General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Lawbour]

How do people get application reviews? I have asked my friends and family to review however I don’t know anyone in the legal industry or another applicant so would like to get my cover letters reviewed by another. Would anyone be able to direct me to where they do this, thanks so much.

You should contact your uni's career service (if you're currently at uni) as they will look through lots of applications so will be more expert than say friends. Could also try building rapport with people on LinkedIn and then ask them to review your applications.

There are quite a few diversity networks where they provide you with mentors who look through applications (Aspiring Solicitors, Rare, SEO etc) so might also be worth making an application with them (if they are still accepting applicants)

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

How do people get application reviews? I have asked my friends and family to review however I don’t know anyone in the legal industry or another applicant so would like to get my cover letters reviewed by another. Would anyone be able to direct me to where they do this, thanks so much.

Speak to you university careers service - they should be able to help. You typically can still access the careers service for up to 3 years after graduating.

Some people have offered to review application on here too.

 

[frow3n]

Rejected from A&O winter vac - applied 7th of August

 

[Adam Gilchrist]

How do people get application reviews? I have asked my friends and family to review however I don’t know anyone in the legal industry or another applicant so would like to get my cover letters reviewed by another. Would anyone be able to direct me to where they do this, thanks so much.

Agree with what others have already suggested. Additionally, if you've graduated (so no uni careers advice office) and/or don't fall meet the diversity requirements for Rare/Aspiring Solicitors etc, then TCLA premium (which includes a free review per month) is always an option too, albeit one you have to pay for: https://classes.thecorporatelawacademy.com/

 

[relentlesspursuit]

Has anyone heard back from DWF and Baker McKenzie re. Open Days? (BM - Social mobility Open Day)

I applied to Baker McKenzie Allies' Open Day on Thursday (1 Oct) and got a response today so you should be hearing back soon hopefully.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Agree with what others have already suggested. Additionally, if you've graduated (so no uni careers advice office) and/or don't fall meet the diversity requirements for Rare/Aspiring Solicitors etc, then TCLA premium (which includes a free review per month) is always an option too, albeit one you have to pay for: https://classes.thecorporatelawacademy.com/

I’d stress most universities still allow graduates to access their careers service after they have left. Some indefinitely, some up to 5 years, some up to 3 years, but now with many at least 2 years because if you are unemployed 15 months after graduating, it screws up their rankings!

 

[SPB]

Hi everyone, long-time lurker here. Although I haven’t posted much, I check these forums almost every day. The people on TCLA and their stories have helped me greatly in what I can safely say has been the most taxing two years of my life!

Yesterday, I received a training contract offer. It took two cycles and no fewer than 31 applications, four interviews and a vac scheme to get there.

If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to put yourself out there and talk to people who are on the same journey as you. I didn’t for a long time and all those rejections hurt that much more when the only people I told didn’t understand the TC process properly.

Of course, I can’t recommend a TCLA premium subscription enough. The courses, case studies and application reviews have been invaluable. Thank you to Jaysen and to everyone else who has contributed to them!

I’m a slightly older career changer. If there is anyone who is in a similar position, feels a bit on the outside and would like to have a chat, please feel free to message me!

 

[SPB]

Hi everyone, long-time lurker here. Although I haven’t posted much, I check these forums almost every day. The people on TCLA and their stories have helped me greatly in what I can safely say has been the most taxing two years of my life!

Yesterday, I received a training contract offer. It took two cycles and no fewer than 31 applications, four interviews and a vac scheme to get there.

If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to put yourself out there and talk to people who are on the same journey as you. I didn’t for a long time and all those rejections hurt that much more when the only people I told didn’t understand the TC process properly.

Of course, I can’t recommend a TCLA premium subscription enough. The courses, case studies and application reviews have been invaluable. Thank you to Jaysen and to everyone else who has contributed to them!

I’m a slightly older career changer. If there is anyone who is in a similar position, feels a bit on the outside and would like to have a chat, please feel free to message me!

Hi there

I would certainly be interested in having a chat with yourself, esp from the angle of a career changer?

How do we connect?

Thanks

 

[gricole]

Rarely.

GDPR means that for many firms that application won’t sit on the system any more.

For those it does, its too much work t read two forms when in most cases a decision can be made from reading the latest.

It’s sometimes pretty obvious if things haven’t changed in the last year though even when reading an application.

Maybe a borderline candidate that you are sitting on the fence about. Or someone who is flagged as a candidate to keep an eye out possibly, but even then in 9 times out of 10 a decision can be made from the latest application

Who flags candidates to look out for? Is that a good or a bad thing?

 

[Velikilawyer123]

Rarely.

GDPR means that for many firms that application won’t sit on the system any more.

For those it does, its too much work t read two forms when in most cases a decision can be made from reading the latest.

It’s sometimes pretty obvious if things haven’t changed in the last year though even when reading an application.

Maybe a borderline candidate that you are sitting on the fence about. Or someone who is flagged as a candidate to keep an eye out possibly, but even then in 9 times out of 10 a decision can be made from the latest application

I see, thank you.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Who flags candidates to look out for? Is that a good or a bad thing?

Usually people who have worked for the firm before or people who have attended open days and the like.

Neither a good nor a bad thing. Just a process thing.

 

[gg332dd]

Has anyone done the Simmons online judgement test and have any tips / what to expect?

 

[Amanda D]

Has anyone heard back from Baker McKenzie for any of the specialized especially (Non-Law) Open Days?

 

[AH97]

Has anyone done the Simmons online judgement test and have any tips / what to expect?

I have You get given 15 scenarios one at a time and, from the 3 response options you're given, you choose 1 which you think is the least effective response and 1 which you think is the most effective response. They recommend looking at their competencies but other than that you can't really prepare!

I passed the judgement test in a previous cycle and I just remember answering very honestly and going with my initial gut response.

 

[EA]

I got video interview invite from White & Case. Please can anyone who has done this before assist on how to prepare and what to expect. Also, where can I find good resources online.

 

[Kablahc]

Regarding open days - has anyone heard back from Dentons, Dechert, Taylor Wessing, or Baker McKenzie (for the employability - disability/mental health open day)?

 

[gg332dd]

I have You get given 15 scenarios one at a time and, from the 3 response options you're given, you choose 1 which you think is the least effective response and 1 which you think is the most effective response. They recommend looking at their competencies but other than that you can't really prepare!

I passed the judgement test in a previous cycle and I just remember answering very honestly and going with my initial gut response.

That's great thank you!! Did they send your report after?

 

[Jen E C]

I got video interview invite from White & Case. Please can anyone who has done this before assist on how to prepare and what to expect. Also, where can I find good resources online.

Congrats! Unless they changed it, you have 90 seconds each to answer 3 questions from a mixed bank of competency, commercial and questions about the firm so make your prep quite broad.

 

[M777]

I got video interview invite from White & Case. Please can anyone who has done this before assist on how to prepare and what to expect. Also, where can I find good resources online.

Congratulations! May I ask which opportunity it was for, and when you applied?

 

[EA]

Congrats! Unless they changed it, you have 90 seconds to answer 3 questions from a mixed bank of competency, commercial and questions about the firm so make your prep quite broad.

Thank you Jennifer