2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[33c]

Hey guys! for a post-VS TC interview, I have been told that I will be asked some motivational and 'some broader competency based Qs'. I understand I should tweak my motivational qs based on my experience at the firm, but should I be doing the same with the competency qs? for example, for a teamwork example, should I talk about the group task/for the organisation example should I talk about managing multiple tasks during the scheme? essentially I'm not sure If I can mention experiences outside the scheme.

 

[Cho]

I have a final interview for an international vacation scheme in two weeks.
I already passed the assessment centre, and now I'm going to be doing a 45-minute interview with a partner from an international office.

They said I can expect to be asked about my knowledge of the local market and general commercial awareness. I'm not sure how to prep for this, as it's not a full commercial awareness exercise I've done in my past ACs. Does anyone have any tips for these short interviews?

(the interview will also consist of why this firm, why the international scheme and why law, but not competency)

 

[moxiebobo]

Anyone had news from arnold and porter?

No, waiting, waiting

 

[Future$trainee]

Has anyone heard back from Browne Jacobson?? It's literally been over a month since I applied. They did state in their confirmation email that if you didn't hear back from them in the 'next few weeks' then it was a rejection, so I'm assuming my app hasn't been taken forward... 🤷‍♀️

 

[Haz]

Did anyone else just never hear back from Mayer Brown after applying for a vacation scheme? I did my phone interview in late December and never heard from them again. I already chased them twice to no avail so I'm not gonna bother with them now, but curious if anyone else had the same issue?

Yeh I remember people saying a couple of weeks ago that they had emailed to say that they'd filled all of their VS spaces!

 

[GK8997]

Hey guys! for a post-VS TC interview, I have been told that I will be asked some motivational and 'some broader competency based Qs'. I understand I should tweak my motivational qs based on my experience at the firm, but should I be doing the same with the competency qs? for example, for a teamwork example, should I talk about the group task/for the organisation example should I talk about managing multiple tasks during the scheme? essentially I'm not sure If I can mention experiences outside the scheme.

Heya, so I definitely agree about tweaking the motivational qs but I don't think there's any need to do the same with competency qs personally (I certainly didn't!)

 

[Matt_96]

Has anyone heard back from Browne Jacobson?? It's literally been over a month since I applied. They did state in their confirmation email that if you didn't hear back from them in the 'next few weeks' then it was a rejection, so I'm assuming my app hasn't been taken forward... 🤷‍♀️

It's not a PFO till its a PFO. Email graduate recruitment if you're curious to know where they're at. But I suspect the answer as to why they haven't gotten back to anyone is that they have been inundated with applications like all other moderately large commercial firms, and also had their app form open a lot later than most. Just look at what has happened to Reed Smith, who took a similar approach.

 

[whisperingrock]

Did anyone else just never hear back from Mayer Brown after applying for a vacation scheme? I did my phone interview in late December and never heard from them again. I already chased them twice to no avail so I'm not gonna bother with them now, but curious if anyone else had the same issue?

Mayer Brown has a bad habit of ghosting even pre-covid.

 

[Dheepa]

Hey guys! for a post-VS TC interview, I have been told that I will be asked some motivational and 'some broader competency based Qs'. I understand I should tweak my motivational qs based on my experience at the firm, but should I be doing the same with the competency qs? for example, for a teamwork example, should I talk about the group task/for the organisation example should I talk about managing multiple tasks during the scheme? essentially I'm not sure If I can mention experiences outside the scheme.

No I don't think you'd need to tweak competency answers! I will say that I thought I was pushed a lot harder on my competency answers as well, lots of follow up questions on small details I mentioned, so maybe just prepare for that.

 

[Dheepa]

What do you guys think counts as a good example of strong organisational skills?

Would talking about a time when I handled multiple commitments simultaneously and was successful in them be seen as showing that I have strong organisational skills? I just struggle to think of appropriate examples that demonstrate this - anyone has any ideas/thoughts?

Hey, so while I think time management is an element of good organisational skills, it isn't an entirely necessary part of it. Organisation to me refers to what kind of systems do you have in place when approaching tasks? Are you systematic about breaking down what it involves, what steps you have to take, how you record your progress etc. Do you have a planner, do you use lists, how do you manage your capacity to complete additional things in a day? I hope that hasn't been to vague and has given you some ideas.

 

[Hele25]

Does anyone know what’s going on with Bevan Brittan??

 

[Legalmel_99]

PFO from Irwin Mitchell London office, gutted about this one! This is my second cycle applying to them, I even had my app reviewed by someone at the firm and they gave it the green light :/

I didn't apply to many vac schemes this year but I still haven't managed to get past app stage in 2 cycles 😅

Apply again firms will appreciate that, though it is frustrating I didn’t get my first vacation scheme till this year..... it’s now my 4th cycle

 

[Future$trainee]

It's not a PFO till its a PFO. Email graduate recruitment if you're curious to know where they're at. But I suspect the answer as to why they haven't gotten back to anyone is that they have been inundated with applications like all other moderately large commercial firms, and also had their app form open a lot later than most. Just look at what has happened to Reed Smith, who took a similar approach.

Thanks Matt. Yeah that's true, it seems like a lot of law firms are overwhelmed with applications this year. I'll wait a week or so before sending an email, as it seems like most people still haven't heard back.

 

[CJCH]

Has anyone heard back from Browne Jacobson?? It's literally been over a month since I applied. They did state in their confirmation email that if you didn't hear back from them in the 'next few weeks' then it was a rejection, so I'm assuming my app hasn't been taken forward... 🤷‍♀️

Don't assume it is a PFO. Their email specifically says they will contact the applicants for Vacation Scheme / Training Contract again after reviewing the apps. Last year it also took almost a month to have the invite to online tests. I think they are still reviewing as there would be much more applications this year.

 

[Jessica Booker]

What do you guys think counts as a good example of strong organisational skills?

Would talking about a time when I handled multiple commitments simultaneously and was successful in them be seen as showing that I have strong organisational skills? I just struggle to think of appropriate examples that demonstrate this - anyone has any ideas/thoughts?

Yes - this sounds like a good example just ensure there is something unique about what you were balancing. Sometimes people will focus on things a lot of candidates will be balancing (eg academics with general extra curriculars), so you just have to think what really stands out of what you were balancing. Also try to focus on a very specific timeframe - sometimes people will talk about a whole academic year, and that isn’t really appropriate for this type of question. Focusing on a more specific and shorter period of time would be more appropriate.

 

[blairh]

Has anyone heard back from Browne Jacobson?? It's literally been over a month since I applied. They did state in their confirmation email that if you didn't hear back from them in the 'next few weeks' then it was a rejection, so I'm assuming my app hasn't been taken forward... 🤷‍♀️

I emailed grad rec and they said they're still reviewing! Also said they intend to get back to everyone regardless of outcome

 

[Legal1234]

Hi everyone! Does anyone know how many training contracts Russell-Cooke offers to vac scheme students compared to direct entry applicants? Thanks!

 

[Future$trainee]

I emailed grad rec and they said they're still reviewing! Also said they intend to get back to everyone regardless of outcome

ohh great thank you! At least we won't be ghosted lol

 

[KerC14]

Really sorry to hear that mate! However, if I were to give some advice, it would be to not rely on what someone at the firm says unless they are a graduate recruiter at that firm or involved with recruitment in some way.

In my experience, the lawyers you speak to will universally want the best for you as they understand how competitive getting into law is. However, unless there is a specific role for lawyers in reading graduate applications, their advice may not be that helpful because they are usually quite removed from the process.

Most trainees are at least 1-2 years out of whack with recruitment cycles. And this presumes that they 1) studied law and 2) went straight into it after finishing university. Other trainees will have to do the GDL as well as the LPC and may have to wait a year or more before they start. Others may defer it for a year for personal reasons e.g. to travel. Associates are even further removed as they may have done those things and then had to train for two years, or even moved firms since then. Partners are on a different planet. One who used to mentor me said that when he applied in the 90s you could apply to 10 City firms and expect 9 interviews, just with a CV and covering letter - none of the pesky online tests or VIs or anything! So the relevance of his application experience was actually quite slim, and something I found frustrating during my mentorship.

So with this in mind, if anyone who isn't directly involved in recruitment says it looks great, just bear in mind that they might not be able to give you an honest assessment of how a recruiter or recruitment partner/associate, who will be reading most of those applications, may respond.

Thanks, the 90s sounds like the best decade to have been looking for a training contract! :')

Apply again firms will appreciate that, though it is frustrating I didn’t get my first vacation scheme till this year..... it’s now my 4th cycle

Definitely applying again, I went to a careers event and one first year trainee said they applied to the firm for 8 years before they got in! It's just tough to keep applying but we'll get there!

 

[KerC14]

A non-law Q but has anyone heard back at all from Disney? I wasn't eligible to apply for the graduate legal internship but I've ben waiting on another role for 7 weeks now 😅 I don't know if grad rec just like to take their time or if the silence is a pfo