General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[TChopeful2021]

Guys; would you say resilience is sort of adaptability? I’m having a hard time recognising where I would draw a resilience example from

I think they overlap but I would say resilience looks at how you respond to a setback or challenge, whereas adaptability looks at how you respond to something new or different.

 

[OB]

Does anyone have some tips for the VRT? I seem to choose ‘Cannot Say’ too often. Does anyone have suggestions on how to easily differentiate when it would be appropriate to use ‘Cannot Say’?

Still waiting to see if I passed the VRT I did recently ... but I just think of it as is it definitely/logically true or false. Really think if what in the statement is fully covered by the paragraph.

 

[Lumree]

Still waiting to see if I passed the VRT I did recently ... but I just think of it as is it definitely/logically true or false. Really think if what in the statement is fully covered by the paragraph.

Thank you Olivia! Best of luck

 

[M1999]

I think they overlap but I would say resilience looks at how you respond to a setback or challenge, whereas adaptability looks at how you respond to something new or different.

Thanks so much. This is helpful

 

[H S]

Does anyone which other firms also recruit on a CV-blind basis? For example, Irwin Mitchell only asked for the overall degree classification (2:1, 2:2 etc) without any specific module grades and no GCSEs. Would be interested to know if any other firms do this too!

 

[Naomi U]

Does anyone have some tips for the VRT? I seem to choose ‘Cannot Say’ too often. Does anyone have suggestions on how to easily differentiate when it would be appropriate to use ‘Cannot Say’?

I often took the approach that cannot say applies where there is no mention of the statement in the text. True and false is applicable when you can find evidence in the text to back it up

 

[Lumree]

I often took the approach that cannot say applies where there is no mention of the statement. True and false is applicable when you can find evidence in the text to back it up

That’s a good way to look at! I question if I don’t infer enough and therefore just fall back on cannot say.

 

[Jacob Miller]

Guys; would you say resilience is sort of adaptability? I’m having a hard time recognising where I would draw a resilience example from

I'd tend to say they're slightly different.

For me, adaptability is being able to change a plan and work around something unexpected etc- i.e. accommodating a change.
Resilience is more perseverance through a challenging time or situation.

While it is true that certain times when you've used resilience you may also have needed to adapt, and vice versa (I can definitely say that this has been true of my experiences), this will not always be the case- i.e., adaptability will not always necessitate resilience and resilience will not always necessitate adaptability.

To that end, I would approach them as two different questions using two different examples.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Guys; would you say resilience is sort of adaptability? I’m having a hard time recognising where I would draw a resilience example from

Resilience: determination to succeed through something difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable

Adaptability: recognising an approach or view needs to change to ensure things are better

There will be cross over, but I wouldn’t expect every resilience answer to fit adaptability and vice versa. Adapting can be uncomfortable though, so there could be cross over depending on the example.

 

[collie_121]

Does anyone which other firms also recruit on a CV-blind basis? For example, Irwin Mitchell only asked for the overall degree classification (2:1, 2:2 etc) without any specific module grades and no GCSEs. Would be interested to know if any other firms do this too!

I know Addleshaw Goddard use a similar system and don't ask for module grades/titles.

Am I right in thinking Irwin Mitchell also didn't include space to input your A-level results? I don't remember putting these on my application, unless I've missed something :/

 

[c0808]

Does anyone have the email address for Akin Gump's graduate recruitment team? I have to email them regarding an update on my academic records but can't find their contact details anywhere

 

[OH]

Does anyone have the email address for Akin Gump's graduate recruitment team? I have to email them regarding an update on my academic records but can't find their contact details anywhere

[email protected]

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

It is exceptionally busy in the forums at the moment and I am getting inundated with PMs. PMs are often about very common themes and so it would be better for these questions to be posted in the forums to avoid duplication.

PMs should only really be used if the matter contains personal information specific to you. If your query doesn't include this, please post it in an appropriate thread and tag me in it using the @ function

 

[AH97]

What's generally expected when the dress code for an interview is formal? Is a blouse (neutral coloured, patterned or plain) acceptable if wearing a blazer and pencil skirt/suit trousers?

 

[Mxkry]

Can I refer to Corporate Social Responsibility as CSR straight away to save words on the assumption that grad recs know what it means?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Can I refer to Corporate Social Responsibility as CSR straight away to save words on the assumption that grad recs know what it means?

generally fine as long as it is clear in the context of the sentence

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

What's generally expected when the dress code for an interview is formal? Is a blouse (neutral coloured, patterned or plain) acceptable if wearing a blazer and pencil skirt/suit trousers?

yes - sounds perfectly fine

 

[KT]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if anyone knew how to structure or approach the question of: 'tell me about a time you were part of a high-performing team.'

It sounds like the team had to be always high-performing and so I'm not quite sure how to use the STAR approach for example to show what I action I took since when I am usually asked just 'tell me about a time you worked well in a team' I use an example from an internship I had where the team wasn't necessarily amazing at first but I took steps to improve the teamwork within the team.

Is the question looking for you to, instead of a strict STAR approach of what you did, just state why you think it was so high-performing in its characteristics in general rather than what YOU did within the team to make it high-performing?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Dheepa]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if anyone knew how to structure or approach the question of: 'tell me about a time you were part of a high-performing team.'

It sounds like the team had to be always high-performing and so I'm not quite sure how to use the STAR approach for example to show what I action I took since when I am usually asked just 'tell me about a time you worked well in a team' I use an example from an internship I had where the team wasn't necessarily amazing at first but I took steps to improve the teamwork within the team.

Is the question looking for you to, instead of a strict STAR approach of what you did, just state why you think it was so high-performing in its characteristics in general rather than what YOU did within the team to make it high-performing?

Thanks for the help!

I'll admit the high performing aspect is something I've never come across myself. I would still use the STAR approach and explain what I thought made the team high performing. Some things I'd maybe think about are:

1. Did I have to adapt to taking a more team player role rather than being a leader? (since it was so highly performing anyway)
2. Was there a clash of ideas or strong personalities that I had to deal with?
3. If the everything really did proceed without any issues (rarely ever the case I think) then what are the things that I learnt from that and I have I tried to apply those things in other situations?

Hope that helps!

 

[NK]

Hey guys - I’m trying to edit my freshfields application as I wanted to add some extra info/details, but I can’t find an edit submission option? I believe the deadline is later this evening so I’m not quite sure what to do !