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General Discussion Thread 2020-21
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Hi everyone! i was just wondering that while preparing my answer for 'why X law firm' for an interview. I am really keen on honing on one of their departments that interests me rather than generically speaking about their range of highly ranked practice areas.
my concerns with this are:
1) is it okay to talk about a specific practice (i.e energy) which they're well known/received awards for but isn't like their MAIN thing
2) when talking about an area like energy--- what can you really say why it interests you (like for me its a lot to do with this firm's recent energy deals which are to do with renewable energy and I was planning on linking that with my enthusiasm and interest (?) in the global shift towards renewable energy in wake of the climate crisis. But I'm not sure if this a coherent reason and if I should scrap it altogether.
I don't want to scrap it tbh and rather not take the easier route of talking about their Banking department (which is their main mammoth department) and feigning interest in tht=
Any help on this would be appreciated! Thank you
my concerns with this are:
1) is it okay to talk about a specific practice (i.e energy) which they're well known/received awards for but isn't like their MAIN thing
2) when talking about an area like energy--- what can you really say why it interests you (like for me its a lot to do with this firm's recent energy deals which are to do with renewable energy and I was planning on linking that with my enthusiasm and interest (?) in the global shift towards renewable energy in wake of the climate crisis. But I'm not sure if this a coherent reason and if I should scrap it altogether.
I don't want to scrap it tbh and rather not take the easier route of talking about their Banking department (which is their main mammoth department) and feigning interest in tht=
Any help on this would be appreciated! Thank you
Jessica Booker
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Hi everyone! i was just wondering that while preparing my answer for 'why X law firm' for an interview. I am really keen on honing on one of their departments that interests me rather than generically speaking about their range of highly ranked practice areas.
my concerns with this are:
1) is it okay to talk about a specific practice (i.e energy) which they're well known/received awards for but isn't like their MAIN thing
2) when talking about an area like energy--- what can you really say why it interests you (like for me its a lot to do with this firm's recent energy deals which are to do with renewable energy and I was planning on linking that with my enthusiasm and interest (?) in the global shift towards renewable energy in wake of the climate crisis. But I'm not sure if this a coherent reason and if I should scrap it altogether.
I don't want to scrap it tbh and rather not take the easier route of talking about their Banking department (which is their main mammoth department) and feigning interest in tht=
Any help on this would be appreciated! Thank you
There needs to be balance. It is fine to talk about your interest in energy, but you will probably only spend 6 months there. What about the other 18 months? You need to ensure it doesn’t sound like the reader gets to the end and think, “well this person should go and work for a firm that specialises in Energy work”.
All of the above points are relevant (less so the awards). Remember to always link what you are saying to you though, not just telling them stuff they know about themselves.
There is little point in feigning interest though.
Jessica Booker
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Although the WhatsApp group is ok for people to do of their own accord, I would encourage people to talk about this more in the forums so the support can be seen here more.
1) more people are likely to see the forums and be able to help/support
2) there aren’t any issues with seeing people’s personal contact details on here. I know I for one wouldn’t join a WhatsApp group because I know my telephone number then becomes public to everyone who joins, and I haven’t got any control over who does.
- May 4, 2020
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Hi everyone! i was just wondering that while preparing my answer for 'why X law firm' for an interview. I am really keen on honing on one of their departments that interests me rather than generically speaking about their range of highly ranked practice areas.
my concerns with this are:
1) is it okay to talk about a specific practice (i.e energy) which they're well known/received awards for but isn't like their MAIN thing
2) when talking about an area like energy--- what can you really say why it interests you (like for me its a lot to do with this firm's recent energy deals which are to do with renewable energy and I was planning on linking that with my enthusiasm and interest (?) in the global shift towards renewable energy in wake of the climate crisis. But I'm not sure if this a coherent reason and if I should scrap it altogether.
I don't want to scrap it tbh and rather not take the easier route of talking about their Banking department (which is their main mammoth department) and feigning interest in tht=
Any help on this would be appreciated! Thank you
Yes to both answers, in my experience.
1) This is generally fine, as long as the firm has at least some expertise in it. So if it’s ranked band 4 by chambers, then naturally don’t go for that, but if it’s band 2 instead of 1, it should be fine. Since you say they’re “well known” for it, you should be fine. The most important thing is to mention the awards, but also a recent deal/advice, since a law firm’s primary objective is to do this.
2) The same subject and the same justifications formed a large part of my Linklaters vac scheme interview, and they were perfectly happy with that. Naturally though, stress the business opportunities here - for example, the large number of potential offshore wind farms to be built now that deep waters are no longer an issue, and of course XYZ law firm is ideally positioned to advise on these new projects because [insert previous deal/advice].
Naturally, you should have 4-5 reasons for the answer to why XYZ firm, so you will also need some reasons other than sector/practice focus
thank you everyone for all the support and the kind messages. i honestly really appreciate it and it's why i love this forum so much.
i actually am supposed to have a VS/TC interview with a firm but ever since COVID, the firm has not really updated us on what's going to happen. to give context, the VS/TC interview were supposed to take place in July. I have sent several emails but no response. is it worth giving them a call or should i wait longer?
i actually am supposed to have a VS/TC interview with a firm but ever since COVID, the firm has not really updated us on what's going to happen. to give context, the VS/TC interview were supposed to take place in July. I have sent several emails but no response. is it worth giving them a call or should i wait longer?
- Feb 17, 2018
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Jessica Booker
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as we come into the last week of July, it is worthwhile giving them a call.
Feel quite sad about how my VS interview just went, it was much harder than I expect and I don’t feel like I answered the answers as best as I could. Any advice on how to deal with post-interview sadness?
Jessica Booker
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Most people beat themselves up post-interview. Although I encourage people to self-reflect post-interview and to record a few bits down at to how they felt things went, the problem with this is the vast majority of the time people only focus on the negatives of this rather than being really honest about what went well and what didn't. They focus too much on the negatives and hang on to them - that isn't a good thing to do. Being able to self-evaluate is a very important quality of any lawyer. But to do this you need to be able to recognise both the good and the bad.
Even if it is an unsuccessful interview, think about what you can take from the experience - that at least will be practice and learnings for the next assessment.
However, I have lost count how many conversations I have had with people who will literally beat themselves up about the smallest of detail - they overthink about what they said, what they should have said, how they could have said it better, how one assessor seemed really grumpy and they thought that they didn't like them as a candidate, how the questions were really challenging and wish they'd been better prepared for them etc etc etc. That includes someone on here who recently got a TC with a very reputable firm. We had a series of messages back and forth after their interview where if I took purely how they felt about it, you would have thought there was little to no chance of securing a TC. However, I knew the realities of what they were saying and how they were over looking the positives of what had happened and were just second guessing how they had been perceived.
Take some time to think about the positives - write them down even. Even if it was a disaster of an interview, you have learnt something from it and that is a positive
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Most people beat themselves up post-interview. Although I encourage people to self-reflect post-interview and to record a few bits down at to how they felt things went, the problem with this is the vast majority of the time people only focus on the negatives of this rather than being really honest about what went well and what didn't. The focus too much on the negatives and hang on to them - that isn't a good thing to do.
Even if it is an unsuccessful interview, think about what you can take from the experience - that at least will be practice and learnings for the next assessment.
However, I have lost count how many conversations I have had with people who will literally beat themselves up about the smallest of detail - they overthink about what they said, what they should have said, how they could have said it better, how one assessor seemed really grumpy and they thought that they didn't like them as a candidate, how the questions were really challenging and wish they'd been better prepared for them etc etc etc. That includes someone on here who recently got a TC with a very reputable firm. We had a series of messages back and forth after their interview where if I took purely how they felt about it, you would have thought there was little to no chance of securing a TC. However, I knew the realities of what they were saying and how they were over looking the positives of what had happened and were just second guessing how they had been perceived.
Take some time to think about the positives - write them down even. Even if it was a disaster of an interview, you have learnt something from it and that is a positive
Thank you Jessica, this is great advice and I will definitely do that after binging some Netflix to feel better. I think I just found it more difficult than I expected and was asked questions I felt very unprepared to answer so it felt like it had all gone a bit wrong! I guess I have to wait and see and just balance out the positives with what I would do next time. Thank you again for your kind words!
Jessica Booker
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I highly recommend a Netflix binge!
The questions are meant to be challenging. If they were easy, it would be difficult to differentiate candidates and also you wouldn't be able to test out how good a candidate is. From my experience, the more challenging the questions I asked as an assessor, it was because I felt I could really push the candidate further to see how far they could take something. It often didn't worry us if the candidates then stumbled or even got things wrong - it was a case of pushing them until they did.
Hi there,
Sorry this is coming to you slightly late but I just wanted to say I totally empathise with this feeling and that you will get there in the end.
I had two vac schemes last year and didn't convert either one. I really felt the second one was the firm for me and I have never felt so gutted. I remember phoning my mum as soon as I got the call to inform me I was not successful and I have never felt so helpless and panicked. The thought of another cycle on that day was daunting to me as I was already two years graduated and just felt like my life was on hold.
I share this now because you will still be hurting and probably feeling all these feelings. But after I spent time being sad and upset, I started to really think and reflect. The distance of time and some healing made me realise that the US firm route was not for me - I always felt slightly sceptical about whether it was or not but I took these rejections as a sign. I also thought about what I had learned about myself and the type of firm that might be best for me - this made me feel better as I was developing a plan of action which made me feel more in control and positive about things. Come October, I was back out there at events and networking and I felt much much better. I tackled my apps and really enjoyed answering the questions and discussing what I had learned from my previous vacs. I also recognised I had things to work on and so really sought chances and opportunities to develop myself and work on these things. By the end of the events and open days I was attending to meet more firms, I had a dream firm in mind - one which married up entirely with all my criteria. Following more rejection, I was finally offered a TC with my dream firm and here are more things I realised.
1. Everything happens for a reason.
2. I am much much more grateful for my TC than I would have been if I had gotten it the year earlier (my first cycle). Getting those rejections means I will not take this opportunity lightly and I recognise the privilege of being offered a TC more than I believe I would have.
3. I am much more developed and ready to take on a TC. Being forced to confront some things which held me back has absolutely made me a better candidate and person. I no longer approach feedback with hesitation and nerves - I now seek it and actively try my best to implement ways to do better.
4. I feel more self-aware. This process teaches you a lot about yourself and think this is only ever a good thing in the end.
I am so so sorry to hear you did not get the TC this time. Be upset and take your time to heal - we are all different and we all take our time with these things, but just know that your applications in the next cycle will be all the better for the experience you have now had and you will develop and grow from this eventually (though it will not feel like it now or possibly for a little while). You have already achieved great things in getting on the vac scheme and this will happen for you - at the right firm and at the right time.
thank you so much Alice. Gotta believe there is a greater plan and a better firm for me, and keep pushing. this advice and ur words mean a lot.
Hey. I know someone who applied BCLP a few months ago and got an AC (no date has been given for it yet)
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