I've been applying to a few Open Days and workshops over the few months and I am tired of constantly being rejected. It's particularly hard as its during vacation scheme application season and I am becoming really demotivated. I tried really hard to not let it get to me but I overheard some of my peers saying 'you don't really need to put much effort to attend an Open Day' and I have tried really hard for my applications and getting a rejection just is really crappy. I don't know what else to do to improve my applications? My first year grades were dismal, barely scrapping a 2.1 and I believe this is really hurting my chances.
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Hi
I am sorry to hear about your experiences.
I think it's unlikely to be your grades. If you have a 2.1 in first year and the firm asks for a 2.1, you should be fine in that respect. Some firms ask for a high 2.1, so I would probably steer clear of them unless you have mitigating circumstances or exceptional work experience.
I agree with Raam, it might be that your application is not tailored enough or perhaps your reasoning for wanting to attend the open day is not clear enough, or perhaps too generic. Also, it really helps to have a friend read over the application to pick up on any grammar/spelling errors you might have overlooked after staring at your screen for hours.
To echo Raam, try to be really critical of your applications. If you have said things along the lines of " I want to attend X firm's open day because I am interested in learning more about firm that specialises in [shipping] law..." Try to really drill down on why you are interested in [shipping] law, what steps you have already taken to learn about [shipping] law and how the open day might complement your existing research. Always try and back up what you have said with evidence. "Show don't tell" as they say...
Make sure you are selling yourself in the work experience section and try to highlight the competencies you have that the firm is looking for in future trainees - even if it is an open day, you should still treat is with as much care as a VS/TC application!
I hope this helps.
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I don’t think law firm Open Days pay much attention to first year grades, especially since you have already have a 2.1.
If most likely to do with your application answers or the timing of your applications. Some open days are awarded on a first-come basis, so don’t always wait for the deadline. My advice is to concentrate on a few open days and research the firm in question throughly. Treat it like a application, first stage.
Also, don’t be disheartened about being rejected. Use the rejection to fuel your future success. All your peers will have been rejected but it’s how to deal with it and how you bounce back that counts.
I know, I was rejected countless times before I landed a open day, and then I was rejected countless time during the application stage before landed an TC. It’s part of the process, just learn from it and keep developing and knocking on the door!
I leave you with a inspirational quote that I used when going through the process, it really helped me a lot and change my mind set/focus.
“Oh Eagle! Don't fear the violent stormy winds, blowing from the opposite direction. These blow only to make you fly higher." -
Allama Iqbal
If most likely to do with your application answers or the timing of your applications. Some open days are awarded on a first-come basis, so don’t always wait for the deadline. My advice is to concentrate on a few open days and research the firm in question throughly. Treat it like a application, first stage.
Also, don’t be disheartened about being rejected. Use the rejection to fuel your future success. All your peers will have been rejected but it’s how to deal with it and how you bounce back that counts.
I know, I was rejected countless times before I landed a open day, and then I was rejected countless time during the application stage before landed an TC. It’s part of the process, just learn from it and keep developing and knocking on the door!
I leave you with a inspirational quote that I used when going through the process, it really helped me a lot and change my mind set/focus.
“Oh Eagle! Don't fear the violent stormy winds, blowing from the opposite direction. These blow only to make you fly higher." -
Allama Iqbal
@wildprincessx I am so sorry to hear you feel this way and echo entirely what has been said before. If you would like to, why don't you select the open day or workshop app you felt the best about and send it over to me through a private message. I can try to look at it and pick out areas to improve to help you for next time? I know it can be scary and rubbish to hear sometimes where you might've fallen down in the past but i hope it might be able to help you moving forwards.
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Hi there, I was in a similar position too but I've managed to get onto open days - it's a tad cliché but you really need to reflect harshly on your application. Maybe your research is too generic and not specific enough, or you're not communicating your extra-curricular effectively. I'd recommend looking at the past applications thread and having a think. So many future trainees I've met have had similar experiences but their persistence helped them succeed. All the best
Thank you so much for your help! I have picked myself up and started criticising my applications more harshly!
Thank you so much for your elaboration! I do think I've fallen into the pit falls of saying " I want to attend the open day because of the firm's specialisation in X. Your tips were really helpful!
Thank you so much for your kind offer Alice. I will send one of my applications to you this weekend if that is possible? Thanks!
Jessica Booker
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Rejection sucks, there is no doubt about it.
But it is something every lawyer should get “resilient” to, especially as a commercial lawyer. There are going to be regular occurrences where you are going to be rejected as a lawyer. It might be your team doesn’t win a new client after a pitch, it may be that the case in a court doesn’t go in your clients favour, it may be that your work your backside off to pull together an M&A deal for your client only for it to collapse over the most insignificant of details. It will also happen more personally - your going to get told regularly your work needs more work to it, you will get passed up for working on a matter, you won’t get your secondment/seat choice, your bonus won’t be as high as you thought it should/would be.
You’ve got to start backing yourself, even in the face of the rejection. I get this isn’t always easy - I’ve had about a week and a half of serious “imposter” syndrome for no real reason apart from being tired, and your own self doubt can really impact your ability to focus and get things done.
Please feel free to rant about it on here though - one it can be slightly therapeutic to get it off your chest, and two you’ll find most people have felt exactly like you at some point (or regular points).
But it is something every lawyer should get “resilient” to, especially as a commercial lawyer. There are going to be regular occurrences where you are going to be rejected as a lawyer. It might be your team doesn’t win a new client after a pitch, it may be that the case in a court doesn’t go in your clients favour, it may be that your work your backside off to pull together an M&A deal for your client only for it to collapse over the most insignificant of details. It will also happen more personally - your going to get told regularly your work needs more work to it, you will get passed up for working on a matter, you won’t get your secondment/seat choice, your bonus won’t be as high as you thought it should/would be.
You’ve got to start backing yourself, even in the face of the rejection. I get this isn’t always easy - I’ve had about a week and a half of serious “imposter” syndrome for no real reason apart from being tired, and your own self doubt can really impact your ability to focus and get things done.
Please feel free to rant about it on here though - one it can be slightly therapeutic to get it off your chest, and two you’ll find most people have felt exactly like you at some point (or regular points).
@Jessica Booker, that has actually triggered a question that I have about "what is your greatest weakness" interview question. I have thought about being really honest and saying that I have a mild case of imposter syndrome and it's something that I have to work on all the time. What is your opinion on this?
ps. hope you are feeling more positive now, if this is a recent event.
Thanks!
Jessica Booker
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It’s a good example to use as long as
1) it’s true
2) you are aware of it
3) you are looking to change it
4) you know how to work to change it
5) you are looking for and taking up opportunities that will help you change it
I’m good in the grand scheme of things, just tired as been crazy busy. Tiredness makes me completely irrational
I can totally empathise with tiredness and irrationality (I’m also a very hangry person, if I’m hungry - I’m no good
) I hope you have some time this weekend to do something nice for yourself! I’ve made plans to do some of my Christmas shopping and get a tree etc this weekend! Also haven’t had a festive coffee/hot choc yet so that’s on the agenda! Just thought I’d share because I think it’s so important to make plans for yourself to look forward to and sometimes even the small things can help (like my Christmas coffee
)
Jessica Booker
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I’ve made plans to do some of my Christmas shopping and get a tree etc this weekend! Also haven’t had a festive coffee/hot choc yet so that’s on the agenda! Just thought I’d share because I think it’s so important to make plans for yourself to look forward to and sometimes even the small things can help (like my Christmas coffee
I’m off on holiday soon, so that will be a well earned rest. But looking after yourself is the most important thing in keeping your head up.
When I feel like this I remember the lyric from "Everybody's free to wear sunscreen - Baz Luhrmann", which is a great motivational song.
the race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself."
I couldn’t agree more and really hope you have a wonderful holiday, you absolutely deserve it and we appreciate everything you do on here. You’re such an invaluable support and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say a huge thank you
I love this!! Just the Friday boost I needed
thank you! Hope you have a lovely weekend ahead @wildprincessx I am so sorry to hear this. I understand how awful and demoralising rejection can feel. Like @Alice G , I don't mind having a look at your Open Day applications to give you a third party opinion. I used to get several rejections myself with Open Days but I read this: https://ukgraduates.shearman.com/2017/05/03/100-ways-improve-training-contract-application/ and found it very useful!
Although it pertains to TC applications, law firms also look take note of certain errors in the application form for Open Days. Keeping these 100 tips at the back of my head whilst completing my Vac Scheme/Open Day apps really helped when applying! Also, there are many helpful tips on how you can go about researching firms + resources you can use.
Although it pertains to TC applications, law firms also look take note of certain errors in the application form for Open Days. Keeping these 100 tips at the back of my head whilst completing my Vac Scheme/Open Day apps really helped when applying! Also, there are many helpful tips on how you can go about researching firms + resources you can use.
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Same - I’m tired of rejections but the new TCLA to TC course on the premium forum has been helping me stay motivated
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