Returning application for Withers vac scheme

[Sebastian Fender]

I applied for Withers vac scheme last year and my application was successful up to interview stage. How much do I need to change my application for this year?

I can change a few of the answers for 'team work' and 'client focus' as I can draw on some non-commercial work experience since I last applied. However, I feel that my previous answers still showcase my skills and experiences better than anything I have done since.

 

[Dheepa]

Even if you don't want to change your answers completely, I would still suggest trying to add in anything new you've learnt from your new experiences that relates back to the rest of your answer. I think it's always best to demonstrate to firms that you've gone out of your way to gain new experiences and develop as a stronger candidate.

 

[Jacob Miller]

I applied for Withers vac scheme last year and my application was successful up to interview stage. How much do I need to change my application for this year?

I can change a few of the answers for 'team work' and 'client focus' as I can draw on some non-commercial work experience since I last applied. However, I feel that my previous answers still showcase my skills and experiences better than anything I have done since.

I would always recommend changing your application up- even if you're using similar examples etc, look at changing structure/ phrases/ word choice used to make the application read differently. Not changing the application runs the risk of a Grad Rec member reading the application and remembering it from a previous cycle, interpreting it as 'lazy' (even though that is not necessarily the case) etc. If I were you, I would actually bring into focus the things that you've learned and done since the last app cycle to show that you're a better candidate than you were a year ago. @Jessica Booker might be able to give more insight from a GR perspective, but, if I were in their shoes, I would only consider letting the application progress if the candidate showed to a good standard how they had worked to improve since the last time they interacted with the firm.

 

[Sebastian Fender]

Thank you Dheepa,

I think I will use examples from the work experience I have gained since the last app cycle to show that I have been proactive in the last year.

 

[Sebastian Fender]

Thanks so much Jacob. I've taken this on board