Allen & Overy app - 2018/19

[JoNo]

Alice - I'd try to keep calm about this. A&O will be conducting a lot of interviews given how large their intakes are. Just because one person has heard back before you means very little, even if you applied before them.

It could literally come down to person A in the GR team has been allocated your application to screen while person B has been allocated Aaron's friend's application. Person A isn't returning from the Xmas break until next week while person B was in the office (when it was nice any quiet) and was able to do their screening earlier.

Totally agree with Jessica, I have also applied to A&O and still waiting to hear back as well! I applied on the 19th Dec

 

[Alice G]

Alice - I'd try to keep calm about this. A&O will be conducting a lot of interviews given how large their intakes are. Just because one person has heard back before you means very little, even if you applied before them.

It could literally come down to person A in the GR team has been allocated your application to screen while person B has been allocated Aaron's friend's application. Person A isn't returning from the Xmas break until next week while person B was in the office (when it was nice any quiet) and was able to do their screening earlier.

That’s a good point, I know it’s quite irrational thinking to assume any correlation between people hearing back etc. I guess I will just hear when I hear thank you @Jessica Booker

 

[JoNo]

Alice - I'd try to keep calm about this. A&O will be conducting a lot of interviews given how large their intakes are. Just because one person has heard back before you means very little, even if you applied before them.

It could literally come down to person A in the GR team has been allocated your application to screen while person B has been allocated Aaron's friend's application. Person A isn't returning from the Xmas break until next week while person B was in the office (when it was nice any quiet) and was able to do their screening earlier.

Out of curiosity, how are applications allocated to each GR member?

 

[Alice G]

Totally agree with Jessica, I have also applied to A&O and still waiting to hear back as well! I applied on the 19th Dec

I applied on 13th so perhaps it is just that we haven’t been reviewed as yet

 

[JoNo]

I applied on 13th so perhaps it is just that we haven’t been reviewed as yet

I think that too. Best of luck Alice

 

[Alice G]

I think that too. Best of luck Alice

The same to you!! Fingers crossed for us happy new year too!

 

[Ar2016]

Are there any motivational questions asked in the interview?

 

[Moe]

Hey!! Well done and happy new year to you! May I ask when you heard and when it was that you submitted? I’m a bit anxious now the holidays are over! Really best of luck and may I also ask for which Intake you applied?

Hi Alice! Thanks

I heard back relatively fast! I applied on the 21st of December (IIRC) and heard back today, the 2nd of January. This is for a Vac Scheme for the summer of 2020.

I’d say not to worry, Alice. They’re clearly upping their game now that the holidays are over and you should hear from them soon Keep that chin up - your efforts will not go for nothing

 

[Moe]

Are there any motivational questions asked in the interview?

Would love to hear about this too, along with my questions about the interview.

Oh Captain, any person who could help us?

 

[Alice G]

Hi Alice! Thanks

I heard back relatively fast! I applied on the 21st of December (IIRC) and heard back today, the 2nd of January. This is for a Vac Scheme for the summer of 2020.

I’d say not to worry, Alice. They’re clearly upping their game now that the holidays are over and you should hear from them soon Keep that chin up - your efforts will not go for nothing

Ahh Okie dokie, thank you for letting me know and wishing you the very best! My app is for a direct tc so perhaps they are handling Vac apps given the timeframe for interviews etc! Fingers crossed for you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Out of curiosity, how are applications allocated to each GR member?

There isn’t one way this is done, even with the same team/same vacancy.

The example I used was just one suggested way in which one person may hear back earlier/later than the next.

 

[JoNo]

There isn’t one way this is done, even with the same team/same vacancy.

The example I used was just one suggested way in which one person may hear back earlier/later than the next.

Thanks Jessica. Your example got me wondering, with screening applications do each GR member in the team follow the SAME criteria. As it could happen that if GR member A screens an application but didn’t like that application and sent out the rejection email to that candidate, however if GR member B would have read that application and they liked it, they would have given that candidate an AC invite. That sometimes isn’t really fair, seems like it’s just luck if you get the right GR member screening the application.

Would love to know your thought on this.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks Jessica. Your example got me wondering, with screening applications do each GR member in the team follow the SAME criteria. As it could happen that if GR member A screens an application but didn’t like that application and sent out the rejection email to that candidate, however if GR member B would have read that application and they liked it, they would have given that candidate an AC invite. That sometimes isn’t really fair, seems like it’s just luck if you get the right GR member screening the application.

Would love to know your thought on this.

yes - they are making against the same criteria.

What your suggesting is very unlikely to happen. It’s not a case of liking an application (or not) - it’s about whether a standard is met.

Yes, there is some level of subjectivity in there (unfortunately there has to be when you are talking about people reviewing content about people) but generally application reviewing standards are purposely kept consistent and tight for various reasons.

About 90% of applications are pretty easy to make a decision on one way or another. If you are not doing the screening on your own (some smaller teams it is just one person doing it), with the 10% remaining, you often get someone else to check your thoughts. I’ve doubled marked thousands of applications through the years, either by training up new people or to double check people’s thinking, and typically it’s a very consistent process even before that check happens.

 

[Ricky]

That’s a good point, I know it’s quite irrational thinking to assume any correlation between people hearing back etc. I guess I will just hear when I hear thank you @Jessica Booker

Take Baker McKenzie, for instance, they invited someone to VI before me even though they completed the WG after me. So don't worry.

 

[Legal_rawn]

Just got my rejection from A&O, bit gutted starting to have the fear of never finding a vac scheme

 

[Alice G]

Just got my rejection from A&O, bit gutted starting to have the fear of never finding a vac scheme

So so sorry to hear this. Don’t forget that it only takes one in the end and that the resilience you are building throughout this process will serve you well in the long run. I know it doesn’t feel that way right now, believe me when I say I’ve been there, but take some time out today and process it and I promise you things will look a bit brighter soon

 

[Moe]

Just got my rejection from A&O, bit gutted starting to have the fear of never finding a vac scheme

There is this great article that I read online once, and it really inspired me ever since. A vacation scheme student, who for 4 years after graduating, kept applying for a Training Contract and almost eventually gave up. On his 4th year, he decided that he would quit law if he gets rejected another time. Luckily, after these years of resilience and determination, he was offered a TC at Hogan Lovells (a great firm, may I add). He had a personal conversation with the partner there, reflecting on his years of applying. When they were sitting together, he told the partner that he had received a ton of rejections previously, and thought at one point that a TC would be impossible for him. The partner smiled, and got a bit shy - he said something that really does formulate the moral of this story - "I received more rejections than you" he said, "but that is why I'm here on this side of the table".

The term in itself, "Rejected", is so harsh and unnecessary. In my view, it is a step closer to success. You're benefitted in so many aways - imagine working at a firm that may not be meant for you? These "rejections" make you familiar with the firms, educates you on your choices, makes you wiser, and tells you on how you can improve (most often, you can request feedback from the firms!) I know things may be tough, and I got rejected from HSF too (stupid WG test), so I've been there, but know that so long as these City firms still give training contracts and vacation schemes, then there will always be a chance for you. It is the determination that is needed to continue in the face of the "rejections", or experiences as I like to call them Keep me posted on how the rest of your apps go, and best of luck!

 

[Alice G]

There is this great article that I read online once, and it really inspired me ever since. A vacation scheme student, who for 4 years after graduating, kept applying for a Training Contract and almost eventually gave up. On his 4th year, he decided that he would quit law if he gets rejected another time. Luckily, after these years of resilience and determination, he was offered a TC at Hogan Lovells (a great firm, may I add). He had a personal conversation with the partner there, reflecting on his years of applying. When they were sitting together, he told the partner that he had received a ton of rejections previously, and thought at one point that a TC would be impossible for him. The partner smiled, and got a bit shy - he said something that really does formulate the moral of this story - "I received more rejections than you" he said, "but that is why I'm here on this side of the table".

The term in itself, "Rejected", is so harsh and unnecessary. In my view, it is a step closer to success. You're benefitted in so many aways - imagine working at a firm that may not be meant for you? These "rejections" make you familiar with the firms, educates you on your choices, makes you wiser, and tells you on how you can improve (most often, you can request feedback from the firms!) I know things may be tough, and I got rejected from HSF too (stupid WG test), so I've been there, but know that so long as these City firms still give training contracts and vacation schemes, then there will always be a chance for you. It is the determination that is needed to continue in the face of the "rejections", or experiences as I like to call them Keep me posted on how the rest of your apps go, and best of luck!

Couldn’t have said this better and you’re so right. An HL partner actually once said to me the best trainees they have are those who have had rejection after rejection, because they appreciate the hard work to have secured the opportunity and they are better at receiving and implementing feedback! It’s all for good reason

 

[Helena]

There is this great article that I read online once, and it really inspired me ever since. A vacation scheme student, who for 4 years after graduating, kept applying for a Training Contract and almost eventually gave up. On his 4th year, he decided that he would quit law if he gets rejected another time. Luckily, after these years of resilience and determination, he was offered a TC at Hogan Lovells (a great firm, may I add). He had a personal conversation with the partner there, reflecting on his years of applying. When they were sitting together, he told the partner that he had received a ton of rejections previously, and thought at one point that a TC would be impossible for him. The partner smiled, and got a bit shy - he said something that really does formulate the moral of this story - "I received more rejections than you" he said, "but that is why I'm here on this side of the table".

The term in itself, "Rejected", is so harsh and unnecessary. In my view, it is a step closer to success. You're benefitted in so many aways - imagine working at a firm that may not be meant for you? These "rejections" make you familiar with the firms, educates you on your choices, makes you wiser, and tells you on how you can improve (most often, you can request feedback from the firms!) I know things may be tough, and I got rejected from HSF too (stupid WG test), so I've been there, but know that so long as these City firms still give training contracts and vacation schemes, then there will always be a chance for you. It is the determination that is needed to continue in the face of the "rejections", or experiences as I like to call them Keep me posted on how the rest of your apps go, and best of luck!

Couldn’t have said this better and you’re so right. An HL partner actually once said to me the best trainees they have are those who have had rejection after rejection, because they appreciate the hard work to have secured the opportunity and they are better at receiving and implementing feedback! It’s all for good reason

This is what I love about TCLA. The sense of camaraderie and the willingness of others to help and provide support when any one of us is feeling so down and dejected. It takes a lot to remain buoyant but without these wonderful posts from truly wonderful people, where would we all be? Thank you to all of you who take the time to listen and give words of wisdom when we need them most.

 

[Daniel Boden]

This is what I love about TCLA. The sense of camaraderie and the willingness of others to help and provide support when any one of us is feeling so down and dejected. It takes a lot to remain buoyant but without these wonderful posts from truly wonderful people, where would we all be? Thank you to all of you who take the time to listen and give words of wisdom when we need them most.

Amen to that!!!