General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Velikilawyer123]

In general is the right approach here - it doesn’t have to be specific to law firms. It is just asking you to self reflect and self analysis what keeps your happy/motivated/driven. It isn’t necessary to talk about future of plans but if you think it helps define your answers, then it could work.

Thank you!

 

[CF]

Has anyone got the link for the Vinson & Elkins introduction to our private equity webinar?

Hi Rene, I received my email with the link this afternoon!

 

[James Kitching]

A question for anyone who has applied to Pinsent Masons - Did you use the full 4000 characters for your application answers? I am finding that using more words is making my answers sound waffly but I don't want my answers to be notably short.

There is absolute nothing wrong with succinct, well written answers. If your response answers the question and conveys your points then your answer is fine.

 

[Mo M]

A question for anyone who has applied to Pinsent Masons - Did you use the full 4000 characters for your application answers? I am finding that using more words is making my answers sound waffly but I don't want my answers to be notably short.

I managed to use the full word count, but I did edit it many times to stop it sounding waffly too!

 

[NikkiT]

I managed to use the full word count, but I did edit it many times to stop it sounding waffly too!

Did you use the full word count for work experience too?

 

[R1a01]

They got back to me about passing literally an hour later

How did you find the WG for CC? and did you find out your score from graduate recruitment?

 

[Celestie]

How did you find the WG for CC? and did you find out your score from graduate recruitment?

I found it pretty okay (and I'm saying that also as a disabled applicant) and I'm not going to ask for my score as I would find it stressful to compare myself - and knowing my score isn't going to change whether I'm successful or not.

 

[Deleted member 2707]

International students, when applying for VS/TC, what do you answer for the question: "Do you need a Visa/Work Permit?" I technically don't require a work permit for VS as I am eligible to work full-time during holidays but I would need sponsorship during my TC.

 

[Celestie]

Does anyone have any experience with CMS AC? What it entails, what the case study is about, the interview questions that came up, how you prepared etc? Any help would be greatly appreciated, I really want this!

A friend of mine is a trainee there now and he said BE YOURSELF. He is quite a unique guy and they loved that. Stand out, be yourself and actually enjoy the day

 

[jan28]

Hi guys, I've been pondering about a question I was asked during an interview - 'why wouldn't you be interested in human rights law?' (something along those lines) and I think I was asked this given my background - extensive volunteering experiences in legal/socio-economic justice - but I don't think I gave a very strong answer. How would you guys answer it if you were asked even if you didn't have these experiences?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi guys, I've been pondering about a question I was asked during an interview - 'why wouldn't you be interested in human rights law?' (something along those lines) and I think I was asked this given my background - extensive volunteering experiences in legal/socio-economic justice - but I don't think I gave a very strong answer. How would you guys answer it if you were asked even if you didn't have these experiences?

there isn’t an answer to this question. How one person would answer it would be very different to the next. You just have to show your considerations as to why you personally are not exploring that as a career option.

 

[Velikilawyer123]

@Jessica Booker Jess, one question I'm never really sure how to answer is "How did you hear about our firm? Please tick all that apply."

I genuinely couldn't remember where / how I heard about a specific firm. For me, I just sort of picked up the names of firms through osmosis, what other students were saying, events here and there, etc., yet very few offer the option of just saying "word of mouth / general reputation". Does it even matter what we say here? Are they expecting multiple answers? Because I always just select Chambers Student Guide, since that's what I use the most to research firms.

 

[MZ]

International students, when applying for VS/TC, what do you answer for the question: "Do you need a Visa/Work Permit?" I technically don't require a work permit for VS as I am eligible to work full-time during holidays but I would need sponsorship during my TC.

Let me know if you get an answer to this because I've also wondered how to answer this question. Sometimes they give you a text box to explain your visa situation but most of the time, the options are just yes or no. I don't want to say no in case they think I won't be able to work during the Vacation Scheme and reject me for not being eligible, but I also don't want to mislead them by saying I have permission to work in the UK because I will still need them to sponsor me for my TC.

 

[Andrew M]

@Jessica Booker Jess, one question I'm never really sure how to answer is "How did you hear about our firm? Please tick all that apply."

I genuinely couldn't remember where / how I heard about a specific firm. For me, I just sort of picked up the names of firms through osmosis, what other students were saying, events here and there, etc., yet very few offer the option of just saying "word of mouth / general reputation". Does it even matter what we say here? Are they expecting multiple answers? Because I always just select Chambers Student Guide, since that's what I use the most to research firms.

I just tend to pick a generic one, like I heard on Chambers Student or Reputation. I'm not sure that it matters much to be honest. They probably ask it so that they can gage which are their most effective forms of marketing to students.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Jess, one question I'm never really sure how to answer is "How did you hear about our firm? Please tick all that apply."

I genuinely couldn't remember where / how I heard about a specific firm. For me, I just sort of picked up the names of firms through osmosis, what other students were saying, events here and there, etc., yet very few offer the option of just saying "word of mouth / general reputation". Does it even matter what we say here? Are they expecting multiple answers? Because I always just select Chambers Student Guide, since that's what I use the most to research firms.

It’s not an important question for you, it just is more for the firm to collectively work out the success of their media advertising. Just choose the options that seem most logical to you - it doesn’t really need much thought though as it’s not relevant to your application

 

[Velikilawyer123]

I just tend to pick a generic one, like I heard on Chambers Student or Reputation. I'm not sure that it matters much to be honest. They probably ask it so that they can gage which are their most effective forms of marketing to students.

It’s not an important question for you, it just is more for the firm to collectively work out the success of their media advertising. Just choose the options that seem most logical to you - it doesn’t really need much thought though as it’s not relevant to your application

Makes sense, thanks!

 

[James Kitching]

Hi all,
When discussing a recent commercial issue impacting a particular firm’s clients, does the issue need to directly relate to a client of the firm?

Let me use my example: I wish to discuss growing antitrust concerns within the technology sphere. The firm has represented a company affected by this, but not for a good few years. I don’t know if their current clients will be directly impacted or not.

Does this matter? Will they dismiss my answer as irrelevant?

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Let me know if you get an answer to this because I've also wondered how to answer this question. Sometimes they give you a text box to explain your visa situation but most of the time, the options are just yes or no. I don't want to say no in case they think I won't be able to work during the Vacation Scheme and reject me for not being eligible, but I also don't want to mislead them by saying I have permission to work in the UK because I will still need them to sponsor me for my TC.

@Jessica Booker any advice on this point? The original question was how should international students answer the question of whether we need a visa to work in application forms.

 

[Celestie]

How do I say 'Despite working this job, I achieved top academic results at school' without sounding egotistical? I don't wan to come across as bad but I did get high marks while maintaining a job

 

[Manifesting]

How do I say 'Despite working this job, I achieved top academic results at school' without sounding egotistical? I don't wan to come across as bad but I did get high marks while maintaining a job

I would qualify it with the number of hours you worked there on average per week so GR sees that your accomplishments are really impressive in light of that!