General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Jaysen]

Please can I join the list? Would be good to see what is going out?

Of course, have added you!

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

Hi All, how would you answer this question "have you had the experience in working in a competitive work environment, and how did you handle this?"

 

[W]

Hi All, how would you answer this question "have you had the experience in working in a competitive work environment, and how did you handle this?"

That’s personal to you, so think of a situation where you worked competitively whether in a sports setting or any type of competition (eg aspiring solicitors commercial awareness competition) and how you handled it (I.e. do you work well under pressure etc)

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

That’s personal to you, so think of a situation where you worked competitively whether in a sports setting or any type of competition (eg aspiring solicitors commercial awareness competition) and how you handled it (I.e. do you work well under pressure etc)

Ahh I was asking because I was asked this and answered by explaining when worked in a high stress busy work environment where I need to meet certain strict deadlines, and was worried I answered it completely wrong. I’m crossing my fingers one bad question won’t hold me back haha what’s everyone else’s experience with video interviews have you ever messed up on one question but still progressed to the next stage?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi All, how would you answer this question "have you had the experience in working in a competitive work environment, and how did you handle this?"

Two questions in one. Make sure you cover the following:

- why it was competitive
- what your role/achievement was
- what was the good and bad parts of it
- why your enjoyed it (assuming X firm is a competitive work environment)
- what you learnt from the experience or how it has made you decide a career in a competitive legal firm is for you

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Ahh I was asking because I was asked this and answered by explaining when worked in a high stress busy work environment where I need to meet certain strict deadlines, and was worried I answered it completely wrong. I’m crossing my fingers one bad question won’t hold me back haha what’s everyone else’s experience with video interviews have you ever messed up on one question but still progressed to the next stage?

possibly a little "wrong" - that isn't necessary competitive, just pressurised. But I wouldn't worry about it too much, its not like your answer is actually wrong as such, its a good example just a little out of the sphere of what they were asking.

I have put through loads of candidates who have done this though....

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

possibly a little "wrong" - that isn't necessary competitive, just pressurised. But I wouldn't worry about it too much, its not like your answer is actually wrong as such, its a good example just a little out of the sphere of what they were asking.

I have put through loads of candidates who have done this though....

thank you! I think my other answers were pretty strong but unfortunately this was the first one, so I’m just hoping it doesn’t already make them make a decision.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

thank you! I think my other answers were pretty strong but unfortunately this was the first one, so I’m just hoping it doesn’t already make them make a decision.

unlikely....

Assuming it was a prerecorded video interview?

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

unlikely....

Assuming it was a prerecorded video interview?

Yes it was prerecorded! And good to know I just know the tiniest mistake can ruin your chances. I guess I have to cross my fingers it’s not this one question that holds me back

 

[Changes]

Hi All, how would you answer this question "have you had the experience in working in a competitive work environment, and how did you handle this?"

i had a slightly different version of this question. Didn’t say working.

Easy to overthink and second guess yourself after the fact. What will be, will be.

I went for an out of work example but wondering if I misheard the question now ha.

Either way I have come up with answers in the heat of the moment that didn’t really answer the question in hindsight and still made it through.

Best of luck.

 

[Changes]

possibly a little "wrong" - that isn't necessary competitive, just pressurised. But I wouldn't worry about it too much, its not like your answer is actually wrong as such, its a good example just a little out of the sphere of what they were asking.

I have put through loads of candidates who have done this though....

Out of interest, when assessing VIs did you look at them in the context of the wider application or was the decision based purely on the VI?

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

i had a slightly different version of this question. Didn’t say working.

Easy to overthink and second guess yourself after the fact. What will be, will be.

I went for an out of work example but wondering if I misheard the question now ha.

Either way I have come up with answers in the heat of the moment that didn’t really answer the question in hindsight and still made it through.

Best of luck.

hey I actually just now realized the question was phrased as “tell me about time when you were in a competitive situation” so you probably didn’t mishear it tbh! And yes I’m hoping because I honestly went so off from the question hopefully they consider high stress environments under the same umbrella as competitive

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Yes it was prerecorded! And good to know I just know the tiniest mistake can ruin your chances. I guess I have to cross my fingers it’s not this one question that holds me back

Don’t believe that for a second. Millions of tiny mistakes happen all the time with successful candidates

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

i had a slightly different version of this question. Didn’t say working.

Easy to overthink and second guess yourself after the fact. What will be, will be.

I went for an out of work example but wondering if I misheard the question now ha.

Either way I have come up with answers in the heat of the moment that didn’t really answer the question in hindsight and still made it through.

Best of luck.

“Working” doesn’t actually have to be a work environment. It just means inputting into a competitive environment with other people - that could be work, academia, extra currciulars, interests - anything really.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Out of interest, when assessing VIs did you look at them in the context of the wider application or was the decision based purely on the VI?

depends on the individual firm’s approach.

Generally I prefer assessing alongside an application form as it tells you more about the individual, and typically shows up where there is a lack of variety/a candidate seems more one dimensional.

But a lot of employers get concerned about the negative impact it can have. You are basically assessing the application twice - Also firms with CV blind processes wouldn’t support having the application alongside later assessments.

 

[hopelesscaseofwhat]

I'm starting to worry quite a bit that I was speaking too fast/not speaking enough despite my efforts to be calm and speak clearly because I would sometimes finish my answer a whole 20-30 seconds before the timer ran out! Do you think that's a factor that could in itself hold me back?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I'm starting to worry quite a bit that I was speaking too fast/not speaking enough despite my efforts to be calm and speak clearly because I would sometimes finish my answer a whole 20-30 seconds before the timer ran out! Do you think that's a factor that could in itself hold me back?

It’s not necessarily an issue is you finish slightly earlier. Substance and delivery can be achieved in a shorter timeframe

 

[Charles]

Absolutely- you probably are better placed than myself @Charles i will be sure to add anything from the candidate perspective I can think of should there be anything I can further contribute

Thanks @ Alice G that will be helpful

 

[Andre]

Anyone heard from Mayer Brown or BCLP re TC?

 

[CalU]

Hi all,

I hope everyone is keeping safe and is well with all that is going on in the world!

I was just wondering whether anyone had heard back from Baker McKenzie post-VI? Successful or non-successful?

Thanks and best of luck to everyone!