If its optional, the firm does not need it to make a decision on your application. It is most likely a default setting on their application software that they can't remove.
Unless this is a charity or providing a public service like legal aid, please avoid. If this is a company that charges and makes revenue, the role should be paid minimum wage and labelling them up as a "volunteer" role actually rarely makes them such. The company is likely to be on the wrong side of minimum wage legislation if they are employing people on an unpaid basis.
I knew someone last year did VI in february but they applied in december
Same, it's actually a joke. I did the test a good two weeks before the deadline as well.
Tie it to you first - you should focus on your challenges, rather than generically what most trainees could say.
Thanks Jessica, I ultimately followed what you’ve just wrote, and then explained in the mitigating circumstances section as to the details.
I assume, like me, no one has still heard about either. I guess I should assume rejection for the first date?
