General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[hopelesscaseofwhat]

Does anyone know if Baker McKenzie screens applications before WG invites thoroughly? The website says "Should your application meet our criteria, you will be sent links to an online test", and that only 40% of applicants make it through this stage, but it appears to me that nobody at all got a pre-test rejection... So I am a little confused, I kind of don't want to invest £90+ on buying practise tests if everybody got the invite.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know if Baker McKenzie screens applications before WG invites thoroughly? The website says "Should your application meet our criteria, you will be sent links to an online test", and that only 40% of applicants make it through this stage, but it appears to me that nobody at all got a pre-test rejection... So I am a little confused, I kind of don't want to invest £90+ on buying practise tests if everybody got the invite.

I wouldn’t pay £90 on buying practice tests no matter what this answer was

 

[c1070]

Does anyone know if Baker McKenzie screens applications before WG invites thoroughly? The website says "Should your application meet our criteria, you will be sent links to an online test", and that only 40% of applicants make it through this stage, but it appears to me that nobody at all got a pre-test rejection... So I am a little confused, I kind of don't want to invest £90+ on buying practise tests if everybody got the invite.

Don’t buy the practice tests for £90!!!! There are PLENTY of free ones online and when you run out of those there are PDF ones ( a little more faffy to do but can download)
Cannot stress how much I think £90 would be a waste of your money...! For quite a few firms I’ve had WG questions come up in the real thing that have been in free online ones!

 

[hopelesscaseofwhat]

Oh dear, I realise my post was a little silly now... thanks for answering, everybody! I'll dig around for free resources

 

[Helena]

Oh dear, I realise my post was a little silly now... thanks for answering, everybody! I'll dig around for free resources

Not at all - no question is silly. Good luck with your WG.

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

I keep hearing different things, but Baker McKenzie said only 40% of people make it to the Watson Glaser test, but it seems like everyone got an invite? Does that mean they read the applications throughly before sending the invite or do you think they read your application after you take the test?

 

[futuretraineecity]

I do agree with this and think going for more niche topics can be good and probably interesting for an interviewer, but you absolutely need to make sure you know about it inside and out. I say this only because it could be that the interviewer is an authority on this and can therefore really challenge you or, indeed, they may not know as much and so might drill down into the topic in seeking you to explain your understanding more fully. I also find it is good to pick something you genuinely find interesting as opposed to discussing something that you do not. You are far more likely to be motivated to research a topic of genuine interest to the level you will need to do to go into an interview and be able to answer anything on it.

when picking a commercial story, would you say it’s okay even if it only links to a small area of practice for the firm and not one of their key practices?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I keep hearing different things, but Baker McKenzie said only 40% of people make it to the Watson Glaser test, but it seems like everyone got an invite? Does that mean they read the applications throughly before sending the invite or do you think they read your application after you take the test?

could easily be both

 

[Jessica Booker]

when picking a commercial story, would you say it’s okay even if it only links to a small area of practice for the firm and not one of their key practices?

I think you have to tread carefully. It’s not that you cannot use this example, but it depends on how this fits into your whole application or your whole interview. If this just reinforces you have a very strong interest in one of their niche areas (and there is a lack of evidence of interest in their key areas), they could question why you aren’t applying to a firm that specialises in that niche.

 

[Jessica Booker]

One thing I would stress to people, is to stop thinking about how to present specific individual answers to questions, and instead think of your application as a whole.

 

[Alice G]

when picking a commercial story, would you say it’s okay even if it only links to a small area of practice for the firm and not one of their key practices?

Entirely agree with what @Jessica Booker said above

 

[Changes]

I keep hearing different things, but Baker McKenzie said only 40% of people make it to the Watson Glaser test, but it seems like everyone got an invite? Does that mean they read the applications throughly before sending the invite or do you think they read your application after you take the test?

It took over a week to get an invite to the WG and following the test I got an invite to VI within half a day. If that helps...

I’m also aware of people that didn’t get an invite. Naturally you’ll hear more about people that did.

 

[futuretraineecity]

I think you have to tread carefully. It’s not that you cannot use this example, but it depends on how this fits into your whole application or your whole interview. If this just reinforces you have a very strong interest in one of their niche areas (and there is a lack of evidence of interest in their key areas), they could question why you aren’t applying to a firm that specialises in that niche.

This makes sense, thank you!

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

I must apologise on this as I started writing a document on tips for VIs and I have just been a little bit busy this past week so have not had time to develop it much further. I will try and get this turned around as soon as possible. When is the interview?

Also, just a quick tip for everyone - if you '@' and then type a person's username you can be sure they will get a notification and can respond to your question etc just a friendly tip to note so that nothing gets missed!

@Alice G Whenever you finish with this may I also have a look at this? Thank you!

 

[Alice G]

@Alice G Whenever you finish with this may I also have a look at this? Thank you!

I will post it in a new thread for you all and will link it in this main thread so keep an eye out

 

[Alice G]

Hi everyone,

The video interview tips and tricks thread is now live! You can check it out here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/video-interviews-tips-and-tricks.2324/

 

[sc1999]

Anyone heard from Gibson post-app?

I'm also waiting to hear from them and know a few others are in my position. Havent heard anything since I applied in December. I did email them earlier in the month and they said they will be getting back to all candidates by the 10th April but haven't heard anything yet..

Would they even still be giving out AC's at this point? Can I just assume i've been rejected haha.

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

Does anyone know the best website to use to prepare for Baker Mckenzie's Watson Glaser test? assessmentday has questions a lot easier than jobtestprep so not exactly sure which one to use.

 

[S87]

Does anyone know the best website to use to prepare for Baker Mckenzie's Watson Glaser test? assessmentday has questions a lot easier than jobtestprep so not exactly sure which one to use.

Clifford Chance website

 

[FutureCity]

Got through to interview with Reed Smith which has been postponed whilst they look at alternative processes for the vac scheme. Today I received an email asking to 'please make use' of a strengths assessment by the end of this month. I already completed a strengths assessment at the application stage. Do you think this new strengths test is part of the interview process? I'm unsure because of the wording -'make use' rather than 'complete'? Not ideal if the interview process is starting soon as we get closer to exams but glad it's moving forward somewhat.

I don't think it is mandatory to do it. That said, I would definitely do it. Either it'll be insightful or you can pretend it was insightful in the assessment centre.