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

[Alice G]

Hi all,

filling out vac scheme apps on my first cycle and its definitley a learning curve!

anyone have any advice for answering this question?

'Tell us about an outstanding personal achievement which added value to your academic or work environment'

I can think of personal achievements that have meant a lot to me, but I can't link these to uni or any of my previous work roles. Struggling to see what they're after with this question and not sure if I can actually answer it.

Thanks in advance!

If it’s not too personal can you give an example? Very hard to advise properly in an abstract way

 

[W]

It just means they haven’t given you the decision yet. Everyone gets it as soon as they submit the application and then it changes after a decision’s made.

So it’s just a waiting game I guess

 

[KerC14]

If it’s not too personal can you give an example? Very hard to advise properly in an abstract way

Hey! So for example, I qualified for a major gymnastics competition. All of my examples are extra-curricular so I can't link them with academics or work, I haven't been able to get involved with any societies or anything that I could say I've added value to in uni so I'm totally stuck.

 

[Camilla]

Hi all,

filling out vac scheme apps on my first cycle and its definitley a learning curve!

anyone have any advice for answering this question?

'Tell us about an outstanding personal achievement which added value to your academic or work environment'

I can think of personal achievements that have meant a lot to me, but I can't link these to uni or any of my previous work roles. Struggling to see what they're after with this question and not sure if I can actually answer it.e.

Thanks in advance!

I think if I was answering this question, I would speak about an outstanding personal achievement like reaching a certain violin grade. I would then explain the skills gained from the process (time-management and resilience for the example I gave). I would then explain how I used these skills in my academic or work environment and what impact it had (using STAR).

That is how I would approach it, not sure if anyone has any differing opinions....

 

[Alice G]

Hey! So for example, I qualified for a major gymnastics competition. All of my examples are extra-curricular so I can't link them with academics or work, I haven't been able to get involved with any societies or anything that I could say I've added value to in uni so I'm totally stuck.

Ok so when practising did you do so as an individual or as part of a team? Even if you competed as an individual?

 

[KerC14]

Ok so when practising did you do so as an individual or as part of a team? Even if you competed as an individual?

practiced and competed solo and as part of a team

 

[Lumree]

Anyone heard back from Orrick? I applied just shy of a month ago and not sure what the average turnaround is!

 

[KerC14]

I think if I was answering this question, I would speak about an outstanding personal achievement like reaching a certain violin grade. I would then explain the skills gained from the process (time-management and resilience for the example I gave). I would then explain how I used these skills in my academic or work environment and what impact it had. (using STAR).

That is how I would approach it, not sure if anyone has any differing opinions....

This is how I was thinking of approaching it but I felt like that wasn't how they wanted it to be answered. I'm probably going to have to go with something like this because otherwise I'll have no answer, thanks for your input!

 

[Alice G]

practiced and competed solo and as part of a team

Ok so, did you and your teammates offer each other constructive feedback in pursuing these goals and did you offer support and celebration with one another in solidarity? I think that’s certainly an impact on your environment if you can discuss the fact you all boosted each other’s morale and how you did it and offered each other tips and pointers for you all to succeed. Do you see where I’m heading?

 

[Alice G]

This is how I was thinking of approaching it but I felt like that wasn't how they wanted it to be answered. I'm probably going to have to go with something like this because otherwise I'll have no answer, thanks for your input!

I don’t think this approach would be bad but I read it in the sense they’d like an example of an achievement where you’ve had a broader impact but I agree that this isn’t a bad way to answer this if perhaps you’re really stuck

 

[W]

Anyone heard back from Orrick? I applied just shy of a month ago and not sure what it’s average turn around is!

I applied in Dec too but have a feeling they are non-rolling

 

[Camilla]

I don’t think this approach would be bad but I read it in the sense they’d like an example of an achievement where you’ve had a broader impact but I agree that this isn’t a bad way to answer this if perhaps you’re really stuck

I see what you mean about the broader impact and 'adding value'.

The question is a bit confusing as it says 'personal achievement' and then 'work and education environment' so I am not sure whether they want you to talk about:

- a personal achievement within a work/educational setting which added value to the environment, or;
- a personal achievement that had an impact on your work/academics which then enabled you to add value to the environment.

I think you could probably do either as long as you detail the action you took and what value you added.

 

[Alice G]

I see what you mean about the broader impact and 'adding value'.

The question is a bit confusing as it says 'personal achievement' and then 'work and education environment' so I am not sure whether they want you to talk about:

- a personal achievement within a work/educational setting which enabled you to add value, or;
- a personal achievement that had an impact on your work/academics which then enabled you to add value to the environment.

I think you could probably do either as long as you detail the action you took and what value you added.

I agree entirely it could be clearer. In this situation, I have genuinely called grad rec before just to ask for clarity on the demands of the question and give them to ways in which you have read it in different ways. No harm in doing this at all - it shows dilligence and your confidence in picking up the phone i personally think they're trying to tease out an instance where an achievement has had a broader value add and i can think of maybe just a couple of my own to be honest and do think this is tricky for sure. I think they are trying to kill two birds with one stone hear but it is very vague i think!

 

[Shahil]

Congrats! Just out of curiosity, when did you apply?

Sorry just seen this, thank you! I applied on the 6th and did the test on the 10th

 

[Mirela Mihova]

Hello! Has anyone heard back from Covington & Burling for their summer vac scheme?

 

[TaliciaY]

you said this was your first right? don't worry, it's very difficult to get it right on the first go no matter how much you practice. Being under pressure in that short time frame is nothing like being told about it! Although, with VIs I feel there is a steep learning curve to it so you can apply everything you've learned from this to your next

Has anyone applied to the summer vacation scheme at Baker McKenzie and did not receive an invite to complete their WG? I submitted my application 2 weeks ago

I submitted in December 2019 for the Summer VS and haven't heard back either. I believe Baker McKenzie will take awhile as they are giving out assessment centres for the Spring VS.

 

[TaliciaY]

I didn’t realise you can find out how you did on your Watson Glaser. Did you email graduate recruitment? I got through and did my video interview a few days ago but I’m not expecting anything as it went horribly.

Hi, would you mind sharing some tips for the BM video interview? Hope all is alright regardless!

 

[Selggib16]

What are everyone’s thoughts on still submitting applications whose deadlines are the 31st but are on a rolling basis? Are they likely to be full and will be a wasted application?

 

[DavidJC]

What are everyone’s thoughts on still submitting applications whose deadlines are the 31st but are on a rolling basis? Are they likely to be full and will be a wasted application?

I am under the impression that they will close early if they're full. I know I barely missed out on Slaughter and May's non-law direct TC (I'm studying Scots Law) since I fell sick for a week and they closed the deadline like a week early. I'm personally gonna apply anyway and keep my fingers crossed.

 

[Sammie]

I know! I'm not sure why us two didn't get under review emails from Links(i got it from Travers tho...)...

I have no idea. But, I got the CAPP report, whereas others got the review email, and yet no Capp report. no idea why.

I'm part of the no "under review" email club too Applied for Spring VS near the deadline, and got my capp report a few days later. Havent asked for the WG results but will do tomorrow. I have never received an "under review" email. Have you never had one, or just not had one recently?

What were you guys' main strengths/weaknesses if you dont mind me asking? (Do people think there is a pattern of people getting similar ones and being invited?)