General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[L.M.P]

Not a peep since I received a holder email in mid-Feb!

same here !

 

[Charles]

sorry to hear that! can I ask when you heard and when you applied?

Nah it's cool. I applied October and heard back in February - 4 months wait; isn't that amazing!

 

[Ricky]

Thanks you said something like that previously. Do you have some sort of intel that we should know of? lol

Yes. The graduate recruiters. For instance, they still had spaces left for the 2021 intake from the last cycle. They then paused 2021 intake applications from the last cycle while the Winter VS was going on as they wanted to fill it from that first. They then filled all the remaining 2021 intake spaces from that and closed that process. They much rather recruit through the VS then through direct applications as do a number of firms now, especially those with smaller intakes.

 

[S87]

has anyone been successful with their Travers app?

 

[Charles]

Yes. The graduate recruiters. For instance, they still had spaces left for the 2021 intake from the last cycle. They then paused 2021 intake applications from the last cycle while the Winter VS was going on as they wanted to fill it from that first. They then filled all the remaining 2021 intake spaces from that and closed that process. They much rather recruit through the VS then through direct applications as do a number of firms now, especially those with smaller intakes.

Thanks

 

[Charles]

has anyone been successful with their Travers app?

Nope not that I know of

 

[S87]

Guys,

I know it is a difficult moment and we are all feeling a bit down.
However, this is also a time where we can learn what we want from our life.

1) do you want to become a solicitor? Yes, then try to create a calendar for your apps. Even if you only answer one question..it is already something.
2) if you are choosing another career, google how to get in, network on Linkedin or do some free courses on Coursera.
3) Relaaax..watch silly youtube videos, do some yoga or exercise (Youtube is full) learn how to bake pizza, read free e-books.
4) If you feel alone or just want to cry..PM me and we can have a chat.
5) take part in 100 abs a day challenge with me..suffer with me plse!!

We got this!!!

 

[Alice G]

Guys,

I know it is a difficult moment and we are all feeling a bit down.
However, this is also a time where we can learn what we want from our life.

1) do you want to become a solicitor? Yes, then try to create a calendar for your apps. Even if you only answer one question..it is already something.
2) if you are choosing another career, google how to get in, network on Linkedin or do some free courses on Coursera.
3) Relaaax..watch silly youtube videos, do some yoga or exercise (Youtube is full) learn how to bake pizza, read free e-books.
4) If you feel alone or just want to cry..PM me and we can have a chat.
5) take part in 100 abs a day challenge with me..suffer with me plse!!

We got this!!!

I love this post! Thank you for putting a huge smile on my face this morning!

 

[M1999]

Everyone needs to stop being so hard on themselves. We’re in a pandemic- it’s scary and uncertain. My family have been very ill with the virus so I have been quarantining now for 3 weeks. It’s okay to be demotivated. You don’t have to do something productive every second of the day, you can have a week off. Yes you should use your spare time accordingly but acting like just because you have all this spare time that you must do work is ridiculous- it’s a pandemic! Please stop being hard on yourself, your health is the most important thing

 

[Alice G]

Guys,

I know it is a difficult moment and we are all feeling a bit down.
However, this is also a time where we can learn what we want from our life.

1) do you want to become a solicitor? Yes, then try to create a calendar for your apps. Even if you only answer one question..it is already something.
2) if you are choosing another career, google how to get in, network on Linkedin or do some free courses on Coursera.
3) Relaaax..watch silly youtube videos, do some yoga or exercise (Youtube is full) learn how to bake pizza, read free e-books.
4) If you feel alone or just want to cry..PM me and we can have a chat.
5) take part in 100 abs a day challenge with me..suffer with me plse!!

We got this!!!

You have completely inspired me and I have created this thread:
https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/inspiration.2275/

I just thought it might be nice (and hopefully positive) for us to share the things we are doing during this time, such as rediscovering an old hobby or even books, films and podcasts you have enjoyed. Like I say in the thread, if you are trying to relax and chill then that too is a great way to spend this time if you need that break! I could definitely do with some inspiration and I am sure we are all doing lots of different things so it would be great to hear what you're all up to

 

[S87]

Everyone needs to stop being so hard on themselves. We’re in a pandemic- it’s scary and uncertain. My family have been very ill with the virus so I have been quarantining now for 3 weeks. It’s okay to be demotivated. You don’t have to do something productive every second of the day, you can have a week off. Yes you should use your spare time accordingly but acting like just because you have all this spare time that you must do work is ridiculous- it’s a pandemic! Please stop being hard on yourself, your health is the most important thing

Exactly...I am going to take Thursday afternoon off. After my work..I am going to cook a lovely dinner and binge watch Netflix!!
I want to watch the new show with Octavia spencer..but suggestions are welcome!!!

 

[Alice G]

Everyone needs to stop being so hard on themselves. We’re in a pandemic- it’s scary and uncertain. My family have been very ill with the virus so I have been quarantining now for 3 weeks. It’s okay to be demotivated. You don’t have to do something productive every second of the day, you can have a week off. Yes you should use your spare time accordingly but acting like just because you have all this spare time that you must do work is ridiculous- it’s a pandemic! Please stop being hard on yourself, your health is the most important thing

I really hope that you and your family are ok. I totally agree with you - many of us probably feel anxious and overwhelmed and it is absolutely ok to give yourself a break during this time

 

[S87]

You have completely inspired me and I have created this thread:
https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/inspiration.2275/

I just thought it might be nice (and hopefully positive) for us to share the things we are doing during this time, such as rediscovering an old hobby or even books, films and podcasts you have enjoyed. Like I say in the thread, if you are trying to relax and chill then that too is a great way to spend this time if you need that break! I could definitely do with some inspiration and I am sure we are all doing lots of different things so it would be great to hear what you're all up to

Perfect, I can upload some inspiring playlists or youtube videos for yoga or exercise classes.

 

[Alice G]

Perfect, I can upload some inspiring playlists or youtube videos for yoga or exercise classes.

absolutely - please do! Thank you for inspiring the thread idea

 

[my_man_123]

Surprisingly, I have actually heard back from a Law Firm.

CMS Solicitor Apprenticeship - I have been notified I have made it through the video interview and online testing phases and I am now onto the assessment day. However, due to COVID-19: "This will involve a case study immediately followed by a competency-based interview by video.

This interview will measure your interpersonal skills, commercial awareness, your potential, career focus and motivation for the CMS programme that you have applied for."

Interesting, any tips?

 

[Andre]

Telephone interview for Dentons for Direct TC

 

[Miki3999]

Telephone interview for Dentons for Direct TC

Well done! I haven't heard back post WG yet, hopefully it will be fine

 

[Sammy Watkins]

Anyone have a list of a few good questions to ask grad rec at the end of an interview? I was going to ask about secondment opportunities and firm's next strategy but I assume they won't be pleased and would expect us to already know about secondments which is on their website.

 

[Daniel Boden]

Anyone have a list of a few good questions to ask grad rec at the end of an interview? I was going to ask about secondment opportunities and firm's next strategy but I assume they won't be pleased and would expect us to already know about secondments which is on their website.

A good one I like to ask recruiters if the firm has done a number of lateral hires over recent years is 'how do you ensure that the firm's culture is maintained and not perhaps diluted with new lawyers coming into the firm?' or words to that effect.

To gradrec particularly, asking them about what feedback opportunities are available for a trainee and what qualities they believe make a good trainee could be good to know.

 

[Alice G]

Anyone have a list of a few good questions to ask grad rec at the end of an interview? I was going to ask about secondment opportunities and firm's next strategy but I assume they won't be pleased and would expect us to already know about secondments which is on their website.

it's always good to try to pay as much attention as possible when the people interviewing you introduce themselves (easier said than done when nervous so try to consciously do so) and try to ask them genuine questions you wish to know about their practice areas or their careers. Maybe they moved laterally and, if so, do not ask them about why they left their other firm (would definitely avoid this!) but you could ask them what attracted them to the firm you are interviewing at and what has made them stay. This can often segway into other interesting questions about the firm which you can organically ask on the spot. I also think you can show commercial awareness with this. I had a funds lawyer in one interview and just that morning the news reported a development in the Neil Woodford case and I was able to ask a bit about that. If you are choosing to take the commercial awareness route, ensure you have actually got a decent idea of the news story or subject and don't ask overly complex stuff. It can be easy to fall into a trap of using complex language and ideas and your interviewer not then understanding what you are asking. You could also get caught up in a relatively complex discussion which you might feel out of your depth in. If you feel like you can do this and do it well, then absolutely do have the confidence to