General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Daniel Boden]

Hope everyone is doing well I was scrolling through trainees'/future trainees' profiles on Linkedin and could see that the majority of them graduated with a first class degree. From what I have observed, more people seem to have graduated with a first class this year. Does this insinuate that candidates who did not graduate with a first class degree this year, Russell Group or not, have a deem chance of securing a TC at city firms? Thank you

I think firms will be taking results this year with a pinch of salt tbh so I wouldn't worry! There's been a lot of disruption to studies for A-levels and for university study which firms will take into account so you definitely will still have a good chance of securing a TC at city firms!

 

[Dheepa]

does anyone know who to address the NRF cover letter to for the winter vac scheme?

Just "Dear Graduate Recruitment Team" is fine. Did this and got the VS!

 

[XARA]

Just "Dear Graduate Recruitment Team" is fine. Did this and got the VS!

Thanks so much!

 

[cryingoverTCs]

Just an update - got a rejection just now from Linklaters direct TC - does anyone know what mark or percentile they wanted you to be in in the test? Because I was in the 91st percentile so I'm a bit confused
or maybe do you think they gave out all their TCs to VS?

 

[layk]

Just an update - got a rejection just now from Linklaters direct TC - does anyone know what mark or percentile they wanted you to be in in the test? Because I was in the 91st percentile so I'm a bit confused
or maybe do you think they gave out all their TCs to VS?

Sorry to hear that, I also just got rejected. Could I ask how you got your grades? Do you just email HR for your percentile?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

FYI on the Lawcareers.net Live Conferences - they are now going to happen virtually, so one to consider applying to as you don’t need to travel!

Please see the details in the attachment

 

[Camilla]

Just an update - got a rejection just now from Linklaters direct TC - does anyone know what mark or percentile they wanted you to be in in the test? Because I was in the 91st percentile so I'm a bit confused
or maybe do you think they gave out all their TCs to VS?

Hi Tanvi

Sorry to hear that.

My observation is that Links place more weight on the CAPP test than the Watson Glaser when deciding who to invite to AC.

I say that because I scored in the 65th percentile last cycle and was invited to AC, and I've heard people have made it to AC with lower scores.

91% is an incredible score so I think its unlikely you were rejected because of your WG score!

 

[cryingoverTCs]

Sorry to hear that, I also just got rejected. Could I ask how you got your grades? Do you just email HR for your percentile?

Hi - I'm sorry to hear that for you too. I emailed grad recruitment

 

[cryingoverTCs]

Hi Tanvi

Sorry to hear that.

My observation is that Links place more weight on the CAPP test than the Watson Glaser when deciding who to invite to AC.

I say that because I scored in the 65th percentile last cycle and was invited to AC, and I've heard people have made it to AC with lower scores.

91% is an incredible score so I think its unlikely you were rejected because of your WG score!

Thanks, Camilla!

How did you ensure you gave good responses on the CAPP section?

 

[Polzovatel]

How long does it usually take to receive a WG invite from Weil?

 

[EMD]

I got feedback from an unsuccessful assessment centre today that they would have liked me to have given more examples of working in a team. Due to restrictions at the moment I’m struggling to come up with ideas of ways I can get involved in a team at the moment so I can work on this feedback for any future ACs - anyone got any ideas/suggestions?

 

[thirdtimelucky]

I'm doing duolingo. Does it count?

100% how else do we practice second/third languages! A pushy owl is always necessary!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I got feedback from an unsuccessful assessment centre today that they would have liked me to have given more examples of working in a team. Due to restrictions at the moment I’m struggling to come up with ideas of ways I can get involved in a team at the moment so I can work on this feedback for any future ACs - anyone got any ideas/suggestions?

They don't necessarily need to be new examples - it might be the case that you have more/stronger examples of team working already, it is just that you haven't mentioned them.

If you are still at uni, get involved in any sports or society that interests you are try to take on positions of responsibility.

If you are currently working, look into whether there are employee network groups you could get involved with.

 

[Sam55]

Anyone else still waiting on W&C or Sidley Austin?

 

[Zoo]

How long does it usually take to receive a WG invite from Weil?

You’re only sent the WG once your app has been reviewed. I sent my application on 31st Dec and received my WG invite on 24th Jan so it took just over three weeks. Note that I submitted over the holiday period though so it may have taken a bit longer than usual!

 

[Camilla]

Thanks, Camilla!

How did you ensure you gave good responses on the CAPP section?

I've seen advice about looking at the Linklaters competency framework and trying to answer the questions in line with the competencies Linklaters is looking for, and I thought about doing that, but I decided against it and just answered the questions 100% honestly.

I don't think there is necessarily a 'correct' or 'good' answer for all of the questions. Linklaters is looking for people with different strengths. They couldn't hire everyone with the same strengths and weaknesses because the best teams have people with different strengths, weaknesses and experiences.

Linklaters has invested a lot of money into their software and tested it extensively. I bet they can tell if someone isn't answering the questions in line with their true personality. If you try to second guess what you think the correct answer is for one question, you might end up contradicting yourself in another area where they are testing the same competency. I have no idea how the scoring system works, but I bet if you contradict yourself repeatedly you wont score highly.

Most importantly, I think it's important to be yourself. I wouldn't want to work somewhere that didn't value my personality or skillset, so ultimately I decided to just answer it truthfully and not worry about what they are looking for.

That being said, if there is a SJT section (I can't remember as I did mine in Dec 2019) you can learn how to give better answers to those types of questions. Perhaps read through the SRA Code of Conduct/Principles as some questions might be related to what you would do in a given situation. I remember having to answer some SJT questions at the AC and I think the SRA rules are quite helpful.

I hope that helps!

 

[DrowninginSQE]

Feeling very down today, I just got rejected by Kirkland & Ellis after a direct TC interview. I don’t even know why because it went really well. I’ve asked for feedback but I am getting no responses and people have told me they’re bad at giving feedback

 

[orange32]

Feeling very down today, I just got rejected by Kirkland & Ellis after a direct TC interview. I don’t even know why because it went really well. I’ve asked for feedback but I am getting no responses and people have told me they’re bad at giving feedback

I'm very sorry to hear that. I know this won't be much consolation but you've done very well to get the TC interview in the first place - you're one of the very few people I've heard who got to the AC stage for K&E. Sometimes it's a matter of luck at the point of the interview. Take a breather and recharge yourself for the next cycle!

If they continue to ignore your requests for feedback for several weeks you may consider a Subject Access Request?

 

[DrowninginSQE]

I'm very sorry to hear that. I know this won't be much consolation but you've done very well to get the TC interview in the first place - you're one of the very few people I've heard who got to the AC stage for K&E. Sometimes it's a matter of luck at the point of the interview. Take a breather and recharge yourself for the next cycle!

If they continue to ignore your requests for feedback for several weeks you may consider a Subject Access Request?

Thank you! I definitely will, I’ve had a few near-misses and it’s getting a bit much. How do I use a Subject Access Request?

 

[orange32]

Thank you! I definitely will, I’ve had a few near-misses and it’s getting a bit much. How do I use a Subject Access Request?

It's a request for the company to hand over any personal data they have on you. You should email Graduate Recruitment or a Data Officer if they have one saying you are making a Subject Access Request, with details of any information that you want to obtain from them. They're required under law to provide you with any personal information they have of you.

You might find more information here:

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-do-i-make-a-subject-access-request