General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Andrew M]

@Jessica Booker Jess, one question I'm never really sure how to answer is "How did you hear about our firm? Please tick all that apply."

I genuinely couldn't remember where / how I heard about a specific firm. For me, I just sort of picked up the names of firms through osmosis, what other students were saying, events here and there, etc., yet very few offer the option of just saying "word of mouth / general reputation". Does it even matter what we say here? Are they expecting multiple answers? Because I always just select Chambers Student Guide, since that's what I use the most to research firms.

I just tend to pick a generic one, like I heard on Chambers Student or Reputation. I'm not sure that it matters much to be honest. They probably ask it so that they can gage which are their most effective forms of marketing to students.

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker Jess, one question I'm never really sure how to answer is "How did you hear about our firm? Please tick all that apply."

I genuinely couldn't remember where / how I heard about a specific firm. For me, I just sort of picked up the names of firms through osmosis, what other students were saying, events here and there, etc., yet very few offer the option of just saying "word of mouth / general reputation". Does it even matter what we say here? Are they expecting multiple answers? Because I always just select Chambers Student Guide, since that's what I use the most to research firms.

It’s not an important question for you, it just is more for the firm to collectively work out the success of their media advertising. Just choose the options that seem most logical to you - it doesn’t really need much thought though as it’s not relevant to your application

 

[Velikilawyer123]

I just tend to pick a generic one, like I heard on Chambers Student or Reputation. I'm not sure that it matters much to be honest. They probably ask it so that they can gage which are their most effective forms of marketing to students.

It’s not an important question for you, it just is more for the firm to collectively work out the success of their media advertising. Just choose the options that seem most logical to you - it doesn’t really need much thought though as it’s not relevant to your application

Makes sense, thanks!

 

[James Kitching]

Hi all,
When discussing a recent commercial issue impacting a particular firm’s clients, does the issue need to directly relate to a client of the firm?

Let me use my example: I wish to discuss growing antitrust concerns within the technology sphere. The firm has represented a company affected by this, but not for a good few years. I don’t know if their current clients will be directly impacted or not.

Does this matter? Will they dismiss my answer as irrelevant?

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Let me know if you get an answer to this because I've also wondered how to answer this question. Sometimes they give you a text box to explain your visa situation but most of the time, the options are just yes or no. I don't want to say no in case they think I won't be able to work during the Vacation Scheme and reject me for not being eligible, but I also don't want to mislead them by saying I have permission to work in the UK because I will still need them to sponsor me for my TC.

@Jessica Booker any advice on this point? The original question was how should international students answer the question of whether we need a visa to work in application forms.

 

[Celestie]

How do I say 'Despite working this job, I achieved top academic results at school' without sounding egotistical? I don't wan to come across as bad but I did get high marks while maintaining a job

 

[Manifesting]

How do I say 'Despite working this job, I achieved top academic results at school' without sounding egotistical? I don't wan to come across as bad but I did get high marks while maintaining a job

I would qualify it with the number of hours you worked there on average per week so GR sees that your accomplishments are really impressive in light of that!

 

[Celestie]

I would qualify it with the number of hours you worked there on average per week so GR sees that your accomplishments are really impressive in light of that!

Thank you! I just popped that in. Have you applied for Freshfields by any chance?

 

[whisperingrock]

How do I say 'Despite working this job, I achieved top academic results at school' without sounding egotistical? I don't wan to come across as bad but I did get high marks while maintaining a job

Its an application, brag about your amazing achievement! I definitely agree with the other commenter that adding the hours is a good idea

 

[Manifesting]

Thank you! I just popped that in. Have you applied for Freshfields by any chance?

Hey! I haven’t yet submitted a TC application to Freshfields because they don’t recruit on a rolling basis but I did attend an insight day with them two weeks ago. So feel free to PM if you have any application/firm-related questions.

 

[Evelina]

Did anyone else get a WG invite from Weil? How long does it usually take for them to get back to you?

 

[lozza_2]

Does anyone know whether you should capitalise job titles/roles of responsibility when discussing them in open text questions?

 

[jan28]

hi guys how would you approach a question like 'what proposals would you make to the partnership of a firm?' I think I might be overthinking this because of the broad term partnership as there can be different types so any guidance would be really helpful!

 

[Celestie]

Hey! I haven’t yet submitted a TC application to Freshfields because they don’t recruit on a rolling basis but I did attend an insight day with them two weeks ago. So feel free to PM if you have any application/firm-related questions.

Great - I was invited to one of their workshops so we are in a similar boat. Pinged you a message!

 

[Jessica Booker]

hi guys how would you approach a question like 'what proposals would you make to the partnership of a firm?' I think I might be overthinking this because of the broad term partnership as there can be different types so any guidance would be really helpful!

the partnership are just the people who own the business in this sense.

 

[jan28]

the partnership are just the people who own the business in this sense.

Yes having thought about it more I've gone with thinking of it simply as you said people who own the business/have ability to make changes. Thank you as always, Jessica

 

[dosblancos7]

When a firm asks "whats a news story that you followed", is it important to link it to the firms core practises? For e.g, I really enjoy following Corporate stories, but the firm I have a VS with have a strong focus on Banking- would this be an issue?

 

[Lawbour]

Anyone got any tips for getting onto the ashurst open day? I dont just want to say im interested in its work without being more specific

For all the successful open day applications I have done I always make sure to do a little bit of research on the firm so I can be more specific on what I want to gain from the open day.
So, for example, Ashurst has something called Ashurst Advance Delivery Team which helps the firm better meet client demand through various offerings like tech, so the Open Day may help you learn about specifics of this and maybe how its actually been used in delivering a good service to clients. its also one of the only firms in the City that offers a 6 month pro bono seat within the TC so would be a great thing to mention if you enjoy outreach work and would like to know more about it...

There's a lot more about Ashurst that makes them unique and that you may want to learn more about, it just takes a bit of research to find out what it is haha

 

[Whiyu]

Has anyone heard back from bird & bird post-VI?

 

[Helpme12345]

Hi Rene, I received my email with the link this afternoon!

Hey, did you get confirmation of your registration? There is another webinar tomorrow and I registered but not received any emails!