General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Abgaal]

Thank you so much for this!!

Congrats on the AC invite and sorry for the rejections.

Most importantly, focus on the AC preparation and forget about the rejections, Abgaal.

Not just because it is what you have now: Slaughter and May is one of the most prestigious law firms and its invitation is great recognition of your ability. Believe in yourself and concentrate.

Good luck and hope you will have more good news to come.

 

[Alice G]

To all of those receiving FF rejections, I'm sorry to hear it. I wouldn't beat yourself up about it. In my view, applying Direct for a TC is always much harder than going through a VS. I think that task has been made even more difficult with Covid which may affect the number of places on offer. While we can only hypothesize, I can only assume that if a firm was going to adjust numbers, their direct applicants would likely take the hit as they have had the "opportunity" to see the other candidates for 2 weeks during a VS.

The beauty of TCLA though is that you have a future FF Trainee Resident here in @Alice G who is incredibly helpful on the forums. She may be able to offer some assistance. While I await the outcome of my own application post-VS, I'm happy to give your application a "once-over" to cast my views, if they are of any use to you.

Stay strong! The window is open for this season so you can start applying again to all of the firms that interest you!

That’s a really kind and lovely message and I’m absolutely here to support where I can.

I think that many firms are probably still very unsure about the future and what to expect from it and I think it’s fair to hypothesise that recruitment is perhaps being impacted.

Rejection does really hurt but it’s important to take your time to be upset and reflect and build the fire in your belly to start the next cycle and round of apps. Planning really really helped me to feel more empowered and more positive so try to think of a strategy in terms of how you can improve and where you want to apply next year etc

@D I hope you enjoyed the scheme and fingers crossed for you!

 

[S87]

I see, thanks a lot!

Moreover, when you talk about yourself and your achievements you need to incorporate the skills that they are looking for. Research their typical trainee's profile, listen to their podcast. A VS or TC app is a tango and you need to show how the two of you dance well together.

By the way an M&A deal includes a awful lot of practice areas: employment, tax, compliance and so on...

 

[Alice G]

I actually disagree, I am not applying to A&O because they would never hire me, but I had a look at the app. The new law question is actually linked to the firm. It is a commercial awareness question and therefore you have to analyse what’s the firm’s position in regards to that particular topic. For example, recent low interest rate so increase in M&A deals. However, this might by a bluff because of possible second interview wave and we are in recession. Clients may turn their backs to deals and explore other infrastructure opportunities. How is A&O positioned? A&O (from what I remember) is ranked Tier 1 in private m&a deals so In case the m&a magic goes on they are well positioned. Moreover, they are also quite good with restructuring so in cases there are no mergers but closures then they are ready. Plus, many of the corporate nq could be used in the restructuring departments. Finally, clients may also want to spend less. How can A&O help? A&O has tech hub so works alongside many startups who could offer more for less.

I do not know if my analysis is correct maybe ask @Daniel Boden or @Alice G

@XARA
I haven’t seen the questions specifically but I’d try to link to the firm where you can as @S87 suggests. I remember last year I think there was a question about a commercial topic and I linked it back to the firm. The more specific you can be the better so do try to find niche and interesting things to say and to link where possible to stand out

 

[Alice G]

Moreover, when you talk about yourself and your achievements you need to incorporate the skills that they are looking for. Research their typical trainee's profile, listen to their podcast. A VS or TC app is a tango and you need to show how the two of you dance well together.

By the way an M&A deal includes a awful lot of practice areas: employment, tax, compliance and so on...

Love that Tango analogy!!! Very true indeed!!

 

[XARA]

@XARA
I haven’t seen the questions specifically but I’d try to link to the firm where you can as @S87 suggests. I remember last year I think there was a question about a commercial topic and I linked it back to the firm. The more specific you can be the better so do try to find niche and interesting things to say and to link where possible to stand out

thanks so much!!!!!

 

[Law123]

Is this actual work or a simulation?

Hi Jessica, I haven't been told much, although I have been told it won't be marked, I was wondering whether with a general report you would do: To/From/Date or just heading as report and follow with subheadings. Thank you!!

Also, do you have any advice for a case study in an interview, and how to approach it as I do appreciate there are non-law applicants, so they are not looking for technical answers maybe? Is there anywhere I can practice these? Thank you!

 

[Law123]

Are you able to access a template from the firm? I'd ask your supervisor or trainee buddy for their advice on how to structure it. They'll be more than happy to help in my experience

Thank you for your advice! It's very helpful!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica, I haven't been told much, although I have been told it won't be marked, I was wondering whether with a general report you would do: To/From/Date or just heading as report and follow with subheadings. Thank you!!

Also, do you have any advice for a case study in an interview, and how to approach it as I do appreciate there are non-law applicants, so they are not looking for technical answers maybe? Is there anywhere I can practice these? Thank you!

You must know if it is actual work or not though (eg was it given to you by a lawyer or by HR)?

If it is real work, then I can’t advise, you need to speak to your supervisor about this.

Dan’s advice is spot on - you need to ask if there are templates you should work from.

It sounds odd to be given a task and for it not to be assessed/marked if it is a simulation.

Even with law students, they aren't necessarily looking for technical answers in case studies. They are looking for your ability to analyse information and draw conclusions from it.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

General hints and tips on case studies can be found here:

Case study advice

 

[Deleted member 5185]

I was thinking about all of the rejections I have been receiving lately, and noticed that the “we regret to inform you” line stings slightly less each time (lol).

It genuinely makes me happy seeing people succeeding on here though, this process is tough but this forum has made it so much more bearable.

Also, if anyone is waiting to hear back from the GLP post CRT, someone wrote on TSR that we would hear on Thursday or Friday in line with the app timeline.

 

[S87]

I was thinking about all of the rejections I have been receiving lately, and noticed that the “we regret to inform you” line stings slightly less each time (lol).

It genuinely makes me happy seeing people succeeding on here though, this process is tough, but this forum has made it so much more bearable.

Also, if anyone is waiting to hear back from the GLP post CRT, someone wrote on TSR that we would hear on Thursday or Friday in line with the app timeline.

I know how you feel believe me!
I spent the whole afternoon on the bed thinking about my rejections. But there is nothing I can do about them..they are the past! So ask yourself what can I do about the future?
My girlfriend just told me that I can’t give up so easily! My applications have improved so much over the past months..the applications I sent in April are shit (sorry) compared to those I sent in July. This means there is room for improvement. I can do better and I will do better! I know that I can describe my skills differently!!
I could not understand a damn thing about commercial awareness (dyslexia is a beast at times) well this morning I was explaining the asset based lending obtained by superdry.
We can do it..let’s just focus on what we can improve and how!!

Yes we can!!

 

[Joe R]

Rejected from FF as well. Gutted as had attended a presentation evening and the grad workshop, but didn't even get a WG invite

Rejected FF too! A virtual toast to all of us!!

 

[S87]

Rejected from FF as well. Gutted as had attended a presentation evening and the grad workshop, but didn't even get a WG invite

Onwards and upwards mate!!

 

[Deleted member 5185]

I know how you feel believe me!
I spent the whole afternoon on the bed thinking about my rejections. But there is nothing I can do about them..they are the past! So ask yourself what can I do about the future?
My girlfriend just told me that I can’t give up so easily! My applications have improved so much over the past months..the applications I sent in April are shit (sorry) compared to those I sent in July. This means there is room for improvement. I can do better and I will do better! I know that I can describe my skills differently!!
I could not understand a damn thing about commercial awareness (dyslexia is a beast at times) well this morning I was explaining the asset based lending obtained by superdry.
We can do it..let’s just focus on what we can improve and how!!

Yes we can!!

You’ve actually taught me something new so thank you ! I feel like we are all living different versions of the same life here thank you for sharing this.

 

[S87]

You’ve actually taught me something new so thank you ! I feel like we are all living different versions of the same life here thank you for sharing this.

Actually you are a step ahead of me! You got a wg invite..so chin up and move on!

 

[ml]

Hey guys need some advice, I had a short VS interview and panicked during one of the questions, should I add on points in a follow up email or would that draw attention to my answer that was given? Thank you

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hey guys need some advice, I had a short VS interview and panicked during one of the questions, should I add on points in a follow up email or would that draw attention to my answer that was given? Thank you

No don’t do it. They can’t consider it anyway (as a matter of fairness to other candidates).

1) you are assuming you screwed up
2) you are assuming the assessors decided everything on that one question

 

[Selggib16]

I have noticed on the Clifford Chance website that for the 2023 training contract if you are a graduate and not in your penultimate year of study, your application will not be prioritised and you cannot take the Watson Glaser until they confirm if you can apply. This was not the case last year, I wonder if this has been implemented as a response to the current economy? As a new graduate this is a bit disheartening and I am not sure if there is point applying - especially since I interviewed last cycle and was unsuccessful at the case study stage.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I have noticed on the Clifford Chance website that for the 2023 training contract if you are a graduate and not in your penultimate year of study, your application will not be prioritised and you cannot take the Watson Glaser until they confirm if you can apply. This was not the case last year, I wonder if this has been implemented as a response to the current economy? As a new graduate this is a bit disheartening and I am not sure if there is point applying - especially since interviewed last cycle and was unsuccessful at the case study stage.

you might want to read this thread - there is a video from Clifford Chance explaining the reasons for this decision too. It’s not actually a new thing, it’s just that they are being more transparent about it.

https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/clifford-chance-tc.2511/page-2#post-33460