Per @Jaysen 's request, I have decided to start a thread on offering advice to all prospective vac schemers on how to write a strong application. This is my approach to writing a strong application. There are several different categorisations of questions in these applications, and I will write down my approach accordingly.
1. Commercial Questions:
- Avoid very general topics (This is why I avoided general Brexit discussions), because general topics mean a lack of personalisation for the firm you are applying to, and also mean there is a very large scope of research to be done. The more general it is, the more things you need to cover. And often, it is not rewarding because this general topic does not even tailor to the firm you are applying to. (For instance, why focus on Brexit when you can focus on China's trade policies if the firm you are applying to has a strong presence in China?)
- Research thoroughly but don't research without a purpose. What is the purpose of bringing this topic up? Always link it back to the firm and how it impacts the firms and its clients. Why should the firm care about this?
- Don't only state facts, show your thinking process and demonstrate your critical thinking on this issue. In my opinion, commercial questions are the best way to demonstrate to the firm how interested you are in their firm.
2. Why This Firm?:
-I view this as analogous as courting a guy/girl, you want to show certain values that impress them, knowing their favourite food/colour/music etc. It is easy to state facts but difficult to show how you care about their interests. Back to the guy-girl scenario, it is great to show that you know they like jazz but how do you impress them or let them know your interests are aligned? This applies to the firms you apply to too.
- Research thoroughly, and don't select information that is too old. You need to be updated and understand the current "trend" of the firm. Did it just undergo a merger? Is the industry it is working in trouble because of new regulations?
3. Why Law?:
- Understand that you are competing with so many candidates who have gone through the same academic path as you. This question is an opportunity for you to set yourself apart from other candidates. This is the same reason why I rarely mention my academic achievements in law is why I become interested in law.
- Use your work experience to show how they cement your opinion on a career in Law.
- Think outside of yourself, what is it that lawyers are doing now that interest you?
3. Competency Questions:
- Use the STAR approach to structure your answers
-Quantify your results
- Have a few stories in the bag for both applications and interviews
-Really think hard about what you have done and never EVER diminish your accomplishments. People are often their harshest judges, don't undersell yourself. Think of every little impact you have made and work you have undertaken which made you a valuable member of the team.
4. Situational Judgment Questions:
- This is rare, but they still exist in applications. Imagine yourself as a trainee and don't make sweeping remarks such as " I will make time for this task" -- How do you make time? What concrete steps are you going to take?
- Always ask for help and run things by your supervisor! Speaking to a few friends who have been trainees, this is often the best solution to things instead of taking the responsibility and burden of a whole task alone.
These are all the questions I can think of. Leave comments below or message me and I will help you as much as I can! I would also like to hear some ideas from all of you and expand more questions or points I have missed out.
All the best in your applications!
1. Commercial Questions:
- Avoid very general topics (This is why I avoided general Brexit discussions), because general topics mean a lack of personalisation for the firm you are applying to, and also mean there is a very large scope of research to be done. The more general it is, the more things you need to cover. And often, it is not rewarding because this general topic does not even tailor to the firm you are applying to. (For instance, why focus on Brexit when you can focus on China's trade policies if the firm you are applying to has a strong presence in China?)
- Research thoroughly but don't research without a purpose. What is the purpose of bringing this topic up? Always link it back to the firm and how it impacts the firms and its clients. Why should the firm care about this?
- Don't only state facts, show your thinking process and demonstrate your critical thinking on this issue. In my opinion, commercial questions are the best way to demonstrate to the firm how interested you are in their firm.
2. Why This Firm?:
-I view this as analogous as courting a guy/girl, you want to show certain values that impress them, knowing their favourite food/colour/music etc. It is easy to state facts but difficult to show how you care about their interests. Back to the guy-girl scenario, it is great to show that you know they like jazz but how do you impress them or let them know your interests are aligned? This applies to the firms you apply to too.
- Research thoroughly, and don't select information that is too old. You need to be updated and understand the current "trend" of the firm. Did it just undergo a merger? Is the industry it is working in trouble because of new regulations?
3. Why Law?:
- Understand that you are competing with so many candidates who have gone through the same academic path as you. This question is an opportunity for you to set yourself apart from other candidates. This is the same reason why I rarely mention my academic achievements in law is why I become interested in law.
- Use your work experience to show how they cement your opinion on a career in Law.
- Think outside of yourself, what is it that lawyers are doing now that interest you?
3. Competency Questions:
- Use the STAR approach to structure your answers
-Quantify your results
- Have a few stories in the bag for both applications and interviews
-Really think hard about what you have done and never EVER diminish your accomplishments. People are often their harshest judges, don't undersell yourself. Think of every little impact you have made and work you have undertaken which made you a valuable member of the team.
4. Situational Judgment Questions:
- This is rare, but they still exist in applications. Imagine yourself as a trainee and don't make sweeping remarks such as " I will make time for this task" -- How do you make time? What concrete steps are you going to take?
- Always ask for help and run things by your supervisor! Speaking to a few friends who have been trainees, this is often the best solution to things instead of taking the responsibility and burden of a whole task alone.
These are all the questions I can think of. Leave comments below or message me and I will help you as much as I can! I would also like to hear some ideas from all of you and expand more questions or points I have missed out.
All the best in your applications!
