General Discussion Thread 2020-21

Status
Not open for further replies.
Remember if you want to tag people in posts, do so using the @ and then typing their name. A little pop up box will come up and then you can just click on that.

Without that tag, I might miss posts that people are asking me to comment on.
 
  • ✅
Reactions: Adam Gilchrist
I don't know you or your situation so not sure whether this will be accurate or helpful.
When I did an assessment centre earlier this year, there was a guy that I would probably describe as "intense" in my group exercise. He was very controlling and dominant and I don't think it came across well. We were supposed to be doing a negotiations exercise but he just refused to give the other side anything (even things our client didn't care about), then when we go to the things our client cared about the other side were reluctant to compromise because they'd already compromised on the stuff we weren't supposed to care about. He didn't convince any of us that it was a good strategy, just insisted to the point where we gave in because we were wasting our entire prep time arguing with him. In this situation, the feedback could be "intense", "overbearing", "controlling", "unwilling to listen to feedback", "unwilling to compromise", "puts own ego before client needs" etc.
My mentor at a different firm told me that when they're interviewing/networking, they use a "long plane journey" test. Basically, could they cope with a long plane journey with this person and not go insane. We all know that the worst person to sit next to on a plane is someone who just does not shut up the entire time and goes on and on and on and on for twelve hours talking about absolutely every single little thing that pops into their head. Perhaps, (probably from nerves or a genuine passion for the firm), you were just talking a bit too much about everything? In this situation, the feedback could be "intense", "unable to focus on one task", "doesn't understand professional boundaries", "unable to work independently", "unable to filter what they'll say in front of clients", "would drive me insane if I were stuck in an office with them until 2am" etc.

These are great examples - completely agree.

Lawyers typically think “would I want to supervise this person for six months” as well as the long flight test too. They also think “could I put this person in front of a client unsupervised or be confident they could pick up unexpected client calls when they are on their own”. Often “intense” comments can bring in some concerns around these too.
 
I've got a first round TC interview next week with a firm I did a VS with this summer - they've not told me much about it, only that it'll take just under an hour. It's with two people, one of whom I interacted a lot with during the scheme. Does anyone have any advice about the sort of thing I should prep for it? Any insight would be appreciated, @Jessica Booker !
 
Last edited:
I've got a first round TC interview next week with a firm I did a VS with this summer - they've not told me much about it, only that it'll take just under an hour. It's with two people, one of whom I interacted a lot with during the scheme. Does anyone have any advice about the sort of thing I should prep for it? Any insight would be appreciated, @Jessica Booker !

If you have already been through a recruitment process for the vacation scheme then it is likely the interview will cover some of the below:

- what you have done/learnt developed since your initial application for the VS

- how you felt the vacation scheme went - what went well, what didn’t, what you would have done differently

- what you enjoyed from the scheme

- how their vacation scheme (and any other legal work experience) has honed your skills/knowledge

- drilling down much further on why the firm. Firms can aim off on that for vacation schemes - but they want to make sure you are going to be committed to them if you do join them.

If it’s only an hour there won’t be much more to cover because of the lack of time. Questions may feel similar to what you experienced at the vacation scheme process (if interviewed) because they are likely to be assessing you against the same competencies or framework, but it will be important to explain things in more depth or see how answers have developed since your previous interview.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cgs97
If you have already been through a recruitment process for the vacation scheme then it is likely the interview will cover some of the below:

- what you have done/learnt developed since your initial application for the VS

- how you felt the vacation scheme went - what went well, what didn’t, what you would have done differently

- what you enjoyed from the scheme

- how their vacation scheme (and any other legal work experience) has honed your skills/knowledge

- drilling down much further on why the firm. Firms can aim off on that for vacation schemes - but they want to make sure you are going to be committed to them if you do join them.

If it’s only an hour there won’t be much more to cover because of the lack of time. Questions may feel similar to what you experienced at the vacation scheme process (if interviewed) because they are likely to be assessing you against the same competencies or framework, but it will be important to explain things in more depth or see how answers have developed since your previous interview.

Thanks Jessica! That's really helpful :)
 
Hi all,

I was hoping to get some tips or ideas on how to best approach a presentation task i.e. advising a client following on from a case study? In particular, any specific ways in which to structure the presentation to make it engaging, especially virtually (I feel it may be easier to bore them to death by not judging body language in the same way).
 
Hi all,

I was hoping to get some tips or ideas on how to best approach a presentation task i.e. advising a client following on from a case study? In particular, any specific ways in which to structure the presentation to make it engaging, especially virtually (I feel it may be easier to bore them to death by not judging body language in the same way).

Although this focuses on written case studies, a lot of the advice still applies.

Case study advice

I think you need to think about how you are presenting. Eg can you share you screen or are you just talking to them. If the latter - how can you really structure/order your points to ensure there is a logical structure and flow.
 
  • ℹ️
Reactions: Shalli
Hi everyone,

Just for some context I'm a penultimate year non-law student looking to secure a vacation scheme in this cycle.

There are a number of firms I'm interested in who are holding open days during the application window for the VS.

As these firms often recruit on a rolling basis, I was wondering whether I should submit an earlier application without the open day experience, or apply after completing the open day when it might be more competitive?

Thanks in advance.
 
Was wondering whether anyone had any information/insight into Slaughter and May's main practice areas? I believe they rank very highly in terms of Finance and Corporate?

Something can be highly ranked and not a main practice area. What’s your rationale for finding this out and I can send some further infoZ
 
Hi everyone,

Just for some context I'm a penultimate year non-law student looking to secure a vacation scheme in this cycle.

There are a number of firms I'm interested in who are holding open days during the application window for the VS.

As these firms often recruit on a rolling basis, I was wondering whether I should submit an earlier application without the open day experience, or apply after completing the open day when it might be more competitive?

Thanks in advance.

It won’t be more competitive. I’d apply for the open day first and then apply for the vacation scheme, unless you can only apply for one opportunity per cycle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dhway
Status
Not open for further replies.