Can she get a TC?

[choicefox212]

Hi, I thought I’d share my journey on here. I am an Oxford humanities grad with a 2:1, currently doing the PGDL. Getting a bit bogged down in rejections at the moment.

I have work experience with two firms on my list, plus a VS with a regional firm. I have done internships in two private client (one law-adjacent) industries, and have been on a huge trustee board. My academic results are pretty strong but I did get a 2:2 in second year and my 2:1 overall was a 61, which isn't great. I have many other extracurriculars, including founding my own business - so I don't think my CV is lacking in itself.

I am interested in private client work, so this is a range of firms (some small, some more mainstream) with good departments in that rather than corporate. These are mostly DTC applications unless the firm mostly/mainly recruits from their VS.

Applications:
- Withers
- Stephenson Harwood
- Charles Russell Speechlys
- Harbottle & Lewis
- Mishcon
- Macfarlanes
- Farrer & Co

Upcoming applications:
- Payne Hicks Beach
- Kingsley Napley
- Wedlake Bell

PFO:
- Taylor Wessing
- Mills & Reeve
- Forsters
- Fladgate
- WBD
- Osborne Clarke
- Russell-Cooke
- Penningtons
- Boodle Hatfield


= application
= AI interview
= video interview
= online test
= rejection

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey!

Thank you for sharing this - your profile looks much stronger than you're giving yourself credit for!

Your firm list makes lots of sense for someone interested in private client, and the fact that you are reaching second/third rounds shows that your applications are landing! I completed a vacation scheme at Farrer & Co last cycle and loved it, so if you had any questions when writing your application just shout.

I can totally relate to your comments on confidence - I felt this is what ultimately held me back in the beginning too. AC performance is a skill, and you do get better (and more confident!) over time. The key thing is that you have already had a VS and an AC - that is amazing for your first cycle, and you can draw lots of things from these experiences.

It looks like you are doing all the right things, in that you are targeting specific firms and know what area you are interested in. I would try to be kind to yourself, and have faith in your own abilities - if you have gotten to AC and VS already, it's simply a matter of fit rather than ability

Looking forward to following your journey!

 

[choicefox212]

Hey!

Thank you for sharing this - your profile looks much stronger than you're giving yourself credit for!

Your firm list makes lots of sense for someone interested in private client, and the fact that you are reaching second/third rounds shows that your applications are landing! I completed a vacation scheme at Farrer & Co last cycle and loved it, so if you had any questions when writing your application just shout.

I can totally relate to your comments on confidence - I felt this is what ultimately held me back in the beginning too. AC performance is a skill, and you do get better (and more confident!) over time. The key thing is that you have already had a VS and an AC - that is amazing for your first cycle, and you can draw lots of things from these experiences.

It looks like you are doing all the right things, in that you are targeting specific firms and know what area you are interested in. I would try to be kind to yourself, and have faith in your own abilities - if you have gotten to AC and VS already, it's simply a matter of fit rather than ability

Looking forward to following your journey!

Thank you so much for replying Abbie, means a lot.

I know I’ll get better every AC, but I’m not sure I have the confidence to get any more. It just feels like the numbers are so against me, and while on paper my CV is strong, I just don’t know I have the personality to back it. Hopefully I’ll be proven wrong, but confidence doesn’t come easy! :/

Re. Farrer’s, I’d actually love some guidance if you wouldn’t mind! I haven’t started thinking about their app yet but will do soon

 

[choicefox212]

Fladgate SJT invite… will see how it goes.

I’m planning on doing all of my outstanding applications at the end of this week (I’m doing some work experience right now that will look really good on my CV), so wish me luck

 

[choicefox212]

Well, Fladgate and WBD PFO. We'll get there. It's just disheartening because all everyone can say when they look at my CV is 'oh you'll definitely get one' - doesn't make me feel better when I am clearly doing something wrong

 

[choicefox212]

Russell-Cooke rejection... I've just sat the second SJT and VI for Macfarlanes - not sure if that's standard, or a good sign, or a bad sign, ugh...

Couple more applications to come!

 

[choicefox212]

Boodle Hatfield vac scheme rejection - they say they'll review my application again when they're doing DTC but I don't believe a word of it!

Getting to the stage where I have had more rejections than I have outstanding applications, which is grim, but nothing I can do about that

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey!

I'm sorry to hear about the rejection, and it is definitely a frustrating position to be in when you have put in so much effort. Whilst the "we'll review you again for DTC" line might seem generic, I'd still take it as a positive!

I would honestly try not to read too much into the ratio of rejections to outstanding applications, as this is honestly the norm in this process! If it provides any reassurance, my TC offer came from the final firm that I was waiting to hear back from after being rejected post-app or post-VS for all of my others. You just never know which firm will say yes!

Wishing you the best of luck with any outstanding applications, and I look forward to seeing any updates

 

[choicefox212]

Hey!

I'm sorry to hear about the rejection, and it is definitely a frustrating position to be in when you have put in so much effort. Whilst the "we'll review you again for DTC" line might seem generic, I'd still take it as a positive!

I would honestly try not to read too much into the ratio of rejections to outstanding applications, as this is honestly the norm in this process! If it provides any reassurance, my TC offer came from the final firm that I was waiting to hear back from after being rejected post-app or post-VS for all of my others. You just never know which firm will say yes!

Wishing you the best of luck with any outstanding applications, and I look forward to seeing any updates

Thank you - it isn't fun at all. It's hard to find the bright side in these things - like, it's good that I'm getting to second rounds, but being rejected is more annoying because I've spent even more time investing in these firms. I know my Mishcon SJT didn't go well but I'm still holding out for it, and the Macfarlanes VI was definitely awful, but I find myself dreaming about them a little.

It is reassuring (horrible though it sounds) that you didn't get a TC until the end of the cycle, but I just feel on edge with waiting!