2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Matt_96]

For an interview taking place remotely, would it be obvious and would it be bad to occasionally look at notes, either written, or on your screen?

I usually put a small post it note above my laptop with a few key words or phrases on it

 

[Dwight]

The BCLP AC includes a "case study and presentation" and from my understanding, there is no written element to be assessed here because we only have to present to lawyers/Grad Rec right?

Can someone please give me a better idea of what this part of the AC is?

Thank you

 

[Grad2020]

Does anyone know for Weil how many VC places there are relative to TC places?

Thank you!

 

[packhorse]

@Jaysen @Jacob Miller and other members of the tcla team

I was wondering if you had any tips for sub headings regarding written exercises? For example, recommending a course of action to a client? But for other firms of WE too.

I have a W&C AC coming up with a long WE element (details currently unclear) and I would love to go in with some idea of how to structure advice successfully

 

[Jaysen]

@Jaysen @Jacob Miller and other members of the tcla team

I was wondering if you had any tips for sub headings regarding written exercises? For example, recommending a course of action to a client? But for other firms of WE too.

I have a W&C AC coming up with a long WE element (details currently unclear) and I would love to go in with some idea of how to structure advice successfully

Hey! I wouldn't try to think of particular subheadings beforehand because it's so dependent on an exercise, and you want to approach it with an open mind.

Just keep in mind that you want something clear, concise and relevant. If you feel it's needed, you want something that allows the client to get to the important information quickly.

 

[sl399]

The BCLP AC includes a "case study and presentation" and from my understanding, there is no written element to be assessed here because we only have to present to lawyers/Grad Rec right?

Can someone please give me a better idea of what this part of the AC is?

Thank you

Yes there's no written element - just analysing a case study, preparing a presentation for senior lawyers and then a Q&A. There was also a proofreading exercise based on the case study.

 

[packhorse]

Kirkland AC is no longer the final stage - successful AC candidates will be invited to a partner interview. Looks like Kirkland are offering more ACs this cycle and separating them from interviews.

What exercises are they running for this stage?

 

[sl399]

I've had trouble keeping to time limits in the past for recorded VIs and I believe for the V&E VI you are given 1 min to record your answer. Does anyone have any tips on how to streamline your answers? For instance, I swear 1 min is not long enough to go through the STAR method..

 

[Legal_rawn]

What exercises are they running for this stage?

They’ll send you an email a couple of days before informing you what to expect. They obviously don’t want people to have a lot of time to prepare so it’s not really fair for candidates to share the information among others

 

[sl399]

I can't help re: keeping to time (I struggle with it too), but what are you using the STAR method for for the V&E VI? Apparently the questions are Why Commercial Law, Why V&E, and What Motivates You?

Ooh I wasn't sure what the questions were so I was just preparing generally! Did you hear this from someone who has done it this year?

 

[Polyglot]

Has anyone who applied to CMS near the deadline heard back?

I applied on the deadline and went through the whole pre-Academy cycle already (WG test, VI, AC).

 

[21wajsz]

Yes! Someone posted yesterday that they had just done it and those were the questions. Not 100% sure that everyone gets the same questions though but you get unlimited time to prepare and can re-record which is a godsend anyway

Hey, I would be cautious about the questions posted yesterday, the poster deleted their post and had PM me that they posted those questions just to gauge people's reaction and have not done the interview themselves!

 

[FM302989]

Tbh, I don't think people should be posting video interview questions here. It's not fair to people working hard to prepare and you never know if different questions will be asked to others

 

[Bonolaw]

I applied with a gmail account and have now hear back - should I contact GR?

Might be an good idea, I don't think we will be hearing anything soon otherwise

 

[Helpme12345]

I did think it was strange that they would ask the same two questions that were already in their application

 

[law230]

Has anyone who applied for Macfarlanes near the deadline heard back?

 

[Ricky]

Tbh, I don't think people should be posting video interview questions here. It's not fair to people working hard to prepare and you never know if different questions will be asked to others

Given that you can re-record your answers as many times as you like for V&E, I think it is the exception to that normal rule.

 

[LegalNim]

Tbh, I don't think people should be posting video interview questions here. It's not fair to people working hard to prepare and you never know if different questions will be asked to others

I agree, but also, people who over prepare specific questions often sound really bad too. Scripted, robotic, ingenuine... An interviewer won't be impressed by someone managing to find out/predict/guess the questions, it's not a skill they're looking to hire. Someone who gets a curve ball question and responds appropriately on the spot will impress them - if you know the questions in advance then it doesn't enable to you show that skill.

 

[Mxkry]

Has anyone who applied for Macfarlanes near the deadline heard back?

Applied on the deadline and have not heard back

 

[EVjuji]

Hey, I would be cautious about the questions posted yesterday, the poster deleted their post and had PM me that they posted those questions just to gauge people's reaction and have not done the interview themselves!

Some people on here think it is funny to give you intentionally the wrong questions so that you mess up your VI!!!