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- Thread starter Salma
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Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone has had experience with K&E interviews? I am currently considering applying for the direct TC but I am doubting whether or not it is better for me to wait to apply for their vacation scheme next year.
The reason for this is that I am a non-law graduate with very little legal work experience. I do believe I have other things rooting for me but nonetheless, I fear that if I apply now with a 'weak' application it could work against me later on. I have an internship at a small law firm starting in September (3 months), so I will, of course, be in a better position then to apply for the VC. On the other hand, I feel that I am losing time if I have to wait another half year (I am turning 25 in January).
Any advice? Would be highly appreciated
The reason for this is that I am a non-law graduate with very little legal work experience. I do believe I have other things rooting for me but nonetheless, I fear that if I apply now with a 'weak' application it could work against me later on. I have an internship at a small law firm starting in September (3 months), so I will, of course, be in a better position then to apply for the VC. On the other hand, I feel that I am losing time if I have to wait another half year (I am turning 25 in January).
Any advice? Would be highly appreciated
Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone has had experience with K&E interviews? I am currently considering applying for the direct TC but I am doubting whether or not it is better for me to wait to apply for their vacation scheme next year.
The reason for this is that I am a non-law graduate with very little legal work experience. I do believe I have other things rooting for me but nonetheless, I fear that if I apply now with a 'weak' application it could work against me later on. I have an internship at a small law firm starting in September (3 months), so I will, of course, be in a better position then to apply for the VC. On the other hand, I feel that I am losing time if I have to wait another half year (I am turning 25 in January).
Any advice? Would be highly appreciated
Hi Laura
I hope age doesn't discourage you. I'm turning 28 soon and I still haven't got a training contract. The way I see it, just enjoy all the experience you have and learn all you can. If you keep on improving, you will get one eventually. To quote Rosie, you just need one.
Good luck!
Best,
Syafiq.
Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone has had experience with K&E interviews? I am currently considering applying for the direct TC but I am doubting whether or not it is better for me to wait to apply for their vacation scheme next year.
The reason for this is that I am a non-law graduate with very little legal work experience. I do believe I have other things rooting for me but nonetheless, I fear that if I apply now with a 'weak' application it could work against me later on. I have an internship at a small law firm starting in September (3 months), so I will, of course, be in a better position then to apply for the VC. On the other hand, I feel that I am losing time if I have to wait another half year (I am turning 25 in January).
Any advice? Would be highly appreciated
I agree with @Syafiqkay92 entirely, age will never count against you and, if anything, it means that you have more lived experience to discuss and even more of a strong narrative for why you have decided corporate law is for you by leveraging those experiences.
In terms of genuine advice re. Kirkland - I know they only look at direct TCs once they have had their vac schemes and they do tend to fill the spaces from those schemes given their small intake. Making an application now will not count against you if you apply for a VS in the next recruitment cycle but it is up to you whether you have the time to write one or not
I think that many firms are recruiting through vac schemes these days so why not give a direct TC app a go, because you never know - maybe their vac scheme candidates weren't a good fit and they will have spaces? And you can always make another application in the next cycle with that further experience you will be gaining from September which you can talk about? I turn 24 this November and only decided what I really wanted to do in October of last year so i really do appreciate where you are coming from but just remember that this really is a process and that you will find the right firm and the right fit for you someday and it will all be worth the wait! Always here if you would like to message for further advice or a chat etc Very sound advice from Alice - I couldn’t agree more. It is a process and often a long one but don’t be deterred and as long as you have the time to complete a good application then you have nothing to lose. Good luck
Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone has had experience with K&E interviews? I am currently considering applying for the direct TC but I am doubting whether or not it is better for me to wait to apply for their vacation scheme next year.
The reason for this is that I am a non-law graduate with very little legal work experience. I do believe I have other things rooting for me but nonetheless, I fear that if I apply now with a 'weak' application it could work against me later on. I have an internship at a small law firm starting in September (3 months), so I will, of course, be in a better position then to apply for the VC. On the other hand, I feel that I am losing time if I have to wait another half year (I am turning 25 in January).
Any advice? Would be highly appreciated
"The average age entered onto the roll in 2016-17, across both genders, is 29.5 years" https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/law-careers/becoming-a-solicitor/entry-trends/
You got aaaaages do not worry about age. If anything enjoy the freedom and experiences you have while you're still young. Good luck!
Love this!! Thank you for sharing the stat, it’s very encouraging!
Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone has had experience with K&E interviews? I am currently considering applying for the direct TC but I am doubting whether or not it is better for me to wait to apply for their vacation scheme next year.
The reason for this is that I am a non-law graduate with very little legal work experience. I do believe I have other things rooting for me but nonetheless, I fear that if I apply now with a 'weak' application it could work against me later on. I have an internship at a small law firm starting in September (3 months), so I will, of course, be in a better position then to apply for the VC. On the other hand, I feel that I am losing time if I have to wait another half year (I am turning 25 in January).
Any advice? Would be highly appreciated
Did the AC this year... nothing to out of the ordinary to be honest. They look for both law and non-law work exp, but a focus on law is required.
J.S... I would apply for their VS
Anyway here is the K&E AC Outline:
- Partner Q&A
- Negotiation 1v12 (1 min pitching speech each then everyone votes after a debate)
- In-tray exercise (Look out for the red herring!)
- Write a letter to Grad-Rec about skills needed for a good K&E trainee
- Partner interview
Important note... You are not really benchmarked when you get to the AC stage - they see who interacts well with the other ppl on the AC and as long as you do well enough on the tasks you'll be grand
Hi @Jaysen - I am doing the Kirkland application this autumn - they have slightly edited the transactional question so it is now: ''Why do you want to be a trainee solicitor in a transactional focused firm?''.
Do you think I can talk more generally about the nature of transactional work (linking back to previous WE) and the emphasis on client relationships, and then go all out for Why Kirkland/PE in the Cover Letter, or still have this in the application question?
Thanks!
Do you think I can talk more generally about the nature of transactional work (linking back to previous WE) and the emphasis on client relationships, and then go all out for Why Kirkland/PE in the Cover Letter, or still have this in the application question?
Thanks!
- Feb 17, 2018
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Yep, so I think they changed this last year.
As you said, you can focus on why Kirkland/PE in your cover letter and focus your answer here on your interest in transactional work/the stuff that goes along with being at a transactional focused firm.
I would flag that I have seen some people use this answer to discuss their interest in Kirkland's private equity practice. In their cover letter, they then focused on their other reasons for being interested in Kirkland outside of the work.
I think both approaches work!
They do from my experience, unless they have changed for this cycle. Last cycle I got to the AC for their vac scheme as a graduate.
Jessica Booker
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- Aug 1, 2019
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Have you covered Result and Reflection in the R part of STAR?
If so, it won’t be an issue if the answer is only 300 words. It is better for the answer to be concise and well structured rather than waffly just to fill a word count.
Thank you for that! I have covered the reflection. I am having the same problem with the rest of the questions too and I was hoping for the reassurance that I didn't need to waffle to meet the 400 words. Someone told me that you always have to meet the law firm's word count +/- 10% max.
Jessica Booker
Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
- Aug 1, 2019
- 14,660
- 20,355
For a 250 word answer, I’d probably recommend the 10% under rule (you can’t/shouldn’t go over), but for a 400 word answer for a competency question, I wouldn’t worry if it was slightly under. If it was a motivational answer, I would try and use the word count as much as you can though by going into additional factors that have influenced your application.
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