Ask A Graduate Recruiter Anything!

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, I received some GDL marks today, and was wondering how much importance large commercial firms put on a public law module? In the other modules I received a distinction but the public law one was just a pass which I was really disappointed in - I know a lot of firms put importance on a contract law module but would a low mark in a public law module put me at a disadvantage somehow?

Thanks for your help!

It will vary from firm to firm, (and also dependent on the rest of your academic history) but generally I wouldn’t expect this to be an issue in most applicants to most firms.

 

[dollyparton]

Hi @Jessica Booker
I also received some of my gdl module results today. On apply4law, a few of my submitted applications allow you to add more information about qualifications and work experiences etc. Should I update these with my gdl marks, even though the deadline for all these applications has passed?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker
I also received some of my gdl module results today. On apply4law, a few of my submitted applications allow you to add more information about qualifications and work experiences etc. Should I update these with my gdl marks, even though the deadline for all these applications has passed?
Thanks in advance!

Might as well. No harm if you can update them.

 

[Lohana]

Their website says the following (below). So it doesn’t need to be a team working example (that is just how they name their values) it just really needs to encompass the final bullet point. That can come from anything though - they won’t be looking for anything specific beyond you demonstrating when you have pushed yourself to ensure success in something.

Our culture - our Gateley Team Spirit – underpins everything that we do:

• we work together, collaborating to bring out the best in each other;
• we are forward thinkers, motivated by change and doing things differently;
• we have room to breathe, supported to bring the best of ourselves to work;
• we are trusted to do, encouraged to use our professional experience to deliver a great service to our internal and external clients; and
• we are ambitious for success, quietly confident and never boastful.
  

Thank you!

 

[Alice G]

Hi Jessica, I received some GDL marks today, and was wondering how much importance large commercial firms put on a public law module? In the other modules I received a distinction but the public law one was just a pass which I was really disappointed in - I know a lot of firms put importance on a contract law module but would a low mark in a public law module put me at a disadvantage somehow?

Thanks for your help!

Hey! Just wanted to say I agree with what @Daniel Boden has said but also wanted to congratulate you, you did really well and especially navigating a new course at this time.

 

[polant]

Hi Jessica,

can you please advice how should i answer the Reed Smith "question what current issues do you think have an impact on the legal profession"?How many issues should i include?Is it wise to include the impact of covid 19 on legal profession ?

 

[Tarnjeet]

Hi @Jessica Booker

Are direct TCs generally reserved for graduate changers/graduates? Also can you apply for a direct TC after you've failed to get VC with a firm- in the same application window?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker

Are direct TCs generally reserved for graduate changers/graduates? Also can you apply for a direct TC after you've failed to get VC with a firm- in the same application window?

No - wouldn’t say they are reserved for those people. Direct TCs can still be taken up by undergraduates who are eligible to start a TC by that intake.

It depends on the individual firm’s policy. Some will allow you to reapply, others won’t. Check when you apply for both vac schemes and TCs.

 

[Tarnjeet]

No - wouldn’t say they are reserved for those people. Direct TCs can still be taken up by undergraduates who are eligible to start a TC by that intake.

It depends on the individual firm’s policy. Some will allow you to reapply, others won’t. Check when you apply for both vac schemes and TCs.

Thank you

 

[Elle W]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I was just wondering whether it is seen as unprofessional to take notes/jot down a couple of words during an interview?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I was just wondering whether it is seen as unprofessional to take notes/jot down a couple of words during an interview?

My personal stance is not to - it can mean you are focusing on something else rather than answering the question. But I know other interviewers who recommend it.

It’s fine to do it when you are asking questions to your interviewers, but personally I wouldn’t do it when you are answering questions. One of those where it’s each to their own though

 

[Elle W]

My personal stance is not to - it can mean you are focusing on something else rather than answering the question. But I know other interviewers who recommend it.

It’s fine to do it when you are asking questions to your interviewers, but personally I wouldn’t do it when you are answering questions. One of those where it’s each to their own though

Yes that makes sense. Thank you

 

[IntrepidL]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I was wondering given the vaccine roll-out, if you think there is any likelihood that vacation schemes in June/July might be within offices instead of being virtual? Thank you

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I was wondering given the vaccine roll-out, if you think there is any likelihood that vacation schemes in June/July might be within offices instead of being virtual? Thank you

Highly unlikely in my opinion.

 

[LEL]

I've been asked in an interview "how did you end up here?", and the partner wasn't convinced with any of my 3 replies. I took it to mean "what's your journey to commercial law been like?", but I guess not. Any advice on how to answer this if it comes up again?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I've been asked in an interview "how did you end up here?", and the partner wasn't convinced with any of my 3 replies. I took it to mean "what's your journey to commercial law been like?", but I guess not. Any advice on how to answer this if it comes up again?

Difficult one for me to answer here. I am not sure what your interviewer was trying to get to if they weren’t happy with your answers. To me it sounds like you to the right approach.

 

[Yoryis]

I've been asked in an interview "how did you end up here?", and the partner wasn't convinced with any of my 3 replies. I took it to mean "what's your journey to commercial law been like?", but I guess not. Any advice on how to answer this if it comes up again?

Interesting question. Could you provide more information about your replies? Tbh I would understand it as encompassing everything: Why law, why commercial law, why us specifically.

 

[ilovetheDLR]

I've been asked in an interview "how did you end up here?", and the partner wasn't convinced with any of my 3 replies. I took it to mean "what's your journey to commercial law been like?", but I guess not. Any advice on how to answer this if it comes up again?

I got asked this at a very recent interview - I essentially mentioned my interest in commercial law, my thought process behind choosing it as a career (what attracts me, what other options I considered etc.). I think it was also maybe slightly easier for me to answer this as I changed degrees so I could sort of bring that in as well to support some of my points. Partner seemed fine with the responses and asked follow-ups on what things I envisage finding challenging about a career in commercial law and the conversation then went on to why the firm etc.

I think success in interviews depend so much on your interviewer as well and it sounds like you had a particularly harsh partner but that's just luck I suppose. Agree with Jessica though, definitely sounds like you took the right approach.

 

[LEL]

I got asked this at a very recent interview - I essentially mentioned my interest in commercial law, my thought process behind choosing it as a career (what attracts me, what other options I considered etc.). I think it was also maybe slightly easier for me to answer this as I changed degrees so I could sort of bring that in as well to support some of my points. Partner seemed fine with the responses and asked follow-ups on what things I envisage finding challenging about a career in commercial law and the conversation then went on to why the firm etc.

I think success in interviews depend so much on your interviewer as well and it sounds like you had a particularly harsh partner but that's just luck I suppose. Agree with Jessica though, definitely sounds like you took the right approach.

Ahh great, I'll try this if it comes up again - thank you!

 

[LEL]

Interesting question. Could you provide more information about your replies? Tbh I would understand it as encompassing everything: Why law, why commercial law, why us specifically.

So my initial reaction was to answer why I'm interested in commercial law and the types of firms, so I gave a brief answer there. Then when he asked again I think I went back to my IR degree and how my interest in law came from that. When he asked AGAIN I must've bs-ed really hard bc it was getting frustrating not knowing what he was looking for lol. I think it would be a lot to cram in those three points!