Hi, I got a summer vacation scheme at a firm. There are three schemes available and I can only make the very last scheme - would that affect my chances of getting a TC? There is a very limited number of places available because it's a US firm.
Hello guys. I just accepted a TC from Links. It still feels unreal. This was my first AC and I was lucky enough to get the offer. I never thought that I would be able to make it when I was filling the applications form in the winter. I really didn't expect anything as I have received countless rejections for first-year schemes, and I don't think there's anything special in me. So when I received my AC invite, I believed it was just luck and I would almost defo screw up because it just seems so hard and I don't believe in myself. But anyway, I didn't give up and I did my best to prep for it. After I walked out of the interview room that day, I honestly thought it exploded and that was the end. But I guess miracles do happen, and all the hard work does pay off.
So guys, remember, never give up! During the process, don't worry too much about whether you will get good results. We all fail but we learn and reflect. That's how we improve. Just keep working and focusing on what you are doing. Hang in there and you never know what's going to happen!
Lastly, I just want to say a massive thank you to Jaysen, and I don't think it will be possible with him
All the best.
Had a really frustrating call with Jones Day grad recruitment. I explained to them that the summer scheme that they had offered me clashed with another scheme that I had already accepted, but I was clear that I was quite committed to pursuing a career with Jones Day and asked about being transferred onto the Spring scheme. They said that they would not be able transfer me onto the spring scheme as it was oversubscribed, which I can understand. What I found very frustrating was that they said that if I didn't accept the offer now they would not consider my application next year. Is this standard practice ? Apart from defaulting on my contract with the other firm what choice do I have, and is this an option ? Like, I feel that I would prefer JD over the other firm, but I just wouldn't feel right rejecting them just after I accepted my offer. Advice would be welcome...I only have until Friday to make a decision.
Firstly, I am sorry to hear you are not feeling right. Law firms recognise the importance of tackling mental health issues and should be receptive to your situation. However, I have no firsthand experience of a firm's policy on deferring a VS. What is important is that you ask to speak to someone in Grad Recruitment so that you can be open and honest with them about your current health and discuss with them any possible strategies for moving forward. I thought you would like to see this link from Thomson Reuters on the subject and how some law firms are supporting their staff. https://blogs.thomsonreuters.com/le...o-new-working-practices-to-support-employees/Does anyone know of deferring vac schemes due to health reasons? I have had a lot of mental health issues in the past - at the interview, I was in a good state and told them I was doing well again. But recently my health has declined. Do you think they would retract my vac scheme offer?
I interviewed with them last week (quite a tight turnaround, only received an email about it exactly a week before) and someone I know had theirs on Thursday so I would assume it's ongoing! Haven't heard back from them yet since though.
Hey, just wanted some advice as feeling very low about the whole law thing! Thanks so much for everyone on this community, who have been sooo nice and supportive.
I have had 2 ACs this year for vac schemes and have been rejected after both, for completely different reasons. First one was the written exercise and the case study interview, but I was told the group exercise was really good and the competency interview was good too. Now, the second one has said my group exercise and competency interview let me down, and case study interview was really good? Everything else I was just rejected at the form stage- managed to pass all the WG tests I did etc. so it was all on what I wrote.
Just feeling so disheartened with the whole thing as I've spent so much time this year juggling and sometimes even sacrificing my uni work with/for law applications and now I've been rejected from everything I've applied for and won't be getting anything this year. I just feel like I've put all my eggs in one basket and don't have the contacts to get any other work experience in anything commercial or law based this summer. So next year when I apply, I'll still have next to no experience, which might look bad for a third year...
Does anyone have any tips for not just giving up on the whole law thing? Just feel like I've wasted so much time and don't even have anything coherent to work on for next year as I was rejected for completely different reasons from both? Know you have to be resilient and all that but it is depressing when the rejections just roll in haha.
Anyway, has anyone got any tips for finding something else that might be useful for the summer? Or just for not being so disillusioned with the whole process? Anyone in the same boat?
You could try but I did an AC with them - there were 4 over 4 days back in early Feb and I believe they recruit solely from the VS. I think that amended closing date was an error to be honest.Just received a Skadden 'rejection'? I applied for the VS when they extended the deadline on the website and this is the email I have received:
Thank you for your recent application for a vacation placement at Skadden. The deadline for applications was 12th January 2019 and I regret to inform you as we received your application after the closing date, we are unable to progress with your application.
I'm confused - why were the applications still open if the deadline had passed? Would it be a good idea to ask to be considered for a direct TC now?
Hi Elizabeth. Believe me you are nowhere near being alone. Sometimes at ACs there is nothing wrong with how you performed and ultimately the firm can only take so many. Therefore for the feedback they hone in on something that maybe wasn't quite there. You probably did very little wrong. I say this with some experience. 5 ACs for me and not one has resulted in a VS. I understand how you feel. So how do I know it's not me? Well I don't, but what I do know is that for a couple of firms I had exactly the same feedback as you - interview great, case study not so great, and then vice versa with another firm. This makes no sense to me as the feedback I received I then implemented for the next AC and still it was not right. Two firms out of 5 gave no feedback whatsoever and one I am still waiting for and have given up chasing.
The reality is that you made it to two ACs so you are clearly doing something very right with your applications. Take a step back now and don't beat yourself up because you did well to get that far. You can do any work this summer to be honest. Retail or hospitality is always good as that gives you insight into the way a business operates and they are client-facing roles. Perhaps alongside a temporary job (I was temping last summer in a regional accountancy firm and, as I was willing to do anything, the partners asked me to help organise a tax seminar and let me attend - all good for your CV), you could attend some cases in your local court. Or if you happen to be in London you can go to to the Commercial Courts at the Rolls Royce Buildings and listen to some cases. It's never wasted.
Any work you do will be worthwhile. You can also see if you can do some pro bono at your university in Sept if you have not yet graduated as often the applications for such work need to be in by the summer term. Another string to your bow - I did this in my final year and it is doable - you need to be disciplined but all the drafting and researching ultimately helped me in my degree.
More than anything don't give up. I know exactly how you feel and the system is tough but believe in yourself. Most people on TCLA have secured their TCs after more than two years of applying. I am holding on to that too.
Keep positive.
Hi Elizabeth. Believe me you are nowhere near being alone. Sometimes at ACs there is nothing wrong with how you performed and ultimately the firm can only take so many. Therefore for the feedback they hone in on something that maybe wasn't quite there. You probably did very little wrong. I say this with some experience. 5 ACs for me and not one has resulted in a VS. I understand how you feel. So how do I know it's not me? Well I don't, but what I do know is that for a couple of firms I had exactly the same feedback as you - interview great, case study not so great, and then vice versa with another firm. This makes no sense to me as the feedback I received I then implemented for the next AC and still it was not right. Two firms out of 5 gave no feedback whatsoever and one I am still waiting for and have given up chasing.
The reality is that you made it to two ACs so you are clearly doing something very right with your applications. Take a step back now and don't beat yourself up because you did well to get that far. You can do any work this summer to be honest. Retail or hospitality is always good as that gives you insight into the way a business operates and they are client-facing roles. Perhaps alongside a temporary job (I was temping last summer in a regional accountancy firm and, as I was willing to do anything, the partners asked me to help organise a tax seminar and let me attend - all good for your CV), you could attend some cases in your local court. Or if you happen to be in London you can go to to the Commercial Courts at the Rolls Royce Buildings and listen to some cases. It's never wasted.
Any work you do will be worthwhile. You can also see if you can do some pro bono at your university in Sept if you have not yet graduated as often the applications for such work need to be in by the summer term. Another string to your bow - I did this in my final year and it is doable - you need to be disciplined but all the drafting and researching ultimately helped me in my degree.
More than anything don't give up. I know exactly how you feel and the system is tough but believe in yourself. Most people on TCLA have secured their TCs after more than two years of applying. I am holding on to that too.
Keep positive.
Hey, just wanted some advice as feeling very low about the whole law thing! Thanks so much for everyone on this community, who have been sooo nice and supportive.
I have had 2 ACs this year for vac schemes and have been rejected after both, for completely different reasons. First one was the written exercise and the case study interview, but I was told the group exercise was really good and the competency interview was good too. Now, the second one has said my group exercise and competency interview let me down, and case study interview was really good? Everything else I was just rejected at the form stage- managed to pass all the WG tests I did etc. so it was all on what I wrote.
Just feeling so disheartened with the whole thing as I've spent so much time this year juggling and sometimes even sacrificing my uni work with/for law applications and now I've been rejected from everything I've applied for and won't be getting anything this year. I just feel like I've put all my eggs in one basket and don't have the contacts to get any other work experience in anything commercial or law based this summer. So next year when I apply, I'll still have next to no experience, which might look bad for a third year...
Does anyone have any tips for not just giving up on the whole law thing? Just feel like I've wasted so much time and don't even have anything coherent to work on for next year as I was rejected for completely different reasons from both? Know you have to be resilient and all that but it is depressing when the rejections just roll in haha.
Anyway, has anyone got any tips for finding something else that might be useful for the summer? Or just for not being so disillusioned with the whole process? Anyone in the same boat?
Hi Elizabeth. Believe me you are nowhere near being alone. Sometimes at ACs there is nothing wrong with how you performed and ultimately the firm can only take so many. Therefore for the feedback they hone in on something that maybe wasn't quite there. You probably did very little wrong. I say this with some experience. 5 ACs for me and not one has resulted in a VS. I understand how you feel. So how do I know it's not me? Well I don't, but what I do know is that for a couple of firms I had exactly the same feedback as you - interview great, case study not so great, and then vice versa with another firm. This makes no sense to me as the feedback I received I then implemented for the next AC and still it was not right. Two firms out of 5 gave no feedback whatsoever and one I am still waiting for and have given up chasing.
The reality is that you made it to two ACs so you are clearly doing something very right with your applications. Take a step back now and don't beat yourself up because you did well to get that far. You can do any work this summer to be honest. Retail or hospitality is always good as that gives you insight into the way a business operates and they are client-facing roles. Perhaps alongside a temporary job (I was temping last summer in a regional accountancy firm and, as I was willing to do anything, the partners asked me to help organise a tax seminar and let me attend - all good for your CV), you could attend some cases in your local court. Or if you happen to be in London you can go to to the Commercial Courts at the Rolls Royce Buildings and listen to some cases. It's never wasted.
Any work you do will be worthwhile. You can also see if you can do some pro bono at your university in Sept if you have not yet graduated as often the applications for such work need to be in by the summer term. Another string to your bow - I did this in my final year and it is doable - you need to be disciplined but all the drafting and researching ultimately helped me in my degree.
More than anything don't give up. I know exactly how you feel and the system is tough but believe in yourself. Most people on TCLA have secured their TCs after more than two years of applying. I am holding on to that too.
Keep positive.
Excellent advice!
Yes, @Helena couldn’t have put it better myself. I promise the struggle will be worth it!!! Just keep going and persevering, which I know is easier said than done.
I’ve found it’s made me more accepting and willing to put in the hours required as a trainee. I know how hard I’ve hard to work to get here, that it’s where I want to be and what I want to be doing.
Hi Everyone,
I'm quite new to the application process. How long does it take on average to hear back post application? Does it just completely vary?
I'm wondering whether to ask for an update on my application with a firm because it has been five weeks, but am I just being impatient?