Ask A Graduate Recruiter Anything!

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica!

I will be finishing my law degree in June and starting the LPC in September. Is the MSc in Law, Business and Management offered by the University of Law worth doing? Or is it viewed by recruiters as a worthless Masters as obviously it is just an extra module alongside the LPC?

not worthless - will get you PG finance if you need it.

it is just an extra module - recruiters will see it as such.

 

[SianUphillxo]

not worthless - will get you PG finance if you need it.

it is just an extra module - recruiters will see it as such.

Excluding the PG finance, does it have any other benefits? Will it make me stand out compared to other candidates who just do the LPC?

I'm only asking because a trainee told me the LPC LLM in Legal Practice was a waste of time, but I didn't realise you could do an MSc in something that *sounds* a bit more valuable!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Excluding the PG finance, does it have any other benefits? Will it make me stand out compared to other candidates who just do the LPC?

I'm only asking because a trainee told me the LPC LLM in Legal Practice was a waste of time, but I didn't realise you could do an MSc in something that *sounds* a bit more valuable!

no - it won’t make you stand out in anyway.

everyone knows it is just the LPC with an additional module.

the only other advantage might be if you are an international student. A masters course is a Level 7 qualification while the LPC is only a level 5 (PGdip). Only Level 6 and above will be entitled to the new post-study visa coming in in 2021. The requirement for those visas may also be a minimum of 12 months studying, which the MsC/LLM would cover but the LPC wouldn’t.

Don’t know if the course is also embedding in SQE prep - if so, that might be an advantage

 

[R Cross]

Hi Jessica!

I was just wondering how much weight recruiters put on academic results.

In my first year I got 32 in a module as I stupidly missed an exam that made up half the marks. Thankfully, first year didn’t count towards my degree so I was fortunate enough to still be able to achieve a first from a decent RG university. I was just wondering if this would be a massive red flag when people come to read my application. (The rest of my first year marks were low 2:1s but as a result of that one module I got a low 2:2 overall).

Also, during my GDL I got a low commendation with some fairly awful marks in certain areas (50 in contract and Con and Ad).

I’m currently finding it hard to motivate myself to do applications as I feel that the results above will ensure anything I submit won’t be taken very seriously. Any clarification on this would be much appreciated!

Thanks a lot

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica!

I was just wondering how much weight recruiters put on academic results.

In my first year I got 32 in a module as I stupidly missed an exam that made up half the marks. Thankfully, first year didn’t count towards my degree so I was fortunate enough to still be able to achieve a first from a decent RG university. I was just wondering if this would be a massive red flag when people come to read my application. (The rest of my first year marks were low 2:1s but as a result of that one module I got a low 2:2 overall).

Also, during my GDL I got a low commendation with some fairly awful marks in certain areas (50 in contract and Con and Ad).

I’m currently finding it hard to motivate myself to do applications as I feel that the results above will ensure anything I submit won’t be taken very seriously. Any clarification on this would be much appreciated!

Thanks a lot

unfortunately there isn’t one answer to this - it very much depends on the individual firm. It also depends on the relative strength of the rest of your application.

The 32 will be a worry, especially given the circumstances as to why you got the grade. But if the rest of your form is good, it will just be one strike - most firms can’t afford a one strike and you’re out approach.

The commendation isn’t an issue for most firms. Some that stress exceptional academics might be out of the question.

 

[R Cross]

unfortunately there isn’t one answer to this - it very much depends on the individual firm. It also depends on the relative strength of the rest of your application.

The 32 will be a worry, especially given the circumstances as to why you got the grade. But if the rest of your form is good, it will just be one strike - most firms can’t afford a one strike and you’re out approach.

The commendation isn’t an issue for most firms. Some that stress exceptional academics might be out of the question.

unfortunately there isn’t one answer to this - it very much depends on the individual firm. It also depends on the relative strength of the rest of your application.

The 32 will be a worry, especially given the circumstances as to why you got the grade. But if the rest of your form is good, it will just be one strike - most firms can’t afford a one strike and you’re out approach.
?
The commendation isn’t an issue for most firms. Some that stress exceptional academics might be out of the question.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it's much appreciated! Are individual GDL results not that significant then?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it's much appreciated! Are individual GDL results not that significant then?

to some firms maybe - but if there requirement is just a commendation, I suspect they won’t be overly picky on it.

bur again as mentioned, this is shooting in the dark - will depend on the strength of your application elsewhere. The GDL grades could be strike two to some firms, only leaving you with one strike left.

 

[R Cross]

to some firms maybe - but if there requirement is just a commendation, I suspect they won’t be overly picky on it.

bur again as mentioned, this is shooting in the dark - will depend on the strength of your application elsewhere. The GDL grades could be strike two to some firms, only leaving you with one strike left.

Thanks, that's very helpful

 

[Jessica Booker]

Note to self, I’ve got to get better at typing on these forums

My grammar seems to have gone AWOL.

 

[SH]

Hi Jessica. I am wondering what the differences are between 'why firm' and 'why do you want to train here'? My answers seem to work for both the questions. Thank you!

 

[EEE]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

I do apologise in advance if this has been asked/answered before.

Currently, I am preparing my application for a summer vacation scheme at Hogan Lovells.

The questions are quite extensive and require addressing a variety of elements, which has meant that I haven't had much room to link my answer back to HL or to commercial law. Is this something I should be doing?

To summarise: the first question asks about what made an experience in which you collaborated with people from different cultures/backgrounds so enjoyable; the second asks about a time in which you had to raise your game in order to keep a promise, and how you consequently managed your time; the third asks you to demonstrate an innovative/entrepreneurial spirit; and the final asks you to detail anything that makes you stand out from the crowd. All have a 250 word limit.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica. I am wondering what the differences are between 'why firm' and 'why do you want to train here'? My answers seem to work for both the questions. Thank you!

why the train here is specifically about the learning and development opportunities specifically for 2 years (eg training contract structure, secondment opportunities, supervision methods, skills training).

the why firm could include a much wider range of reasons - culture, working environment, wider opportunities with CSR/pro bono etc

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

I do apologise in advance if this has been asked/answered before.

Currently, I am preparing my application for a summer vacation scheme at Hogan Lovells.

The questions are quite extensive and require addressing a variety of elements, which has meant that I haven't had much room to link my answer back to HL or to commercial law. Is this something I should be doing?

To summarise: the first question asks about what made an experience in which you collaborated with people from different cultures/backgrounds so enjoyable; the second asks about a time in which you had to raise your game in order to keep a promise, and how you consequently managed your time; the third asks you to demonstrate an innovative/entrepreneurial spirit; and the final asks you to detail anything that makes you stand out from the crowd. All have a 250 word limit.

Many thanks in advance.

I don’t think you necessarily need to link it back to commercial law - unfortunately I don’t know enough about HL to say whether they specifically ask for this though.

It could easily be the case they don’t actually care about that information and so don’t ask for it.

 

[Jaysen]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

I do apologise in advance if this has been asked/answered before.

Currently, I am preparing my application for a summer vacation scheme at Hogan Lovells.

The questions are quite extensive and require addressing a variety of elements, which has meant that I haven't had much room to link my answer back to HL or to commercial law. Is this something I should be doing?

To summarise: the first question asks about what made an experience in which you collaborated with people from different cultures/backgrounds so enjoyable; the second asks about a time in which you had to raise your game in order to keep a promise, and how you consequently managed your time; the third asks you to demonstrate an innovative/entrepreneurial spirit; and the final asks you to detail anything that makes you stand out from the crowd. All have a 250 word limit.

Many thanks in advance.

I don't think it's necessary for the three competency questions. As the final question also mentions further information, you could bring in references to commercial law/Hogan Lovells there (e.g. quite a few apps I see discuss their experiences and then tie in why it makes them a good fit for the firm).

 

[EEE]

I don’t think you necessarily need to link it back to commercial law - unfortunately I don’t know enough about HL to say whether they specifically ask for this though.

It could easily be the case they don’t actually care about that information and so don’t ask for it.

Thank you for such a quick response, Jessica. I'll keep that in mind.

I don't think it's necessary for the three competency questions. As the final question also mentions further information, you could bring in references to commercial law/Hogan Lovells there (e.g. quite a few apps I see discuss their experiences and then tie in why it makes them a good fit for the firm).

Hi Jaysen, thank you for your reply! That's what I've done so far - I've been talking about the times I've met with the firm, when I was able to tour their office, stand out conversations with representatives and the event I set up for them. Does that sound about right? Or, should I focus more on my qualities vs what they look for?

All the best

 

[M1999]

Hi Jessica,
Thank you for answering questions! When it comes to cover letters for vac schemes, is it wise or not to use 'buzz words'? A lot of people have said that because they have so many applications they need to skim through them.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica,
Thank you for answering questions! When it comes to cover letters for vac schemes, is it wise or not to use 'buzz words'? A lot of people have said that because they have so many applications they need to skim through them.

Avoid them - Even if they skim read, they will go through the ones they shortlist more thoroughly, and if it just comes across as cliched and glib, although you might get through the first stage, you wouldn’t get through the second.

 

[Abi Simon]

Hi Jessica! When answering long form questions in TC applications about your goals and the process to achieving them. Is there any type of goal/topic that you would consider to be off limits? for example talking about how you set yourself a goal to improve your grades and elaborating on the process and outcomes. Would firms see that as something you should be doing anyway? Or would it be fine?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica! When answering long form questions in TC applications about your goals and the process to achieving them. Is there any type of goal/topic that you would consider to be off limits? for example talking about how you set yourself a goal to improve your grades and elaborating on the process and outcomes. Would firms see that as something you should be doing anyway? Or would it be fine?

I tend to say to avoid grades just because it’s something probably most applicants have done. There are exceptions to that though - if you have had extra ordinary circumstances that made it very challenging, if you were completely self taught, if you learnt something from scratch that you were very good at/natural at, then the answer might be still suitable.

Whatever the example though, you’ve got to sit there and think, could anyone or most people say this. If the answer is yes, it’s probably not a good idea to use it.

 

[EEE]

Hi Jessica,
Thank you for answering questions! When it comes to cover letters for vac schemes, is it wise or not to use 'buzz words'? A lot of people have said that because they have so many applications they need to skim through them.

Hi! What would count as 'buzz words' Thanks