2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[S87]

Hi guys!
When facing the question ‘What current issues do you think have an impact on the legal profession? What impact do they have and why?‘ should I take it literally and discuss multiple issues? I feel like my answer would get too superficial (especially since the wordcount is quite small)... @Jaysen What do you think?

Bear in mind that the question asks you to navigate a number of issues.
I would mention 2/3 issues which affect the legal industry as a whole and maybe link back how the firm is better positioned or has adopted a specific policy to overcome this problem.

 

[OH]

Sorry if someone has already answered this earlier, is this part of the generic Akin Gump rejection email or is it actually worth updating my application and resubmitting for the Direct TC?

'If you still seek a 2023 Training Contract, you would be most welcome to apply to Akin Gump, if you have not done so already, and we will ensure that your application is given early consideration with no need for further on-line testing.'

 

[Andrew M]

Irwin Mitchell VI invite!

Congrats

 

[MzM]

Weil summer AC invite, applied the day before the deadline and did the VI on Saturday!

Congrats - when's the AC? Did my VI on Friday so slightly concerned now!

 

[Samantha]

Congrats - when's the AC? Did my VI on Friday so slightly concerned now!

When did you apply?

 

[legalCheek27]

Is there anywhere online I can find an example of a good video interview answer? Currently preparing for my White & Case VI, and I'm struggling to condense my answers into 90 seconds without making my points sound superficial or half-baked.

 

[Adrian_S]

Hi, how did you find out your WG score?

You should be able to get your report by emailing graduate recruitment. That's how I got mine, at least.

 

[MzM]

When did you apply?

on the deadline

 

[lilian740]

Sorry if someone has already answered this earlier, is this part of the generic Akin Gump rejection email or is it actually worth updating my application and resubmitting for the Direct TC?

'If you still seek a 2023 Training Contract, you would be most welcome to apply to Akin Gump, if you have not done so already, and we will ensure that your application is given early consideration with no need for further on-line testing.'

I don't think its standard, I got rejected after WG and mine didn't say that ~ well done !

 

[thewaythecookiecrumbles]

Is there anywhere online I can find an example of a good video interview answer? Currently preparing for my White & Case VI, and I'm struggling to condense my answers into 90 seconds without making my points sound superficial or half-baked.

Not sure about good video interview answers, but in my experience with video interviews maybe stick to around 2 points so you can develop them without running out of time. Don't worry about explaining things in a huge amount of detail, I think as long as you cover the main points with some explanation you should be fine! Try recording yourself to get you into that 90 second time limit. Hope this helps!

 

[Ricky]

Not sure about good video interview answers, but in my experience with video interviews maybe stick to around 2 points so you can develop them without running out of time. Don't worry about explaining things in a huge amount of detail, I think as long as you cover the main points with some explanation you should be fine! Try recording yourself to get you into that 90 second time limit. Hope this helps!

This. The way you communicate and how you structure your answer is the most important thing. Better to cover one or two points in good depth than to go into many at a superficial level. Also, try and signpost your answers: "There are two key reasons why I am interested in a career as a commercial lawyer. The first...."

 

[Mxkry]

Sorry to hear that. This whole process seems so unforgiving. Would it be too much if I asked when you applied?

On the deadline

 

[Manifesting]

Weil spring VS rejection post-VI (completed in the second week of January). I’m feeling too numb to even cry at this point. I’m very much in the “never passed a VI” camp so I’m not surprised. I think what made my performance worse was all the pressure and lack of self-compassion I was putting myself through in January. Also, I think it is very possible to over-prepare for VIs and so if you have one coming up, I would recommend approaching it as a normal interview instead of rehearsing questions in advance. I got a question that was a slight variation of what I had prepared and instead of staying calm and being confident in my ability to say something on the spot, I just regurgitated my rehearsed answer.

 

[CA98]

Congrats - when's the AC? Did my VI on Friday so slightly concerned now!

next week - if it means anything I was rejected the day after my VI last year which felt strangely brutal lol

 

[Samantha]

Weil spring VS rejection post-VI (completed in the second week of January). I’m feeling too numb to even cry at this point. I’m very much in the “never passed a VI” camp so I’m not surprised. I think what made my performance worse was all the pressure and lack of self-compassion I was putting myself through in January. Also, I think it is very possible to over-prepare for VIs and so if you have one coming up, I would recommend approaching it as a normal interview instead of rehearsing questions in advance. I got a question that was a slight variation of what I had prepared and instead of staying calm and being confident in my ability to say something on the spot, I just regurgitated my rehearsed answer.

I relate to this so much! VIs are awful and lazy for law firms to use. Your not alone.

 

[Soccerox73]

For those waiting for news from Skadden AC - given the background check documents were due today, is it safe to assume it's a rejection if we didn't receive a call today?

 

[Sara648926]

Pre-dinner palate cleanser of a post-test Akin Gump rejection, without mention of test performance.

Haha same here.. they will send you your WG report if you email back btw

 

[Mxkry]

3 cycles, nearing close enough 20 rejections and only gone past app stage once (only because they didn’t use a standard app form). Got to the stage where I am not bothered about pfo’s because it’s almost expected. Hard to stay motivated tbh.

 

[21wajsz]

It’s all the same test - I got 35/40 on the Hogan Lovell WG. I used 25 out of 30 mins.

I suspect that HL prioritises time! I got around 32/40 but finished the test in 13 minutes. My percentile was 76%

 

[Soriginal234]

I suspect that HL prioritises time! I got around 32/40 but finished the test in 13 minutes. My percentile was 76%

Are you sure? On the instructions it did not state that time spent is taken into account..