2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[202023r]

Firstly, congratulations that's an amazing achievement and secondly, I don't think that is ungrateful at all- actually Dechert will probably prefer you cancel then attend the interview knowing you won't accept a VS offer as they are not your first choice. I definitely think just be gracious when you cancel and focus on your upcoming VS and law school- they are definitely the priority!

Thank you for your help!

 

[202023r]

Do Dechert offer other dates you would be able to do?

Edit: if not and you can't do a direct TC then personally I wouldn't bother

They only have one set of dates for their summer schemes and don't seem to take direct TC applicants either. Thanks for your help!

 

[202023r]

I would tend to look at it in as simple terms as possible: if you don't intend on accepting Dechert's VS as it clashes with another option you'd prefer, there's almost nothing to be gained by interviewing and that space could go to another candidate, maybe one whose top firm is Dechert.

In terms of spreading yourself too thin, it's hard to comment: I don't know your work rate/ how much you have to do etc etc. What I would say is that, while it's important to remember your health etc and not absolutely burst yourself, a life in commercial law will be one where you often feel spread a bit thin due to work volume and the sort of environment you're in. Personally, I don't think this should be a deciding factor.

Just withdraw if there is no chance of you going on to take up a place n the Dechert scheme. It isn't being ungrateful and you won't waste someone's time interviewing you. As Jacob also mentioned, it means someone else can take that opportunity up.

Thank you both! That's put things into perspective and I shall withdraw my application.

 

[202023r]

I'm in the same situation! I'm waiting on the formal offer letter for my TC but I got invited to Dechert's VI. I was wondering about whether I should do it, since apparently it's quite standard, and I definitely will feel somehow kind of guilty if I don't do it as well. Like I'm still having those anxieties that my TC offer will fall through or something even though I've talked loads to partners and GR!

Personally, I don't think you should pressure yourself to do it if you're feeling like you're spread thin. There's some people out there that receive 3+ VS/TC offers and have to cancel on multiple firms. You're not ungrateful at all - considering that Dechert doesn't take direct TC applications and their VS is the only way of them assessing potential candidates, if you're not serious about the TC with them and would rather another firm, there's absolutely no obligation on you to keep going through the process unless you wanted to or felt it would be some kind of big benefit to get the practice. Considering they definitely took their time with the invites as well compared to other firms, I wouldn't think you'll be the only one that's cancelling because they accepted an offer another firm made first.

I think it is probably worth you doing the VI, especially if there is no clashing summer scheme, as that adds a layer of safety in case you don't get the TC offer. But this does depend on when your VI deadline is and when you expect to hear back from TC interview and how confident you are about the interview outcome.

Also, thank you for your advice! It's a shame that they sent out invites so late into the cycle, especially as I submitted my application in early November.

 

[Adrian_Healey]

If anyone has interviewed at Goodwin, is there an AC stage that follows the interviews taking place currently?

According to chambers student yes there is - my interviewers said they’re still doing first stage interviews until end of April though so could be a bit of a wait

 

[Kablahc]

I think it is probably worth you doing the VI, especially if there is no clashing summer scheme, as that adds a layer of safety in case you don't get the TC offer. But this does depend on when your VI deadline is and when you expect to hear back from TC interview and how confident you are about the interview outcome.

Also, thank you for your advice! It's a shame that they sent out invites so late into the cycle, especially as I submitted my application in early November.

GR/Partners have already offered me the TC, I'm just waiting to sign the contract basically! But all the trauma of getting things pulled out from under me last year is really getting to me 😂
I've also just withdrawn - Dechert told us they send around *190 post-interview PFOs on the open day so since the stats are not in my favour I think I'll pass and focus on the offer I already have.

edit: just out of curiosity and also to soothe my anxieties lol - future trainees who had an oral offer of a TC via phone call post-VS or direct TC interview, how fast did GR get your formal offer letter and contract to you (if you can remember?)? Mine are saying between 'soon' and 'a few weeks' but I swear the wait is killing me already and it's been less than a week! 😂 impatience is my weakness

 

[33c]

GR/Partners have already offered me the TC, I'm just waiting to sign the contract basically! But all the trauma of getting things pulled out from under me last year is really getting to me 😂
I've also just withdrawn - Dechert told us they send around 750 post-interview PFOs on the open day so since the stats are not in my favour I think I'll pass and focus on the offer I already have.

edit: just out of curiosity and also to soothe my anxieties lol - future trainees who had an oral offer of a TC via phone call post-VS or direct TC interview, how fast did GR get your formal offer letter and contract to you (if you can remember?)? Mine are saying between 'soon' and 'a few weeks' but I swear the wait is killing me already and it's been less than a week! 😂 impatience is my weakness

750???!!!!! I thought they only interviewed 60 candidates

 

[202023r]

GR/Partners have already offered me the TC, I'm just waiting to sign the contract basically! But all the trauma of getting things pulled out from under me last year is really getting to me 😂
I've also just withdrawn - Dechert told us they send around 750 post-interview PFOs on the open day so since the stats are not in my favour I think I'll pass and focus on the offer I already have.

edit: just out of curiosity and also to soothe my anxieties lol - future trainees who had an oral offer of a TC via phone call post-VS or direct TC interview, how fast did GR get your formal offer letter and contract to you (if you can remember?)? Mine are saying between 'soon' and 'a few weeks' but I swear the wait is killing me already and it's been less than a week! 😂 impatience is my weakness

Oh I see, I misinterpreted your initial message. And those post-interview PFO figures are unbelievably high!

 

[Kablahc]

750???!!!!! I thought they only interviewed 60 candidates

Oh my gosh!!!!!!! I totally screwed the numbers up, I'm going to go back to edit my post - they said they receive 900 applications, progress 250 to VI, then 60 to AC 😂 teaches me to try and do numbers without a cup of coffee

 

[Jessica Booker]

GR/Partners have already offered me the TC, I'm just waiting to sign the contract basically! But all the trauma of getting things pulled out from under me last year is really getting to me 😂
I've also just withdrawn - Dechert told us they send around *190 post-interview PFOs on the open day so since the stats are not in my favour I think I'll pass and focus on the offer I already have.

edit: just out of curiosity and also to soothe my anxieties lol - future trainees who had an oral offer of a TC via phone call post-VS or direct TC interview, how fast did GR get your formal offer letter and contract to you (if you can remember?)? Mine are saying between 'soon' and 'a few weeks' but I swear the wait is killing me already and it's been less than a week! 😂 impatience is my weakness

Could be anything from 4 hours to 4 weeks...

 

[Nnu]

has anyone done the WBD VI? would appreciate any tips on what to prepare!! xxx

 

[karinny]

Hey guys, has anyone done the Irwin Mitchell video interview? Would just like to know what the format is? I understand we have 2 minutes to answer but how long do you get to prepare? Are there multiple attempts in recording your answer?

 

[LS12]

For anyone looking for in-house legal opportunities, BBC is offering what looks similar to a training contract with LPC fees

 

[LeilaScott]

Hey! did you email them to ask or did they just send an email saying we'd hear back by the 12th??

Hey! I got an email sent that said this -
Thank you for completing your career focus questions, we are still in the process of screening and we will be in touch by week commencing 12th April with an outcome.

If you are successful,we are aiming to conduct interviews during the week commencing 3rd May and for the virtual vacation schemes to take place during week commencing 28th June and 5th July. Upon an offer of a vacation scheme, you will be able to give us a preference of which scheme you would like to attend.

Kind Regards
The Reed Smith Graduate Recruitment Team

 

[Alex3107]

Hey! I am wondering if anyone can help with this - I am filling in the Watchgod screening form for a vac scheme, and I have no idea what sector of employment I should choose? Is it 'professional, technical, or 'information/communication', or something else? Thanks

 

[Jacob Miller]

GR/Partners have already offered me the TC, I'm just waiting to sign the contract basically! But all the trauma of getting things pulled out from under me last year is really getting to me 😂
I've also just withdrawn - Dechert told us they send around *190 post-interview PFOs on the open day so since the stats are not in my favour I think I'll pass and focus on the offer I already have.

edit: just out of curiosity and also to soothe my anxieties lol - future trainees who had an oral offer of a TC via phone call post-VS or direct TC interview, how fast did GR get your formal offer letter and contract to you (if you can remember?)? Mine are saying between 'soon' and 'a few weeks' but I swear the wait is killing me already and it's been less than a week! 😂 impatience is my weakness

Travers sent me mine about 3 days after! Don't stress though, they'll definitely get around to it. You won't be forgotten about!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey! I am wondering if anyone can help with this - I am filling in the Watchgod screening form for a vac scheme, and I have no idea what sector of employment I should choose? Is it 'professional, technical, or 'information/communication', or something else? Thanks

What are all the options?

 

[cowanelisah]

I have done it twice before and will have the questions somewhere I’ll dig them out!

Can you please send them my way as well? Many thanks!

 

[Jessrw]

I have done it twice before and will have the questions somewhere I’ll dig them out!

I'd be v grateful if you could send them to me please!!

 

[magdalenite2017]

Any news from MoFo or Gibson lately? (post app)

They were doing first-stage interviews this week, and there will be follow-up interviews with partners next week. So far, they have only filled half of the spaces on the VS, so I think there is a reasonable chance they will still be making interview invites after next week to people they skipped so far.