Interview/Open Day/Vacation Scheme Updates- Coronavirus

[jan28]

Not heard a thing unfortunately

oki me too! granted not great but at least there are others waiting to be given some news too

 

[Jaysen]

According to the Legal Cheek article, it appears that the majority of Hogan Lovells vac schemers were offered a TC. Those who did not have instead been offered a place on their Winter Scheme. I honestly prefer this approach over having to participate in a virtual scheme.

Had a couple of people reach out after being upset by this. Just a few thoughts:

1. If you weren't one of the people who were offered a training contract, that's going to feel really tough (particularly because I believe some learned that it was a 'majority' through Legal Cheek). It's completely fair to be upset by this, I would be too.

2. Just because you weren't offered a TC doesn't mean you're a weak candidate, even though it may feel that way. The standards for assessing VS v TC are quite different and it's likely the case that the firm just needs more time to see you in action before it can offer you a TC.

3. It's far from ideal, but you still have the winter vac scheme! That's now on your CV, plus you've still got the opportunity to convert that into your TC offer.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Had a couple of people reach out after being upset by this. Just a few thoughts:

1. If you weren't one of the people who were offered a training contract, that's going to feel really tough (particularly because I believe some learned that it was a 'majority' through Legal Cheek). It's completely fair to be upset by this, I would be too.

2. Just because you weren't offered a TC doesn't mean you're a weak candidate, even though it may feel that way. The standards for assessing VS v TC are quite different and it's likely the case that the firm just needs more time to see you in action before it can offer you a TC.

3. It's far from ideal, but you still have the winter vac scheme! That's now on your CV, plus you've still got the opportunity to convert that into your TC offer.

Please take this advice to heart.

I wouldn’t necessarily believe crude language like “majority” from a site like Legal Cheek. There is no confirmation of this from the firm and there is no substance on how they have been informed it is a majority. I suspect this is journalistic BS!

Given some people would have already been offered from their 2019 winter vacation scheme, I doubt it is a majority.

 

[Alice G]

Please take this advice to heart.

I wouldn’t necessarily believe crude language like “majority” from a site like Legal Cheek. There is no confirmation of this from the firm and there is no substance on how they have been informed it is a majority. I suspect this is journalistic BS!

Given some people would have already been offered from their 2019 winter vacation scheme, I doubt it is a majority.

Well said @Jessica Booker - I thought the same.

 

[GlamB]

Please take this advice to heart.

I wouldn’t necessarily believe crude language like “majority” from a site like Legal Cheek. There is no confirmation of this from the firm and there is no substance on how they have been informed it is a majority. I suspect this is journalistic BS!

Given some people would have already been offered from their 2019 winter vacation scheme, I doubt it is a majority.

I second this. Obviously, this is just anecdotal evidence but based on what the partner who called me with my offer said, it did not seem like almost everyone/majority got the offer. News outlets and Legal Cheek more so tend to sensationalize everything, so take it with a grain of salt. What I want to say by this is don't be too hard on yourselves, if you didn't get the direct TC offer - you're not alone. You are good enough and you will overcome this!

 

[jan28]

I second this. Obviously, this is just anecdotal evidence but based on what the partner who called me with my offer said, it did not seem like almost everyone/majority got the offer. News outlets and Legal Cheek more so tend to sensationalize everything, so take it with a grain of salt. What I want to say by this is don't be too hard on yourselves, if you didn't get the direct TC offer - you're not alone. You are good enough and you will overcome this!

Equally, congratulations on your offer!!

 

[GlamB]

Equally, congratulations on your offer!!

Thank you!

 

[Alice G]

I second this. Obviously, this is just anecdotal evidence but based on what the partner who called me with my offer said, it did not seem like almost everyone/majority got the offer. News outlets and Legal Cheek more so tend to sensationalize everything, so take it with a grain of salt. What I want to say by this is don't be too hard on yourselves, if you didn't get the direct TC offer - you're not alone. You are good enough and you will overcome this!

really well done on your offer and I appreciate you sharing this as well Congratulations!

 

[amb98]

With social distancing measures expected to last till the end of the year even after the lockdown has been lifted, is it a realistic possibility that all summer schemes will be cancelled and HL’s approach will be followed by others?

 

[Alice G]

With social distancing measures expected to last till the end of the year even after the lockdown has been lifted, is it a realistic possibility that all summer schemes will be cancelled and HL’s approach will be followed by others?

It’s still probably too early to say. No one truly knows the longevity of this and we are still in the early stages of having the pandemic despite the devastating impact it’s had. I really don’t think it’s possible to speculate on what will happen exactly but I’d still imagine most firms would seek to do the vacs online or in whatever capacity they can or they would probably reinterview for TCs. It does seem like HL’s approach is novel right now but nothing to say that others won’t follow suit if the virtual programmes would be tough to do etc.

 

[Jessica Booker]

With social distancing measures expected to last till the end of the year even after the lockdown has been lifted, is it a realistic possibility that all summer schemes will be cancelled and HL’s approach will be followed by others?

This is a possibility, but I expect more that firms will run shorter schemes across July/August. I don’t think we will be in lockdown past June.

 

[amb98]

This is what I’d have thought but social distancing is likely to remain in place, which in theory makes it difficult to attend socials and interact with others on the scheme.

Virtual schemes and TC interviews/offers seem more likely but I guess all options are open as things stand!

 

[Jessica Booker]

This is what I’d have thought but social distancing is likely to remain in place, which in theory makes it difficult to attend socials and interact with others on the scheme.

Virtual schemes and TC interviews/offers seem more likely but I guess all options are open as things stand!

yes - things like socials might not happen. They aren’t really important/necessary anyway, and might be scrapped more because of lack of budget rather than social distancing.

Social distancing has never been about us not getting it - it’s just been about not getting it now so we can prepare the NHS better and deal with people getting it later on.

 

[c1070]

I have a TC assessment centre for Fieldfisher due to take place next Monday, moved from March, my spring and summer vacs for other firms have both been cancelled and I am obviously fully expecting for this to be moved/online etc. Just weird I haven’t heard anything yet and it’s a week away! Wondered if anyone else has heard from them (I know they’ll inform us all at the same time just checking I haven’t missed an email or something! )

 

[Jessica Booker]

I have a TC assessment centre for Fieldfisher due to take place next Monday, moved from March, my spring and summer vacs for other firms have both been cancelled and I am obviously fully expecting for this to be moved/online etc. Just weird I haven’t heard anything yet and it’s a week away! Wondered if anyone else has heard from them (I know they’ll inform us all at the same time just checking I haven’t missed an email or something! )

Just give them a call/drop them an email later today to ask for clarity. It will be online, but just say you need to inform people you are living with to make sure everything is set up properly.

 

[D]

A brief update to say that Latham are putting on an extra VS in late Summer as an option for cancelled Spring Schemer's at attend.

 

[c1070]

Fieldfisher have cancelled their final TC AC (due to take place in March moved to April now cancelled all together). Super Frustrating as I was actually invited to the feb AC following my phone interview but an error on their end meant I got moved the the March one... it’s a strange time and a TC is not the be all and end all but f r u a t r a t I n g as seems a loss to cancel all together

 

[EJ]

My vac scheme isn't due to take place until the end of June, however I haven't heard anything from the firm since I returned my screening forms and seat choices. I'm debating getting in touch with them, however don't want to be a pest considering they will be dealing with a significant workload. What does everyone else think?

 

[Jessica Booker]

My vac scheme isn't due to take place until the end of June, however I haven't heard anything from the firm since I returned my screening forms and seat choices. I'm debating getting in touch with them, however don't want to be a pest considering they will be dealing with a significant workload. What does everyone else think?

they won’t have an answer yet. It will be subject to how long the lockdown goes on for. They will update you as soon as they have an answer to give you.

 

[Jen E C]

My vac scheme isn't due to take place until the end of June, however I haven't heard anything from the firm since I returned my screening forms and seat choices. I'm debating getting in touch with them, however don't want to be a pest considering they will be dealing with a significant workload. What does everyone else think?

I think it's best to sit tight for now. When they've made a decision/have an update to share, you'll be the first to know about it.