2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[E1998]

For a 'tell us about a business news story that's interested you' does anyone have any advice? I always worry that I need to connect it to the firm?

 

[SF1234]

2 week wait after AC is killing me softly 😅

 

[Jessica Booker]

For a 'tell us about a business news story that's interested you' does anyone have any advice? I always worry that I need to connect it to the firm?

Doesn’t need to be directly related to the firm, but would be slightly odd to select something that the firm wouldn’t be interested in (eg something that might impact it or it’s clients indirectly).

 

[Anya B]

Is it recorded or with someone? I actually prefer them because you don't have to worry about eye contact, which means you can refer to notes. In addition to what Jessica said re smiling, if you are sat down then make sure you have a nice open posture and don't slouch because it'll impact your energy and come across on the phone. You could even choose to stand up.

Thank you! I believe it's actually with someone rather than being recorded.

 

[manifestingaTC]

Has anyone still not heard from W&C re summer scheme ?

 

[CJM.UC]

Has anyone else said their sayonara to hearing backing from Winston & Strawn?

 

[djqb]

Has anyone else said their sayonara to hearing backing from Winston & Strawn?

I'm still hopeful.

Considering they sent out PFOs a few weeks ago, I'm hopeful that that they'll send out positive responses to a few candidates in the coming weeks!

It isn't a PFO until the actual email comes through, so don't lose hope!

 

[ola830]

Yep, got rejected as I'm still in final year. They wanted to hire immediately

Did your application portal update to say rejected?

 

[Matt_96]

Is it a dumb question not to know what PFO actually stands for? I have two masters degrees. I like to to think I'm an intelligent guy. I get that it means being rejected at app stage. But I still have absolutely no clue.

 

[M1999]

Is it a dumb question not to know what PFO actually stands for? I have two masters degrees. I like to to think I'm an intelligent guy. I get that it means being rejected at app stage. But I still have absolutely no clue.

Please F off.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it a dumb question not to know what PFO actually stands for? I have two masters degrees. I like to to think I'm an intelligent guy. I get that it means being rejected at app stage. But I still have absolutely no clue.

Please f*ck off.....

Stemmed from TSR back in the day and has stuck around.

 

[Matt_96]

Please f*ck off.....

Stemmed from TSR back in the day and has stuck around.

This is the graduate recruitment content I never knew I needed

 

[Anon08]

Does anyone know of any good podcasts that could help with commercial awareness please??

I really liked 'The Trainee Test' podcast.

I don't know if they're releasing new episodes/how the production/schedule works, but I think it's great for case study prep, understanding the role of a trainee and getting to grips with basic legal practice knowledge/technicals.

 

[Anon08]

FT Podcast and don't be afraid to look at some of the banking ones.

I've come to learn that CA is massively dependent on the firm.

Like... priv~ private equity...

Hey. Do you mean that firms which specialise in private equity ask for a lot more CA?

I would roughly estimate that the MC/Elite US firms demand a much deeper level of commercial awareness and understanding. The next level would be SC and firms like Hogan Lovells/NRF and so on, all of whom still demand a strong level of commercial awareness and technical ability.

Having interviewed, and been successful with, both Weil, Gotshal & Manges' (who, amongst other things, have a strong specialism in PE) first-year scheme and vacation scheme, I can attest that your technical knowledge/commercial awareness will be examined in greater detail than perhaps you might find at other firms. The same goes for the MC firms I have interviewed at.

My opinion on why PE-heavy firms grill you especially hard on your technicals/commercial awareness is because people often claim that they 'are interested in PE'. This is a way of getting you to prove it. Furthermore, at these top firms, the work is uncommoditised and big BIG ticket. Hence, they need to really make sure they hire those with the acumen, personality, and interest to service said work. Once again, similar reasoning could be applied to the MC: just swap out PE for other industries/practice areas.

It all boils down to the fact that if the firm is a 'market leader'/'prestigious' (for want of better descriptors), then they will be increasingly picky with who they hire and the ability/interest they expect of their future trainees.

Nevertheless, I would not be deterred by any of this (although I am fantastically strange in that I miss doing my case study interviews - oh, to be half a year younger and grilled on leverage and its tax-deductibility again...). I would encourage developing your commercial/technical knowledge as far as you can and relish getting into the details. We all have our preferences, and not everyone is going to be as hyped to read about the DIFC DPL as maybe I would be - but find your niche and explore the commercial world through that. I know that this might seem like a chore, but (1) it shouldn't be - this is, after all, what you want to pursue as a career, and (2) you can make it fun (I realise I sound mildly derranged for suggesting that LBO's are 'fun', but I'll stick with it)!

I just want to highlight that a similar discussion about commercial awareness/technical knowledge is happening here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....gic-circle-allen-overy-trainee-anything.3515/
- it might help to answer some more questions/give a place to follow-up with any more questions you may have.

 

[Legal_Hawk]

Did your application portal update to say rejected?

Haven't checked. They emailed me within 2-3 days saying "Based on the information you provided, we are considering other candidates whose background and experience more closely align with the qualifications and requirements of this position." I'm assuming they want LPC graudates

 

[Mohammadz]

Hi everyone,

I applied for White & Case and Ashurst - I still haven't heard back from both of them regarding my application (whether I am proceeding to the second stage or not). Anyone in the same position? And what do you recommend me to do?

 

[tc.la.vs]

best of luck for the new week everyone

 

[Celestie]

Firms realising the weekend is over and it is PFO time <3

 

[JayC]

I submitted the Arnold & Porter app a few hours ago - finally my last vac scheme app of the cycle I think! I have got the sense that it is non-rolling but can anyone confirm or deny this?

 

[Velikilawyer123]

@Jessica Booker if a firm explicitly says they don't offer feedback to unsuccessful candidates post-interview, would it still be fine to send them an SAR? Would I need to first try asking for feedback a couple of times without the official SAR request just to see if they might respond, and then if they don't, send the official request?