VS conversion rates

[Salma]

Hi All,

For those of you concerned about whether applying for a straight TC is really worth it, I came across this page which notes the VS conversion rates for different firms

https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-c...ation-schemes-are-they-really-half-the-battle

I hope this helps!

 

[Coralin96]

Hi All,

For those of you concerned about whether applying for a straight TC is really worth it, I came across this page which notes the VS conversion rates for different firms

https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-c...ation-schemes-are-they-really-half-the-battle

I hope this helps!

Great find thank you for sharing! It's interesting to compare the likes of Slaughter & May and Sidley Austin

 

[Salma]

Great find thank you for sharing! It's interesting to compare the likes of Slaughter & May and Sidley Austin

Right ??!! And Linklaters I expected Atleast 70%

 

[Coralin96]

Right ??!! And Linklaters I expected Atleast 70%

I know! It doesn't look they it's changed much compared to here: https://l2b.thelawyer.com/issues/l2...ke-most-and-fewest-trainees-from-vac-schemes/

 

[Salma]

I know! It doesn't look they it's changed much compared to here: https://l2b.thelawyer.com/issues/l2...ke-most-and-fewest-trainees-from-vac-schemes/

Phew! I was hoping to send an app to LL, glad to know it might actually get somewhere other than receiving an email in August with the usual PFO of all our TC spaces went to the vac schemers.

But tbh mostly shocked about S&M... I wonder why the conversion rates are sooo low

 

[JoshMason]

Phew! I was hoping to send an app to LL, glad to know it might actually get somewhere other than receiving an email in August with the usual PFO of all our TC spaces went to the vac schemers.

But tbh mostly shocked about S&M... I wonder why the conversion rates are sooo low

I think their vac scheme is a bit different to most- more for students to see the firm rather than a main driver for recruitment

 

[Salma]

I think their vac scheme is a bit different to most- more for students to see the firm rather than a main driver for recruitment

Agreed!

 

[EllenH]

Ahhh thank you. I've been looking for something like this (that was more recent than 2015!).

 

[Campbell44]

I think their vac scheme is a bit different to most- more for students to see the firm rather than a main driver for recruitment

This is good to know before my scheme

 

[Salma]

This is good to know before my scheme

Good luck!

 

[Campbell44]

Good luck!

Haha thanks I need it.

 

[Sandrou]

Just received a pfo post TC assessment at Slaughter & May, although I personally believed I performed well (waiting for feedback).

Question: I have 2 vacation scemes in the summer. 1 at a regional firm AG, and the 2nd at a Magic circle firm. I will probably do 4/5 direct TC apps for 2020.

If I manage to get a TC interview with let's say a U.S. or Magic Circle firm. How would I leverage my VS's and how would I answer the following:
which other firms have you applied to and why?
Do you have any offers?
(U.S firm) What would you do if your VS at said magic circle results in an offer? Who would you pick? Us or them?

 

[Jaysen]

Just received a pfo post TC assessment at Slaughter & May, although I personally believed I performed well (waiting for feedback).

Question: I have 2 vacation scemes in the summer. 1 at a regional firm AG, and the 2nd at a Magic circle firm. I will probably do 4/5 direct TC apps for 2020.

If I manage to get a TC interview with let's say a U.S. or Magic Circle firm. How would I leverage my VS's and how would I answer the following:
which other firms have you applied to and why?
Do you have any offers?
(U.S firm) What would you do if your VS at said magic circle results in an offer? Who would you pick? Us or them?

Hey Sandrou,

I'm sorry to hear about Slaughters but it's good you're getting feedback. I'll answer your questions in order:

1. Which other firms have you applied to and why? You can be honest here but try to explain why you applied to other firms. Suppose you're applying to a corporate-heavy US law firm. The recruiters will want to know that you're actually interested in corporate law at a US law firm - and not say IP work at a national firm. So there's nothing wrong with applying to other firms, but you need to be clear about your motivations. Think about why you did a scheme at AG - what did you like or dislike? Why are you applying to a US law firm after that? Why wouldn't you prefer training at a magic circle firm? If a firm gives you an offer, they're investing a lot of time and money into you. They want to know that (a) you'd fit in (b) you're interested in what they do (that's what'll keep you going in the early hours of the morning) and (c) you actually want to be there (so you'll stay).

2. Do you have any offers? Sure, you can tell them.

3. What would you did if you get an offer from your magic circle firm? Well, they're not going to want an applicant that would rather be at a magic circle firm.

 

[Salma]

Just received a pfo post TC assessment at Slaughter & May, although I personally believed I performed well (waiting for feedback).

Question: I have 2 vacation scemes in the summer. 1 at a regional firm AG, and the 2nd at a Magic circle firm. I will probably do 4/5 direct TC apps for 2020.

If I manage to get a TC interview with let's say a U.S. or Magic Circle firm. How would I leverage my VS's and how would I answer the following:
which other firms have you applied to and why?
Do you have any offers?
(U.S firm) What would you do if your VS at said magic circle results in an offer? Who would you pick? Us or them?

Hi, sorry about the rejection. How long was your CV/cover letter?

 

[Sandrou]

Hi, sorry about the rejection. How long was your CV/cover letter?

1 page cover letter(around 750words) and 1 page CV

 

[Salma]

1 page cover letter(around 750words) and 1 page CV

Eek! I thought the cover letter would simply be who you are/ what you’re applying for so max 200 words.. did you add anything else?

I am hoping to send off my CV as 2 pages, do you think that is fine?

 

[Sandrou]

In respect to the cover letter I'd say structure and conciseness is key.

Needs to be a formal letter I.e., correctly addressed and using all correct formalities (with no typos). I had a paragraph on why Slaughters? Why commercial law? And what skills/experiences I possess.

For the CV, I kept it concise and structured with consistent format. I.e. Used bullet points as oppose to long worded descriptions. The first para should be a break down all your grades). And then your experiences etc. Good luck !

Eek! I thought the cover letter would simply be who you are/ what you’re applying for so max 200 words.. did you add anything else?

I am hoping to send off my CV as 2 pages, do you think that is fine?

 

[Salma]

In respect to the cover letter I'd say structure and conciseness is key.

Needs to be a formal letter I.e., correctly addressed and using all correct formalities (with no typos). I had a paragraph on why Slaughters? Why commercial law? And what skills/experiences I possess.

For the CV, I kept it concise and structured with consistent format. I.e. Used bullet points as oppose to long worded descriptions. The first para should be a break down all your grades). And then your experiences etc. Good luck !

Thank you for the tips!

 

[Campbell44]

Eek! I thought the cover letter would simply be who you are/ what you’re applying for so max 200 words.. did you add anything else?

I am hoping to send off my CV as 2 pages, do you think that is fine?

My Slaughters app was maybe 450 words, I think it can vary it length as long as it's concise.