General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[D]

In my interview feedback, I was told that I didn't know enough about the firm (totally fair criticism as I felt that's where I had gone wrong), I was wondering how people would go about researching a firm e.g departments and what they do? This was my first application cycle and I'm non-law so my preparation for my applications was based on who had a deadline and not in-depth firm research so I would find any advice useful for the next cycle!

A very brief bit of advice. I would base your research on the following areas (this is very, very brief):

Work - What work do they do? Who are there clients? Where are they focused? How is this different from their competitors?
Business Model - How do they run their business? Where is their HQ? What is the role of their UK office?
Training - What is their training model? What does it entail? Are there key differences to their competitors?
People - Have you met anyone from the firm? What did they tell you? How did you process that?

Best of luck!

 

[Andre]

Do a masters they said. It would be fun.

 

[dosblancos7]

E-mailed Freshfields few days ago - they said they are still in the process of screening and giving WGT's out. FF Will reply to every candidate by the end of August. Hopefully this is reassuring for people!

 

[SRW]

I just got an invite for first round interview at Withers for a TC- has anyone had any previous experience? Not sure what to expect!

 

[CCH]

Just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone on here that has commented or messaged me, this is going to sound very cheesy but all of the support on here really gives me the strength to carry on. I genuinely hope and pray that by the end of this cycle, every single person on this forum has found their success, which is inevitable because of the determination and intellect on this thread.

Also I may not pass the WG, but I did save my app answers in a general template form if anyone is interested in having a look for future reference?

I am interested! Thank you very much!

 

[futuretraineecity]

Just got an AC invite for Bakers!!! People should hopefully start hearing back if anyone has any tips for virtual ACs I’d be very grateful!!! It consists of a document checking exercise, group exercise, associate interview (competency) and a case study interview with two partners!

 

[champ591]

Just got an invite to Baker's AC. For those who're wondering, I completed the VI on 19th July. If you log on to the portal and click on the video interview tab, you'll be able to see the status - mine said reviewed on 4 August. Good luck to everyone who's waiting. Also would greatly appreciate any tips

 

[O]

Just got an AC invite for Baker McKenzie. Does anyone have any tips? Would really appreciate it.

 

[Anthony Abloh]

3 back to back AC invites for Baker?! We love to see it!!

 

[2019grad31]

Hi everyone-

Does anyone have any experience of asking for more time to consider a TC offer?

I’ve received an offer and been given only a week to accept. However, I have an AC for a TC at another firm a week today, which I would rather take if offered. Really not sure what to do! Thanks

 

[Anthony Abloh]

Hi everyone-

Does anyone have any experience of asking for more time to consider a TC offer?

I’ve received an offer and been given only a week to accept. However, I have an AC for a TC at another firm a week today, which I would rather take if offered. Really not sure what to do! Thanks

Candidates are usually given 4 weeks to accept their offers so this is strange. Perhaps the firm needs answers quicker than usual given the current climate. I spoke to Macfarlanes a little while back who said they are happy to give applicants who have other pending interviews more time if necessary, and that candidates just need to make the firm aware. So I would just email and explain that you have another interview and you want to have all your offers on the table before making a decision, and politely ask for some additional time. More importantly...congrats!!!!

 

[tractor12]

Well done everyone!

 

[Jaysen]

Well done you guys!

 

[Dheepa]

Just got an AC invite for Bakers!!! People should hopefully start hearing back if anyone has any tips for virtual ACs I’d be very grateful!!! It consists of a document checking exercise, group exercise, associate interview (competency) and a case study interview with two partners!

Just got an invite to Baker's AC. For those who're wondering, I completed the VI on 19th June. If you log on to the portal and click on the video interview tab, you'll be able to see the status - mine said reviewed on 4 August. Good luck to everyone who's waiting. Also would greatly appreciate any tips

Just got an AC invite for Baker McKenzie. Does anyone have any tips? Would really appreciate it.

Hi guys! Huge congrats! I think my experience with the Bakers VS AC is up on the interview guides part of the forum but if you need any more advice etc please feel free to PM me - I got offered a TC post vac so I'd be happy to help.

 

[futuretraineecity]

Hi guys! Huge congrats! I think my experience with the Bakers VS AC is up on the interview guides part of the forum but if you need any more advice etc please feel free to PM me - I got offered a TC post vac so I'd be happy to help.

Amazing, thank you so so much!!

 

[D95]

So, it looks like I might really start saving for the SQE.

This week I received two rejections following final interviews. "You are an excellent candidate... You performed very well in interviews and tasks... Your performance in exercise X was outstanding... We really enjoyed talking to you... You have an impressive record... You would fit very well in our firm... You are going to make an excellent solicitor... but, we are sorry to inform you that after long consideration, we made offers to other candidates."

Any feedback, any areas of improvement? Not really, "you are an excellent candidate".

It's "only" my second cycle, but I am two years out of uni and I feel that today I have reached my all time low point. I am so fed up with this entire process that I have actually started questioning whether a career in law is for me and that maybe I should just move to Scotland and work on some sheep farm (I like sheep and at least there is very little chance that they would bleat at me: "You are an excellent candidate, but I don't think you are worthy of trimming my fur").

Just as I actually managed to build my confidence up during this cycle following a painful rejection last year (which, however, came with a very valuable feedback), I can see it shattering into million pieces in front of my eyes. Again.

I am genuinely happy for everyone who has heard good news recently and I am rooting for everyone who is going through the ACs / interviews right now - sorry for creeping in with such a depressing post but while I still can't break the glass ceiling, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and I know that many of you will finish this cycle with TC offers

 

[2019grad31]

Candidates are usually given 4 weeks to accept their offers so this is strange. Perhaps the firm needs answers quicker than usual given the current climate. I spoke to Macfarlanes a little while back who said they are happy to give applicants who have other pending interviews more time if necessary, and that candidates just need to make the firm aware. So I would just email and explain that you have another interview and you want to have all your offers on the table before making a decision, and politely ask for some additional time. More importantly...congrats!!!!

Thank you!!! Yes I found it strange too. I know the SRA voluntary code recommends firms give four weeks but someone had warned me they were only given a week to accept with another firm last year. Thanks for the advice, I think that’s all I can do just be v honest, don’t ask don’t get I suppose!

 

[acceleratedlaw]

So, it looks like I might really start saving for the SQE.

This week I received two rejections following final interviews. "You are an excellent candidate... You performed very well in interviews and tasks... Your performance in exercise X was outstanding... We really enjoyed talking to you... You have an impressive record... You would fit very well in our firm... You are going to make an excellent solicitor... but, we are sorry to inform you that after long consideration, we made offers to other candidates."

Any feedback, any areas of improvement? Not really, "you are an excellent candidate".

It's "only" my second cycle, but I am two years out of uni and I feel that today I have reached my all time low point. I am so fed up with this entire process that I have actually started questioning whether a career in law is for me and that maybe I should just move to Scotland and work on some sheep farm (I like sheep and at least there is very little chance that they would bleat at me: "You are an excellent candidate, but I don't think you are worthy of trimming my fur").

Just as I actually managed to build my confidence up during this cycle following a painful rejection last year (which, however, came with a very valuable feedback), I can see it shattering into million pieces in front of my eyes. Again.

I am genuinely happy for everyone who has heard good news recently and I am rooting for everyone who is going through the ACs / interviews right now - sorry for creeping in with such a depressing post but while I still can't break the glass ceiling, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and I know that many of you will finish this cycle with TC offers

Hey I’m so so sorry about that. I don’t think there’s much anyone can say except I totally understand. I have realized that sometimes you can do everything just right and still, luck does not fall on your side. Please take care of yourself and I really pray something works out for you in the most unexpected but bestest (not a word I know) way possible. Reach out if u want to rant or anything, I have had a tough summer too so I totally understand

 

[LegalNim]

So, it looks like I might really start saving for the SQE.

This week I received two rejections following final interviews. "You are an excellent candidate... You performed very well in interviews and tasks... Your performance in exercise X was outstanding... We really enjoyed talking to you... You have an impressive record... You would fit very well in our firm... You are going to make an excellent solicitor... but, we are sorry to inform you that after long consideration, we made offers to other candidates."

Any feedback, any areas of improvement? Not really, "you are an excellent candidate".

It's "only" my second cycle, but I am two years out of uni and I feel that today I have reached my all time low point. I am so fed up with this entire process that I have actually started questioning whether a career in law is for me and that maybe I should just move to Scotland and work on some sheep farm (I like sheep and at least there is very little chance that they would bleat at me: "You are an excellent candidate, but I don't think you are worthy of trimming my fur").

Just as I actually managed to build my confidence up during this cycle following a painful rejection last year (which, however, came with a very valuable feedback), I can see it shattering into million pieces in front of my eyes. Again.

I am genuinely happy for everyone who has heard good news recently and I am rooting for everyone who is going through the ACs / interviews right now - sorry for creeping in with such a depressing post but while I still can't break the glass ceiling, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and I know that many of you will finish this cycle with TC offers

I'm sorry - this is so hard to read. I hope you're ok. I received a vacation scheme rejection and when I requested feedback they only gave positive feedback, when I pushed a bit harder they said that there really was nothing more I could have done. The hardest part is that it makes you feel paranoid, thinking maybe you're being discriminated against if you're a woman or LGBT+ or BAME or maybe it's that you're not a woman or LGBT+ or BAME so would look bad for statistics. Maybe it's because you're short so they didn't think you were competent, maybe it's because you have an accent, maybe it's because of that one module where you got a 2:2. Maybe it's because you went to the bathroom during the networking lunch so didn't meet as many people or that no one picked you to ask a question during the introduction talk so you didn't get noticed. You can honestly lose your mind trying to figure it out - trust me, I have.
Just focus on the future. If you can't learn anything from your feedback then guesswork won't help you. Third time lucky - good luck and stick at it.

 

[Law_Grad1]

So, it looks like I might really start saving for the SQE.

This week I received two rejections following final interviews. "You are an excellent candidate... You performed very well in interviews and tasks... Your performance in exercise X was outstanding... We really enjoyed talking to you... You have an impressive record... You would fit very well in our firm... You are going to make an excellent solicitor... but, we are sorry to inform you that after long consideration, we made offers to other candidates."

Any feedback, any areas of improvement? Not really, "you are an excellent candidate".

It's "only" my second cycle, but I am two years out of uni and I feel that today I have reached my all time low point. I am so fed up with this entire process that I have actually started questioning whether a career in law is for me and that maybe I should just move to Scotland and work on some sheep farm (I like sheep and at least there is very little chance that they would bleat at me: "You are an excellent candidate, but I don't think you are worthy of trimming my fur").

Just as I actually managed to build my confidence up during this cycle following a painful rejection last year (which, however, came with a very valuable feedback), I can see it shattering into million pieces in front of my eyes. Again.

I am genuinely happy for everyone who has heard good news recently and I am rooting for everyone who is going through the ACs / interviews right now - sorry for creeping in with such a depressing post but while I still can't break the glass ceiling, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and I know that many of you will finish this cycle with TC offers

I'm so sorry to hear this. I am in the same position as you - two years a graduate, didn't even get feedback from my VS at a US law firm last year (despite all my supervisors and everyone I worked with giving me great feedback and really feeling like I'd crushed it), just 'we've decided to go another way'. I tried contacting grad rec but received no response. I know it sounds empty now, but if you are getting this far consistently you are clearly a great candidate. There is a place for us out at a great firm for us with our names on it, so long as we don't give up.

It's hard to face rejection after rejection, especially when you are not even given a chance to improve. However, I believe this will make you an even stronger candidate in the long run. Dedication is a part of the game, now, on qualification and every day thereafter. Again, you wouldn't be getting this far if you didn't have the potential and it seems like you have the attitudes to back up that potential.

Take some time for yourself this weekend. Enjoy the sunshine (and/or the sheep) and refresh next week. You will do it, I am sure!

If you ever want to just talk about the process / stress, one graduate to another, shoot me a PM.