Interview/Open Day/Vacation Scheme Updates- Coronavirus

[Daniel Boden]

Did they say what would happen in the event that they could not hold an in-person scheme for August, could they go virtual?

They asked me about my preferences and I explained how I'd only like to do a virtual scheme as a last resort which she completely understood. She also discussed the possibility of moving the scheme to the Winter but they're waiting to make the decision as late as possible I think because it's pretty much the only way they recruit trainees so want to get it right obviously

 

[tractor12]

They asked me about my preferences and I explained how I'd only like to do a virtual scheme as a last resort which she completely understood. She also discussed the possibility of moving the scheme to the Winter but they're waiting to make the decision as late as possible I think because it's pretty much the only way they recruit trainees so want to get it right obviously

Did they contact you or did you call them?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Freshfields is now going virtual for their Summer Scheme.

Interestingly, they are committed to paying the full amount regardless of the actual length of the scheme. A nice touch!

Money like that is nothing really for a law firm, and they will be saving a shed load of money by not having you in the office anyway.

 

[D]

Money like that is nothing really for a law firm, and they will be saving a shed load of money by not having you in the office anyway.

Agreed, but equally, this is not the approach Clifford Chance took... I'm grateful for it!

 

[Ifmhouse4]

I spoke to GradRec at Arnold & Porter as I have an interview with them next week & they have pushed their scheme to August, however, if the situation has not changed they will consider a virtual scheme!

 

[amb98]

Anyone heard from Jones Day re their spring or summer schemes?

 

[003]

Reed Smith VS delayed until autumn (2 x 1 week schemes instead of 2 x 2weeks) and they're reviewing using online platforms for interviews

 

[Daniel Boden]

Did they contact you or did you call them?

They called me this morning

 

[AH9891]

Links’ summer vac scheme likely to be two weeks long now and moved online. Dates unconfirmed as of yet, so duration could still change. They are confident that they can use the scheme to assess people for TCs. No further info yet as to what the scheme would look like.

 

[Jaysen]

Links’ summer vac scheme likely to be two weeks long now and moved online. Dates unconfirmed as of yet, so duration could still change. They are confident that they can use the scheme to assess people for TCs. No further info yet as to what the scheme would look like.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Legal_rawn]

The Deloitte summer vacation scheme has moved to an online mentoring programme for four weeks. They are also providing a £500 payment and fast track to the final interview

 

[tractor12]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jess, how do you reckon these virtual schemes will work in terms of how they will assess us? Do you think we would be given actual work or will everyone likely be given the same exercises to do? Of course it will differ from firm to firm and it hasn’t happened before but would be interesting to hear your insight.

 

[Sergiulix]

@Jessica Booker if a US law firm has decided to cancel their summer associate programme in US offices and offer permanent contracts for some instead, do you think there is any chance that would replicate to the UK offices? Or is it more the case that the recruitment differs widely between US and UK and thus that this should not be taken as a sign that it will also happen in the London office?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jess, how do you reckon these virtual schemes will work in terms of how they will assess us? Do you think we would be given actual work or will everyone likely be given the same exercises to do? Of course it will differ from firm to firm and it hasn’t happened before but would be interesting to hear your insight.

Depends on the firm - they are not all identical.

Some are using virtual internships which is basically a simulation. Some are just doing "remote" internships where the expectation is you are like a normal vac schemer, just working remotely. It also depends on the IT set up - if they are giving you a laptop or a log-in to a firm email address, then you are more likely to be working "normally". If you are doing work from your personal email address, then it is most likely you wont be doing "real work" due to the data/confidentiality issues.

Speak to your individual firms to get clarity on what it might be happening with yours.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker if a US law firm has decided to cancel their summer associate programme in US offices and offer permanent contracts for some instead, do you think there is any chance that would replicate to the UK offices? Or is it more the case that the recruitment differs widely between US and UK and thus that this should not be taken as a sign that it will also happen in the London office?

Unlikely - US hiring is very different to UK hiring as they don't have the time lag and it is exceptionally more competitive than here in the UK.

However, there are some firms doing this and offering TCs instead - Hogan Lovells have made direct TC offers to some of their candidates who were supposed to be coming in for vacation schemes this year. Whether other firms do this will depend highly on how aligned their vacation scheme recruitment process is to their training contract process.

 

[Dheepa]

Baker McKenzie have just confirmed they are holding remote/virtual schemes. The scheme is also shorter now - two weeks instead of three weeks.

 

[Alice G]

Just had a nice catch-up call with the GradRec team at Gibson Dunn. The firm continues to really impress me in the way they approach their graduate recruitment. Anyway, long story short is that they aren't making any decisions yet but are going to do everything they can to ensure an 'in-person' scheme happens at some point and wanted to get candidates' view on various things. At the moment it looks like the scheme will be pushed to August but we shall see what happens...

I really appreciate their consultative approach - that's so lovely to hear

 

[Caitlin]

Unlikely - US hiring is very different to UK hiring as they don't have the time lag and it is exceptionally more competitive than here in the UK.

However, there are some firms doing this and offering TCs instead - Hogan Lovells have made direct TC offers to some of their candidates who were supposed to be coming in for vacation schemes this year. Whether other firms do this will depend highly on how aligned their vacation scheme recruitment process is to their training contract process.

Hi Jessica, to expand on this last bit - do you mean for example if a firm solely recruits through VS they’re more likely to make direct TC offers before the VS, or hold some type of virtual scheme and assess from this? Thanks

 

[George]

Hey guys,

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during quarantine, both mentally and physically!

Just wanted to confirm that Travers Smith is now holding their scheme online as well, 1 week instead of two. However attendees will still be paid for the normal 2 weeks.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica, to expand on this last bit - do you mean for example if a firm solely recruits through VS they’re more likely to make direct TC offers before the VS, or hold some type of virtual scheme and assess from this? Thanks

no - I meant that if their recruitment process is similar or identical for a vacation scheme as a training contract, then it is easier to justify just offering TCs out. If the recruitment process is more light touch (and that can still be the case even if you do the same exercises, as expectations can be lower for VS) then it’s less likely they will make direct offers with no internship/form of interactive or assessed online engagement.