2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Daniel Boden]

3.5 is a minimum, I usually try and get 4.5! Mainly just due to how busy my day is with the different commitments I have: final year LLB, trading the financial markets, running a trading consultancy, tutoring school-aged and mature learners, as well as spending time here, also just the usual 'home' stuff like cooking and doing the dishes. I also sleep longer on the weekends when the markets are closed. I've been an awful sleeper since I was a kid, so I try and just use as much of the day as possible productively rather than tossing and turning awake in bed for an additional 3 hours

I definitely hit periods of burnout but I'm much better at recognising that and taking an afternoon away from work stuff every now and then to recharge. I also have a damn good espresso machine which helps! haha.

Not a lifestyle which I'd necessarily recommend but it genuinely works for me and my system is more than adapted to it now; I just have to be cognisant of when I'm pushing myself too hard and know when to take my foot off the gas a bit.

I'd really recommend everyone listen to Matthew Walker's podcast with Joe Rogan where he speaks about his book "Why we sleep" or just buying the book itself which is brilliant:

Or, alternatively, his recent Ted talk which is shorter:

For me, it was incredibly eye-opening and pretty scary tbh, as I, like you, used to prioritise everything in my life but sleep, be it work, training and competing in my sport, study etc. but his words really shocked me into making sleep more of a priority just because of how harmful less than 7 hours of sleep a night is for our minds and bodies.

While we may not see negatives in our 20s or 30s, come our 40s and 50s the consequences can be awful and by then it's too late as the damage is done. Equally, you'll probably find you'll be far more productive if you get those additional 3 hours and will use your time far more efficiently - a 2-hour task on 4 hours sleep will take you 1 hour on 8 hours sleep for instance. To me, I felt this far greater efficiency was almost like my mind and body's way of thanking me haha

If you're struggling to sleep, I found using the app 'headspace' before bed really useful and that helped improve my sleep a lot. Also, things like trying to avoid looking at my phone, laptop etc. in the hour before I go to bed can also help your mind unwind but using headspace was the gamechanger for me

PS: what espresso machine have you got? Need some recommendations for a new one haha

 

[collie_121]

Did anyone who received replies from AG yesterday get them from the regional offices? Or just LDN? Thanks

Mine was from London, I'm not sure about regional

 

[law2021]

CMS VI invite!!! I am so happy - I completed my WG in early December and then hadn't heard anything from them!

This is my first VI so any insight into the process would be hugely appreciated

 

[collie_121]

CMS VI invite!!! I am so happy - I completed my WG in early December and then hadn't heard anything from them!

This is my first VI so any insight into the process would be hugely appreciated

Massive congrats!!! The VI is 4 questions that have 1 firm question, 2 competency questions and 1 situational judgment question. You're gonna smash it!!

 

[law2021]

Massive congrats!!! The VI is 4 questions that have 1 firm question, 2 competency questions and 1 situational judgment question. You're gonna smash it!!

Amazing - thank you so, so much!!

 

[Numerius Negidius]

Has anyone else heard back from Skadden on Thursday (2 days ago) in the second batch of phone interviews or still not heard back yet?

 

[33c]

To anyone who completed a Macfarlanes application-

For the skills and qualities question, did you only mention the skills expressly mentioned on their website (attention to detail, motivation, resilience etc) or did you write about other skills that would be useful for a trainee?

I wanted to write about an experience highlighting teamwork/interpersonal skills but these qualities weren't expressly mentioned.

 

[AH97]

To anyone who completed a Macfarlanes application-

For the skills and qualities question, did you only mention the skills expressly mentioned on their website (attention to detail, motivation, resilience etc) or did you write about other skills that would be useful for a trainee?

I wanted to write about an experience highlighting teamwork/interpersonal skills but these qualities weren't expressly mentioned.

I spoke about things other than those listed on the website, more specifically interpersonal skills, adaptability and ability to build a rapport.

If you have any other Qs, feel free to PM me!

 

[tk166]

Has anyone else heard back from Skadden on Thursday (2 days ago) in the second batch of phone interviews or still not heard back yet?

I was told I’d hear back middle of next week when they finish with their final interviews on Monday (I had my interview on Thursday too)

 

[Luiz1001]

Does anybody have tips for Squire Patton Boggs VI?

 

[SouffléSouffléSoufflé]

Congratulations on your AC! I don’t know whether this has already been asked but which office did you apply for and when did you apply?

Thank you! I applied on the 21st October for the London office.

 

[MS2000]

Has anybody heard back from Simmons and Simmons post VI/tests?

 

[packhorse]

Might be a silly question, but do law firms who have a strong white collar crime/global investigations practice do the same work as a firm with a strong financial regulation practice? Or are they very different? For reference I am thinking Willkie vs. Akin Gump.

 

[Jacob Miller]

I'd really recommend everyone listen to Matthew Walker's podcast with Joe Rogan where he speaks about his book "Why we sleep" or just buying the book itself which is brilliant:

Or, alternatively, his recent Ted talk which is shorter:

For me, it was incredibly eye-opening and pretty scary tbh, as I, like you, used to prioritise everything in my life but sleep, be it work, training and competing in my sport, study etc. but his words really shocked me into making sleep more of a priority just because of how harmful less than 7 hours of sleep a night is for our minds and bodies.

While we may not see negatives in our 20s or 30s, come our 40s and 50s the consequences can be awful and by then it's too late as the damage is done. Equally, you'll probably find you'll be far more productive if you get those additional 3 hours and will use your time far more efficiently - a 2-hour task on 4 hours sleep will take you 1 hour on 8 hours sleep for instance. To me, I felt this far greater efficiency was almost like my mind and body's way of thanking me haha

If you're struggling to sleep, I found using the app 'headspace' before bed really useful and that helped improve my sleep a lot. Also, things like trying to avoid looking at my phone, laptop etc. in the hour before I go to bed can also help your mind unwind but using headspace was the gamechanger for me

PS: what espresso machine have you got? Need some recommendations for a new one haha

I'll have a look man for sure, thanks for pointing these out for me!

I use a Sage Barista Express, had a Nespresso before but I was never super keen on the coffee I got out of it. Sage machine is quite expensive but worthwhile imo.

 

[Kola]

Anybody heard back from Debevoise?

 

[Dheepa]

Hey guys, I know as potential commercial solicitors, we're meant to be able to work under pressure and all... but having received a few rejections recently, it's really affected my confidence and while I'm really grateful for having my one AC invite this cycle, I feel my imposter syndrome kicking in. The overwhelming pressure I feel from potentially messing it up, and as a final-year international student, having to go back home where things aren't great, is also completely throwing me off my AC prep.

I know this is a low-key rant (and I'm sorry!) but does anyone have any advice on how to overcome this and not let the pressure affect me?

Thought I'd jump in here to say, this time last year I was days away from my first AC invite that year and actually fully breaking down every day because of how unconfident I felt. So I really feel for you on this.

I agree with what everyone else has said. Positive affirmations and telling yourself you definitely can do it goes a long way. Whenever I felt my anxiety build up during prep, I would step away go on a walk listen to some particularly feel good music (lmk if you need recommendations haha) and just imagine myself killing it at the AC. A kind of manifesting if you will?

I also think that although its easier said than done, you should try to keep things in perspective. You are clearly an amazing candidate that has everything it takes to be successful and you really wouldn't have made it to AC unless this was true. You and everything you bring to the table is more than enough. You got this!

 

[Rob93]

Might be a silly question, but do law firms who have a strong white collar crime/global investigations practice do the same work as a firm with a strong financial regulation practice? Or are they very different? For reference I am thinking Willkie vs. Akin Gump.

Not my wheelhouse but I'd expect that the finreg practice would be more advisory in its nature, though might still be involved in some investigations or litigation work. Worth checking the significant matters/experiences profile on the firms' pages for those practices to get a sense of what they prioritise.

 

[CMB]

I didn't receive an email once I completed the test - which freaked me out a bit as I'm relying on bad rural wifi at the moment. I was scared at the time that it didn't submit properly.

Thanks so much for the response! Yes, I was exactly the same but good to hear we both didn't receive confirmation email

 

[CMB]

Hey! I've been invited to the next stage of the Addleshaw Goddard recruitment process for the Vac Scheme - the automated interview. I was just wondering if anyone has completed the interview already and has any tips ? Many thanks in advance!

 

[M1999]

For a question for a VI (where you have 2 mins to talk) that is: what characteristics make a good commercial lawyer? Would you go into detail about examples of where you demonstrated that characteristic?