Interview/Open Day/Vacation Scheme Updates- Coronavirus

[bzheng]

Covington are doing a 1 week virtual scheme instead of the original 2 week scheme. Attendees are reimbursed for the original 2 weeks

 

[PhoebeL]

Received an email last week letting me know that Irwin Mitchell London BLS have reduced their vac scheme from 2 weeks to a single week. Still around the last week of June tho

 

[Plum]

Update for anyone who cares! Gowling WLG’s spring vacation scheme going online, everyone to do a TC AC as well regardless of vacation scheme attendance

 

[GlamB]

White & Case are also doing their summer vac scheme virtually

 

[Jaysen]

List has been updated, thanks everyone!

 

[themagician]

Quick update, the slaughters summer vac scheme has been moved online and shortened to one week. Just been sent the email from graduate recruitment!

 

[LegalNim]

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

I had a VS with Fieldfisher for this summer, they've postponed it until next year and didn't even consider anyone on the scheme for a training contract. We were literally excluded from the TC consideration because we had a VS. They gave out their TC offers in early March supposedly so it's strange that they even moved your AC to April when all the spots were filled but maybe they were waiting to see if someone rejected them and they would fill those spots from your AC and then no one rejected the offer?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I had a VS with Fieldfisher for this summer, they've postponed it until next year and didn't even consider anyone on the scheme for a training contract. We were literally excluded from the TC consideration because we had a VS. They gave out their TC offers in early March supposedly so it's strange that they even moved your AC to April when all the spots were filled but maybe they were waiting to see if someone rejected them and they would fill those spots from your AC and then no one rejected the offer?

Possibly. They may also be deferring trainees or reducing intake sizes though, or deciding to just take a step back and not fill the additional numbers right now.

It is an exceptionally odd time for legal recruiters as not only are they having to deal with all this, but they are having to juggle this with how the SQE will be implemented. It means many are choosing to just wait it out a bit as the SQE means they may not need to have such a massive time lag from offering someone to them starting.

 

[Karin]

HSF Update - summer vacation schemes have been cancelled (incl. the postponed spring scheme) and instead, there will be a TC interview and followed by a 4-day virtual scheme for those offered a training contract

 

[D]

HSF Update - summer vacation schemes have been cancelled (incl. the postponed spring scheme) and instead, there will be a TC interview and followed by a 4-day virtual scheme for those offered a training contract

Best of luck to those taking it!

 

[Aurochschiette]

HSF Update - summer vacation schemes have been cancelled (incl. the postponed spring scheme) and instead, there will be a TC interview and followed by a 4-day virtual scheme for those offered a training contract

Unfortunate that they are breaking from other similar firms by not offering a virtual VS.

Best of luck to those taking it!

Thanks! Any tips?

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

I saw on the Student Room that they had offered those doing non-law places on the winter scheme instead...

Slightly strange decision to only offer the virtual scheme to those that get a TC - surely the opportunity to have more 'data points' or interactions with candidates before offering them TC's would be more beneficial?

 

[Shahil]

I saw on the Student Room that they had offered those doing non-law places on the winter scheme instead...

Slightly strange decision to only offer the virtual scheme to those that get a TC - surely the opportunity to have more 'data points' or interactions with candidates before offering them TC's would be more beneficial?

If you are talking about HSF, I am a non-law student but I did not receive a place on the winter scheme instead, only a TC interview.

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

If you are talking about HSF, I am a non-law student but I did not receive a place on the winter scheme instead, only a TC interview.

Oh fair - I was just passing on what i saw on there but they were definitely talking about HSF - maybe they are taking a more personalised approach, a bit like what HL did...
Congrats on the interview!

 

[Alice G]

Has any indication been given as to how you might be assessed at the TC interview for HSF?

 

[Jessica Booker]

This might be why many firms are changing their approaches to hiring this year. Means people could start the September after they graduate, not 12 months later:

https://www.legalcheek.com/2020/05/kennedys-launches-sqe-ready-solicitor-apprenticeship-for-grads/

 

[Shahil]

Has any indication been given as to how you might be assessed at the TC interview for HSF?

They just said it will be around an hour long and will consist of "two scenario assessments". That sounds like the interview they do in their AC where a partner talks you through a recent problem they solved for a client and ask how you would go about it, although I'm not sure - it could also be a case study? They are setting up live chat sessions to ask questions where more will hopefully be clarified.

 

[TChopeful2021]

For firms that are offering vacation schemers places on their winter schemes instead, does anyone know if the applicants will still be assessed for a 2022 TC or will it be 2023 instead?

 

[Alice G]

For firms that are offering vacation schemers places on their winter schemes instead, does anyone know if the applicants will still be assessed for a 2022 TC or will it be 2023 instead?

it might depend on whether firms are hiring as many people for each intake as usual and also on how soon you, as the candidate, are able to start the training contract.

 

[gg999]

HSF Update - summer vacation schemes have been cancelled (incl. the postponed spring scheme) and instead, there will be a TC interview and followed by a 4-day virtual scheme for those offered a training contract

Just got this email also and I am not sure how I feel. The process for the TC interview seems very similar to what we were already assessed on for the vac scheme assessment centre.

Seems really odd to be offering a scheme to those once they have secured a TC offer. Surely it makes sense to allow everyone to take part in the 4 day virtual scheme before making the massive commitment/decision of offering someone a training contract.

My first official experience with the firm was at the AC and I don't feel like I got the most out of the day as it was a bit disorganised. I personally would of liked to take part in the virtual scheme to interact with a wider range of people from the firm, other candidates and to perhaps attempt some trainee tasks before I commit to accepting a TC. I feel this way in particular as I am currently a non-law student that has had very limited experience with commercial law firms.

I know some people will disagree and be happy enough to accept a TC anywhere given how competitive they are to obtain. However, I want to make sure I am making the right decision as 2 years is a long time to be somewhere you are not entirely happy with.

Would be interesting to hear other people's thoughts. I feel Hogan Lovells dealt with the situation in an exemplary manner and wish other firms followed suit.