Ask A Graduate Recruiter Anything!

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you! One final question. Baker McKenzies deadline for the spring vacation scheme is 1 dec, but I see people with offers and ACs already. Is it worth applying? The deadline for the summer scheme is 1 jan. It says on the application that it is aimed at second years, but that finalists also can apply. As a third year, should I apply here instead?

Yep - it’s a big firm with lots of spaces. Will take them sometime to fill them all. If you are eligible you might as well apply if that’s the best opportunity for you.

 

[dosblancos7]

@Jessica Booker Hi! I was invited to an AC for NRF, and they've asked me for a scanned copy of passport and A level grades. I'm not sure what this means, can I just take a clear photo and send my documents through E-mail? I don't have any scanning machinery

Thanks

 

[CSM]

Do you think it is necessary for the Freshfields Graduate Workshop application to start my personal statement with 'Dear Graduate Recruitment Team' and sign off? The word limit is 400 and I just suddenly thought maybe this is necessary when looking at someones application for the Training Contract which is an 850 word limit. Thanks!

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker Hi! I was invited to an AC for NRF, and they've asked me for a scanned copy of passport and A level grades. I'm not sure what this means, can I just take a clear photo and send my documents through E-mail? I don't have any scanning machinery

Thanks

Yes - photos of your documents will be fine.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do you think it is necessary for the Freshfields Graduate Workshop application to start my personal statement with 'Dear Graduate Recruitment Team' and sign off? The word limit is 400 and I just suddenly thought maybe this is necessary when looking at someones application for the Training Contract which is an 850 word limit. Thanks!

no

Most people don’t even do this with their main application form of 850 words.

 

[MW110601]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, just wanted to know your opinion on this vac scheme question:

What are your main spare time interests?

The word limit for this question is 4000 characters which I think is quite a lot. I don't have much to talk about for this answer because right now I'm balancing my full time degree with 2 part time jobs and writing applications, so I don't have much spare time at the moment to pursue any hobbies.

I thought I could talk about my interest in fitness that I have persistently kept up for the last 3.5 years and my position at one of my university's societies as a commercial news writer, as I really enjoy both of these. However, I don't know if I would get close to the 4000 character word limit with only having these to speak about.

Would you recommend that I should really try to elaborate on these with specific examples to try and get close to the word limit, or would the firm understand that I am balancing a lot right now so might not have much to say for this answer?

*EDIT* I also just thought of something else! I have joined 4 societies at my university this year and have been attending at least 2 virtual events a week, but would this be enough to suffice an interest in these societies or would I have to hold a position of responsibility at a society for it to be enough of an interest to discuss in this question?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, just wanted to know your opinion on this vac scheme question:

What are your main spare time interests?

The word limit for this question is 4000 characters which I think is quite a lot. I don't have much to talk about for this answer because right now I'm balancing my full time degree with 2 part time jobs and writing applications, so I don't have much spare time at the moment to pursue any hobbies.

I thought I could talk about my interest in fitness that I have persistently kept up for the last 3.5 years and my position at one of my university's societies as a commercial news writer, as I really enjoy both of these. However, I don't know if I would get close to the 4000 character word limit with only having these to speak about.

Would you recommend that I should really try to elaborate on these with specific examples to try and get close to the word limit, or would the firm understand that I am balancing a lot right now so might not have much to say for this answer?

*EDIT* I also just thought of something else! I have joined 4 societies at my university this year and have been attending at least 2 virtual events a week, but would this be enough to suffice an interest in these societies or would I have to hold a position of responsibility at a society for it to be enough of an interest to discuss in this question?

Don’t worry if it’s not close to 4000 characters for something like this.

Definitely include the university societies though. This is just about your interests, so it doesn’t have to be anything position of responsibility specific.

You can also list the things you would do if you had more time, as it’s your interests. You can also reference the fact your spare time is limited too!

 

[CSM]

no

Most people don’t even do this with their main application form of 850 words.

Thanks Jessica! Great to know.

 

[MW110601]

Don’t worry if it’s not close to 4000 characters for something like this.

Definitely include the university societies though. This is just about your interests, so it doesn’t have to be anything position of responsibility specific.

You can also list the things you would do if you had more time, as it’s your interests. You can also reference the fact your spare time is limited too!

Great thank you so much Jessica!

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Hi Jessica, I have been working with a few law firms on a number of D&I initiatives. I figured this was worth mentioning in my applications to these firms (and it would probably help distinguish my application). However, I'm not sure how to slide this in without it sounding forced. The teams that I worked with are D&I specialist teams and are not Grad Recs at the firm so I don't think my application would be recognised by those sifting through them. Just wondering how I can flag this up and hopefully make myself stand out a bit!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, I have been working with a few law firms on a number of D&I initiatives. I figured this was worth mentioning in my applications to these firms (and it would probably help distinguish my application). However, I'm not sure how to slide this in without it sounding forced. The teams that I worked with are D&I specialist teams and are not Grad Recs at the firm so I don't think my application would be recognised by those sifting through them. Just wondering how I can flag this up and hopefully make myself stand out a bit!

Why would it be forced when you have tangible evidence to back it up?

Why would the person that reading your form have to be the person you worked with for what you are saying to have weight?

 

[Legal_rawn]

Hi! This is a really stupid question but I just want a confirmation of this. For a cover letter do you include your own address in the top right then the address of the firm on the left with the date? Just having a panic and questioning everything

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi! This is a really stupid question but I just want a confirmation of this. For a cover letter do you include your own address in the top right then the address of the firm on the left with the date? Just having a panic and questioning everything

see the attached with a good example of layout

 

[Cory]

Hi Jessica,
I have received a few rejections during this application season. I felt my happy with the research put into my answers and had a query about my exam results and whether this was the issue.
I have already graduated from Warwick University and obtained a 2:1 after my 4 year degree. However, this was a low 2:1 and my module breakdown was inconsistent, ranging from 79% to 45%. Albeit, that was my only third, I mainly obtained 2:1's and had around the same number of 2:2's as I had firsts.
I know firms say their minimum requirement is a 2:1, does this mean that I would be automatically excluded?
Thank you in advance for any help!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica,
I have received a few rejections during this application season. I felt my happy with the research put into my answers and had a query about my exam results and whether this was the issue.
I have already graduated from Warwick University and obtained a 2:1 after my 4 year degree. However, this was a low 2:1 and my module breakdown was inconsistent, ranging from 79% to 45%. Albeit, that was my only third, I mainly obtained 2:1's and had around the same number of 2:2's as I had firsts.
I know firms say their minimum requirement is a 2:1, does this mean that I would be automatically excluded?
Thank you in advance for any help!

The third won't automatically exclude you, but an average of a low 2.1 in some cases (e.g. some firms) may not be enough unless you are excelling everywhere else on your application. It really depends on the firms you are aiming for and also what the rest of your profile is like though.

I would stress that for many firms your academic profile will be sufficient, if we are just using that as a marker. It is just for some it may not be.

 

[Cory]

Thank you! It had just been stressing me out if there was any point in still applying, but I will keep at it.

I had one more question on how detailed firms in general require the work experience section to be? There is usually a 250 word limit for each job and I have not been filling that 250 words, especially when the work experience is only an open day. Could this also be an area of weakness in my applications if I don't fill the required word limit?

 

[bethbristol]

Hi Jessica. I hope I find you well.

I have a small issue. I have applied for a firm that asks for an academic reference before inviting someone to an interview. I got told by the firm that they have contacted my academic referee (this was 10 days ago). Today I got another email saying that they still have not received the reference and they have sent my personal tutor another email asking him to reply within 7 days. I sent my personal tutor a very kind email today telling him about the reference request. I am also panicking because when I asked my personal tutor whether he is happy to give me reference months ago and I never got a reply but my career service said to use my personal tutor details so I did so (plus we had a good relationship while I was still at uni so I did not think it will be a problem).

I am not sure what else to do now. I don't want to get rejected because of the lack of reference. Should I possibly message the firm next week offering another referee? I will have to ask another tutor first for permission it could take time. I think I really messed this up.

Not Jessica and so don't have the wisdom of graduate recruitment, but I am sure that this is something that has happened to people a lot. Why don't you email another tutor today asking about the possibility of a reference and see what they say? This might help to put your mind at ease. I think firms will be understanding, particularly so at the moment.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you! It had just been stressing me out if there was any point in still applying, but I will keep at it.

I had one more question on how detailed firms in general require the work experience section to be? There is usually a 250 word limit for each job and I have not been filling that 250 words, especially when the work experience is only an open day. Could this also be an area of weakness in my applications if I don't fill the required word limit?

I would be worried if anyone wrote 250 words for an open day entry. It will basically be waffle or telling people unnecessary detail. I would expect an open day entry to be very short and focused on what you learnt/how it shaped your career motivation more than anything else.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica. I hope I find you well.

I have a small issue. I have applied for a firm that asks for an academic reference before inviting someone to an interview. I got told by the firm that they have contacted my academic referee (this was 10 days ago). Today I got another email saying that they still have not received the reference and they have sent my personal tutor another email asking him to reply within 7 days. I sent my personal tutor a very kind email today telling him about the reference request. I am also panicking because when I asked my personal tutor whether he is happy to give me reference months ago and I never got a reply but my career service said to use my personal tutor details so I did so (plus we had a good relationship while I was still at uni so I did not think it will be a problem).

I am not sure what else to do now. I don't want to get rejected because of the lack of reference. Should I possibly message the firm next week offering another referee? I will have to ask another tutor first for permission it could take time. I think I really messed this up.

You haven’t messed up.

Speak to someone in your faculty office rather than another tutor. It’s usually just a case of getting the university to verify your grades, and it maybe the case that they have a reference on file anyway (especially if the referee has had to provide one before).

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Why would it be forced when you have tangible evidence to back it up?

Why would the person that reading your form have to be the person you worked with for what you are saying to have weight?

Hi Jessica, thank for your response! I did a collaboration with Weil on a D&I initiative but, looking at their VS application form, there doesn't seem to be a place where I can slot in this discussion. This is probably a stupid question but is it worth omitting or should I mention it regardless?