General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Pallatablelawyer]

anyone heard from katten after their vac scheme interview?

I hope your interview went well. If you don't mind me asking when did you interview?

 

[Sammy Watkins]

Does anyone know which firms are open for TC and reviewing applications on a rolling basis in April/May? Thanks

 

[Changes]

Does anyone know which firms are open for TC and reviewing applications on a rolling basis in April/May? Thanks

There’s a list on lawcareers.net iirc. Do you mean non-rolling? Most firms will be rolling.

 

[tcseeker]

I hope your interview went well. If you don't mind me asking when did you interview?

about 2 weeks ago!

 

[Pallatablelawyer]

about 2 weeks ago!

Thanks

 

[thirdtimelucky]

Oh really, still haven’t any heard anything, not sure if it’s just me or if others are in same boat?

I haven't heard back either

 

[003]

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.

 

[D]

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.

I 100% agree with this - Do not research something just because you think it'll make you look good. I hope that wasn't what I was conveying in my post. I chose a topic that I was interested in, supported my narrative, and had commercial application.

Furthermore - Yes. Ensure you know it. In two of my interviews, the Partner immediately seized upon the remarks I made in relation to my commercial topic. Both had very strong views on the matter and it was a bone of contention in recent work they had completed. They wanted to know what I knew about it, how I knew about it, and what my opinion was. In that respect, it can be tougher and in interview, you are potentially making life hard for yourself. Conversely, its a chance to stand out!

 

[Changes]

I submitted Bakers McKenzie's WG test yesterday. How long does it usually take for you to receive an automatic rejection email?

I did mine yesterday afternoon and have just received an invite to VI. So must be pretty swift. Also suggests they review apps quite intently pre-tests, given how much longer it got to get the test invite.

For those seeking info in future (I was asking yesterday) the test was 30 minutes and the standard format. The timer paused for instructions before each section and you couldn’t go back to a previous section once you’d completed it (could go back through questions for the section you were on).

 

[Alice G]

I 100% agree with this - Do not research something just because you think it'll make you look good. I hope that wasn't what I was conveying in my post. I chose a topic that I was interested in, supported my narrative, and had commercial application.

Furthermore - Yes. Ensure you know it. In two of my interviews, the Partner immediately seized upon the remarks I made in relation to my commercial topic. Both had very strong views on the matter and it was a bone of contention in recent work they had completed. They wanted to know what I knew about it, how I knew about it, and what my opinion was. In that respect, it can be tougher and in interview, you are potentially making life hard for yourself. Conversely, its a chance to stand out!

No not at all - I just thought I would pitch in a little and offer my two cents but very well said and it sounds like you did this very well indeed

 

[NickyRaykes]

I did mine yesterday afternoon and have just received an invite to VI. So must be pretty swift. Also suggests they review apps quite intently pre-tests, given how much longer it got to get the test invite.

For those seeking info in future (I was asking yesterday) the test was 30 minutes and the standard format. The timer paused for instructions before each section and you couldn’t go back to a previous section once you’d completed it (could go back through questions for the section you were on).

Hey - could I kindly ask when you submitted your application?

 

[arifdc]

Hey All, anyone just been invited to a VI at Marriott Harrison?

 

[Changes]

Hey - could I kindly ask when you submitted your application?

The day before the deadline IIRC.

Has anyone done the VI for Baker McKenzie? Any insights much appreciated.

 

[ShelleyEds]

I did mine yesterday afternoon and have just received an invite to VI. So must be pretty swift. Also suggests they review apps quite intently pre-tests, given how much longer it got to get the test invite.

For those seeking info in future (I was asking yesterday) the test was 30 minutes and the standard format. The timer paused for instructions before each section and you couldn’t go back to a previous section once you’d completed it (could go back through questions for the section you were on).

Can I ask when you have to complete the VI by? Thank you!

 

[Changes]

Can I ask when you have to complete the VI by? Thank you!

Have a week to do it.

 

[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.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

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.