Ask A Graduate Recruiter Anything!

[Jerome]

It generally means extra curriculars, but it can include positions of responsibility outside of your job but still within your workplace (for instance if you are on an employee committee/network group, or have raised money for your employer’s charity initiatives)

Okay cool thanks. How far back can we get said examples? For instance, can they be 2+ years ago or will they have to be within a relatively past time frame

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello Jessica!

From a law firm's perspective, how does a student applicant compare to an applicant who already has a few years of work experience?

I am currently an international student studying in the UK, and am considering taking on a role in the legal department of a company in my home country (my role should focus on international transactions so hopefully that helps link my experience to UK firms). I was wondering if it would be more difficult for me to be accepted if I am working in a foreign country, versus if I apply now as a student who is physically in the UK?

Would visa sponsorship factor into the firm's consideration?

Thank you so much for your help!

it would have done, but the visa system is about to change this month which basically makes it near enough just as easy to get a work permit for someone who is residing outside of the U.K. just as easy as someone who is residing in it.given there are lots more online events and things like that too, I don’t foresee this to be a problem in the way it once was.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Okay cool thanks. How far back can we get said examples? For instance, can they be 2+ years ago or will they have to be within a relatively past time frame

I have seen people go back to when they were in primary school if it is something they carried one for sometime.

There isn’t a time limit really.

 

[AS858]

Hi Jessica,

I was reviewing an application I sent this morning and I saw that my work experience section was missing from the application through no fault of my own.

Could you advise me on what I should do?

Many thanks

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica,

I was reviewing an application I sent this morning and I saw that my work experience section was missing from the application through no fault of my own.

Could you advise me on what I should do?

Many thanks

Is this a document you submitted or did you log back into an application system?

 

[AS858]

Is this a document you submitted or did you log back into an application system?

I logged back on the system to review my application and found that the work experience section was missing despite filling entries.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I logged back on the system to review my application and found that the work experience section was missing despite filling entries.

it might just be a quirk that you cannot see this, but it’s probably worthwhile contacting the firm and seeing if they can see it at their end, and if not, asking them to reset your application to incomplete so you can provide this detail.

 

[lawyermeup]

Hi Jessica, just wanted some quick advice. I was luckily enough to be invited to interview at Slaughters for a direct TC. They sent me the invite on Saturday, but unfortunately the only available dates were when I am on a vacation scheme. I emailed them essentially saying that I really appreciated the opportunity and I'd love to interview for the firm, but would it be possible to rearrange since I'm on a vacation scheme.

They are yet to reply and I really want to get it sorted before I start the vacation scheme on Monday as the scheme lasts for two weeks. Is it worth calling them tomorrow? I just don't want to come across as overbearing/annoying especially when I've already emailed them. Thank you for any advice you might be able to give.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, just wanted some quick advice. I was luckily enough to be invited to interview at Slaughters for a direct TC. They sent me the invite on Saturday, but unfortunately the only available dates were when I am on a vacation scheme. I emailed them essentially saying that I really appreciated the opportunity and I'd love to interview for the firm, but would it be possible to rearrange since I'm on a vacation scheme.

They are yet to reply and I really want to get it sorted before I start the vacation scheme on Monday as the scheme lasts for two weeks. Is it worth calling them tomorrow? I just don't want to come across as overbearing/annoying especially when I've already emailed them. Thank you for any advice you might be able to give.

Yes, call them. There might not be anything they can do, but at least you will get an answer either way.

 

[Jerome]

Hi, Jessica

If a firm ask 'After a busy at the office, you begin your journey home on the train. The passenger next to you notices you are reading a legal journal and mentions that they are currently looking for a new firm of solicitors as they are not happy with their current firm. How would you promote the firm to the potential client? '

are they looking for something similar to why you picked this firm type answer? For instance, drawing out things that appealed to you. Or, is it something different? Should be noted they already asked what motivated me to apply there. Thanks

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, Jessica

If a firm ask 'After a busy at the office, you begin your journey home on the train. The passenger next to you notices you are reading a legal journal and mentions that they are currently looking for a new firm of solicitors as they are not happy with their current firm. How would you promote the firm to the potential client? '

are they looking for something similar to why you picked this firm type answer? For instance, drawing out things that appealed to you. Or, is it something different? Should be noted they already asked what motivated me to apply there. Thanks

no this is more about understanding the firm and the services it provides to clients rather than why you would want to work for them. There may be some slight cross over but I wouldn’t expect a lot

 

[Jerome]

no this is more about understanding the firm and the services it provides to clients rather than why you would want to work for them. There may be some slight cross over but I wouldn’t expect a lot

Okay, so if they are specialists in say family law, I would mention that?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Okay, so if they are specialists in say family law, I would mention that?

It wouldn’t just be about that. What if the individual you are speaking to doesn’t want family law services? Even if they did why would they use that firm rather than others they could use?

 

[gg332dd]

Hi Jessica would really appreciate your insight in this,

I have been invited to attend an (online) open day at a firm that I also applied for a vacation scheme.

I was wondering if open days substantially increase your chance of securing a vc/tc?

As im really busy with other matters at the moment and would like to withdraw, unless of course it would really boost my vc application?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica would really appreciate your insight in this,

I have been invited to attend an (online) open day at a firm that I also applied for a vacation scheme.

I was wondering if open days substantially increase your chance of securing a vc/tc?

As im really busy with other matters at the moment and would like to withdraw, unless of course it would really boost my vc application?

It’s not as simple as that.

It can help, but it very much depends on you as a candidate both in terms of your application but also whether you come across well on the open day too.

If you have too much on then just say you unfortunately cannot attend and that you hope this will not impact any future applications you may make.

 

[Osh]

One of Macfarlanes questions is explain why are you applying to them. There isn't a section for why commercial law. Do you think I should be incorporating why commercial law into this section?

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

One of Macfarlanes questions is explain why are you applying to them. There isn't a section for why commercial law. Do you think I should be incorporating why commercial law into this section?

from memory I think I put why law in the cover letter

 

[Osh]

from memory I think I put why law in the cover letter

I know there was a cover letter section in previous years, but there is no cover letter section on the TC application form. Just four different questions - 300 words.

 

[Jessica Booker]

One of Macfarlanes questions is explain why are you applying to them. There isn't a section for why commercial law. Do you think I should be incorporating why commercial law into this section?

No - I’d just focus on answering the question

 

[j2134]

Hi Jessica,

What are your views on people referencing money as one of their reasons for choosing a career in commercial law at interview? Do people ever do this?