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

[M1999]

Hi guys. I’m stuck on this question ‘tell us about a time where you had a good idea and made it happen’. I feel like I’ve accomplished quite a few things like going abroad for a year on my own and getting an internship there but I’m not sure if this is what it’s asking? I keep thinking of insignificant things and I draft an answer and read it over and realise it sounds so boring and generic!
Obviously you can’t write it for me or give me any ideas but I’d love to see how you would approach this question so I can get a sense of the sort of thing it’s asking for!
Thank you so much in advance!

 

[Holly]

Hi guys. I’m stuck on this question ‘tell us about a time where you had a good idea and made it happen’. I feel like I’ve accomplished quite a few things like going abroad for a year on my own and getting an internship there but I’m not sure if this is what it’s asking? I keep thinking of insignificant things and I draft an answer and read it over and realise it sounds so boring and generic!
Obviously you can’t write it for me or give me any ideas but I’d love to see how you would approach this question so I can get a sense of the sort of thing it’s asking for!
Thank you so much in advance!

A good idea can be an idea you thought of in a group, the group agreed and the idea was implemented.

Any ideas you introduced during your internship or time abroad or at school/uni, at work?

Perhaps you thought of a way to improve something, simplify something, etc?

It’s best if you have a story then you can use, so you can adopt the STAR approach to talk it through. Hope that helps!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys. I’m stuck on this question ‘tell us about a time where you had a good idea and made it happen’. I feel like I’ve accomplished quite a few things like going abroad for a year on my own and getting an internship there but I’m not sure if this is what it’s asking? I keep thinking of insignificant things and I draft an answer and read it over and realise it sounds so boring and generic!
Obviously you can’t write it for me or give me any ideas but I’d love to see how you would approach this question so I can get a sense of the sort of thing it’s asking for!
Thank you so much in advance!

I don’t think this is what the question is asking. It isn’t an achievement, it is something you have come up with an idea to and then achieved. So think about things like problem solving/creativity/ownership rather than doing something.

 

[W]

Anyone know when Dechert holds their ACS?

 

[goonhoon2]

Anyone heard from Eversheds? I saw some people already being invited for the Video Interview. Do they still consider applicants?

 

[Demna87]

Anyone know when Dechert holds their ACS?

From now until March I believe.

 

[W]

From now until March I believe.

Thanks, do you know if they are responding to emails?

 

[ComplianceChange]

E-mailed DLA piper... said people will hear in 2 weeks... an echo of every other e-mail as stated in this thread!

 

[ComplianceChange]

Had so many rejections this season, I cannot get myself to apply to anything else prior to the 31st- had a complete lapse in motivation after a truly shoddy month [unrelated to VS/TC apps]. Is anyone else facing this?

I might just have to wait on the last few apps I am waiting to hear from an then start planning for next years milk round. And obv prepare for the interview of course.

 

[Asmee DC]

Had so many rejections this season, I cannot get myself to apply to anything else prior to the 31st- had a complete lapse in motivation after a truly shoddy month [unrelated to VS/TC apps]. Is anyone else facing this?

I might just have to wait on the last few apps I am waiting to hear from an then start planning for next years milk round. And obv prepare for the interview of course.

I feel this! It's okay to take a little break and come back even stronger. There are still a lot of firms that have later deadlines in Feb/March so try looking out for those! You got this!

 

[Alice G]

Had so many rejections this season, I cannot get myself to apply to anything else prior to the 31st- had a complete lapse in motivation after a truly shoddy month [unrelated to VS/TC apps]. Is anyone else facing this?

I might just have to wait on the last few apps I am waiting to hear from an then start planning for next years milk round. And obv prepare for the interview of course.

if I had a penny for every time this happened to me honestly! It is totally normal and don't allow yourself to think negatively of yourself for this either, this is a really tough process and it has been a really difficult 18 months for me whilst going through the motions of it. I can feel great and empowered somedays and feel like the World is against me the next. It is honestly all character building and will probably stand us in good stead in the end when we are really trainees as we have built that resilience up. Just have faith in the process and should you like to chat please never hesitate to reach out It is good to talk and that goes for everyone on this platform, don't battle your feelings alone

 

[W]

I feel this! It's okay to take a little break and come back even stronger. There are still a lot of firms that have later deadlines in Feb/March so try looking out for those! You got this!

What firms generally have deadlines in Feb/March by any chance?

 

[ComplianceChange]

if I had a penny for every time this happened to me honestly! It is totally normal and don't allow yourself to think negatively of yourself for this either, this is a really tough process and it has been a really difficult 18 months for me whilst going through the motions of it. I can feel great and empowered somedays and feel like the World is against me the next. It is honestly all character building and will probably stand us in good stead in the end when we are really trainees as we have built that resilience up. Just have faith in the process and should you like to chat please never hesitate to reach out It is good to talk and that goes for everyone on this platform, don't battle your feelings alone

I fully feel this. Especially the peaks and troughs of it all! But you are so right about how it is character building.

This platform has been a godsend- can't believe that I found it so late! Everyone here is genuinely wonderful!

 

[ComplianceChange]

What firms generally have deadlines in Feb/March by any chance?

https://www.lawcareers.net/Solicitors/WorkPlacementDeadlines

 

[Alice G]

I fully feel this. Especially the peaks and troughs of it all! But you are so right about how it is character building.

This platform has been a godsend- can't believe that I found it so late! Everyone here is genuinely wonderful!

I am glad you found us too! It is good to have a strong support system through both good and bad

 

[JoNo]

E-mailed DLA piper... said people will hear in 2 weeks... an echo of every other e-mail as stated in this thread!

Wow so silly of them, I’ve been waiting over 2 months, hitting 3 now!!

 

[James Kitching]

I’ve just read this, and am wondering if someone can clarify it for me:
"with magic circle-style backstabbing notably absent among the trainees”
Is that saying very few trainees ditch the firm post-qualification for an NQ role at a MC place?
Much love as always

 

[Aleks Owczarska]

Would be grateful for an opinion on the following:

In answering the question 'what is a business you admire', is it necessary to link it back to the firm? Is it more hinting that I should choose a client of the firm?

In my experience it is good to talk about a business you are genuinely interested in and can show this enthusiasm through your answer. I once spoke about 'Pacific Standard' that is Reese Witherspoon's production company. As long as you have strong arguments it doesn't really matter. Also, think how many people are actually going to talk about Facebook or Microsoft....

 

[Jessica Booker]

I’ve just read this, and am wondering if someone can clarify it for me:
"with magic circle-style backstabbing notably absent among the trainees”
Is that saying very few trainees ditch the firm post-qualification for an NQ role at a MC place?
Much love as always

No - I don't read that at all. I read that as someone suggesting MC trainees back-stab one another while they are there.

From my experience, this isn't true at all and a really sh*t assumption that this is 1) something that happens at MC firms and 2) doesn't happen at other firms.

 

[Lumree]

What firms generally have deadlines in Feb/March by any chance?

I think it’s important to remember as well that a lot of firm’s direct TCs don’t close until June/July. There will still be networking events running up to then and therefore plenty of opportunity to put in a great application that may lead to a TC without necessarily doing a VS!