the test!

For W&C - I believe it really depends on when you submitted your application! They said that they review on a rolling basis and it seems like they're the type to review and offer/reject PFO as they go. If you submitted it late it might very well be the case that they just haven't got to your application yet. It's not a rejection until the firm says that it is so don't lose hope!

 

[xht]

Just got my Cooley PFO 😔 good luck to everyone else waiting for them, anyone still waiting for Debevoise, Latham, Orrick, Gibson Dunn and BCLP (after the WG)?

waiting for debevoise and latham

 

[breadpitt]

Does anyone know how flexible W&C is for moving from their summer VS to spring?

 

[lawgeek_301]

Hey! I have an interview today and I just wanted to ask, is it ok to justify your motivations to work for a firm that is very international based on experiences that aren’t work-related? For example, I plan to say that I lived temporarily in 3 countries, I speak 4 languages, went to debating competitions in many countries, moved to London to study as an international, this kind of stuff. But I don’t have any experience where I actually did international work. Is this ok or are my examples too trivial? Or how could I make them stand out more?

 

[CareerChanger]

Hey! I have an interview today and I just wanted to ask, is it ok to justify your motivations to work for a firm that is very international based on experiences that aren’t work-related? For example, I plan to say that I lived temporarily in 3 countries, I speak 4 languages, went to debating competitions in many countries, moved to London to study as an international, this kind of stuff. But I don’t have any experience where I actually did international work. Is this ok or are my examples too trivial? Or how could I make them stand out more?

Would recommend seeing this more as an opportunity for you to demonstrate you understand what kind of work an international law firm does (cross-border etc.) and why that interests you, rather than just what things you have done in the past that might be considered 'international'. This video is kinda useful on this question I think

 

[Dheepa]

Agreed - safe to say that was me out hahaha. Nope just a stand-alone question! Was the bonds question stand-alone as well?

Mine was a follow up. Still think it was a bit questionable that they wanted me to explain the technical movement of bonds from broker to bank to clearing houses to end user just because I said I looked at some bond issuance documents during work experience at a law firm. The fact that I went home excessively read up on it and was never asked anything remotely similar in any interview after that is just 😪😪

 

[Dheepa]

Hey! I have an interview today and I just wanted to ask, is it ok to justify your motivations to work for a firm that is very international based on experiences that aren’t work-related? For example, I plan to say that I lived temporarily in 3 countries, I speak 4 languages, went to debating competitions in many countries, moved to London to study as an international, this kind of stuff. But I don’t have any experience where I actually did international work. Is this ok or are my examples too trivial? Or how could I make them stand out more?

I agree with what's been said. It's fine to mention that your international experiences have drawn you towards firms that can continue to offer you similar exposure, but that should be the ancillary reason. You'd still need to focus more substantively on why working with cross border teams and multi-jurisdictional laws appeals to you. You don't necessarily need international work experience to back this up as well. Think about the practical impacts of working on these types of deals - there might be a steeper learning curve involved when researching regulation and laws in other jurisdictions, adaptability needed to deal with teams in countries with different working styles/cultures etc. Hope that gives you some ideas! ☺️

 

[Andrew M]

I was wondering what are the most difficult/unexpected commercial awareness questions people have been asked in interview? I feel like I've prepped the basics but just want to ensure I've prepared for the worst and maybe even just challenge myself!

For example, although on the face of this many people may not think this is too hard, I was asked in interview about the UK budget and didn't even know where to begin!

Oh really? I've mentioned the pending budget in a few of my recent interviews - in the context of challenges for the firm/market. Ordinarily the budget wouldn't be *that* important. But given where we are in a recession, what the chancellor announces could well shape how (un/)successful economic recovery is over the next year. Obviously, we haven't got much concrete to go on yet but there have been ideas leaked which make good talking points (e.g. extending stamp duty holiday, raising corporate tax, "sin" taxes, "green" bonds, etc.)

So I would definitely recommend for people to try and at least gain a surface understanding of the potential factors at play.

 

[gg332dd]

Omg this is literally my life. Even in uni, essays I wrote over months were given lower marks than those I rushed in a night! I just assumed that I work best under pressure lolol

yes!! exams too!! everytime i thought i did poorly i ended up getting rly good grades and vice versa lol

 

[NextStageOfTheApplication]

Has anyone still not been sent the Reed smith research Qs for summer VS?

I haven't either! How long ago did you take the SST?

 

[Dheepa]

If anyone has done a virtual vac scheme before i'd really love some insight. When we are given tasks by current trainee's / associates based on work they are doing at the minute, what sort of stuff could this be? obviously I know this can hugely vary, but I'm just worrying over how difficult the work will be and want a rough idea of what to expect

This is a really difficult one to answer. It really can be anything at all that they want to get you involved with. The most common types of tasks though are preparing a research note, writing a memo to a client, and summarising information to help the associate with their own work. It can be really daunting to go into vacs completely blind but remember that you are allowed and expected even to ask as many questions as you need to gain a better understanding of the work you're doing and what's expected of you. Your trainee buddy is also a really good person to turn to if you want them to look over drafts of your own work. Your supervisor does not expect you to submit a perfect piece of legal analysis, there will inevitably always be gaps and things that could have been done better, but if you do the simple things right i.e. structure, simple clear writing, doing thorough research, then you're already 3/4 of the way to producing quality work imo. Check this thread out for more tips:

Converting your vacation scheme into a training contract - top tips in 2021

Hey all, A few people have asked about this so I thought we'd create a central thread for 2021. Anyone feel free to share your own top tips on converting a vacation scheme into a training contract. I'd recommend reading the following threads to kick us off...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[LegalLily]

Random but did anyone take into consideration the Roll on Friday (firm of the year) survey results when applying to firms?

I’m not sure how reliable it is as a source/& whether to bring up good ranking in interview

 

[cloud9]

PFO post VI for Addleshaw Goddard London

 

[cloud9]

On this topic... any tips for improving on recorded video interviews? I struggle with them a lot

 

[Staples]

@ those who have applied to Bates Wells but have yet to hear post-app: I emailed GR for an update and they told be they aim to get in touch “in the next couple of weeks”.

 

[LEL]

On this topic... any tips for improving on recorded video interviews? I struggle with them a lot

Hi, I think it's important to practice your answers within the given time frame you have (usually 1m30?), so you're used to that going into the VI.

Prepare your answers as you would for a regular interview, only you're talking to the camera and not a person.

This might sound basic but try to sound interested in what you're saying. A lot of us are thinking "ugh I'm basically talking to myself so why bother", but if you come across as enthusiastic then that will never harm you. Smile at the end of each answer

If you screw up, don't panic and then get flustered. Just go back slightly to the start of the sentence, breathe and start your point again.

Speak calmly and slowly! Gives you more time to think about what you're saying, and you won't be so stressed about the timer.

I literally record myself on my phone to assess my tone, my facial movements, where I'm looking etc., so that might be worth doing to see what you can improve on before the real thing.

Hope that helps!