How long does an application normally take you?

[MightyMoe]

Hey everyone,

I wonder quite a lot whether I spend way too long on applications and I think that means I don't get enough done. In January I only managed to send out 3-4 because of this. It takes me at least a week and sometimes long to research a firm and write up. I think a lot of that is because i take forever to write and constantly scrap my sentences. For example I spent the whole day on one application today and have literally written a paragraph...

Any tips/thoughts would be great

 

[SKH9065]

Personally, I spend roughly a week on each application, maybe more depending on the questions asked. Some of my friends spend around half a day and have received offers and others have spent longer.
It usually takes me longer to complete an app because I wait a couple of days after my final draft so that I can review it again with fresh eyes, even if I have only changed one word.
All it takes is one successful app so I would just say do as much as you can.. I personally think 3-4 good quality apps are much better than 8-10 rushed apps!

 

[Jaxkw]

For me it depends on what else I have on and how much time in a day I have. If I'm really focused I can get one out in just over a weekend. If it's during the week then it'll probably take the whole week and then some to finish it. Also depends on how many questions in the app form and how much I can copy paste. I remember Macfarlanes, Allen & Overy and Shearman all taking a bit longer whilst HSF was simple.

 

[Salma]

Hey everyone,

I wonder quite a lot whether I spend way too long on applications and I think that means I don't get enough done. In January I only managed to send out 3-4 because of this. It takes me at least a week and sometimes long to research a firm and write up. I think a lot of that is because i take forever to write and constantly scrap my sentences. For example I spent the whole day on one application today and have literally written a paragraph...

Any tips/thoughts would be great

Hey! I understand that everyone works differently but my technique is to pile up all the firms I am interested in applying to (whether that would be a VS or TC) into one table, sign up (obvs) and copy/paste all the questions. I will then start with the firms that have longer application forms (3/4 firms to be exact) and research/compile all the relevant information into one document/ attempt to relate the firm to myself/why I am interested (this will take me one week). The following week, I start drafting my application answers and show my friends/careers service @ uni and wait for advice on my first draft (redraft until perfect). Whilst I am waiting for friends/career service to respond, I then start on the next batch of applications and continue the above process again.

I find cover letters alot easier to do so try and complete those once I finish the longer/shorter application questions. Also, this comes with practice so the more you do/the easier it will become. I hope this helps! Good Luck

 

[MightyMoe]

Personally, I spend roughly a week on each application, maybe more depending on the questions asked. Some of my friends spend around half a day and have received offers and others have spent longer.
It usually takes me longer to complete an app because I wait a couple of days after my final draft so that I can review it again with a fresh eyes, even if I have only changed one word.
All it takes is one successful app so I would just say do as much as you can.. I personally think 3-4 good quality apps are much better than 8-10 rushed apps!

Thanks that's reassuring! Yeah I regret not taking a fresh look at applications, I think typos caused a couple of my rejections last time. It's frustrating because I was sure I checked it over so many times before I sent if off. I'm thinking I now may start printing it off first.

 

[MightyMoe]

Hey! I understand that everyone works differently but my technique is to pile up all the firms I am interested in applying to (whether that would be a VS or TC) into one table, sign up (obvs) and copy/paste all the questions. I will then start with the firms that have longer application forms (3/4 firms to be exact) and research/compile all the relevant information into one document/ attempt to relate the firm to myself/why I am interested (this will take me one week). The following week, I start drafting my application answers and show my friends/careers service @ uni and wait for advice on my first draft (redraft until perfect). Whilst I am waiting for friends/career service to respond, I then start on the next batch of applications and continue the above process again.

I find cover letters alot easier to do so try and complete those once I finish the longer/shorter application questions. Also, this comes with practice so the more you do/the easier it will become. I hope this helps! Good Luck

I like that method, I do something a bit similar in that I compile all the information into one document for a firm, then I condense it and then I start writing. Do you find your uni careers service helpful? I've never really looked at mine.

 

[Salma]

I like that method, I do something a bit similar in that I compile all the information into one document for a firm, then I condense it and then I start writing. Do you find your uni careers service helpful? I've never really looked at mine.

Yup I have noticed it’s a lot easier! Yes, very helpful, surprisingly... Hahahaha

 

[SKH9065]

Thanks that's reassuring! Yeah I regret not taking a fresh look at applications, I think typos caused a couple of my rejections last time. It's frustrating because I was sure I checked it over so many times before I sent if off. I'm thinking I now may start printing it off first.

Have you tried using websites like http://text-to-speech.imtranslator.net/ and https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/ ?

These help me so much when checking for typos and missed words. Before using these websites, I found that when reading over my apps (even a printed version), I would read what I thought was written and not what was actually written. I now copy and paste my app into the website tool and a robot will read it out. Definitely worth a try!

 

[Jaysen]

Have you tried using websites like http://text-to-speech.imtranslator.net/ and https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/ ?

These help me so much when checking for typos and missed words. Before using these websites, I found that when reading over my apps (even a printed version), I would read what I thought was written and not what was actually written. I now copy and paste my app into the website tool and a robot will read it out. Definitely worth a try!

Thanks for sharing these. My brother uses Dragon Systems software for his medical essays but I didn't realise there were free ones out there!

 

[MightyMoe]

Yup I have noticed it’s a lot easier! Yes, very helpful, surprisingly... Hahahaha

I think I'll check mine out. I suppose the more help the better!

 

[MightyMoe]

Have you tried using websites like http://text-to-speech.imtranslator.net/ and https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/ ?

These help me so much when checking for typos and missed words. Before using these websites, I found that when reading over my apps (even a printed version), I would read what I thought was written and not what was actually written. I now copy and paste my app into the website tool and a robot will read it out. Definitely worth a try!

Thank you! I did read some writing advice recently that was all about trying to write like you speak so it's clearer. This will be perfect for that.