2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Celestie]

HONESTLY ! sorry but 3D PRINTING?? (Deadline was today so I think it’s ok for me to share this info)

I literally said "granted, I am not an expert in this field..." In it cause I have no idea. Made me laugh - all an experience I guess

 

[jan28]

I literally said "granted, I am not an expert in this field..." In it cause I have no idea. Made me laugh - all an experience I guess

at least you said that! I just stared and smiled for a bit looking like a creep I myself would not wanna go near

 

[Jooooopp7]

Currently working on an app and one of the questions is 'How do you like to work in a team? Please give evidence of this'
I'm slightly confused at what is this question is asking and how I should approach it - I think the 'how' part is throwing me a bit ahah
@Jessica Booker perhaps you would be able to advise me a bit on this? Thank you!

 

[Jacob Miller]

Currently working on an app and one of the questions is 'How do you like to work in a team? Please give evidence of this'
I'm slightly confused at what is this question is asking and how I should approach it - I think the 'how' part is throwing me a bit ahah
@Jessica Booker perhaps you would be able to advise me a bit on this? Thank you!

I would say this is the opportunity to break down how you interact with other team members: for example, do you always assume a leadership role? Do you always prefer to work under instruction? Do you switch between both depending on the circumstances? You obviously then want to use an example or two to evidence this. Even though this obviously isn't a negotiation thing, I discuss team dynamics and team roles in my 'assessed negotiations' article quite extensively so you may get some ideas from scanning over that section: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ssed-negotiations-monday-article-series.3018/

 

[Naomi U]

Currently working on an app and one of the questions is 'How do you like to work in a team? Please give evidence of this'
I'm slightly confused at what is this question is asking and how I should approach it - I think the 'how' part is throwing me a bit ahah
@Jessica Booker perhaps you would be able to advise me a bit on this? Thank you!

Hiya

Completely agree with Jacob here. I would also interpret the question to as asking what role do I like to play within a team. So you can probably list a few examples here that cover desirable traits such as leadership and management, as well as being a team player through examples of empathy, good listening skills etc

 

[Jooooopp7]

Hiya

Completely agree with Jacob here. I would also interpret the question to as asking what role do I like to play within a team. So you can probably list a few examples here that cover desirable traits such as leadership and management, as well as being a team player through examples of empathy, good listening skills etc

I would say this is the opportunity to break down how you interact with other team members: for example, do you always assume a leadership role? Do you always prefer to work under instruction? Do you switch between both depending on the circumstances? You obviously then want to use an example or two to evidence this. Even though this obviously isn't a negotiation thing, I discuss team dynamics and team roles in my 'assessed negotiations' article quite extensively so you may get some ideas from scanning over that section: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ssed-negotiations-monday-article-series.3018/

Ahh perfect thank you both! thats helped a lot

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Currently working on an app and one of the questions is 'How do you like to work in a team? Please give evidence of this'
I'm slightly confused at what is this question is asking and how I should approach it - I think the 'how' part is throwing me a bit ahah
@Jessica Booker perhaps you would be able to advise me a bit on this? Thank you!

This is more about how you feel when working in teams rather than focusing on what you did within them.

 

[Jony]

Just received a Freshfields vacation scheme AC.

I know this is going to sound very entitled. But I'm not gonna lie, I already have a TC from another MC firm. I'm feeling very down about getting a MC interview while getting rejected left and right by US firms (5 rejections this week alone).

Do what you gotta do mate! Don't feel ashamed.

You're incredibly talented to get this far already and if you really wanted a US firm experience you could always take a risk and take another cycle.

Alternatively, you can always be headhunted if you put your head down and switch to a US firm post-qualification

 

[Jony]

Is anyone else on the Skadden Spring scheme? Drop me a dm, would love to make a friend

 

[Nathan Hayes]

Just received a Freshfields vacation scheme AC.

I know this is going to sound very entitled. But I'm not gonna lie, I already have a TC from another MC firm. I'm feeling very down about getting a MC interview while getting rejected left and right by US firms (5 rejections this week alone).

I understand we all set our own standards of failure and success etc but I feel like this is a slightly tone deaf thing to say during one of the most difficult job markets in recent history. Like you’re in a very enviable position and I congratulate you for being so successful but you seem to have an attitude that suggests what you’ve done still isn’t enough which you seem to recognise by admitting it sounds very entitled. I would just say to be proud of what you have achieved.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Just received a Freshfields vacation scheme AC.

I know this is going to sound very entitled. But I'm not gonna lie, I already have a TC from another MC firm. I'm feeling very down/frustrated about getting a MC interview while getting rejected left and right by US firms (5 rejections this week alone).

Beyond the money, what is it about US firms that you think as a group are ideal for you instead of MC firms?

 

[LS12]

I understand we all set our own standards of failure and success etc but I feel like this is a slightly tone deaf thing to say during one of the most difficult job markets in recent history. Like you’re in a very enviable position and I congratulate you for being so successful but you seem to have an attitude that suggests what you’ve done still isn’t enough which you seem to recognise by admitting it sounds very entitled. I would just say to be proud of what you have achieved.

I don’t necessarily agree with this. Yes the user is in an enviable position but they acknowledge that. Just bc you have an offer doesn’t mean they can’t continue to use this platform as a sense of community.

I do believe that gaining a Tc at all is a massive achievement. But I can understand how the rejections may still bother you. I’ve not got much advice I’ll be honest, but I would say try and focus on your achievements. Securing a Tc from a magic circle firm is an amazing start to your career and will open a load of doors for you.

 

[E.A]

Just received a Freshfields vacation scheme AC.

I know this is going to sound very entitled. But I'm not gonna lie, I already have a TC from another MC firm. I'm feeling very down/frustrated about getting a MC interview while getting rejected left and right by US firms (5 rejections this week alone).

I always thought I wouldn't care as long as I got that one TC offer, but perhaps if I was in your shoes I would too. All I can say is, well done!

 

[Nathan Hayes]

I don’t necessarily agree with this. Yes the user is in an enviable position but they acknowledge that. Just bc you have an offer doesn’t mean they can’t continue to use this platform as a sense of community.

I do believe that gaining a Tc at all is a massive achievement. But I can understand how the rejections may still bother you. I’ve not got much advice I’ll be honest, but I would say try and focus on your achievements. Securing a Tc from a magic circle firm is an amazing start to your career and will open a load of doors for you.

I’m not saying they can’t or shouldn’t use this forum as a sense of community but many posts including the one mentioned do come across quite poorly in my opinion because they fail to recognise their own success and continue to put themselves down when they’re in a much better position to many other people.
I recognise they really wanted an opportunity at a US firm and being rejected from a dream firm can be very demoralising but when you already have a training contract in the magic circle and you’re complaining there is a danger of coming across as ungrateful which I think is what I disliked about the original post.

But I want to stress again, congratulations and I hope you are proud of your achievement.

 

[Jony]

I understand we all set our own standards of failure and success etc but I feel like this is a slightly tone deaf thing to say during one of the most difficult job markets in recent history. Like you’re in a very enviable position and I congratulate you for being so successful but you seem to have an attitude that suggests what you’ve done still isn’t enough which you seem to recognise by admitting it sounds very entitled. I would just say to be proud of what you have achieved.

I think one of the best parts of the TCLA community is that everyone meets here with their own definition of success. We meet here all trying to encourage each other as we pursue that personal success we’re aiming to shoot for.

Even if someone gets a TC, that might not be what, to them, is what they want in life! It would be different if someone said “I want 3 TCs to feel contented.” But if someone wants the US experience over a UK one, I’d say that’s just being real to what’s successful for them (and therefore perfectly legitimate! I know a friend who got offered 7 vac schemes but turned away from commercial law to go into academia. He ‘made it’, but didn’t want it.) What’s helpful as a community is I reckon asking them questions to help them figure out their way.

We’re all allowed to disagree, and I see your point, but I’d put forward that this friend has a definition of success in a personality and person you and I can’t see beyond his username

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I think one of the best parts of the TCLA community is that everyone meets here with their own definition of success. We meet here all trying to encourage each other as we pursue that personal success we’re aiming to shoot for.

Even if someone gets a TC, that might not be what, to them, is what they want in life! It would be different if someone said “I want 3 TCs to feel contented.” But if someone wants the US experience over a UK one, I’d say that’s just being real to what’s successful for them!

We’re all allowed to disagree, and I see your point, but I’d put forward that this friend has a definition of success in a personality and person you and I can’t see beyond his username

Great post - completely agree with this.

The individual caveated their post with a comment to say they knew it may not be appreciated by others but was putting themselves out there because they needed advice and guidance. Everyone is entitled to that advice no matter how much success they have/don't have.

 

[Celestie]

Damn I wish I was in that position

 

[Lily721]

White & Case AC Invite for Spring scheme. Could someone who’s completed it please confirm whether the case study is before or after the interview? Also any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks

Congrats! Do you mind sharing when you completed your VI?

 

[Numerius Negidius]

I completely see how my post would have been tone-deaf and apologise for any harm caused.

Beyond the money, what is it about US firms that you think as a group are ideal for you instead of MC firms?

I have some personal circumstances I'd rather not disclose that make me want to move to the US in the future. Of course it's not going to be easy to make this move no matter what firm I end up at, but I feel that the path is a lot clearer at a US firm

 

[JayC]

Damn I wish I was in that position
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Yeah here I was wondering why only the US firms are seeming to like me so far, was feeling sad about all my UK firm rejections but even without a TC anywhere yet I really can't complain about anything!