Ask A Graduate Recruiter Anything!

[TChopeful2021]

I am not 100% sure of the process as the visa system changes at the start of 2021. Let me see if I can do some digging to get clarity on this.

can I double check your dates? Do you mean 2020 or 2021.

Edit: the RLMT will no longer exist in the new immigration system which starts in 2021. You just have to meet the 70 point minimum points criteria.

And yes, you can apply with either no grades or provisional grades. Just make clear when you will get your results.

TC offer in 2021 with a 2023 start.

I just looked at the new system. Am I correct in assuming that the new system means there is no longer an advantage to switching from a Tier 4 to a Tier 2? Therefore I will be able to apply in my home country after my Tier 4 visa expires? Thank you

 

[Jessica Booker]

TC offer in 2021 with a 2023 start.

I just looked at the new system. Am I correct in assuming that the new system means there is no longer an advantage to switching from a Tier 4 to a Tier 2? Therefore I will be able to apply in my home country after my Tier 4 visa expires? Thank you

I am not an expert unfortunately, and it’s difficult to know the specifics of this unless you go through it. It seems to suggest that though.

 

[Jessica Booker]

TC offer in 2021 with a 2023 start.

I just looked at the new system. Am I correct in assuming that the new system means there is no longer an advantage to switching from a Tier 4 to a Tier 2? Therefore I will be able to apply in my home country after my Tier 4 visa expires? Thank you

Thinking about it, I suspect with the post-graduate study visa that is also coming in is why there doesn’t need to be an easier process for moving to a Tier 4 to a Tier 2. Unfortunately law firms didn’t allow people to work on the post-study visa when they existed in 2008, because they didn’t actually last long enough.

 

[TChopeful2021]

Thinking about it, I suspect with the post-graduate study visa that is also coming in is why there doesn’t need to be an easier process for moving to a Tier 4 to a Tier 2. Unfortunately law firms didn’t allow people to work on the post-study visa when they existed in 2008, because they didn’t actually last long enough.

Based on your experience, would you say the new post-graduate study visa would be useful for vac schemes/temp paralegal roles rather than completing a TC and actually qualifying? Now I’m thinking about using the new visa to maybe gain more work experience and convert to a Tier 2 if I get a TC offer and sponsor.

Sorry for bombarding you with all the visa questions. I appreciate there are a lot of uncertainties surrounding this area.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Based on your experience, would you say the new post-graduate study visa would be useful for vac schemes/temp paralegal roles rather than completing a TC and actually qualifying? Now I’m thinking about using the new visa to maybe gain more work experience and convert to a Tier 2 if I get a TC offer and sponsor.

Sorry for bombarding you with all the visa questions. I appreciate there are a lot of uncertainties surrounding this area.

yes - definitely will help for vacation schemes and paralegal roles as it’s been pretty impossible in most instances to get a visa for such roles. You’ll have an automatic right to work in the UK for up to 2 years with no restrictions (as long as you are graduating from a degree or masters after summer 2021 - note the SQE prep courses may not be covered unless they are at masters level).

It’s not to say that makes it easier to qualify though or get qualified roles - many grads will need to be careful with the new SQE model too not become over experienced/under qualified or vice versa. This happens in the accountancy sector and finance sectors a lot.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi there,
I am applying to some US firms which ask for a CV that includes full classification and percentage breakdown of all academic results. My CV already consists of two pages so I am not sure where to add the results. Should I add it as a third page (just listing the modules and results)? I heard that some US firms even prefer one-page CVs and I have not idea how to fit everything on one page.

no - unfortunately you will need to keep it to three pages. Depending on format, you should be able to get your modules grades across 3-4 lines on your CV. You’ll just need to cut down other sections or look at formatting to get it on to two pages with the same content.

my hint is to look for any bullet points that go over two lines. 9 times out of 10 it can be cut down to one line.

 

[Crastle]

How do recruiters view nerves during interviews?

If a candidate is obviously very nervous are they likely to be marked down for it even if they are performing well in the tasks?

 

[Jessica Booker]

How do recruiters view nerves during interviews?

If a candidate is obviously very nervous are they likely to be marked down for it even if they are performing well in the tasks?

Depends on how the nerves present themselves. Generally some leeway is given if there is evidence of it not always being present or in particular ways in which recruiters/lawyers know will be train-able.

However, there can be concerns around nerves. People will be worried that if you are put under pressure in the workplace, whether the behaviours seen in interviews would be seen again. For instance, would you instil confidence in clients when communicating with them? Would you buckle under pressure in stressful situations in the work-place (of which there are likely to be many in a law firm).

 

[IntrepidL]

Hi Jessica,
Just saw your above answer in relation to nerves, and was wondering - what kind of skillsets do you think are most desirable in a good trainee/lawyer, and how do you think we can go about developing/building on these skillsets?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica,
Just saw your above answer in relation to nerves, and was wondering - what kind of skillsets do you think are most desirable in a good trainee/lawyer, and how do you think we can go about developing/building on these skillsets?

Although there are some common skill sets, it will vary from firm to firm. For instance, some firms will value leadership potential more so than team working, while many others will be the other way around. Generally though it will be some from the following list:

• Self determination/drive
• Setting yourself high standards
• Commitment
• Team working
• Leadership
• Organisational skills (e.g. planning, multi-tasking, meeting deadlines)
• Attention to detail/drafting skills
• Ethics
• Analytical skills/Critical thinking
• Communication skills
• Positive attitudes in challenging situations
• Self-development and a want to learn
• Initiative
• Putting yourself outside of your comfort zone
• Creativity/"outside the box" thinking
• Commercial awareness
• Good judgement
• The ability to influence others

A lot of firms will actively tell you what they are looking for though. It will be important to look at firm’s values too as this sometimes provides some insight into what they are looking for too.

How you can develop them is a very long post/list..... it would be easier to say how you don't develop any of the above

 

[Samar]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

Just hoping for some advice on applications that ask about opinions on a recent news. What kinds of things should I take into account when picking a topic?

I was going to try and pick something to do with M&A as its their biggest area, should I also look for news about their clients perhaps or avoid this?

Thanks,

Samar

 

[SouffléSouffléSoufflé]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

I am finishing up an application for an American firm that requires a CV and cover letter. On their website, and from the research I have done, the firm have not stipulated how long the cover letter should be. My draft for the cover letter is so far is a page and a half- is this too long? Would it be viewed negatively if I were to contact them directly to politely ask how long they would expect the cover letter to be?

Thank you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

Just hoping for some advice on applications that ask about opinions on a recent news. What kinds of things should I take into account when picking a topic?

I was going to try and pick something to do with M&A as its their biggest area, should I also look for news about their clients perhaps or avoid this?

Thanks,

Samar

• Something that genuinely interests you
• Something you can talk about at some level of confidence should you be asked about it at a latest stage
• Something relevant to the firm
• Something recent (eg something that’s happened in the last 6 months ideally)
• Something that isn’t too big, too broad or too predictable (eg Brexit/Corona virus/global recession). If you do want to focus on a subject like this, try to pick one of the particular parts/stories within it (eg - one particular business, one particular sector, one particular jurisdiction, one particular aspect of law, one particular change in government policy that impacts politics/economics/law).

It doesn’t need to be a story about a firm’s client. If anything that might be too particular or also you are telling them something they already know, particularly if you are focusing the story on M&A work for that particular client. It needs to be an opinion piece, not a recital of facts piece.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

I am finishing up an application for an American firm that requires a CV and cover letter. On their website, and from the research I have done, the firm have not stipulated how long the cover letter should be. My draft for the cover letter is so far is a page and a half- is this too long? Would it be viewed negatively if I were to contact them directly to politely ask how long they would expect the cover letter to be?

Thank you!

yes - is try to get it down to a page really if you can. You can contact them and ask though - it won’t be seen as a negative. If you are really worried about it being seen negatively, ask a friend who is not applying to that firm to send the email on your behalf.

 

[SouffléSouffléSoufflé]

yes - is try to get it down to a page really if you can. You can contact them and ask though - it won’t be seen as a negative. If you are really worried about it being seen negatively, ask a friend who is not applying to that firm to send the email on your behalf.

Thank you!

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

@Jessica Booker Hello. Hope you are doing fine. Wanted to know how important it is for students to make sense of financial statements of businesses for eg cash flow statements, profit loss statement, balance sheet etc. Do you know any firm or any stage where these might be tested- or are there any tasks like these on Vacation Schemes?

 

[Joe Pagett]

@Jessica Booker

Re individual module grades, whilst obviously one inputs them when applying for schemes, do firms then ask for individual final grades (ie. third year, sem 2 grades not available at the time of applying)?

Or is it simply a case of 'Did you achieve a 2:1?'

Also could certain modules affect an application after interview or after an offer, ie. a low trusts grade for instance

Thanks in advance

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker Hello. Hope you are doing fine. Wanted to know how important it is for students to make sense of financial statements of businesses for eg cash flow statements, profit loss statement, balance sheet etc. Do you know any firm or any stage where these might be tested- or are there any tasks like these on Vacation Schemes?

I don’t think you really need specific technical knowledge of this stuff. Maybe more so if you were going into a form with a strong tax practice specialism.

These things can be simplified down and are basic common sense when done so though. You may find some balance sheets in a case study, you might be asked about basic business concepts like profit and loss/dividends etc in an analytical interview. But you don’t need to studying accountancy thoroughly to understand these. I have never read up on them but understand them, and did so before I ran my business.

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker

Re individual module grades, whilst obviously one inputs them when applying for schemes, do firms then ask for individual final grades (ie. third year, sem 2 grades not available at the time of applying)?

Or is it simply a case of 'Did you achieve a 2:1?'

Also could certain modules affect an application after interview or after an offer, ie. a low trusts grade for instance

Thanks in advance

yes - at some point you’d need to provide a full transcript of grades, even if you didn’t have these at the point of applying because grades hadn’t been released yet.

A very low grade may be an issue - it depend on the relative strength of your other modules, whether you still meet their minimum criteria. However, one low grade (as long as it is a pass) on its own is unlike to have an implications, no matter what the subject. Given Covid, I suspect more leeway will be given with grades for any archived this academic year or sat this summer too.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica. Thank you for your help in advance. Do you think that it is appropriate to briefly mention mitigating circumstances in Cover Letter, given that there is no application form and you can send only CV and CL?

Yes - try to keep it as brief as possible and think about how it fits in with the flow of your cover letter.