General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Deleted member 4851]

Gosh, I had an open day and somehow managed to type "then" instead of "than" in the chatbox. (I corrected it immediately) Do you guys think, I ruined my chances with the firm? Are they going to remember it? Later during the open day, we literally got told that 40% of the candidates get rejected simply because of spelling and grammar mistakes.

 

[Lawbour]

Gosh, I had an open day and somehow managed to type "then" instead of "than" in the chatbox. (I corrected it immediately) Do you guys think, I ruined my chances with the firm? Are they going to remember it? Later during the open day, we literally got told that 40% of the candidates get rejected simply because of spelling and grammar mistakes.

I don't think they will judge you on that! You didn't make the mistake on an application. don't worry about it

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Gosh, I had an open day and somehow managed to type "then" instead of "than" in the chatbox. (I corrected it immediately) Do you guys think, I ruined my chances with the firm? Are they going to remember it? Later during the open day, we literally got told that 40% of the candidates get rejected simply because of spelling and grammar mistakes.

no - chatting online is a lot different to an application

 

[Lawbour]

I was at an event a couple of years ago where a recruiter said "relish goes on burgers, not on applications". She's head of gradrec at a firm that's been referred to on this thread in last day.

It's funny because I've just attended a virtual event where the grad recruiter said the same thing, plus that its one of those relic words that no one uses on a day to day, but not 20 minutes earlier she had used the word whilst talking about her work I am confusion

 

[Velikilawyer123]

If you can format it - for instance if it is an uploaded document

Or you can align it like you can on this forum​

General rule is to go with all the formalities, even if it cuts down your space.

You can write multiple lines of your address on the same line if you are really scrambling for an extra line or two - eg:

Flat 8, 24 Sun Road
London, W14 8BV

Also play around with your line spacing. That sometimes helps if you need a little extra space.

Got it, thank you! Would you suggest including only the firm's address or my address as well?

 

[Velikilawyer123]

@Jessica Booker also, unrelated question, when describing our previous work experiences in a work experience section / CV, should we use full sentences or elliptical ones? E.g., should I say "My responsibilities included X and Y, and I also particularly focused on Z" or "Responsibilities included X and Y, with particular focus placed on Z"?

Does it make a difference whether we're writing in a CV (or other document we ourselves can upload) or on the application form's work experience section?

Final sub-question related to this - sorry I just realised I might've been sending off my apps with the wrongly formatted work exp sections all along so I'm just trying to clear up my own confusion! Norton Rose's VS app has exactly 4 slots for work experience (with organisation name, dates, position title, responsibilities, etc. all included), and then there's a 200-word question right after that that just says "Other Work Experience (200 words max)". How would you tackle this, what's the difference between what this question is asking and why I'd normally put in a work experience description?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Got it, thank you! Would you suggest including only the firm's address or my address as well?

I’d generally go with all formalities. I have seen some people use their telephone number and email address instead of an address though.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker also, unrelated question, when describing our previous work experiences in a work experience section / CV, should we use full sentences or elliptical ones? E.g., should I say "My responsibilities included X and Y, and I also particularly focused on Z" or "Responsibilities included X and Y, with particular focus placed on Z"?

Does it make a difference whether we're writing in a CV (or other document we ourselves can upload) or on the application form's work experience section?

Final sub-question related to this - sorry I just realised I might've been sending off my apps with the wrongly formatted work exp sections all along so I'm just trying to clear up my own confusion! Norton Rose's VS app has exactly 4 slots for work experience (with organisation name, dates, position title, responsibilities, etc. all included), and then there's a 200-word question right after that that just says "Other Work Experience (200 words max)". How would you tackle this, what's the difference between what this question is asking and why I'd normally put in a work experience description?

I’d only use short sentences if you can format bullet points. In a CV you can use bullet points more as you can format the document and then you upload it or send it as an attachment.

Some application systems will allow you to format the text

• like you can do in this forum.
• Then use bullet points
• And short sentences

But If you cannot format the text, go with full sentences and prose.

NRF - you select your best four work experiences for the four slots. If you have any other experiences you put them together in the other description.

 

[0603]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows/ heard back from CMS after finishing the WG test? I believe the next stage is the Video Interview - do CMS send those out on a rolling basis too or after the deadline has passed?

 

[DrowninginSQE]

Hi, has anyone done a video interview for Simmons & Simmons and have some advice on it? Thanks!

 

[haylaw]

Hi all, is there a list anywhere or does anyone have any good resources that detail whether firms' winter vacation schemes are running virtually or in person? Or does anyone know specifically about any firms? For example, I am unsure if Stephenson Harwood is continuing as planned or swapping to virtual but I know that Shearman & Sterling has moved the winter to spring in hope of being able to run as originally planned.

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

Hi all, is there a list anywhere or does anyone have any good resources that detail whether firms' winter vacation schemes are running virtually or in person? Or does anyone know specifically about any firms? For example, I am unsure if Stephenson Harwood is continuing as planned or swapping to virtual but I know that Shearman & Sterling has moved the winter to spring in hope of being able to run as originally planned.

As a rule of thumb, I would say Winter Vac Schemes are going to be online, and Spring/Summer 2021 Schemes are planning to be in person, but that is Covid permitting.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi all, is there a list anywhere or does anyone have any good resources that detail whether firms' winter vacation schemes are running virtually or in person? Or does anyone know specifically about any firms? For example, I am unsure if Stephenson Harwood is continuing as planned or swapping to virtual but I know that Shearman & Sterling has moved the winter to spring in hope of being able to run as originally planned.

We requested this information from firms and unfortunately very few would confirm their stance to us.

I wouldn't expect any winter schemes to run face-to-face though given what is happening at the moment. Given firms have to plan and organise them, it is much easier to organise them to be online rather than plan face-to-face and then have to change them last minute. Even if London isn't in a lockdown, given many students/candidates could be in Tier 3 lockdown in their home/uni town, firms will need to consider an online version anyway.

I don't any firm wants to risk being the firm that is on the front page of Legal Cheek/RollonFriday saying their cohort of vac schemers got Covid-19.

 

[PhoebeL]

No news is good news!

My fingers are crossed that this is true because I applied early September

 

[Velikilawyer123]

I’d generally go with all formalities. I have seen some people use their telephone number and email address instead of an address though.

Got it, thank you! Does it change anything if we know the name of the person we're writing to, e.g. should we include their name at the top as so:

Joe Bloggs
Law Firm LLP
10 Main Street
London ABC 123

And should we include our own name above our address?

 

[dhway]

Is the reasoning test for CMS after they review your application?

 

[M1999]

Anybody have experience doing proctor/monitored exams for the GDL? We were told they were open book but now they’ve u-turned & said they are monitored and closed

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Got it, thank you! Does it change anything if we know the name of the person we're writing to, e.g. should we include their name at the top as so:

Joe Bloggs
Law Firm LLP
10 Main Street
London ABC 123

And should we include our own name above our address?

Yes, both your name and theirs. I’d you don’t know their name, it can be addressed to Graduate Recruitment or something else like that which is appropriate

 

[Adam Gilchrist]

Hi all, is there a list anywhere or does anyone have any good resources that detail whether firms' winter vacation schemes are running virtually or in person? Or does anyone know specifically about any firms? For example, I am unsure if Stephenson Harwood is continuing as planned or swapping to virtual but I know that Shearman & Sterling has moved the winter to spring in hope of being able to run as originally planned.

HSF confirmed on instagram that their scheme will be virtual

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Hi guys, this might sound like a stupid question but I just wanted to double-check. I emailed HSF regarding re-applications in the same cycle and they replied with "Yes as you passed the online test you are able to re-apply to another scheme." Does this mean I can apply for another VS (for example summer) or it has to be a different type of scheme (ie: direct TC)?