General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Mxkry]

I'm in literal tears. Made the brutal mistake of assuming Ashurst's deadline was 12pm tonight rather than midday. Spent four days on the application and really felt there was a strong chance of interview..

I submitted a hopeful email to grad recruitment and they gave me a chance to submit my application!

 

[Natalie Black]

Just got an Ashurst rejection after applying in September 2019 and doing all the tests February 2020...

 

[D95]

Just received a rejection from one US law firm (I feel generous today, so I won't name and shame them).

That's all fine, but I made this application back in July 2019 ...

 

[Kablahc]

Hi All,

I'm not sure where I'm going wrong?? I've been applying since January this year and have either been rejected, completed the online test and then rejected, passed an online test but then rejected or waited almost 5 months to hear back and then been rejected. I really thought that this year I would have secured a TC and I just feel pretty rubbish.

I have pushed myself outside of my comfort zone, reached out to individuals on LinkedIn who share a similar background to myself and have secured a TC, submitted what I thought were really strong applications and offered real mitigating circumstances where applicable. I thought that perhaps because of my strong experience (I've been working as a paralegal for the past 3 years) I would have a strong chance....but this doesn't seem to hold much weight.

I really have no idea where I am going wrong??

As others have said asking someone else to review your applications is the best bet. But also consider what type of firms you're applying to. Sometimes it's totally inexplicable but certain firms just happen to not like your application - sometimes it's a personality thing, other times it's a they'd prefer different skills thing. It seems like you're pretty proactive but, it can really help to shoot an app to firms you might not usually apply for! For example I thought on my CV it looked really obvious I wanted to do PC work, but after talking to some others in the field I realised my USP and personality on paper at least fits commercial work better and that's part of the reason I kept getting rejected by PC specialist firms. You're probably doing this already but, just a thought that some apps to the unexpected might bring some unexpected results

 

[M1999]

How do people deal with rejection at the first stage, especially on an application you thought was very tailored etc. I do not really know where I’m going wrong because my grades are pretty good & my app has been reviewed

 

[orange32]

Hi, does anyone have experience with a holdup because of references not being submitted yet? Will the firm end up withdrawing/cancelling your application/offer if the situation drags on for too long? Is it advisable to write to the firm saying you will provide another referee if your referee cannot be reached after multiple attempts

 

[layk]

Was wondering if anyone could shed light on the Simmons & Simmons app - the work experience part only seems to let you write about 4 experiences and then there's a box for 'other relevant experiences'. How have people gone about this? Do you choose your four most relevant experiences then write about all the other experiences in the 'other experiences' box, and how many experiences are you allowed to write in the 'other experiences' box?

 

[S87]

Guys, is anyone applying to Reed Smith?

The app looks a bit weird..there are only two questions!!

 

[futuretraineecity]

A&O rejection for summer VS

 

[Legal_rawn]

If an application asks for any prizes or awards is this the right place to put things like music qualifications? If they aren’t mentioned elsewhere on the application

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, does anyone have experience with a holdup because of references not being submitted yet? Will the firm end up withdrawing/cancelling your application/offer if the situation drags on for too long? Is it advisable to write to the firm saying you will provide another referee if your referee cannot be reached after multiple attempts

very common in some firms. Unlikely the firm will withdraw your application - they will either just run out of time, find an alternative reference or decide on your application without it.

Can you not speak to your referee rather than providing a new one?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Was wondering if anyone could shed light on the Simmons & Simmons app - the work experience part only seems to let you write about 4 experiences and then there's a box for 'other relevant experiences'. How have people gone about this? Do you choose your four most relevant experiences then write about all the other experiences in the 'other experiences' box, and how many experiences are you allowed to write in the 'other experiences' box?

That’s how most people approach it.

Can be as many in the “other” section as you want.

 

[Jessica Booker]

If an application asks for any prizes or awards is this the right place to put things like music qualifications? If they aren’t mentioned elsewhere on the application

yes

 

[orange32]

very common in some firms. Unlikely the firm will withdraw your application - they will either just run out of time, find an alternative reference or decide on your application without it.

Can you not speak to your referee rather than providing a new one?

does this apply to cases where they're making a final decision on whether to make a TC offer? I did an AC a while ago and am worried that they are going to not give me an offer / reject me just because of referee delays (which would be very frustrating considering how much work I put in...)

my referee isn't that responsive over email and because of covid-19 it's virtually impossible for me to meet him in person

 

[MarathonNotaSprint]

Guys, is anyone applying to Reed Smith?

The app looks a bit weird..there are only two questions!!

Hey, its 2 questions in the first stage (it is not the graded part, just used for reference if they invite you to an interview), then an SJT (which everyone pretty much gets) and if you pass that stage, its 2 other questions (which are graded) based on commercial awareness and 'why Reed Smith'.

They do it this way to ensure fairness in the process. Hope that helps

 

[S87]

Hey, its 2 questions in the first stage (it is not the graded part, just used for reference if they invite you to an interview), then an SJT (which everyone pretty much gets) and if you pass that stage, its 2 other questions (which are graded) based on commercial awareness and 'why Reed Smith'.

They do it this way to ensure fairness in the process. Hope that helps

Thank you so much for this

 

[Jessica Booker]

does this apply to cases where they're making a final decision on whether to make a TC offer? I did an AC a while ago and am worried that they are going to not give me an offer / reject me just because of referee delays (which would be very frustrating considering how much work I put in...)

my referee isn't that responsive over email and because of covid-19 it's virtually impossible for me to meet him in person

Any offer would be subject to the firm receiving appropriate references - that’s a standard term in any employment offer.

Because of that, they would just make you an offer and would speak to you if they weren’t getting appropriate references.

 

[WilliamsJef]

Does anyone know if A and O recruit mainly through VS? I'm tempted to apply for direct TC but not sure it's worth it as I haven't done a vac scheme anywhere else.

 

[Tintin06]

Have the Watson Glaser coming up for NRF and quite worried.

The most I got in a WG was 31/40 for Hogan Lovells and it wasn't enough to get an interview.

This is my third time applying for NRF so quite worried about not passing.

Anyone have any advice?

 

[Adam Gilchrist]

Does anyone know if A and O recruit mainly through VS? I'm tempted to apply for direct TC but not sure it's worth it as I haven't done a vac scheme anywhere else.

If you haven't done a VS anywhere else, then A&O's VS/direct TC ratio doesn't matter to you. Rule of thumb is you need a VS under your belt first to apply for a TC.