Heya,
My name is Jasmine, I am a law graduate currently working as a Commercial Contracts Coordinator for a medical company.
I will now be entering into my either 5th application cycle. (😔😥)
I spent the last couple of weeks reflecting on my biggest problems and pitfalls which can be categorised in the following:
1) Applied to only a handful of firms. This process is very competitive so only 5/6 applications to only MC/US firms is not going to cut it (at least for me).
2) Generic applications, I only realised this recently (much to my sadness). I realised the amount of research/depth required to really stand out.
3) Poor performance in WG. I seem to pass the Linklaters online tests but never passed CC one for some reason. Poor performance in SJT. Can someone please help me understand the A&O Shearman test, I keep failing it😓
4) Following my AC with Linklaters early this year the feedback was that my motivations to apply for this specific firm was not strong. This ties with point 1, even in interviews having a clear answer to why this firm is KEY. (I will work on it).
5) Poor performance in written assessments/case study interviews. I would be lying if I said ACs do not terrifying me to my very core. Anything remotely uncomfortable and I shut down like a light. Fear leads to procrastination, procrastination leads to anxiety, the vicious cycle I was and probably still I am in. (I will work on this)
These five points are my weaknesses and probably contributed significantly to my lack of success.However, I am grateful to have a secured the Get Ahead scheme last year, it provided me with so much knowledge especially for commercial awareness. Although I have failed my very first AC with Linklaters, I am hopeful that I have the potential to succeed, I just need to really work on it.
Juggling a full time job along with applications is hard. I know for a fact I am much more fresher and motivated early in the morning current schedule:
5-9 AM drafting applications/commercial awareness (FT news briefing etc..)
This upcoming cycle I am aiming to push myself like I have never done before. To mentally psych myself I am currently reading a book called Psycho Cybernatics.
This book introduces the idea that every human being possesses an internal goal-seeking system called the Automatic Success Mechanism, or ASM.
The ASM is rooted in the subconscious mind, and it functions best when given a clear and emotionally charged goal to pursue (for example secure a VS or TC.) Essentially this book discuss the power of taking small actionable steps towards your goals, failures are not sign that you are not enough or any negative thoughts, failure is feedback. It helps to learn and do better next time. This is exactly the approach I will take for this upcoming cycle.
Alright this is very looooong!!!😅
I would love to hear from anyone who is currently preparing for this upcoming cycle. Wishing you the best of luck for everyone, we got this!
All the best
J
My name is Jasmine, I am a law graduate currently working as a Commercial Contracts Coordinator for a medical company.
I will now be entering into my either 5th application cycle. (😔😥)
I spent the last couple of weeks reflecting on my biggest problems and pitfalls which can be categorised in the following:
1) Applied to only a handful of firms. This process is very competitive so only 5/6 applications to only MC/US firms is not going to cut it (at least for me).
2) Generic applications, I only realised this recently (much to my sadness). I realised the amount of research/depth required to really stand out.
3) Poor performance in WG. I seem to pass the Linklaters online tests but never passed CC one for some reason. Poor performance in SJT. Can someone please help me understand the A&O Shearman test, I keep failing it😓
4) Following my AC with Linklaters early this year the feedback was that my motivations to apply for this specific firm was not strong. This ties with point 1, even in interviews having a clear answer to why this firm is KEY. (I will work on it).
5) Poor performance in written assessments/case study interviews. I would be lying if I said ACs do not terrifying me to my very core. Anything remotely uncomfortable and I shut down like a light. Fear leads to procrastination, procrastination leads to anxiety, the vicious cycle I was and probably still I am in. (I will work on this)
These five points are my weaknesses and probably contributed significantly to my lack of success.However, I am grateful to have a secured the Get Ahead scheme last year, it provided me with so much knowledge especially for commercial awareness. Although I have failed my very first AC with Linklaters, I am hopeful that I have the potential to succeed, I just need to really work on it.
Juggling a full time job along with applications is hard. I know for a fact I am much more fresher and motivated early in the morning current schedule:
5-9 AM drafting applications/commercial awareness (FT news briefing etc..)
This upcoming cycle I am aiming to push myself like I have never done before. To mentally psych myself I am currently reading a book called Psycho Cybernatics.
This book introduces the idea that every human being possesses an internal goal-seeking system called the Automatic Success Mechanism, or ASM.
The ASM is rooted in the subconscious mind, and it functions best when given a clear and emotionally charged goal to pursue (for example secure a VS or TC.) Essentially this book discuss the power of taking small actionable steps towards your goals, failures are not sign that you are not enough or any negative thoughts, failure is feedback. It helps to learn and do better next time. This is exactly the approach I will take for this upcoming cycle.
Alright this is very looooong!!!😅
I would love to hear from anyone who is currently preparing for this upcoming cycle. Wishing you the best of luck for everyone, we got this!
All the best
J
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