Open day application

[Camilla]

Hi all

I always get a bit thrown off when asked "Why do you want to attend an open day with X firm?"

I have only applied for two open days in my time, the first I was rejected from and the second I am waiting to hear back. I want to make sure I am approaching this question in the right way before applying for any more.

I usually explain why I am interested in the firm and what I think I will gain from attending an open day. Is that how everyone else would approach this? I don't want to go off on a tangent explaining why I am so interested in the firm if that is not what the question is really asking.

Advice would be welcome!

Camilla

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all

I always get a bit thrown off when asked "Why do you want to attend an open day with X firm?"

I have only applied for two open days in my time, the first I was rejected from and the second I am waiting to hear back. I want to make sure I am approaching this question in the right way before applying for any more.

I usually explain why I am interested in the firm and what I think I will gain from attending an open day. Is that how everyone else would approach this? I don't want to go off on a tangent explaining why I am so interested in the firm if that is not what the question is really asking.

Advice would be welcome!

Camilla

Sounds like the right approach me to.

 

[r14n]

You are in the right direction, that is how I approach the question too.

Usually I give a more 'formal' answer and cover the following:-

- What attracts me to the firm and the open day;
- What I hope to learn/achieve with this activity;
- Usually I also mention an area(s) that attracts me of the firm and the fact that I'd like to know more about it through the trainees and associates;
- It enables me to openly network with students, trainees, graduate recruitment and also associates/partners;
- (if this is for one of the firms you want to apply for VS/TC) I also mention how this open day would give me a brief experience of the firm/working environment/colleagues/daily activities as a trainee.

Do not be disheartened if you get the bad news, maybe it is to do with the intake of open days and not your answer what made them take the decision. Eventually, you will get plenty of invitations and you will be at a stage where you have to choose one over the other!

Good Luck

 

[Camilla]

Thanks both!

 

[PSM]

Hi,

What is the best way to approach the following question? - In 300 words, we are keen to hear more about you and the extra-curricular activities you have been involved in

I have started by discussing my extra-curricular sport activities which I have been heavily involved in as captain and president of a club.

However, I am unsure as to whether I should talk about volunteering at a legal clinic and taking part in legal competitions (client interviewing, mooting) or talk more about other interests I have (travelling and tech).

Some of my legal volunteering will already be included in my work experience section and so I think it wont need explaining twice.

I am keen to get other perspectives on how to approach this question!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi,

What is the best way to approach the following question? - In 300 words, we are keen to hear more about you and the extra-curricular activities you have been involved in

I have started by discussing my extra-curricular sport activities which I have been heavily involved in as captain and president of a club.

However, I am unsure as to whether I should talk about volunteering at a legal clinic and taking part in legal competitions (client interviewing, mooting) or talk more about other interests I have (travelling and tech).

Some of my legal volunteering will already be included in my work experience section and so I think it wont need explaining twice.

I am keen to get other perspectives on how to approach this question!

I’d definitely include everything you have mentioned, maybe with the exception of the law clinic if that’s in your work experience. The approach is just to be super concise, don’t explain the self explanatory (eg what a captain does or what mooting is) and focus the detail on any achievements in those activities.

 

[PSM]

I’d definitely include everything you have mentioned, maybe with the exception of the law clinic if that’s in your work experience. The approach is just to be super concise, don’t explain the self explanatory (eg what a captain does or what mooting is) and focus the detail on any achievements in those activities.

Thank you! thats very helpful.

 

[r14n]

Hi,

What is the best way to approach the following question? - In 300 words, we are keen to hear more about you and the extra-curricular activities you have been involved in

I have started by discussing my extra-curricular sport activities which I have been heavily involved in as captain and president of a club.

However, I am unsure as to whether I should talk about volunteering at a legal clinic and taking part in legal competitions (client interviewing, mooting) or talk more about other interests I have (travelling and tech).

Some of my legal volunteering will already be included in my work experience section and so I think it wont need explaining twice.

I am keen to get other perspectives on how to approach this question!

You are in the right direction, certainly include the volunteering, legal clinic and competitions but also include your activities outside educations too, so your travelling, interest in tech and all of that good stuff.

If part of your work experience listing has the volunteering covered, then I would only explain it once and in detail so it doesn't need a further explanation.

My personal approach is to include two academic extra-curricular and three non-academic activities which, in turn, shows I am involved within my university union as well as outside at my own accord.

 

[PSM]

You are in the right direction, certainly include the volunteering, legal clinic and competitions but also include your activities outside educations too, so your travelling, interest in tech and all of that good stuff.

If part of your work experience listing has the volunteering covered, then I would only explain it once and in detail so it doesn't need a further explanation.

My personal approach is to include two academic extra-curricular and three non-academic activities which, in turn, shows I am involved within my university union as well as outside at my own accord.

Thanks! the two academic and three non-academic seems like a good approach to take!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks! the two academic and three non-academic seems like a good approach to take!

Don’t feel you have to be that structured. It doesn’t really matter what the ratio is - just showing variety and responsibility is key