General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Deleted member 5185]

Anyone studying the PGDL at BPP 2020-2021.

I am

 

[D]

What is the best procedure if you’ve missed the deadline for a WG?

You could email the firm, but, a deadline is a deadline. I'd work on the assumption you have missed your chance, but, as the old saying goes: "If you don't ask, you don't get"

Best of luck.

 

[LegalNim]

What is the best procedure if you’ve missed the deadline for a WG?

I think it depends why you missed it. If it's due to poor time management then it's likely to be viewed differently to being hospitalised and in a coma. Just email the firm, explain the situation and ask if you can take the test. The worst that can happen is that they say no.

 

[madge]

I think it depends why you missed it. If it's due to poor time management then it's likely to be viewed differently to being hospitalised and in a coma. Just email the firm, explain the situation and ask if you can take the test. The worst that can happen is that they say no.

Honestly I just didn’t see it, which annoys me because I check both my Inbox and Junk several times a day everyday! I don’t think that’s a good enough justification so I’d say I’ve missed my chance. Thanks everyone for your responses.

 

[Daniel Boden]

What is the best procedure if you’ve missed the deadline for a WG?

I mean you could just say you've been having technical issues with your email provider and ask if it's possible to have an extension. Firms are normally very amenable when it comes to letting you redo/take a test again or for the first time if there's been some technical problem no matter how small it may be

 

[M1999]

Hi, if you have applied for a winter scheme and got rejected, can you apply for their summer scheme? Or would you have to wait another year?

 

[TTD20]

Hi guys! I have an AC coming up and in preparation for the interview I am trying to think about situations I may find myself in in a law firm as a trainee. I am trying to prepare for situational questions. So far I have thought about receiving too much work than I have capacity for and how I would handle this, if other trainees aren't completing their work and it was making me look bad, and people being rude to me and how my response would differ based on their level of seniority. Can anyone think of other situations a trainee would find themselves in that I should prep for? Thank you so much! I really appreciate this forum!!

 

[Jaysen]

Honestly I just didn’t see it, which annoys me because I check both my Inbox and Junk several times a day everyday! I don’t think that’s a good enough justification so I’d say I’ve missed my chance. Thanks everyone for your responses.

I once missed a deadline because I didn’t see a Watson Glaser test sent to my Junk inbox. I know that’s not quite the same situation here - but the firm was happy to extend the deadline. You might just want to think about how you communicate what happened in your email to the firm.

 

[D]

Hi, if you have applied for a winter scheme and got rejected, can you apply for their summer scheme? Or would you have to wait another year?

Most firms operate a 1 Application-per-cycle policy, but check with the firm in question. That "cycle" generally operates September -> September.

 

[Jen E C]

Hi guys! I have an AC coming up and in preparation for the interview I am trying to think about situations I may find myself in in a law firm as a trainee. I am trying to prepare for situational questions. So far I have thought about receiving too much work than I have capacity for and how I would handle this, if other trainees aren't completing their work and it was making me look bad, and people being rude to me and how my response would differ based on their level of seniority. Can anyone think of other situations a trainee would find themselves in that I should prep for? Thank you so much! I really appreciate this forum!!

A classic one is what you would do if you were given two pieces of work by two partners with the same deadline.

 

[tractor12]

Hi everyone, I am applying for a paralegal role at a top city law firm in London and really unsure what to write for salary expectations. I don't want to sell myself short but also don't want to write something too high. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[tractor12]

Hi guys! I have an AC coming up and in preparation for the interview I am trying to think about situations I may find myself in in a law firm as a trainee. I am trying to prepare for situational questions. So far I have thought about receiving too much work than I have capacity for and how I would handle this, if other trainees aren't completing their work and it was making me look bad, and people being rude to me and how my response would differ based on their level of seniority. Can anyone think of other situations a trainee would find themselves in that I should prep for? Thank you so much! I really appreciate this forum!!

Definitely a good idea to prepare some of the most common questions like what you would do if you were overwhelmed with too much work etc. But I have found with these types of questions that they want to see your thinking and the way you present it more than anything else. So regardless of the question try to show that you are coming to your conclusion in a logical way that addresses the questions concerns, in a personable way. If its a particularly interesting situation I would sometimes ask the interviewer what they would do in that situation.

 

[futuretraineecity]

What are everyone’s tips for dealing with nerves before interviews? I tend to overthink whilst I’m speaking and end up speaking super quickly, and I feel like structure usually goes out the window!

 

[acceleratedlaw]

What are everyone’s tips for dealing with nerves before interviews? I tend to overthink whilst I’m speaking and end up speaking super quickly, and I feel like structure usually goes out the window!

this might sound cliche but honestly, when they ask you a question, just stop, listen, even if u know the answer, pretend to think, and and then breathe out and start answering. even saying things like 'wow thats an interesting question' or 'thats a tough one...' or 'let me think on that one'. it's best to look engaged in the interview than rehearsed and it will also allow u to enjoy the interview too. as u know, all lawyers love talking about themselves ahaha so enjoy it!

 

[D]

Hi everyone, I am applying for a paralegal role at a top city law firm in London and really unsure what to write for salary expectations. I don't want to sell myself short but also don't want to write something too high. Does anyone have any ideas?

This may be something you could DM @Jessica Booker about.

 

[FutureCity]

A classic one is what you would do if you were given two pieces of work by two partners with the same deadline.

The answer to that I have found is prioritization, managing expectations, and managing your own time.

 

[Pallatablelawyer]

Hi
I got invited for BCLP AC. They told me to confirm a slot but I am not seeing any slots? Is anyone else having the same issue?

Thanks,

When did you apply

 

[Pallatablelawyer]

Hi guys! I have an AC coming up and in preparation for the interview I am trying to think about situations I may find myself in in a law firm as a trainee. I am trying to prepare for situational questions. So far I have thought about receiving too much work than I have capacity for and how I would handle this, if other trainees aren't completing their work and it was making me look bad, and people being rude to me and how my response would differ based on their level of seniority. Can anyone think of other situations a trainee would find themselves in that I should prep for? Thank you so much! I really appreciate this forum!!

Is this also bclp by any chance

 

[S87]

This may be something you could DM @Jessica Booker about.

When I started paralegalling..I checked on glassdoor the average salary for entry level paralegal roles.
If you have more experience, I would increase your current salary. However, in this instance you need to sell yourself. Best of luck!!

 

[futuretraineecity]

this might sound cliche but honestly, when they ask you a question, just stop, listen, even if u know the answer, pretend to think, and and then breathe out and start answering. even saying things like 'wow thats an interesting question' or 'thats a tough one...' or 'let me think on that one'. it's best to look engaged in the interview than rehearsed and it will also allow u to enjoy the interview too. as u know, all lawyers love talking about themselves ahaha so enjoy it!

Thank you!! Will try to do this - hopefully won’t feel like it’s been quiet for a lifetime