General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Frank]

Just got a rejection from A & O direct TC application, I'm so gutted, I really thought my application was strong

I'm very sorry to hear this; heads up!

Mind asking what intake did you apply for?

 

[keira]

I'm very sorry to hear this; heads up!

Mind asking what intake did you apply for?

2022!

 

[J123]

Does anyone know when we can expect a response from w&c re the direct Tc apps from last cycle? It seems like it’s one of the last firms to say

I heard that two members of the grad recruitment team left recently and haven't been replaced so this might explain the delay. Also, they only finished their 'spring' vac scheme mid-August.

 

[LS12]

I heard that two members of the grad recruitment team left recently and haven't been replaced so this might explain the delay. Also, they only finished their 'spring' vac scheme mid-August.

Thanks for this. Hopefully it will come soon!

 

[Tintin06]

Rejection from Travers meaning every app in the last cycle was unsuccessful.

I did two Vac Schemes but I'm not sure that helps. Are some firms less likely to take you if you've done a VS at a US firm?

Also how does declaring a disability impact things?

 

[Legal_rawn]

Thought I would just put this out here! I did the VS with Deloitte this summer so if anyone has any questions or wants any advice on what they are looking for (either VS or TC) I'd be more than happy to help!

 

[0603]

Thought I would just put this out here! I did the VS with Deloitte this summer so if anyone has any questions or wants any advice on what they are looking for (either VS or TC) I'd be more than happy to help!

That is so kind of you! have Deloitte opened for this cycle ? Last I checked they were not opening applications this year (I really wanted to apply) and spoke to someone on this thread about it as well they said the same thing.

 

[DrowninginSQE]

Rejection from Travers meaning every app in the last cycle was unsuccessful.

I did two Vac Schemes but I'm not sure that helps. Are some firms less likely to take you if you've done a VS at a US firm?

Also how does declaring a disability impact things?

I'm in the same boat as you. I don't think it would have an effect because you can say at interviews why you're interested in XYZ firm as opposed to your vac scheme ones. I had a direct TC interview after a vac scheme and I used a comparison to say why I preferred them to the vac scheme firm.

With regards to disability, I tend to not put it on applications because I don't have mitigating circumstances but if I got invited to an AC, I sometimes send grad rec an email if I need adjustments, like to check access and for extra time in written assessments. Some people would rather be upfront but personally, it doesn't affect my performance if someone from the firm makes an untoward comment about not expecting a physically disabled candidate or whatever (which has happened a few times before). I don't think it is anyone else's business and I am perfectly happy keeping it off my application form as it doesn't affect my performance. If you have mitigating circumstances I would perhaps disclose.

Hope that helps!

 

[Legal_rawn]

That is so kind of you! have Deloitte opened for this cycle ? Last I checked they were not opening applications this year (I really wanted to apply) and spoke to someone on this thread about it as well they said the same thing.

Given my experience with them this summer I could imagine that being the case or that they haven't decided yet. They only take on 2 trainees for a TC, one non-law and one law. They told me they looked into taking an additional non-law trainee but couldn't (hence why I've been put on their waitlist). As far as I am aware they thought their virtual VS went very well so I could imagine them running something similar this summer.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Rejection from Travers meaning every app in the last cycle was unsuccessful.

I did two Vac Schemes but I'm not sure that helps. Are some firms less likely to take you if you've done a VS at a US firm?

Also how does declaring a disability impact things?

The first point is likely to have an impact - firms don't really want to be seen as a back up plan if working in a US firm doesn't happen.

Declaring a disability shouldnt be an issue at all.

 

[0603]

Given my experience with them this summer I could imagine that being the case or that they haven't decided yet. They only take on 2 trainees for a TC, one non-law and one law. They told me they looked into taking an additional non-law trainee but couldn't (hence why I've been put on their waitlist). As far as I am aware they thought their virtual VS went very well so I could imagine them running something similar this summer.

keeping my fingers crossed for you!!! Also thank you this insight, I wasn't aware their intake was this small. Deloitte is going down the SQE route right?

 

[orange32]

The first point is likely to have an impact - firms don't really want to be seen as a back up plan if working in a US firm doesn't happen.

Declaring a disability shouldnt be an issue at all.

With respect to the first point (already having done schemes at other firms), how would you suggest we present/portray the experiences to mitigate the perception that our direct TC applications are to 'second choice' firms?

Thanks!

 

[Jen E C]

With respect to the first point (already having done schemes at other firms), how would you suggest we present/portray the experiences to mitigate the perception that our direct TC applications are to 'second choice' firms?

Thanks!

Articulate it in a way that highlights it as a learning experience. Perhaps consider how in hindsight why they weren't the right fit for you, and how that helped you come to the realisation that the firm you are now applying to is right for you. I think the point is to have it be a two-way decision as to why you didn't end up at the previous firm, and that you are sure about the current one.

 

[Tintin06]

Articulate it in a way that highlights it as a learning experience. Perhaps consider how in hindsight why they weren't the right fit for you, and how that helped you come to the realisation that the firm you are now applying to is right for you. I think the point is to have it be a two-way decision as to why you didn't end up at the previous firm, and that you are sure about the current one.

Thank you. I was worried I might have to leave it out of all future apps for a second.

 

[003]

Re explaining not converting a VS to a TC above, is it less of an issue if it is just one type of firm rather than two? The firm is technically US but more international. I recently finished a VS and it had a new TC interview added at the end (purely case study based). No one has heard an outcome yet, but it was the worst interview that I have had. A benchmark for the case study has to be met before the performance on the scheme is taken into account and I'm fairly certain I haven't met the benchmark; especially as there were nearly 3 x interviewees, in total than TC places.

 

[Jaysen]

Re explaining not converting a VS to a TC above, is it less of an issue if it is just one type of firm rather than two? The firm is technically US but more international. I recently finished a VS and it had a new TC interview added at the end (purely case study based). No one has heard an outcome yet, but it was the worst interview that I have had. A benchmark for the case study has to be met before the performance on the scheme is taken into account and I'm fairly certain I haven't met the benchmark; especially as there were nearly 3 x interviewees, in total than TC places.

I don't think it matters whether it's one 'type' or more. Failing to convert a vacation scheme is very common. To me, it just tells me that you managed to pass the recruitment process for one firm and successfully make it onto the vacation scheme. The fact that you didn't then convert the vacation scheme isn't a big issue, there are so many factors that could have caused this.

As @Jennifer quite rightly said, you just need to craft a clear narrative as to what happened with those firms and why exactly you chose the firms you did. You can then explain how this brings you to the firm you are interviewing at.

 

[Jen E C]

Thank you. I was worried I might have to leave it out of all future apps for a second.

Definitely don't leave it out. Doing another VS or two shows not only commitment to the career and that you know what you're getting yourself into, but that you are a great candidate too. It lends you great credibility.

Obvs TC is the end goal but don't forget that getting a VS is still an astounding achievement.

 

[Jen E C]

Re explaining not converting a VS to a TC above, is it less of an issue if it is just one type of firm rather than two? The firm is technically US but more international. I recently finished a VS and it had a new TC interview added at the end (purely case study based). No one has heard an outcome yet, but it was the worst interview that I have had. A benchmark for the case study has to be met before the performance on the scheme is taken into account and I'm fairly certain I haven't met the benchmark; especially as there were nearly 3 x interviewees, in total than TC places.

As Jaysen said, I don't believe it matters. It may not even come up. To note, this year I did a VS at both a silver circle firm and a US firm. The US firm knew I'd done a VS at the silver circle but didn't even ask about it or whether I had managed to convert it.

Additionally, if you needed to, I bet you could draw more similarities than you would expect between two firms that, on paper, are very different.

 

[Deleted member 5185]

Rejection from Travers Smith, only White and Case left to go.

 

[whoyou]

You should absolutely not leave out your VS experiences from an application - it is an impressive form of work experience that will only strengthen your apps. Like Jaysen said, it is common amongst applicants to have not moved on from a VS to a TC (not all law firms have the intake to do so + it remains highly competitive) firms are aware of this.

Thank you. I was worried I might have to leave it out of all future apps for a second.