TCLA General Discussion Thread #2 (2021)

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Dheepa

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  • Jan 20, 2019
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    Read the title of this week’s newsletter and was like o_O

    Then read the content and realised what it was about and was 🥳

    Absolutely no chance of me waking up at 5.00am each day 😝

    monsters inc boo GIF
    One of my long time personal goals was to be one of those insanely motivated people who wake up at 6am and go on a run/go to the gym. I've now accepted that it's just never going to happen. 🤷‍♀️
     

    EVjuji

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    Nov 29, 2019
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    Looking for a bit of advice. Two weeks ago I was taken to hospital by ambulance with an irregular ECG - turns out I have a virus (not Covid) and I'm still off work and not well. On the Friday (two days after my hospital admission), I had a training contract final partner interview - I attended the interview, in person in London. I obviously felt horrendous and definitely performed badly - I got into bed as soon as I got home and didn't leave my bed except to go to the bathroom until Sunday when another ambulance was called. In the interview, even questions that I had completely and totally prepped answers to, I completely forgot and just rambled something completely insane. I'm really concerned that I've cost myself the TC (after two years in the application process for this firm - who I ADORE). Part of me thinks I should email Grad Rec and tell them about the situation, part of me thinks that's a terrible idea and that it'll reflect badly on me to bring it up. Equally, I don't know what the purpose of informing them would be - could I request another interview? Do I just want them to bear it in mind? Or is this a lost cause?
    Any advice would be really greatly appreciated.
    I think @Jacob Miller had a similar experience and might be able to help.

    Get well soon

    200.gif
     

    Jacob Miller

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  • Feb 15, 2020
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    Looking for a bit of advice. Two weeks ago I was taken to hospital by ambulance with an irregular ECG - turns out I have a virus (not Covid) and I'm still off work and not well. On the Friday (two days after my hospital admission), I had a training contract final partner interview - I attended the interview, in person in London. I obviously felt horrendous and definitely performed badly - I got into bed as soon as I got home and didn't leave my bed except to go to the bathroom until Sunday when another ambulance was called. In the interview, even questions that I had completely and totally prepped answers to, I completely forgot and just rambled something completely insane. I'm really concerned that I've cost myself the TC (after two years in the application process for this firm - who I ADORE). Part of me thinks I should email Grad Rec and tell them about the situation, part of me thinks that's a terrible idea and that it'll reflect badly on me to bring it up. Equally, I don't know what the purpose of informing them would be - could I request another interview? Do I just want them to bear it in mind? Or is this a lost cause?
    Any advice would be really greatly appreciated.
    Hey,

    First off - this sounds like a horrible experience. Having been in an almost-identical situation myself in the past (went to an interview with septicaemia) I can empathise.

    I personally didn't email GradRec when this happened to me and I deeply regretted it for a long time. I would email them, explain the situation and ask if there is anything they, or you, can do. Ultimately it's impossible for me to know whether they'll be able or willing to help, but my fingers are crossed for you.

    Hope this helps.
     

    Jessica Booker

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    Aug 1, 2019
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    Looking for a bit of advice. Two weeks ago I was taken to hospital by ambulance with an irregular ECG - turns out I have a virus (not Covid) and I'm still off work and not well. On the Friday (two days after my hospital admission), I had a training contract final partner interview - I attended the interview, in person in London. I obviously felt horrendous and definitely performed badly - I got into bed as soon as I got home and didn't leave my bed except to go to the bathroom until Sunday when another ambulance was called. In the interview, even questions that I had completely and totally prepped answers to, I completely forgot and just rambled something completely insane. I'm really concerned that I've cost myself the TC (after two years in the application process for this firm - who I ADORE). Part of me thinks I should email Grad Rec and tell them about the situation, part of me thinks that's a terrible idea and that it'll reflect badly on me to bring it up. Equally, I don't know what the purpose of informing them would be - could I request another interview? Do I just want them to bear it in mind? Or is this a lost cause?
    Any advice would be really greatly appreciated.
    I’d email them just to inform them. Let them decide if they want to offer you another interview. They will be best placed to work out if this is appropriate or not.

    They might not be able to do anything - it is quite difficult to assess someone when you don't know how much is them and how much is the circumstances.

    But I don't think there is any harm in at least flagging to them. You haven’t got anything to lose.

    In addition, if the virus can be transmitted easily to others, you should probably be telling them anyway in case there is any chance you could have passed it on.
     
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    kr253

    Esteemed Member
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    Jan 20, 2021
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    Looking for a bit of advice. Two weeks ago I was taken to hospital by ambulance with an irregular ECG - turns out I have a virus (not Covid) and I'm still off work and not well. On the Friday (two days after my hospital admission), I had a training contract final partner interview - I attended the interview, in person in London. I obviously felt horrendous and definitely performed badly - I got into bed as soon as I got home and didn't leave my bed except to go to the bathroom until Sunday when another ambulance was called. In the interview, even questions that I had completely and totally prepped answers to, I completely forgot and just rambled something completely insane. I'm really concerned that I've cost myself the TC (after two years in the application process for this firm - who I ADORE). Part of me thinks I should email Grad Rec and tell them about the situation, part of me thinks that's a terrible idea and that it'll reflect badly on me to bring it up. Equally, I don't know what the purpose of informing them would be - could I request another interview? Do I just want them to bear it in mind? Or is this a lost cause?
    Any advice would be really greatly appreciated.
    So sorry to hear you've been so unwell! I would definitely email Grad Rec and let them know about the situation - personally, I'd just say you wanted to let them know about mitigating circumstances and explain the severity of your illness - hopefully they can offer a solution or at the very least bear it in mind! I understand your reluctance to let them know, but I guess you have nothing to lose!
    Hope you feel better!
     

    Jessica Booker

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    One of my long time personal goals was to be one of those insanely motivated people who wake up at 6am and go on a run/go to the gym. I've now accepted that it's just never going to happen. 🤷‍♀️
    I had that for a while. It made me miserable.

    I'd prefer to work until 2.00am than wake up at 5.00am....

    I do it when I need to, but any choice and I am staying in my bed until the latest possible moment 😂
     
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    josemourinho

    Star Member
    Feb 19, 2021
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    Random q: if a firm contacts you about a reference after you interviewed with them, does that mean they are seriously making you an offer? I dont wanna overthink it but I thought i completely tanked in the interview so for them to come back and ask for a reference seems like a good sign? Or do they check the references of everyone they interview even though they have no intention of making an offer?
     

    Jessica Booker

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    Random q: if a firm contacts you about a reference after you interviewed with them, does that mean they are seriously making you an offer? I dont wanna overthink it but I thought i completely tanked in the interview so for them to come back and ask for a reference seems like a good sign? Or do they check the references of everyone they interview even though they have no intention of making an offer?
    Unfortunately not.

    It could just mean they need that information before making a decision. It could just be down to consistency of process rather than anything else.

    If they wanted to make you an offer they could do this and make the offer contingent on them receiving appropriate references.

    It’s impossible to know what there thinking is. I would just reach out to your referee, explain the situation and ask them politely whether they could provide the recent reference ASAP.
     

    Etudierlaw2022

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    Jan 10, 2021
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    Is it bad that during an interview I said I've attended at least a dozen events hosted by law firms and legal careers sites virtually in the last year to work on professional development and commercial awareness? I am worried they might think I'm not dedicated to their firm, but I said I just wanted to gain perspectives from as many people as possible
     

    whisperingrock

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  • Sep 12, 2020
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    Is it bad that during an interview I said I've attended at least a dozen events hosted by law firms and legal careers sites virtually in the last year to work on professional development and commercial awareness? I am worried they might think I'm not dedicated to their firm, but I said I just wanted to gain perspectives from as many people as possible
    No, this is the opposite of bad. Firms know you're applying to other firms and you have good motivations for why you attended so many at some many different types of firms.
     
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    Jacob Miller

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  • Feb 15, 2020
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    Is it bad that during an interview I said I've attended at least a dozen events hosted by law firms and legal careers sites virtually in the last year to work on professional development and commercial awareness? I am worried they might think I'm not dedicated to their firm, but I said I just wanted to gain perspectives from as many people as possible
    No, this isn't a sign of a lack of dedication/ commitment in any way; as @whisperingrock says, it's the opposite.

    Firms (recruiters, more specifically) don't live in a bubble where they think you're only applying to them! That wouldn't be reasonable. They know you're likely to spread your wings far and wide at the application stage and that is no bad thing. Attending events with multiple firms is a great way of exemplifying your commitment to learning and development.
     
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    Jessica Booker

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    Aug 1, 2019
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    Is it bad that during an interview I said I've attended at least a dozen events hosted by law firms and legal careers sites virtually in the last year to work on professional development and commercial awareness? I am worried they might think I'm not dedicated to their firm, but I said I just wanted to gain perspectives from as many people as possible
    Not a problem at all. All positive evidence - nothing negative there.
     
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