2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Sl1410]

I'm a second-year law student and applied to their Spring Vacation Scheme (which I'm not even allowed to apply to). I emailed them several times informing them of this just to let them know of the mistake, received no response. That would have been fine had I been rejected, but I've progressed through the various stages of their application process now (which is weird as it is given my mistake), and I don't want to end up in a situation where I am face to face with an interviewer and suddenly they realise I've applied for the wrong scheme and reject me.

There was also the whole debacle of sending the research questions by email which was strange especially when they use Apply4law I think. Additionally, as people have mentioned, they've decided to renege on their adherence to deadlines on multiple occasions.

This is not to say that it isn't an excellent firm nor does it objectively say anything negative about the firm's GR. Just my own personal experiences have been a bit strange relative to other firms who I have found to be far more organised.

I had the same issue but they had responded and said that the spring vac is now open to penultimate years as well so don't worry

 

[Soccerox73]

Hey, has anyone has heard back from Baker Mckenzie post-AC? They said they'd provide news early this week.

 

[Jacob Miller]

Travers Smith is well known for being the James May of law firm graduate recruitment (aka Captain Slow). In the last cycle, I applied for the Direct 2022 TC in November 2019 (so extremely comfortably before the deadline). In July 2020 they got back to me to say 'lol soz we filled all our places before we even bothered to read and/or reject your app ok bye better luck next time'. I'm sure that's why they have now moved to a non-rolling deadline for their summer VS.

Travers have a small GR team and, I believe, are steadily placing more and more emphasis on VSs as a means of recruitment rather than direct TC. Hope you have better luck with the VS app!

 

[Jacob Miller]

Reed Smith Spring AC invite! Submitted my research questions in November!

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated Truly in shock!

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Congrats on your AC!
I would probably recommend starting with the above, in no particular order. Also depends what different tasks form a part of the RS AC - some might be more relevant than others!

 

[Kola]

I had the same issue but they had responded and said that the spring vac is now open to penultimate years as well so don't worry

Oh wow! That's good to hear, thank you

 

[Ricky]

Info here as well. https://www.reedsmith.com/en/careers/general/uk-selection-process

 

[Jhn222]

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Congrats on your AC!
I would probably recommend starting with the above, in no particular order. Also depends what different tasks form a part of the RS AC - some might be more relevant than others!

Thank you so so much for this! I truly appreciate it!!

 

[Legal_rawn]

Is there any method of allocating people to an AC day? Are more promising candidates given an earlier date? Or is it more likely to be based off of factors such as application date, alphabetical etc

 

[Jacob Miller]

Is there any method of allocating people to an AC day? Are more promising candidates given an earlier date? Or is it more likely to be based off of factors such as application date, alphabetical etc

Nothing that I know of. The only distinction I can imagine a firm making are to group law and non-law candidates together but even then, almost all AC's I've been at have been mixed.

 

[anon32323232]

VS with Baker McKenzie

 

[Soccerox73]

VS with Baker McKenzie

Congrats!! May I ask when you completed your AC?

 

[Jacob Miller]

Delighted to see so many service users being made offers today! Genuinely happy for each and every one of you.

 

[Elle W]

Has anyone that's applied to Pinsent Masons London office heard back since completing the test? My portal has been updated today but I haven't received any emails

Hey, I just checked my portal and it has been updated today too but I also haven't had an email! It's irritating that we can't see how it has been updated in the portal... Hopefully we hear soon! Good luck

 

[Slawrelated]

VS with Baker McKenzie

congratulations! is this for spring or summer?

 

[Bugsy Malone]

Invitation for Stevenson Harwood’s critical thinking test! Applied on 30th Jan.

 

[p9b]

I'm considering talking about GameStop and its stocks if I'm asked about a commercial story at my interview - has anyone got any thoughts on the implications of it / how law firms might be relevant?

 

[cryingoverTCs]

Yes. They do ACs all the way through to March.

If it's any consolation I did my TI in late december and haven't heard back at all (spring vac scheme), so they're likely working through applications at all stages!

Can I just say how happy this made me - I really wanted to finally get passed the TI stage for Mayer Brown and I thought I yet again wouldn't bc of all the AC offers (well done btw guys!) but this has genuinely reassured me that there is hope thank you so much

 

[cryingoverTCs]

I've recently become quite interested in energy (ESG specifically) but I am unsure how to connect this to myself? I just like reading about it and I attended an ESG webinar with Linklaters which is what initially sparked my interest but idk how to link it to myself - any advice is appreciated!

 

[NK]

I've recently become quite interested in energy (ESG specifically) but I am unsure how to connect this to myself? I just like reading about it and I attended an ESG webinar with Linklaters which is what initially sparked my interest but idk how to link it to myself - any advice is appreciated!

Hey! I’m also interested in this area and have tried linking this to my interests in applications, where necessary. I would try think about some of your extra curricular activities or perhaps work experiences and see if you’ve ever had to incorporate ESG factors into your work? Alternatively, if you have been involved in social justice work or sustainable initiatives then perhaps this could be something to talk about? I think linking ESG to your experiences is entirely personal and dependent on your interests, so I think talking about the webinar you attended is a good approach - was there something in particular that stood out to you? You could try draw some links here with the firm you are applying to. Hope this helps in some way and apologies for the long message!

 

[Andrew M]

V&E VI!!!

Based on your success and on this choice of gif, you're a winner baby!