Ask A Graduate Recruiter Anything!

[Jessica Booker]

I agree with you - not the best example to use. I am really struggling though to think about an example for this specific competency question. People sometimes talk about a crazy medical accident that they have had, for example Jacob's example in his fantastic interview article. However, I can't think of something. Can you please suggest any ideas for what can be talked about / what you have heard before? Or perhaps just tips on how to choose the most fitting examples.

It doesn’t have to be anything big and I’d actually say something like Jacob’s example is particularly rare in terms of applications.

It can be anything that was just overly difficult to achieve/complete/get through.

The elements that usually make up such answers are:

- conflicting demands
- conflicting opinions
- dedicating lots of time (particularly if you haven’t got it)
- dedicating lots of energy (particularly if you haven’t got it)
- not having enough resource but getting it done anyway (time/money/man power)
- learning something that doesn’t come naturally
- doing something you don’t enjoy

 

[Dwight]

It doesn’t have to be anything big and I’d actually say something like Jacob’s example is particularly rare in terms of applications.

It can be anything that was just overly difficult to achieve/complete/get through.

The elements that usually make up such answers are:

- conflicting demands
- conflicting opinions
- dedicating lots of time (particularly if you haven’t got it)
- dedicating lots of energy (particularly if you haven’t got it)
- not having enough resource but getting it done anyway (time/money/man power)
- learning something that doesn’t come naturally
- doing something you don’t enjoy

Thanks a lot, @Jessica Booker. Your pointers make it a lot easier to pick out examples from my experiences.

 

[ek125712]

Hi @Jessica Booker is it a fair enough reason to reschedule an AC due to it being my sister’s graduation?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker is it a fair enough reason to reschedule an AC due to it being my sister’s graduation?

Yes, any other commitment that has a fixed date you can’t move and is something you want to attend, it is ok trash for a different date. Be mindful though that the firm might not be able to offer another date though.

 

[aspiring_solicitor]

Hey @Jessica Booker. I saw posts discussing the possibility of deferring a vac scheme offer and would love some advice around this.

I got an offer last year through a first year scheme for a full-time summer internship at Barclays' compliance department, commencing end of June 2022. Because of the exam schedule at my university winter and spring vac schemes also weren't an option. This means that of the firms I really like, there is only one whose vac scheme I can actually attend.

There are two more firms I was planning on applying to this year, but the dates clash with my internship. Is it worth applying and then asking for a deferral in the event of an offer, or is it best to focus on the one application and submit the rest next year?

Hi @Andri2000 I hope you are doing fine. Would it be okay if I PM you, -actually I am applying to Barclays’s discovery programme and I am not sure about how to proceed with it. Can you please help me out with that.

 

[M777]

Hi! I was just wondering - at what point is it usually reasonable to ask a firm for an update on their expected response time post-AC? For context, I did mine just over two weeks ago for a spring VS. They couldn't specify when I'd hear back other than that it'd be as soon as possible, and that I was only the second person they'd interviewed thus far. I think they're interviewing as far as 3rd february, but I'm not sure if that's for the spring or summer scheme.

Is it worth asking for an update/expected response time yet? Or is it better to hang in there until next week? I'm pretty keen on this particular firm and would prioritise them if I were to receive an offer, but I don't want to prejudice my application by asking for an update.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi! I was just wondering - at what point is it usually reasonable to ask a firm for an update on their expected response time post-AC? For context, I did mine just over two weeks ago for a spring VS. They couldn't specify when I'd hear back other than that it'd be as soon as possible, and that I was only the second person they'd interviewed thus far. I think they're interviewing as far as 3rd february, but I'm not sure if that's for the spring or summer scheme.

Is it worth asking for an update/expected response time yet? Or is it better to hang in there until next week? I'm pretty keen on this particular firm and would prioritise them if I were to receive an offer, but I don't want to prejudice my application by asking for an update.

Your application won't be at any risk by asking for an update (as long as you are polite). I would potentially wait until Friday or first thing Monday and just ask if they can give you any timeframes as to when you will hear back.

 

[AP2000]

Hi @Andri2000 I hope you are doing fine. Would it be okay if I PM you, -actually I am applying to Barclays’s discovery programme and I am not sure about how to proceed with it. Can you please help me out with that.

Hey! Sure, please do

 

[Dwight]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

I hope this message finds you well.

Hogan Lovells has two application windows for TC applications - one with a deadline at the end of this month and another opening this June (summer TC recruitment season). The latter is for law students only but the former is for all students. Why have they done this and does it make a difference which one a candidate applies to (assuming they are a law student and so have the option to apply to either window)?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

I hope this message finds you well.

Hogan Lovells has two application windows for TC applications - one with a deadline at the end of this month and another opening this June (summer TC recruitment season). The latter is for law students only but the former is for all students. Why have they done this and does it make a difference which one a candidate applies to (assuming they are a law student and so have the option to apply to either window)?

The latter is if you want to apply once you have summer degree results. The earlier application is if you wont need subsequent academic grades/won’t have any subsequent academic grades that year, or if you need to start a law course (eg PGDL/SQE prep) in the late summer and wouldn’t have time to do that if you applied for the summer cohort.

If you have a choice, then it doesn’t matter which one you apply to really.

 

[Dwight]

The latter is if you want to apply once you have summer degree results. The earlier application is if you wont need subsequent academic grades/won’t have any subsequent academic grades that year, or if you need to start a law course (eg PGDL/SQE prep) in the late summer and wouldn’t have time to do that if you applied for the summer cohort.

If you have a choice, then it doesn’t matter which one you apply to really.

Thank you for clarifying, @Jessica Booker. Good to hear that there is no difference because I am looking to apply in the summer.

 

[lawnoob]

Hi Jessica, in the job requirements it says 'strong command of English and (Second language)". How proficient would you say that this means? Would this be fluent in reading/writing/speaking, or as long as you can communicate and understand most ideas it's alright?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, in the job requirements it says 'strong command of English and (Second language)". How proficient would you say that this means? Would this be fluent in reading/writing/speaking, or as long as you can communicate and understand most ideas it's alright?

I’d say near fluency is needed in two languages - both written and verbal communication. I would consider whether you could read documents or follow what was said in meetings in both languages with ease as a good benchmark as to what they are looking for.

 

[lawnoob]

I've seen a lot on what questions to ask partners after an interview, but what would some good questions be for initial interviews with Recruitment Managers? Also would finding out the pay range/pay type (eg. is it hourly, is there overtime) be bad to ask in the first stage interview?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I've seen a lot on what questions to ask partners after an interview, but what would some good questions be for initial interviews with Recruitment Managers? Also would finding out the pay range/pay type (eg. is it hourly, is there overtime) be bad to ask in the first stage interview?

If for a trainee role, salaries are set and are pretty public, so no need to bring this up.

If this is for paralegal roles or something similar, wait to have these conversations when you are given the offer.

If you are keen to find out what the salary is, then ask this before you apply (and don’t give your name when you do).

 

[danieljonesqb]

Hi @Jessica Booker

I completed my written exercise and video interview for the Dechert Spring Scheme back in the first week of January, and I haven't heard anything from them since.

Do you think I should email them for a follow up, given that its been a month now? The next stage is the the AC so I'm not sure if I should be emailing the GR team

I'd really appreciate your thoughts!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker

I completed my written exercise and video interview for the Dechert Spring Scheme back in the first week of January, and I haven't heard anything from them since.

Do you think I should email them for a follow up, given that its been a month now? The next stage is the the AC so I'm not sure if I should be emailing the GR team

I'd really appreciate your thoughts!

Yes, given it is 4-5 weeks it’s appropriate to follow up. I would call them rather than email.

 

[danieljonesqb]

Yes, given it is 4-5 weeks it’s appropriate to follow up. I would call them rather than email.

Thanks Jessica

Just to clarify both the written exercise & video interview were done via automated virtual platforms - so I haven't really had any face-to-face or over-the-phone interactions with the GR team.

Would it still be suitable to call them (vs emailing) in this case?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks Jessica

Just to clarify both the written exercise & video interview were done via automated virtual platforms - so I haven't really had any face-to-face or over-the-phone interactions with the GR team.

Would it still be suitable to call them (vs emailing) in this case?

Yes, it’s still appropriate to call rather than email given how long it’s been. A call is quicker/more efficient for everyone too

 

[danieljonesqb]

Yes, it’s still appropriate to call rather than email given how long it’s been. A call is quicker/more efficient for everyone too

Thank you Jessica!