General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[hopelesscaseofwhat]

Re: Baker McKenzie VI

My deadline's on the 29th at 00:00 o'clock, does that mean I have the whole day of the 29th or only the 28th?

Also the invitation email specifies that they'll be reviewing the interviews on a rolling basis so will I be disadvantaged if I complete my VI closer to the deadline?

 

[jan28]

Re: Baker McKenzie VI

My deadline's on the 29th at 00:00 o'clock, does that mean I have the whole day of the 29th or only the 28th?

Also the invitation email specifies that they'll be reviewing the interviews on a rolling basis so will I be disadvantaged if I complete my VI closer to the deadline?

The 28th i think, as 00:00 would be a new day

 

[Changes]

Re: Baker McKenzie VI

My deadline's on the 29th at 00:00 o'clock, does that mean I have the whole day of the 29th or only the 28th?

Also the invitation email specifies that they'll be reviewing the interviews on a rolling basis so will I be disadvantaged if I complete my VI closer to the deadline?

Pretty sure it’s the 29th but I’d do it the day before to be sure.

Yes, potentially. I’ve missed out on a place on an AC by doing a VI too late.

As for principles in terms of sharing info.

I think the obvious line is sharing specific questions for recent interviews/VIs. Though firms may accept this happens and hope to mitigate against it to some extent, they would obviously prefer if it didn’t happen, hence some firms include in the terms that you can’t share any information. It seems a logical line to draw on that basis. The other issue is some people share false information, this helps limit that too.

Personally think it is fine to share information on format (e.g. number of questions, timings), general themes (e.g. there’s a commercial question and the rest are competency based or there are a mixture of strengths and competency based questions) and more general advice (e.g. it as quite tricky, couldn’t really prepare for the questions as it was more of a test of thinking on your feet, read the VI guides on TCLA).

 

[hopelesscaseofwhat]

The 28th i think, as 00:00 would be a new day

Pretty sure it’s the 29th but I’d do it the day before to be sure.

Yes, potentially. I’ve missed out on a place on an AC by doing a VI too late.

As for principles in terms of sharing info.

I think the obvious line is sharing specific questions for recent interviews/VIs. Though firms may accept this happens and hope to mitigate against it to some extent, they would obviously prefer if it didn’t happen, hence some firms include in the terms that you can’t share any information. It seems a logical line to draw on that basis. The other issue is some people share false information, this helps limit that too.

Personally think it is fine to share information on format (e.g. number of questions, timings), general themes (e.g. there’s a commercial question and the rest are competency based or there are a mixture of strengths and competency based questions) and more general advice (e.g. it as quite tricky, couldn’t really prepare for the questions as it was more of a test of thinking on your feet, read the VI guides on TCLA).

Okay, thanks guys i'll do it before then just to be sure.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Pretty sure it’s the 29th but I’d do it the day before to be sure.

Yes, potentially. I’ve missed out on a place on an AC by doing a VI too late.

As for principles in terms of sharing info.

I think the obvious line is sharing specific questions for recent interviews/VIs. Though firms may accept this happens and hope to mitigate against it to some extent, they would obviously prefer if it didn’t happen, hence some firms include in the terms that you can’t share any information. It seems a logical line to draw on that basis. The other issue is some people share false information, this helps limit that too.

Personally think it is fine to share information on format (e.g. number of questions, timings), general themes (e.g. there’s a commercial question and the rest are competency based or there are a mixture of strengths and competency based questions) and more general advice (e.g. it as quite tricky, couldn’t really prepare for the questions as it was more of a test of thinking on your feet, read the VI guides on TCLA).

where do we draw the line though out of the following examples

1) they will assess your team work

2) they will ask a question about a time you have worked in a team

3) they will ask you a question about a time you worked in an ineffective team

4) They will ask you a question about a time you worked in a team that wasn't working very well and what you did to make it better

5) You’ll be asked the question:

Describe a time you worked in an ineffective team, and what actions or ideas you implemented to make the team more effective


Community rules are only going to be able to cover the forums, unfortunately there would be no way private messages could be monitored, so whatever is agreed, information will be shared just in a different way.

I’d personally prefer it to be shared with more people rather than less, so it’s going to be difficult to get community rules that will meet everyone’s expectations.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Re: Baker McKenzie VI

My deadline's on the 29th at 00:00 o'clock, does that mean I have the whole day of the 29th or only the 28th?

Also the invitation email specifies that they'll be reviewing the interviews on a rolling basis so will I be disadvantaged if I complete my VI closer to the deadline?

They mean 23.59 on the 29th

especially if it is on Launchpad

 

[Changes]

where do we draw the line though out of the following examples

1) they will assess your team work

2) they will ask a question about a time you have worked in a team

3) they will ask you a question about a time you worked in an ineffective team

4) They will ask you a question about a time you worked in a team that wasn't working very well and what you did to make it better

5) You’ll be asked the question:

Describe a time you worked in an ineffective team, and what actions or ideas you implemented to make the team more effective


Community rules are only going to be able to cover the forums, unfortunately there would be no way private messages could be monitored, so whatever is agreed, information will be shared just in a different way.

I’d personally prefer it to be shared with more people rather than less, so it’s going to be difficult to get community rules that will meet everyone’s expectations.

Personally I’d say make it more general than the above but sure others will disagree. To compromise I’d say “there was a question on teamwork” is ok, though that sort of thing is easy enough to prepare for and discern anyway, it’s a pretty basic competency. I don’t think it’s that complicated though, the line seems fairly obvious to me.

From the point of view of those who run the forum, obviously the forum is going to be more attractive and draw more of an audience if sharing of more detailed information is allowed. I also take on board the point about information being shared anyway in other forums (e.g. on campus), which will potentially disadvantage groups. In that respect, sharing in the open is potentially fairer. In fairness it doesn’t happen often because most people have a bit more sense (perhaps others might argue that its self-interest rather than sense).

On the whole, I’m sure the majority of the forum would prefer more specific sharing being allowed as it’s likely to benefit them. It’ll only be a minority who are aggrieved (those who have done the work themselves already). There are plenty of great resources on here without that sharing though.

Perhaps I am being overly sensitive about it, particularly in this case, since I was one of those disadvantaged by not knowing any of the questions or lines of questioning in advance. I have been thrown off by false information in the past, so appreciate it is a double edged sword.

I also appreciate that you know far more about how it is viewed from a recruitment perspective and about the mitigation policies firms have in place.

I’ve given my 2p anyway.

 

[FutureCity]

Has anyone heard from Reed Smith after they put their assessment centres on halt?

Anyone have anything on this?

 

[W]

any tip for virtual assesmment centre (with written exercise and partner interview)

Which firm?

 

[Lawbour]

I graduated last year and without any previous paralegal experience secured permanent paralegal offers at White & Case, K&E and Macfarlanes. It's not that difficult to get a para role if you use a recruitment agency. I'm not sure what the salaries are this year, but last year W&C was offering 36k, Kirkland was 40k and Macfarlanes was around 34/35k. All these salaries are excluding overtime. If you work overtime, they pay you x1.5 for each hour after 5.30pm (this is for K&E where I ended up going).

sorry if this has already been asked - what recruitment agency did you use? I'm also looking for some paralegal work to start once my exams are over

 

[hopelesscaseofwhat]

They mean 23.59 on the 29th

especially if it is on Launchpad

Ohh wow I have an additional day then thank you for answering!

And yes it's on Launchpad

 

[Daniel Boden]

sorry if this has already been asked - what recruitment agency did you use? I'm also looking for some paralegal work to start once my exams are over

I think a lot of people use F-LEX legal recruitment for paralegal positions?

 

[MarathonNotaSprint]

I think a lot of people use F-LEX legal recruitment for paralegal positions?

Yes and Ryder Reid too. They're also quite good for that

 

[csyn]

Rejected from Stephenson Harwood summer VS but they asked if I would like to be considered for a TC?

Asking for anyone's experience if this is common? Not quite sure whether to treat the news as sad rejection news!

 

[FutureCity]

Rejected from Stephenson Harwood summer VS but they asked if I would like to be considered for a TC?

Asking for anyone's experience if this is common? Not quite sure whether to treat the news as sad rejection news!

I would take that as good news

 

[lawlad]

Rejected from Stephenson Harwood summer VS but they asked if I would like to be considered for a TC?

Asking for anyone's experience if this is common? Not quite sure whether to treat the news as sad rejection news!

Definitely good news. From what I know Stephenson Harwood recruits a lot of trainees through the direct training contract route (unlike some firms) so you still have a fair chance of getting a TC!

 

[Lawbour]

I think a lot of people use F-LEX legal recruitment for paralegal positions?

Ahh yes I am signed up to them but they have never offered me a legal position lol

 

[Lawbour]

Yes and Ryder Reid too. They're also quite good for that

Thank you, will definitely check them out

 

[csyn]

I would take that as good news

Definitely good news. From what I know Stephenson Harwood recruits a lot of trainees through the direct training contract route (unlike some firms) so you still have a fair chance of getting a TC!

ahh okay! was starting to think it was just a common courtesy rejection message hahah. Thank you both - really helpful, I appreciate it

 

[D95]

sorry if this has already been asked - what recruitment agency did you use? I'm also looking for some paralegal work to start once my exams are over

I'd recommend trying with the following agencies:
- Strictly Recruitment (law firms)
- Graff Search (in-house)
- Pure Search (in-house)
- DMJ Legal (in-house + co-sec)
- Jameson Legal (law firms)

Probably goes without saying, but they will mostly advertise for London only.