General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Tcapplicant]

Being a paralegal won’t make you stand out. There will be 100s of other applicants with paralegal experience or similar work experience applying.

someone’s individuality will come through a combinations of experiences, strengths, motivations and learnings. I would expect an answer like this to talk about that combination that makes someone unique.

I wouldn’t necessarily also try and “fit” into competencies the firm is trying to assess - this is about the additional things that bring flavour to your application and make you stand out. Every candidate will be able to fit into the competencies and therefore by default, not stand out.

By "experiences, strengths, motivations and learnings" what do you specifically mean? There is another question asking about interests you pursue outside of law so don't want to repeat those.

 

[thirdtimelucky]

Anyone heard from Gibson post-app?

someone on the Student Room said they were sending out emails this week but idk?

 

[Jessica Booker]

By "experiences, strengths, motivations and learnings" what do you specifically mean? There is another question asking about interests you pursue outside of law so don't want to repeat those.

I would expect them to be very different questions/answers.

your experience, strengths, motivations and learnings are a whole spectrum of things that will be different to each person. “What specifically” they are are very specific to each individual.

I think people need to stop trying too hard in questions like this - it’s one of those questions where there really isn’t one approach because it is purely about you.

think about it this way:

what is your USP?
What are you proud of achieving that few other people have?
What have you done/achieved that is different/out of the ordinary?
What have you created?
What specialist skill/knowledge do you have that other candidates are unlikely to have?
What motivations do you bring that most candidates won’t have?
How would your friends/family describe your character that would identify you out of a crowd of people?
What have you done differently that’s resulted in success?
How have you proven people wrong it what you could do/achieve?

I’m not saying every candidate will have enough to answer all of the above questions - it’s more picking your specific uniqueness points out of things like this.

 

[AH9891]

By "experiences, strengths, motivations and learnings" what do you specifically mean? There is another question asking about interests you pursue outside of law so don't want to repeat those.

I went through all their trainees on LinkedIn and most of them (90%) have some kind of industry experience either having been a paralegal at one of their clients (Universal, Sony or a big name like that) or worked in the industry in some other capacity. Lee & Thompson on their vac scheme app form stated that they are particularly interested in hearing from career changers that have relevant experience in their client’s fields. I obviously don’t have any insight into the firms, but based on firms’ current trainees and comments like that it seems that the way in which you can set yourself apart from other applicants the easiest is relevant work experience. If you don’t have that then Jessica’s prompts will hopefully be really helpful.
It’s only 250 words, so I’d say less is more in terms of how many things you mention.

For the second question about your interests, the second half of the question is the important part. So I would talk about your achievements and positions of responsibility like they asked. They probably won’t make you unique, but they can demonstrate drive, resilience, teamwork and so on depending on what you list.

good luck

 

[Jessica Booker]

Legal experience isn’t necessarily the way to set yourself apart.

1) this will be on your application form elsewhere anyway

2) there might be something far more interesting/challenging/meaningful/substantialyou have got outside of your work experience

PS: lots of trainees don’t have paralegal experience prior to becoming a trainee, so don’t worry if you don’t have any. Some trainees come in with little to no legal work experience full atopZ

 

[Tcapplicant]

Hi @Jessica Booker, one of the reasons why I applying to a firm is because of its strength in a certain sector. It is not its main practice area but is something it is ranked for. I potentially have a job lined up which would be in this field, however because of Corona I don't have an immediate start date. In my application could I talk about "my interests lie in X sector and why I'm applying for X firm shown through gaining a position at X." Would you advise focusing on a certain sector you genuinely have an interest in or all of their departments?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker, one of the reasons why I applying to a firm is because of its strength in a certain sector. It is not its main practice area but is something it is ranked for. I potentially have a job lined up which would be in this field, however because of Corona I don't have an immediate start date. In my application could I talk about "my interests lie in X sector and why I'm applying for X firm shown through gaining a position at X." Would you advise focusing on a certain sector you genuinely have an interest in or all of their departments?

your application should always be genuine.

don’t make stuff up just to try and impress.

it is fine to focus on one department/practice area - but remember to not go too over the top about it. You might only spend 6 months in that department and if everything in your application screams “I’m interested in X department” there could be a question as to whether you would be interested in other areas.

it’s just about balance

 

[Changes]

Hi @Jessica Booker, one of the reasons why I applying to a firm is because of its strength in a certain sector. It is not its main practice area but is something it is ranked for. I potentially have a job lined up which would be in this field, however because of Corona I don't have an immediate start date. In my application could I talk about "my interests lie in X sector and why I'm applying for X firm shown through gaining a position at X." Would you advise focusing on a certain sector you genuinely have an interest in or all of their departments?

I’ve done this with a couple of practices areas for certain firms, one I’ve semi-experienced (though not as a lawyer) and referenced that experience. But I’ve gone on to point out that I’m open minded about practice area ultimately (linked it with them being a full service firm and why that’s important to me).

 

[Popal]

Hi all, I just got an email from a firm saying that the assessment centre that was postponed from March which I was due to attend has now been cancelled. All places for training contracts have been given to people who completed assessment centres before Coronavirus hit. Therefore, my application has been rejected.

I was told I should reconsider applying earlier as applications are assessed on a rolling basis. I applied 9 weeks after the applications opened - it was my first application of this cycle and I was taking my time but perhaps was naive in thinking I'd applied early enough.

Do you think there would be merit in asking the firm whether they would consider putting candidates in the same boat straight through to the assessment centre for the next cohort in 2023? I'm just so disappointed, and feel like I have been rather unfortunate, especially given this was my first choice firm. Also, they would just have to read pretty much the same application again, and otherwise they wasted time telephone interviewing us all, but also I don't want to sound like I'm complaining as I definitely want to re-apply next year.

Any advice welcome!

Many thanks in advance

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all, I just got an email from a firm saying that the assessment centre that was postponed from March which I was due to attend has now been cancelled. All places for training contracts have been given to people who completed assessment centres before Coronavirus hit. Therefore, my application has been rejected.

I was told I should reconsider applying earlier as applications are assessed on a rolling basis. I applied 9 weeks after the applications opened - it was my first application of this cycle and I was taking my time but perhaps was naive in thinking I'd applied early enough.

Do you think there would be merit in asking the firm whether they would consider putting candidates in the same boat straight through to the assessment centre for the next cohort in 2023? I'm just so disappointed, and feel like I have been rather unfortunate, especially given this was my first choice firm. Also, they would just have to read pretty much the same application again, and otherwise they wasted time telephone interviewing us all, but also I don't want to sound like I'm complaining as I definitely want to re-apply next year.

Any advice welcome!

Many thanks in advance

If they wanted to take that approach, that’s what they would have offered you.

This cycle will be strange given the extra ordinary set of circumstances. I wouldn’t let this affect how you apply for the rest of this cycle, or even the next cycle though.

 

[Alice G]

Hi all, I just got an email from a firm saying that the assessment centre that was postponed from March which I was due to attend has now been cancelled. All places for training contracts have been given to people who completed assessment centres before Coronavirus hit. Therefore, my application has been rejected.

I was told I should reconsider applying earlier as applications are assessed on a rolling basis. I applied 9 weeks after the applications opened - it was my first application of this cycle and I was taking my time but perhaps was naive in thinking I'd applied early enough.

Do you think there would be merit in asking the firm whether they would consider putting candidates in the same boat straight through to the assessment centre for the next cohort in 2023? I'm just so disappointed, and feel like I have been rather unfortunate, especially given this was my first choice firm. Also, they would just have to read pretty much the same application again, and otherwise they wasted time telephone interviewing us all, but also I don't want to sound like I'm complaining as I definitely want to re-apply next year.

Any advice welcome!

Many thanks in advance

I really feel for you reading this and totally get how you feel and there is nothing wrong in feeling down and disappointed. I do agree with @Jessica Booker in that, if they have said this now and taken this decision, then I doubt they will be able to offer a fast-track for 2023. What I think I would do is possibly email them back (a very very brief email - a sentence or two!) and just say a courteous thank you for getting in touch, that you appreciate the decision and you are looking forward to reapplying next cycle. Then, when that time comes, I would meet with the firm if possible and maybe ask whether it would be worth expressing how far you got this cycle in your 2023 app. Most firms ask if you have applied before in their forms so I wonder if you could do this in here? Always worth asking I think but this success this cycle with the firm will hopefully stand you in good stead for next year! Really best of luck with any further apps

 

[AY]

Has anyone heard back from Ward Hadaway yet??

 

[Popal]

If they wanted to take that approach, that’s what they would have offered you.

This cycle will be strange given the extra ordinary set of circumstances. I wouldn’t let this affect how you apply for the rest of this cycle, or even the next cycle though.

Thanks for this Jessica. I think I asked this without thinking about the fact they would have offered it if they were going to - perhaps my heart typing, rather than my head!

Thank you, and I will try not to let this get me down. I need to cut everyone, including myself, a bit of slack I think! Thank you for your work on this forum - we all really appreciate it.

 

[Popal]

I really feel for you reading this and totally get how you feel and there is nothing wrong in feeling down and disappointed. I do agree with @Jessica Booker in that, if they have said this now and taken this decision, then I doubt they will be able to offer a fast-track for 2023. What I think I would do is possibly email them back (a very very brief email - a sentence or two!) and just say a courteous thank you for getting in touch, that you appreciate the decision and you are looking forward to reapplying next cycle. Then, when that time comes, I would meet with the firm if possible and maybe ask whether it would be worth expressing how far you got this cycle in your 2023 app. Most firms ask if you have applied before in their forms so I wonder if you could do this in here? Always worth asking I think but this success this cycle with the firm will hopefully stand you in good stead for next year! Really best of luck with any further apps

Thanks for this Alice - that's such a helpful suggestion! And I hadn't even thought about the fact that I can mention how far I got on the application form - hopefully that would be taken into consideration I was definitely spiralling earlier, and you and Jessica have made me feel miles better- so thank you both!

 

[Alice G]

Thanks for this Alice - that's such a helpful suggestion! And I hadn't even thought about the fact that I can mention how far I got on the application form - hopefully that would be taken into consideration I was definitely spiralling earlier, and you and Jessica have made me feel miles better- so thank you both!

Absolutely no worries! I totally understand the initial panic and worry that sets in and it can be hard to process things as you would do ordinarily. I am really glad this has helped and absolutely take confidence in your abilities and strengths that you got so far with the firm this cycle - I hope you can harness that self-belief and let it power you forwards

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks for this Jessica. I think I asked this without thinking about the fact they would have offered it if they were going to - perhaps my heart typing, rather than my head!

Thank you, and I will try not to let this get me down. I need to cut everyone, including myself, a bit of slack I think! Thank you for your work on this forum - we all really appreciate it.

the difficulty with deferrals this year (which is basically what you are asking for) is it is the first year of the SQE intakes for many firms. They don’t necessary want to rush into the process of 2023 offers until both Covid stuff is over and also once SQE matters are a little more defined (and that’s not necessary the firm’s fault).

 

[bzheng]

received an invite to stephenson harwood interview! if anyone has any insight i’d be very grateful! thank you

 

[Charles]

Hello guys (Alice G, Jessica, Jaysen) pretty please do we have any link/article dedicated to video interviews (please could you direct me to them/post them) I would like to prepare for an upcoming video interview with Baker Mckenzie. Thank you

And if anyone has ideas/tips/pointers about the Baker Mckenzie video interview please could you share them. Thanks

 

[Charles]

Thanks for this Alice - that's such a helpful suggestion! And I hadn't even thought about the fact that I can mention how far I got on the application form - hopefully that would be taken into consideration I was definitely spiralling earlier, and you and Jessica have made me feel miles better- so thank you both!

Sorry @ Popal that would have been a hard one to take but like Alice G said you are strong if you got up to a potential assessment center and for the record I do not think you were naive in your application process - cheers.

 

[Alice G]

Hello guys (Alice G, Jessica, Jaysen) pretty please do we have any link/article dedicated to video interviews (please could you direct me to them/post them) I would like to prepare for an upcoming video interview with Baker Mckenzie. Thank you

And if anyone has ideas/tips/pointers about the Baker Mckenzie video interview please could you share them. Thanks

I must apologise on this as I started writing a document on tips for VIs and I have just been a little bit busy this past week so have not had time to develop it much further. I will try and get this turned around as soon as possible. When is the interview?

Also, just a quick tip for everyone - if you '@' and then type a person's username you can be sure they will get a notification and can respond to your question etc just a friendly tip to note so that nothing gets missed!