Hearing Back from Law Firms, Assessment Centres & Interview Tips - 2019 - 2020

[Paralegal178]

I have just received an invitation to complete a Watson-Glaser from one of my top firms. I am so happy to have passed the application stage on two of my six TC apps so far! I have the equivalent of C, E, E at A-level so I was worried that I was deluded in my quest to train at a city firm. Yay!

Hi Camilla,

Congrats! I have lower than average A levels and have mostly avoided applying for firms with AAB/ABB requirements. Can I ask how you’ve gotten around those requirements?

Thank you and well done again! Fingers crossed for the rest of your apps!

 

[Jaysen]

I have just received an invitation to complete a Watson-Glaser from one of my top firms. I am so happy to have passed the application stage on two of my six TC apps so far! I have the equivalent of C, E, E at A-level so I was worried that I was deluded in my quest to train at a city firm. Yay!

Smashing it, well done!

 

[Amanda]

I have just received an invitation to complete a Watson-Glaser from one of my top firms. I am so happy to have passed the application stage on two of my six TC apps so far! I have the equivalent of C, E, E at A-level so I was worried that I was deluded in my quest to train at a city firm. Yay!

Congrats thats fantastic news !

 

[Camilla]

Hi Camilla,

Congrats! I have lower than average A levels and have mostly avoided applying for firms with AAB/ABB requirements. Can I ask how you’ve gotten around those requirements?

Thank you and well done again! Fingers crossed for the rest of your apps!

Thank you for the kind words!

I began looking for firms without A-level requirements, but I found myself looking at firms that I did not have an interest in just because they might consider me.

I applied to two firms without A-level requirements because I have a genuine desire to work at both firms and my work experience aligns with the strengths of both firms. I was successful in passing the application stage for one of them, and I am still waiting to hear back from BCLP (like everyone else!!)

The rest of the firms I applied to had AAB/ABB A-level requirements. I have been successful in one, rejected from one, and I am still waiting to hear back from the rest.

I must explain that I graduated in 2012 and I have been working in an insurance dispute resolution role for the past seven years, so I do have good work experience and something a bit different to bring to the table. Before I applied, I emailed each firm's recruitment team explaining the situation and asking whether I would be automatically rejected. Most of the firms said they would look at my application. I would advise you to do the same and to send emails to the firms you want to apply to.

I do not believe we will be automatically rejected for not meeting the A-level requirements, but we do need to stand out in our applications and apply to the right firms for the right reasons.

Hope that helps!

 

[Paralegal178]

Thank you for the kind words!

I began looking for firms without A-level requirements, but I found myself looking at firms that I did not have an interest in just because they might consider me.

I applied to two firms without A-level requirements because I have a genuine desire to work at both firms and my work experience aligns with the strengths of both firms. I was successful in passing the application stage for one of them, and I am still waiting to hear back from BCLP (like everyone else!!)

The rest of the firms I applied to had AAB/ABB A-level requirements. I have been successful in one, rejected from one, and I am still waiting to hear back from the rest.

I must explain that I graduated in 2012 and I have been working in an insurance dispute resolution role for the past seven years, so I do have good work experience and something a bit different to bring to the table. Before I applied, I emailed each firm's recruitment team explaining the situation and asking whether I would be automatically rejected. Most of the firms said they would look at my application. I would advise you to do the same and to send emails to the firms you want to apply to.

I do not believe we will be automatically rejected for not meeting the A-level requirements, but we do need to stand out in our applications and apply to the right firms for the right reasons.

Hope that helps!

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Believe it or not, we don’t have dissimilar backgrounds. I graduated in 2013 and have also worked in a couple of insurance litigation roles.

Also waiting to hear from BCLP but will definitely reach out to firms with higher A level requirements than I’ve achieved

Hope your positive news continues!

 

[Camilla]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Believe it or not, we don’t have dissimilar backgrounds. I graduated in 2013 and have also worked in a couple of insurance litigation roles.

Also waiting to hear from BCLP but will definitely reach out to firms with higher A level requirements than I’ve achieved

Hope your positive news continues!

What a coincidence!

That's fantastic work experience. I think without solid work experience we might have struggled but we should be fine now if we market ourselves well!

Good luck!

 

[Helena]

Does anyone know where I can locate the Cheat Sheets on TCLA - I know there was one on M&A and Financial markets but I’m trying to locate others. Can anyone help?

 

[S30]

Does anyone know where I can locate the Cheat Sheets on TCLA - I know there was one on M&A and Financial markets but I’m trying to locate others. Can anyone help?

Please see attached Helena!

 

[Helena]

Please see attached Helena!

Thank you

 

[STWO]

Has anyone heard from Reed Smith yet for the TC app?

 

[Helena]

Any advice on how in interview you incorporate your genuine interest in working for a firm through the deals they have worked on - particularly in restructuring and finance?
Any advice would be great.
Thx

 

[Helena]

Has anyone heard from Reed Smith yet for the TC app?

No, nothing.

 

[Lawyerwithadream]

Has anyone applied to BCLP and Baker McKenzie? How long did it take for them to get back?

Thanks in advance

 

[STWO]

No, nothing.

Ooo i just received the SST test for Reed Smith! You’ll probably hear back soon too

 

[Helena]

@AJALLTHEWAY Yes just received too.

 

[Mia97]

Recieved SST for Reed. PFO today from Orrick

 

[Mia97]

Has anyone heard from Freshfields?

 

[AlRJ]

Has anyone applied to BCLP and Baker McKenzie? How long did it take for them to get back?

Thanks in advance

Hi Judy,

I applied for a direct TC at BCLP back in April and I just heard back today!

 

[ABC2019]

Hi All,

Has anyone applied to Macfarlanes in the past month and already had a response (negative or positive)? Thanks in advance!

A

 

[ABC2019]

Glad some of my fellow 2012/13 graduates are progressing through the application cycle and closing in on those TCs!

I am in the same boat in terms of the below avg. A-level requirements, however strong legal/commercial and international experience gathered in the meantime has put me in a stronger position alongside heaps of confidence and self-belief. This year I secured x2 vac schemes with city firms (awaiting outcomes for TC offers) and of 6 VS/TC applications this year progressed beyond app for 3 of them so it can be done. The persistence and additional experience that you bring to firms with a few more years work can be invaluable if marketed well!

Fingers cross for your direct apps and those you are still waiting to hear from!

A

Thank you for the kind words!

I began looking for firms without A-level requirements, but I found myself looking at firms that I did not have an interest in just because they might consider me.

I applied to two firms without A-level requirements because I have a genuine desire to work at both firms and my work experience aligns with the strengths of both firms. I was successful in passing the application stage for one of them, and I am still waiting to hear back from BCLP (like everyone else!!)

The rest of the firms I applied to had AAB/ABB A-level requirements. I have been successful in one, rejected from one, and I am still waiting to hear back from the rest.

I must explain that I graduated in 2012 and I have been working in an insurance dispute resolution role for the past seven years, so I do have good work experience and something a bit different to bring to the table. Before I applied, I emailed each firm's recruitment team explaining the situation and asking whether I would be automatically rejected. Most of the firms said they would look at my application. I would advise you to do the same and to send emails to the firms you want to apply to.

I do not believe we will be automatically rejected for not meeting the A-level requirements, but we do need to stand out in our applications and apply to the right firms for the right reasons.

Hope that helps!