General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Tintin06]

Has anyone heard from Macfarlanes for direct TC?

 

[Samar]

Has anyone heard from Macfarlanes for direct TC?

I emailed a few days ago and was told they are currently screening applications. They have been extremely busy because of covid and just finished their summer vacation scheme

 

[Jenny]

If

Congratulations! Do you mind me asking what date you applied?

Thank you! I applied on the deadline day so I think that was the 16th July

 

[gg999]

Hi!

Bit of an odd question for everyone. I had an interview this morning and the partner was VERY eager on what other offers I had or could get (delayed vac schemes). He was pushing me to actually feel very uncomfortable as he asked this 4 times in different ways. "Where else have you applied", "what would you do if you got 2 or more offers" "When do you expect to receive other offers".

This really threw me off as these were the first questions he asked and I feel the rest of the interview was a complete car crash as I was worrying whether he wanted me to say I had not applied anywhere else. Does anyone have any experience with whether saying you have had/will have vacation schemes actually is a negative? I can see it going both ways but I was hoping someone who has been through this can shed some light onto why these questions are asked.

Also it will probably stop me refreshing my email and ringing my voicemail every 10 min "JUST INCASE".

Very normal and common question to be asked, you shouldn't feel uncomfortable about this. I think everyone should be prepared to talk about what other firms they have applied to. A lot of firms ask this to understand your reasoning behind choosing their firm and to get a sense of where you may go if you decided to turn them down ect.

 

[Jaysen]

Hi!

Bit of an odd question for everyone. I had an interview this morning and the partner was VERY eager on what other offers I had or could get (delayed vac schemes). He was pushing me to actually feel very uncomfortable as he asked this 4 times in different ways. "Where else have you applied", "what would you do if you got 2 or more offers" "When do you expect to receive other offers".

This really threw me off as these were the first questions he asked and I feel the rest of the interview was a complete car crash as I was worrying whether he wanted me to say I had not applied anywhere else. Does anyone have any experience with whether saying you have had/will have vacation schemes actually is a negative? I can see it going both ways but I was hoping someone who has been through this can shed some light onto why these questions are asked.

Also it will probably stop me refreshing my email and ringing my voicemail every 10 min "JUST INCASE".

I can see why this was difficult. While it's common to be asked questions like these, you wouldn't necessarily know that unless you knew this was a series of questions likely to be asked at interview. It'll be very easy to trip up on this questioning unless you've thought this through.

Going forward, this is why it's so important to think deeply about why you are applying to a particular firm and your reasoning for applying to the firms you've applied to. The partner doesn't expect you to say you hadn't applied anywhere else, he wants to know you have a clear rationale and that you aren't just applying to any firm out there without knowing why.

 

[Andre]

Anyone heard from Goodwin?

 

[Pallatablelawyer]

just got a rejection from Dorsey! They got 350 apps for 2 places that is something

 

[LegalNim]

just got a rejection from Dorsey! They got 350 apps for 2 places that is something

I'm sorry to hear that! When did you apply? I haven't heard back yet.

 

[D]

Hi!

Bit of an odd question for everyone. I had an interview this morning and the partner was VERY eager on what other offers I had or could get (delayed vac schemes). He was pushing me to actually feel very uncomfortable as he asked this 4 times in different ways. "Where else have you applied", "what would you do if you got 2 or more offers" "When do you expect to receive other offers".

This really threw me off as these were the first questions he asked and I feel the rest of the interview was a complete car crash as I was worrying whether he wanted me to say I had not applied anywhere else. Does anyone have any experience with whether saying you have had/will have vacation schemes actually is a negative? I can see it going both ways but I was hoping someone who has been through this can shed some light onto why these questions are asked.

Also it will probably stop me refreshing my email and ringing my voicemail every 10 min "JUST INCASE".

Just to piggyback on the comments already made. You also don't need to list EVERYWHERE you've applied. Just select three firms that fit with the narrative that you are portraying. If a point you have made is that you want to train somewhere with a small intake, you don't need to tell them about your Linklaters/A&O app, but I'd highlight you applied for X US Firm, or wherever (as I mentioned) fits your narrative.

As everyone has mentioned - This is a common question. Next time, just make sure you are ready for it

 

[Pallatablelawyer]

I'm sorry to hear that! When did you apply? I haven't heard back yet.

I think in like July probably! no news is probably good news!

 

[Ayo Babatunde]

I just received a vac scheme offer from DAC Beachcroft!!! In shock but so delighted

 

[csyn]

Anyone else still waiting to hear back from Stephenson Harwood?

 

[LegalNim]

Anyone else still waiting to hear back from Stephenson Harwood?

They rejected me back on July 15th!

 

[csyn]

They rejected me back on July 15th!

Thanks so much! Yeah, still waiting to hear back from them having applied to their summer VS back in Jan, then they asked to consider me for their TC instead. Just got an email saying they are still considering me apparently? Just as I was about to write myself off as being rejected.

 

[Jaysen]

I just received a vac scheme offer from DAC Beachcroft!!! In shock but so delighted

Amazing, well done!

 

[cgs97]

just got a rejection from Dorsey! They got 350 apps for 2 places that is something

Ditto - didn't know that number though which is reassuring actually!

 

[Andre]

Ditto - didn't know that number though which is reassuring actually!

Madness...when did you guys apply?

 

[LPCStudent1]

I had a interview last week where I had to do a presentation to a partner and then an interview with the same partner and two members of HR.

The partner was really impressed with my presentation he even said I covered it in great depth and he didnt ask any questions. The interview was a complete disaster (if you need a good laugh today then here it is) the lever on my chair broke and the chair went really low and whilst I started the interview quite well I then had to pretend like nothing happened and squat for 35min. I started to panic and some of the answers I gave were really not that great and now I feel like I just undid all the hard work in half an hour.

Is there any chance of getting an offer just based on the presentation or are interviews deemed more important? I know theres really not much I can do but it is eating away at me and I feel like I should have just told them and got another chair. The fact its been quite some time is also making me think its going to be a rejection and I have seen a girl get an offer from their northern office so I am not expecting much but its the hope

 

[LegalNim]

I had a interview last week where I had to do a presentation to a partner and then an interview with the same partner and two members of HR.

The partner was really impressed with my presentation he even said I covered it in great depth and he didnt ask any questions. The interview was a complete disaster (if you need a good laugh today then here it is) the lever on my chair broke and the chair went really low and whilst I started the interview quite well I then had to pretend like nothing happened and squat for 35min. I started to panic and some of the answers I gave were really not that great and now I feel like I just undid all the hard work in half an hour.

Is there any chance of getting an offer just based on the presentation or are interviews deemed more important? I know theres really not much I can do but it is eating away at me and I feel like I should have just told them and got another chair. The fact its been quite some time is also making me think its going to be a rejection and I have seen a girl get an offer from their northern office so I am not expecting much but its the hope

In one interview, I said "Bank of America Meryl Streep" instead of "Bank of America Merrill Lynch" - I was still offered the position. You never know...

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I had a interview last week where I had to do a presentation to a partner and then an interview with the same partner and two members of HR.

The partner was really impressed with my presentation he even said I covered it in great depth and he didnt ask any questions. The interview was a complete disaster (if you need a good laugh today then here it is) the lever on my chair broke and the chair went really low and whilst I started the interview quite well I then had to pretend like nothing happened and squat for 35min. I started to panic and some of the answers I gave were really not that great and now I feel like I just undid all the hard work in half an hour.

Is there any chance of getting an offer just based on the presentation or are interviews deemed more important? I know theres really not much I can do but it is eating away at me and I feel like I should have just told them and got another chair. The fact its been quite some time is also making me think its going to be a rejection and I have seen a girl get an offer from their northern office so I am not expecting much but its the hope

I’ll bet now you are over analysing how it went and focusing too much on the negatives you perceived happened.

Typically you’ll need to perform well in all assessments of at least be able to demonstrate a stronger performance in the same competencies across different assessments.