General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Paige M]

I am really curious to see what will happen to those who have already secured VS’ if firms decide to cancel all schemes this year. Will people be made TC offers based on their VS AC performance? Will we have to interview virtually for direct TC spaces? What about firms that don’t offer direct TC’s? So many questions, my anxiety is at its peak today. Anyway just praying that everyone is safe!

 

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virt...p-with-shearman-sterling-tickets-101286243882

Just seen on Instagram that Shearman are offering a virtual training contract application workshop on the 1st April at midday! Think this is a brilliant idea and I am sure there will be some excellent pieces of advice shared Great to see that Shearman are still committed to helping candidates during this time, thank you @Paul - Shearman & Sterling and the rest of the graduate recruitment team for putting this together!

Thanks @Alice G ! I'm hoping to run a few over the next few week...or months!

 

[futuretraineecity]

Has anyone heard back post WG for Freshfields open day?

 

[Alice G]

I am really curious to see what will happen to those who have already secured VS’ if firms decide to cancel all schemes this year. Will people be made TC offers based on their VS AC performance? Will we have to interview virtually for direct TC spaces? What about firms that don’t offer direct TC’s? So many questions, my anxiety is at its peak today. Anyway just praying that everyone is safe!

I understand your anxiety entirely and I would be the same, but firms, like educational institutions, will be trying their hardest to think about how they can make their decisions on this as fair as possible for candidates. I know it doesn’t help your worry and uncertain outcomes are always difficult but I hope it can reassure you even if just slightly

 

[WinnieAnn]

Hi guys, I hope everyone is keeping well during this time.
ust got an email from a firm who have rescheduled their planned open day to a week of live practice area introductions, a commercial awareness session and trainee panel q & a's. Does anyone have any tips for virtual open days?

 

[Alice G]

Hi guys, I hope everyone is keeping well during this time.
ust got an email from a firm who have rescheduled their planned open day to a week of live practice area introductions, a commercial awareness session and trainee panel q & a's. Does anyone have any tips for virtual open days?

I would treat as you would do a normal open day on the whole. Try to research the firm in advance and have some questions in mind you may wish to ask. The key difference I’d say is you might need to be more mindful of looking at your computer camera rather than the screen itself and to remember to be smiley when you’re on camera I would also check your internet connection and all the more technical things ahead of time too I would also advise you to keep a pad and paper beside you to note on rather than doing so on the laptop as you might look disengaged and Typing noises can be distracting in group video calls/conferencing.

those are just my initial thoughts, other people may have other tips for you on how to prep specifically for a virtual open day

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I am really curious to see what will happen to those who have already secured VS’ if firms decide to cancel all schemes this year. Will people be made TC offers based on their VS AC performance? Will we have to interview virtually for direct TC spaces? What about firms that don’t offer direct TC’s? So many questions, my anxiety is at its peak today. Anyway just praying that everyone is safe!

Unlikely - firms typically are setting a very different benchmark with vac scheme candidates than they do trainees.

I would expect more of a fast-track process.

The good thing about legal recruitment is that there is such a massive time lag. Many firms can probably afford to sit and wait for circumstances to return to normal. If they do feel they need to move things online and keep things speedy, then they will move interviews/ACs online.

if firms don’t run internships and have TCs to fill, they will have to do direct TC recruitment.

 

[FutureCity]

Has anyone heard from Baker McKenzie - for those that applied for the TC

Nope, nothing yet. When did you apply?

 

[FutureCity]

Yeah have done WG and VI!

When did you apply?

 

[NMD]

Within the space of one hour I received emails from two law firms that they are putting their trainee recruitment on hold for now.

I fully appreciate that these are strange times that we are living in and that these particular firms were more niche but all the same it is a bit sad for me after having invested my time in applications + also going through the first stage interview in one of them (well, the sliver lining is that they are going to keep my details on their files for when they resume recruitment).

This just adds to my spring VS being cancelled altogether and "further information to follow" so I guess here's that....I think I am going to treat myself to some comfort food + Bridget Jones tonight

Sending my best wishes. That is stressful but it sounds like you’ve done brilliantly this recruitment cycle! I was feeling the same tonight and ordered a hot cookie dough treat for myself lol.

 

[csyn]

has anyone had experience submitting a 'writing sample' for a TC application?

i'm tempted to submit my last piece of coursework done on my undergrad degree, but its been a year since that was written. moreover, the coursework was on data protection law (#tb to the good old days of GDPR and Brexit) and the firm I'm aiming for is really big in international arbitration! any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Deleted member 5185]

Rejection from Browne Jacobson, post online tests. Feel so hopeless right now

 

[Bugsy Malone]

Rejection from Browne Jacobson, post online tests. Feel so hopeless right now

Sorry to hear that Nad, keep going and you'll get that offer! I find online tests really hard so I've started to prioritise applying to firms that don't use them (I've attached the link to a useful page on this, hope it helps https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ch-law-firms-use-an-online-test-2018-19.1087/ ).

 

[Deleted member 5185]

Sorry to hear that Nad, keep going and you'll get that offer! I find online tests really hard so I've started to prioritise applying to firms that don't use them (I've attached the link to a useful page on this, hope it helps https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ch-law-firms-use-an-online-test-2018-19.1087/ ).

Thank you so much Flora

 

[Senai H Tes]

Ahhhhhhhh I think its a rejection based on that. Damnit!

Thanks for letting me know though. Just going to focus on direct TC round now

Hey Camilla, was just wondering what questions were on your VI for Mishcon and was wondering how long they gave you to answer the questions?

 

[Jen E C]

There was a thread listing various commercial terms that may come in useful during a case study, but I'm now unable to locate it. Does anyone know where I can find it?

 

[Jaysen]

There was a thread listing various commercial terms that may come in useful during a case study, but I'm now unable to locate it. Does anyone know where I can find it?

Did you mean this one?

https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/case-study-interviews-good-things-to-know.2026/

 

[Annalise2.0]

Hi all, does anyone have any advice on how to perform well in written exercises in assessment centres. From my previous feedback, I've been told my written structure is good but the content itself lets me down. Any resources out there for helping to practice picking out key points in a case study in a timed condition? Thanks

 

[Jen E C]

Did you mean this one?

https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/case-study-interviews-good-things-to-know.2026/

Amazing, thank you!

 

[Reg]

I think it might be worth applying for direct TC applications given the situation. Since we are all going through everything together, you wont be at a disadvantage!

Maybe if you have time and some energy find some apps you want to submit so you dont wait a whole cycle of not submitting - just my thoughts

Thank you! The process itself teaches you a lot!

Agreed! Back to the drawing board it is...