Open Days/Networking Events - My Recommendations & Strategy

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

As a broad assumption - Most firms who hold open days simply provide places on a first-come-first-served basis. This is almost exclusively true for US Firms (anecdotal experience here). This is absolutely not the case for firms like CC, who last year advised they had over 800 applications for their open days, for which there was cumulatively 250 spots or so. In this respect, you must tailor your application, and this is also an excellent practice for your future applications.

Not sure US firms recruit any differently for open days than UK firms. We certainly review your applications - it's not first-come-first-serve.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Not sure US firms recruit any differently for open days than UK firms. We certainly review your applications - it's not first-come-first-serve.

I agree with Paul - most firms I know will not offer first some first served. Some will do rolling recruitment (like they do for their other programmes) - but that doesn’t mean first come first served really it just means they review applications as they go.

 

[relentlesspursuit]

Hi all. For those who made the Baker McKenzie open day application, I'm just wondering the sort of answers you gave to this question: "What barriers have you faced during lockdown that have impacted your ability to build your knowledge on becoming a commercial solicitor and how have you overcome this?"

I have some general idea, but I'm not entirely sure if I'm on the right track. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all. For those who made the Baker McKenzie open day application, I'm just wondering the sort of answers you gave to this question: "What barriers have you faced during lockdown that have impacted your ability to build your knowledge on becoming a commercial solicitor and how have you overcome this?"

I have some general idea, but I'm not entirely sure if I'm on the right track. Any help would be appreciated.

They just want to hear about your personal circumstances in the last 6 months and also how you have adapted to that.

 

[relentlesspursuit]

They just want to hear about your personal circumstances in the last 6 months and also how you have adapted to that.

Many thanks, Jessica. I thought so, but helpful to get some clarity.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Many thanks, Jessica. I thought so, but helpful to get some clarity.

People's lives have obviously been turned upside down and things people planned to do didn't happen. In instances where people had a strategy to develop their knowledge about law firms planned, it will be important to say what this was (it will be obvious why they couldn't happen) and so what people have explored instead to try and make up for those lost opportunities.

 

[relentlesspursuit]

People's lives have obviously been turned upside down and things people planned to do didn't happen. In instances where people had a strategy to develop their knowledge about law firms planned, it will be important to say what this was (it will be obvious why they couldn't happen) and so what people have explored instead to try and make up for those lost opportunities.

Ah this is very useful. Thanks so much.

 

[j2134]

Hey! I wrote about all of the virtual stuff I had done, and even very briefly about the relevant books I had read. I also wrote about how I worked in a supermarket throughout the lockdown, and how I was travelling but had to come home. Hope that helps

 

[relentlesspursuit]

Hey! I wrote about all of the virtual stuff I had done, and even very briefly about the relevant books I had read. I also wrote about how I worked in a supermarket throughout the lockdown, and how I was travelling but had to come home. Hope that helps

This is actually quite helpful. Thanks