General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[arbitracion]

yeah I would say so, they've already sent out VI invites and I don't think you would be maximising your chances sending off an app at this stage, so save it for when you can get it in early in the application window

ah no problem, I was thinking that. What if I list Spring as one of my preferences along with winter? can I be considered for both?

 

[Aun Abbas]

Has anyone heard back from White&Case after a VI for a direct TC?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does anyone have any advice for an interview where the questions might be "why you" "why law" "why this firm" but you've already answered them on your cover letter? Is it wise to repeat what you've written ?? Feel as though that would be more genuine but they already have all that information!

you’ll need to explain these questions in more depth in an interview. Just repeating the information on your application form will not be sufficient - it will need more depth/explanations/rationale as to why you are saying what you are stating

 

[Lisa Lowe]

No - I still havent heard back from W&C for a direct TC application I sent off in the summer.

 

[Evelina]

ah no problem, I was thinking that. What if I list Spring as one of my preferences along with winter? can I be considered for both?

Yeah I think that's the point! Also I'm still waiting to hear from w&c but now i assume it's a rejection seeing as so many people have already been invited to VI haha

 

[Florawilliams]

white & case video interview invite last night! if anyone has any tips please message me thank you so much!

 

[hunter]

Is it true that Winter Vac schemes are more competitive than summer ones?
Are you more likely to get a TC from a winter vac scheme than a summer one as it's the start of the recruitment cycle?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Is it true that Winter Vac schemes are more competitive than summer ones?
Are you more likely to get a TC from a winter vac scheme than a summer one as it's the start of the recruitment cycle?

no - it’s never as simple as that

 

[tractor12]

no - it’s never as simple as that

I understand it depends on the cycle but I would have thought Winter is less competitive? The application window is much smaller and the pool of candidates are also smaller as typically only final years and graduates can apply. Interested to hear your thoughts.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I understand it depends on the cycle but I would have thought Winter is less competitive? The application window is much smaller and the pool of candidates are also smaller as typically only final years and graduates can apply. Interested to hear your thoughts.

No really doesn’t work like that either. Here are just some of the factors that make a scheme more or less competitive:

Application window
Eligibility
Number of places available
Dates of scheme
Whether it’s virtual or not
How much it is paid + other benefits
Dates of competitors‘ schemes
If it clashes with term dates
How heavily it is promoted
How many people apply
How good the quality of the people are who are applying
When the recruitment process runs
How many stages of the recruitment process there are
General brand and PR of the firm at that particular time of year

There are so many variables that the same firm could have their summer scheme more competitive one year, and then their winter the next.

It’s really not as simplistic as just eligibility

 

[whisperingrock]

No really doesn’t work like that either. Here are just some of the factors that make a scheme more or less competitive:

Application window
Eligibility
Number of places available
Dates of scheme
Whether it’s virtual or not
How much it is paid + other benefits
Dates of competitors‘ schemes
If it clashes with term dates
How heavily it is promoted
How many people apply
How good the quality of the people are who are applying
When the recruitment process runs
How many stages of the recruitment process there are
General brand and PR of the firm at that particular time of year

There are so many variables that the same firm could have their summer scheme more competitive one year, and then their winter the next.

It’s really not as simplistic as just eligibility

How does it being virtual affect it? I'm guessing it makes it more accessible and therefore more competitive as geographic location is no longer a factor, but I may be missing something.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

How does it being virtual affect it? I'm guessing it makes it more accessible and therefore more competitive as geographic location is no longer a factor, but I may be missing something.

Opens it up to many more people - lots of people can’t afford to move to London for a week or two

At the same time, some people don’t want to do virtual schemes, so seem to be applying predominately to Spring/summer programmes instead

 

[keira]

Anyone heard back from Linklaters or Latham for Winter VS?

 

[Sekani Wraith]

Hi guys, I have a question about the following Baker McKenzie question:

...Please outline which diversity & inclusion Baker groups you would support, and detail any initiatives you may have previously been involved in. (300 words max)*

It sounds like I am just supposed to name the support groups and then spend the rest of the answer talking about my initiatives in detail. Is that right? Or will I have to also go into detail about how exactly I would support the groups? I don't mind doing the latter if necessary, but I just don't know what I would be allowed to do to support the groups.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi guys, I have a question about the following Baker McKenzie question:

...Please outline which diversity & inclusion Baker groups you would support, and detail any initiatives you may have previously been involved in. (300 words max)*

It sounds like I am just supposed to name the support groups and then spend the rest of the answer talking about my initiatives in detail. Is that right? Or will I have to also go into detail about how exactly I would support the groups? I don't mind doing the latter if necessary, but I just don't know what I would be allowed to do to support the groups.

Having seen many answers to this application, people approach this in different ways. Some identify the groups, then explain why they have identified those groups, often highlighting what they have done in that sphere previously or why it is of interest to them, and then they typically round up by saying how they would hope to contribute to those groups within the firm if they were to join.

 

[Sekani Wraith]

Having seen many answers to this application, people approach this in different ways. Some identify the groups, then explain why they have identified those groups, often highlighting what they have done in that sphere previously or why it is of interest to them, and then they typically round up by saying how they would hope to contribute to those groups within the firm if they were to join.

You're a star, thank you very much!

 

[arbitracion]

Anyone heard back from Linklaters or Latham for Winter VS?

I'm waiting too! good luck!

 

[keira]

I'm waiting too! good luck!

thank you! you too

 

[cgs97]

Is there a list of firms that are doing spring vacation schemes anywhere?

 

[Fran]

I have! Message me.

Hey, are you able to give any insight into the career focused questions assessed before the interview stage? Or any insight into the interview? Thank you!