General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Jessica Booker]

Also on average, how many apps is a good number to make without going crazy? lol

the number will be based on your preferences and requirements in an employer. Don’t focus on what other people are doing - just focus on how many applications is right for you.

 

[jan28]

Has anyone ever applied for something and were genuinely dumbfounded that they got it whether it be TC, VS or otherwise?

Yep - got a vac scheme at a silver circle this year and I was CONVINCED I wouldn't get it. Others on the scheme also felt the same. Really made me realise you never know what they see so all you can do is try your best

 

[tractor12]

I’ve recruited enough people who clearly thought this going by their reaction when I offered them.

What are the best reactions you’ve seen?

 

[Jessica Booker]

What are the best reactions you’ve seen?

the person who thought it was a wind up by one of their friends was particularly funny.

In days of old we used to have to send offers out on the 1st September - I used to stay up until midnight and send all the emails off in one go. We then used to call the offerees the next morning. There were various stories of people screaming their house down and waking up their whole household/neighbours when they got an email at 00.01 on 1 September.

Had several people swear at me (out of shock) and then get really worried their swearing was going to be looked at negatively!

 

[tractor12]

the person who thought it was a wind up by one of their friends was particularly funny.

In days of old we used to have to send offers out on the 1st September - I used to stay up until midnight and send all the emails off in one go. We then used to call the offerees the next morning. There were various stories of people screaming their house down and waking up their whole household/neighbours when they got an email at 00.01 on 1 September.

Had several people swear at me (out of shock) and then get really worried their swearing was going to be looked at negatively!

These are brilliant! Have you had some very bad responses to rejections?

 

[Parent]

the person who thought it was a wind up by one of their friends was particularly funny.

In days of old we used to have to send offers out on the 1st September - I used to stay up until midnight and send all the emails off in one go. We then used to call the offerees the next morning. There were various stories of people screaming their house down and waking up their whole household/neighbours when they got an email at 00.01 on 1 September.

Had several people swear at me (out of shock) and then get really worried their swearing was going to be looked at negatively!

That’s interesting. At the MC firm my child has been offered a TC with - it was the Partner who phoned. Not Grad Recruitment.

 

[Jessica Booker]

These are brilliant! Have you had some very bad responses to rejections?

Oh yes.... at least you know you made the right decision then. I’ll need to track down my “HR diatribe” response I once had... let me see if I can find it.

 

[Velikilawyer123]

Generally they are no different to when you are in person, it’s just delivered virtually/online

But wouldn't not being in person make a significant difference here? You can't really read body language, facial expressions may be difficult to discern (especially if someone has poor video quality), and even with the best internet speed there's always a slight delay which makes it much more difficult to have a conversation with multiple people.

My understanding was that many / most firms will be avoiding group exercises via video for this reason. Does anyone have any insight on this?

 

[Jessica Booker]

That’s interesting. At the MC firm my child has been offered a TC with - it was the Partner who phoned. Not Grad Recruitment.

Yes - that used to be the case at the three MC firms I worked for. Grad Rec used to do the calls the partners couldn’t - which considering you could be making up to 60 offers the same day, were often a significant number for Grad Rec. Especially if the 1st September fell on a Saturday or Sunday

 

[Jessica Booker]

Oh yes.... at least you know you made the right decision then. I’ll need to track down my “HR diatribe” response I once had... let me see if I can find it.

found it....,from 2015. This was after I had given them feedback post application when we didn’t normally give it but they kept contacting everyone in the firm and we felt it was easier to just give them the feedback and respond to some of their other “criticisms” they had put into writing....

Dear Jess

I am not disappointed at all and in fact I do not understand what your letters are doing in my inbox.

If the purpose of your 'responses' to annoy and frustrate then could you please stop writing your insulting HR diatribe to me? I have done and still doing more extra-curricular activities than most law graduates do and have given well reasoned answers to all the questions on your application form.

Your response that you spend your week-ends considering graduates' applications is pathetic and no reasonable person will believe you.

Regards

 

[Jessica Booker]

But wouldn't not being in person make a significant difference here? You can't really read body language, facial expressions may be difficult to discern (especially if someone has poor video quality), and even with the best internet speed there's always a slight delay which makes it much more difficult to have a conversation with multiple people.

My understanding was that many / most firms will be avoiding group exercises via video for this reason. Does anyone have any insight on this?

Some firms have stopped doing group exercises for the reasons you have suggested.

However, with everyone feeling like Zoom/Teams video calls are here to stay for a long time, many firms are deciding to keep group exercises in their virtual/online assessment centres and have been finding that if anything it can be better for candidates (eg you can see everyone’s faces on one screen rather than facing certain people more than others). I think some firms are also taking it as an opportunity to see how candidates respond to digital technology and how they adapt to it. Having assessed some group exercises in the last four months, I have actually been surprised how well they run.

Employers are tending to make the exercises slightly longer or with contingency timings for things like technical issues. I haven’t experienced any issues with quality of video/sound, but that might be where the employers have been doing checks with candidates ahead of the assessments and ensuring everyone is set up well.

 

[CarinaH]

But wouldn't not being in person make a significant difference here? You can't really read body language, facial expressions may be difficult to discern (especially if someone has poor video quality), and even with the best internet speed there's always a slight delay which makes it much more difficult to have a conversation with multiple people.

My understanding was that many / most firms will be avoiding group exercises via video for this reason. Does anyone have any insight on this?

our group exercise was done via video platform. We all had the room open so we could talk to each other when things needed to be discussed and other than that turned our cameras off and did our research. It honestly wasn’t much different to doing it in person. The actual presenting bit was a bit more tricky, but we managed to plan it quite well beforehand, so in the end it was not too bad. I was so worried about the group exercise and in the end I think if you plan it well and work together, it’s not different to doing it in person. You still see everyone on camera, so it isn’t as difficult as you might think

 

[Velikilawyer123]

Some firms have stopped doing group exercises for the reasons you have suggested.

However, with everyone feeling like Zoom/Teams video calls are here to stay for a long time, many firms are deciding to keep group exercises in their virtual/online assessment centres and have been finding that if anything it can be better for candidates (eg you can see everyone’s faces on one screen rather than facing certain people more than others). I think some firms are also taking it as an opportunity to see how candidates respond to digital technology and how they adapt to it. Having assessed some group exercises in the last four months, I have actually been surprised how well they run.

Employers are tending to make the exercises slightly longer or with contingency timings for things like technical issues. I haven’t experienced any issues with quality of video/sound, but that might be where the employers have been doing checks with candidates ahead of the assessments and ensuring everyone is set up well.

our group exercise was done via video platform. We all had the room open so we could talk to each other when things needed to be discussed and other than that turned our cameras off and did our research. It honestly wasn’t much different to doing it in person. The actual presenting bit was a bit more tricky, but we managed to plan it quite well beforehand, so in the end it was not too bad. I was so worried about the group exercise and in the end I think if you plan it well and work together, it’s not different to doing it in person. You still see everyone on camera, so it isn’t as difficult as you might think

Ah I see, yeah all of that makes sense actually. Thanks!

 

[WMA]

Has anyone ever applied for something and were genuinely dumbfounded that they got it whether it be TC, VS or otherwise?

Just last week I was offered a Training Contract with a large national firm with opportunities internationally. I had completely resigned myself from the idea of getting a TC there as I thought I completely tanked the final interview and told all my family and friends that this year unfortunately won't be the year I get a TC. I then got the call and couldn't even think of anything to say. They even want me to start before 2022!
Weirdly enough, I was much more confident in other applications which I didn't progress in so it just goes to show, you never know!
Also whilst I'm here, my cycle this year has been much more successful thanks to everyone on this forum! The commercial awareness pages helped me in numerous interviews and everyone's positive attitude also. Best of luck everyone!

 

[W]

Just last week I was offered a Training Contract with a large national firm with opportunities internationally. I had completely resigned myself from the idea of getting a TC there as I thought I completely tanked the final interview and told all my family and friends that this year unfortunately won't be the year I get a TC. I then got the call and couldn't even think of anything to say. They even want me to start before 2022!
Weirdly enough, I was much more confident in other applications which I didn't progress in so it just goes to show, you never know!
Also whilst I'm here, my cycle this year has been much more successful thanks to everyone on this forum! The commercial awareness pages helped me in numerous interviews and everyone's positive attitude also. Best of luck everyone!

Love inspo stories like this!

 

[Alice G]

Just last week I was offered a Training Contract with a large national firm with opportunities internationally. I had completely resigned myself from the idea of getting a TC there as I thought I completely tanked the final interview and told all my family and friends that this year unfortunately won't be the year I get a TC. I then got the call and couldn't even think of anything to say. They even want me to start before 2022!
Weirdly enough, I was much more confident in other applications which I didn't progress in so it just goes to show, you never know!
Also whilst I'm here, my cycle this year has been much more successful thanks to everyone on this forum! The commercial awareness pages helped me in numerous interviews and everyone's positive attitude also. Best of luck everyone!

Congratulations!!!

 

[Daniel Boden]

Just last week I was offered a Training Contract with a large national firm with opportunities internationally. I had completely resigned myself from the idea of getting a TC there as I thought I completely tanked the final interview and told all my family and friends that this year unfortunately won't be the year I get a TC. I then got the call and couldn't even think of anything to say. They even want me to start before 2022!
Weirdly enough, I was much more confident in other applications which I didn't progress in so it just goes to show, you never know!
Also whilst I'm here, my cycle this year has been much more successful thanks to everyone on this forum! The commercial awareness pages helped me in numerous interviews and everyone's positive attitude also. Best of luck everyone!

Huge congrats!

 

[D]

Just last week I was offered a Training Contract with a large national firm with opportunities internationally. I had completely resigned myself from the idea of getting a TC there as I thought I completely tanked the final interview and told all my family and friends that this year unfortunately won't be the year I get a TC. I then got the call and couldn't even think of anything to say. They even want me to start before 2022!
Weirdly enough, I was much more confident in other applications which I didn't progress in so it just goes to show, you never know!
Also whilst I'm here, my cycle this year has been much more successful thanks to everyone on this forum! The commercial awareness pages helped me in numerous interviews and everyone's positive attitude also. Best of luck everyone!

Congrats!

 

[E.A]

Anyone heard from Orrick?

I emailed them and they told me they will start reviewing applications in Oct/ Nov

 

[champ591]

has anyone heard from White & Case?