General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Daniel Boden]

Has anyone filled out a vacation scheme application for Gibson Dunn? Their online portal isn't letting me select 'no' to applying to the training contract and I can only get to the next page of the firm if I tick yes to vac scheme and TC. Is this a tech glitch or do we have to apply for both?

Answered this in the other thread you posted it

 

[Manifesting]

I was curious about what firms have a zero tolerance for spelling/grammar/inconsistency mistakes? And which firms are known to be more lenient?

I am, of course, striving to make my application forms error-free but sometimes even after asking multiple people reading a form over, a mistake can slip through. This is embarrassing, but last week I cried actual tears because I had left in "realised" with a "z" in a submission that I previously was convinced was error-free. This process is competitive as it is and honestly I would have better peace of mind if the firms I was applying for marked me down for mistakes instead of throwing out my application based on one mistake.

 

[Jony]

@Jessica Booker might have some insight on firms and typos

 

[bethbristol]

I was curious about what firms have a zero tolerance for spelling/grammar/inconsistency mistakes? And which firms are known to be more lenient?

I am, of course, striving to make my application forms error-free but sometimes even after asking multiple people reading a form over, a mistake can slip through. This is embarrassing, but last week I cried actual tears because I had left in "realised" with a "z" in a submission that I previously was convinced was error-free. This process is competitive as it is and honestly I would have better peace of mind if the firms I was applying for marked me down for mistakes instead of throwing out my application based on one mistake.

Once I re-read a cover letter I had sent in, and I had a typo and spelt a partner's name wrong. I was a mess. Got invited to interview though (at a top US firm). I think as hard as it is, once the application is gone it's gone. No point looking over it again until you get an interview!

 

[Jaysen]

I was curious about what firms have a zero tolerance for spelling/grammar/inconsistency mistakes? And which firms are known to be more lenient?

I am, of course, striving to make my application forms error-free but sometimes even after asking multiple people reading a form over, a mistake can slip through. This is embarrassing, but last week I cried actual tears because I had left in "realised" with a "z" in a submission that I previously was convinced was error-free. This process is competitive as it is and honestly I would have better peace of mind if the firms I was applying for marked me down for mistakes instead of throwing out my application based on one mistake.

I think it's very hard to identify specific firms for this. Some will mention this at open days (NRF did for me back in the day), but I would just aim to have zero typos. This is different to having zero grammar/inconsistency mistakes, I feel there is more leeway there.

Either way, we very very rarely review an application without any of these mistakes. The aim is just to avoid them to the best you can. I am also certain that a firm will not reject you on the basis of spelling realise with a 'z'. It's not wrong, it's just an American spelling.

There's a big difference between having a mistake based on inconsistent capitalisation/imperfect grammar v having multiple typos throughout your application.

 

[Moon]

Anyone got experience with Bird & Bird video interview, what questions came up for you? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Legal_rawn]

I was curious about what firms have a zero tolerance for spelling/grammar/inconsistency mistakes? And which firms are known to be more lenient?

I am, of course, striving to make my application forms error-free but sometimes even after asking multiple people reading a form over, a mistake can slip through. This is embarrassing, but last week I cried actual tears because I had left in "realised" with a "z" in a submission that I previously was convinced was error-free. This process is competitive as it is and honestly I would have better peace of mind if the firms I was applying for marked me down for mistakes instead of throwing out my application based on one mistake.

At the Skadden open day they said they dislike spelling errors and it 'marks you down' but they still consider the whole application. S&M have interviewed people who have called them Allen & Overy in their cover letter or have said they have a moscow office when they don't. Hope that is some sort of help!

 

[Legal_rawn]

Does anyone know if you can find out your WG score for CC? I passed last year so was automatically passed this year but I have no clue how well I actually did/if it matters.

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

Does anyone know if you can find out your WG score for CC? I passed last year so was automatically passed this year but I have no clue how well I actually did/if it matters.

Yep - email them and they'll send it over

 

[M1999]

Is it wise to email GR if I’ve been waiting nearly two weeks after an interview for a vac scheme and they said I will hear in one week? There’s another stage & the vac scheme starts in less than 2 weeks. I think it’s a rejection but I would like to know so I can take my mind off it

 

[M1999]

I was curious about what firms have a zero tolerance for spelling/grammar/inconsistency mistakes? And which firms are known to be more lenient?

I am, of course, striving to make my application forms error-free but sometimes even after asking multiple people reading a form over, a mistake can slip through. This is embarrassing, but last week I cried actual tears because I had left in "realised" with a "z" in a submission that I previously was convinced was error-free. This process is competitive as it is and honestly I would have better peace of mind if the firms I was applying for marked me down for mistakes instead of throwing out my application based on one mistake.

I wouldn’t worry about realise/realize because realize is a recognised American spelling. Although not grammatically correct for English, it doesn’t show you’re bad at spelling or careless tbh

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I was curious about what firms have a zero tolerance for spelling/grammar/inconsistency mistakes? And which firms are known to be more lenient?

I am, of course, striving to make my application forms error-free but sometimes even after asking multiple people reading a form over, a mistake can slip through. This is embarrassing, but last week I cried actual tears because I had left in "realised" with a "z" in a submission that I previously was convinced was error-free. This process is competitive as it is and honestly I would have better peace of mind if the firms I was applying for marked me down for mistakes instead of throwing out my application based on one mistake.

I don’t think any firm has a 0 tolerance policy to be honest. For that to happen, a firm would have to ensure that their screeners were always 100% accurate, and put frankly, they are never 100% accurate in spotting errors. It’s impossible to be 100% accurate as applications are screened fairly quickly and also on mass. It also depends on your definition of an error, the weight of it (some errors are worse than others, and how many errors there are.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I wouldn’t worry about realise/realize because realize is a recognised American spelling. Although not grammatically correct for English, it doesn’t show you’re bad at spelling or careless tbh

some firms will be more picky about this than others from my experience, especially if you are not using the spellings consistently (which is often the case).

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Is it wise to email GR if I’ve been waiting nearly two weeks after an interview for a vac scheme and they said I will hear in one week? There’s another stage & the vac scheme starts in less than 2 weeks. I think it’s a rejection but I would like to know so I can take my mind off it

If the scheme starts in two weeks, then it is fine to do so.

 

[Lisa Lowe]

Hey - does anyone have any pointers on the CMS questions "How would you describe the relationship between law and business? (200 words)", I've been stuck on it for a couple of days, I feel like I need to say something philosophical and profound, I realise that's not the case but I'm finding it hard to answer.

 

[Daniel Boden]

Yeah its an automatic thing. They consider you for the Vac scheme first.

Not quite sure why you've got the negative reaction to this as what you've said is correct...

 

[MzM]

Not quite sure why you've got the negative reaction to this as what you've said is correct...

haha, people are funny sometimes

 

[Paris McKenzie]

Can anyone please help me with this application question for Mills & Reeve - "Name a company / firm you admire for its business strategy, tell us why and tell us what you consider will be important to the company / firm in terms of the legal services which it sources". Does anyone know what they mean by this?

 

[Velikilawyer123]

Hey all, I'm wondering if anyone has any recent experience with Herbert Smith's open days. I've heard they're quite good and you learn a lot, and I'd like to apply for one next year, so I'm interested in hearing people's experiences and how they found it!

Thanks!

 

[arbitracion]

Hey all, I'm wondering if anyone has any recent experience with Herbert Smith's open days. I've heard they're quite good and you learn a lot, and I'd like to apply for one next year, so I'm interested in hearing people's experiences and how they found it!

Thanks!

I went to the LGBT+ Open Day in October and found it super helpful! There were insights into diversity and inclusion initiatives and the IRIS network at HSF, plus there was plenty of time for networking and asking questions