General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[relentlesspursuit]

I get that investing time into applications and recruitment processes, only to be told they are no longer interviewing/recruiting for that role, can be incredibly frustrating.

It is something to get used to though - this happens an awful lot when you apply to non-graduate programme jobs, and even NQ/lateral hire roles as a more senior lawyer.

Don't take it too personally - these things aren't about you as an applicant, they about what's happening within the organisation.

Thanks Jessica, I'll definitely keep this in mind going forward.

 

[Jooooopp7]

Just received an email from Travers Smith that they will no longer be holding interviews for this round. For some reason this feels more frustrating than a flat out rejection as it seems like my application was not even reviewed - makes all the time I put in feel like a waste. Congratulations to anyone who made it through to the interview stage.

Yeah I'm in the same boat, just frustrating as it seems like such a wasted application!
@Jessica what are your thoughts on essentially re-using the same application for Travers for the winter scheme when reapplying (with some minor tweaks of course and any updates) since I feel like they haven't even reviewed it, or would they compare to the previous application and see that its the same and just think its lazy? thanks for your help!

 

[EMD]

Just received an email from Travers Smith that they will no longer be holding interviews for this round. For some reason this feels more frustrating than a flat out rejection as it seems like my application was not even reviewed - makes all the time I put in feel like a waste. Congratulations to anyone who made it through to the interview stage.

Same email here!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Yeah I'm in the same boat, just frustrating as it seems like such a wasted application!
@Jessica what are your thoughts on essentially re-using the same application for Travers for the winter scheme when reapplying (with some minor tweaks of course and any updates) since I feel like they haven't even reviewed it, or would they compare to the previous application and see that its the same and just think its lazy? thanks for your help!

You are applying for a different vacancy (vacation scheme vs TC) so it will need to change to reflect that. It will also need to be updated with anything that has happened since your last application. It should also be refined.

Recruiters only tend to look at earlier applications if they want to see what has changed since your previous application. If you application is strong enough/not strong enough, that isn't needed. So only tends to be in a small number of borderline cases.

For GDPR purposes, some firms wipe their data/applications anyway, so they wouldn't necessarily be able to review your earlier application anyway.

 

[YFA]

Is anyone on the forum studying the MA Law at ULaw? Just had a few questions I was hoping could be answered.

Hi, I did the MA in Law at ULaw, Bloomsbury campus in 2018/2019. Feel free to direct message me

 

[Velikilawyer123]

You are applying for a different vacancy (vacation scheme vs TC) so it will need to change to reflect that. It will also need to be updated with anything that has happened since your last application. It should also be refined.

Recruiters only tend to look at earlier applications if they want to see what has changed since your previous application. If you application is strong enough/not strong enough, that isn't needed. So only tends to be in a small number of borderline cases.

For GDPR purposes, some firms wipe their data/applications anyway, so they wouldn't necessarily be able to review your earlier application anyway.

Hi Jessica, how would an application change if you're applying for a VS rather than a direct TC? Assuming all the questions / wordcount are the same, wouldn't you pretty much want to show the same kinds of qualities and interest in the firm for both?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica, how would an application change if you're applying for a VS rather than a direct TC? Assuming all the questions / wordcount are the same, wouldn't you pretty much want to show the same kinds of qualities and interest in the firm for both?

Generally, yes that would be the same. But you are applying for a different opportunity and therefore your motivations for completing that opportunity will be slightly different.

 

[SPS]

Hi has anyone heard back from HFW? Applied nearly 2 months ago but haven't had a response from them yet - is that a bad sign?

 

[Kablahc]

Acceptance for Forsters Private Client Spotlight Virtual Open Day!!!

 

[efitzgerald]

Hi all, I haven't really commented here much, but have very much been reading this forum for advice, tips and motivation during this application cycle. I graduated uni two years ago, and was close to giving up on ever getting a training contract, but early today I got a call saying that one of my dream firms were giving me an offer. Just to let you all know, there is definitely hope, don't give up, and stay strong!

 

[Daniel Boden]

Hi all, I haven't really commented here much, but have very much been reading this forum for advice, tips and motivation during this application cycle. I graduated uni two years ago, and was close to giving up on ever getting a training contract, but early today I got a call saying that one of my dream firms were giving me an offer. Just to let you all know, there is definitely hope, don't give up, and stay strong!

Huge congrats! That's amazing news! I hope you're able to celebrate this weekend

 

[Velikilawyer123]

Generally, yes that would be the same. But you are applying for a different opportunity and therefore your motivations for completing that opportunity will be slightly different.

I see, thank you.

But would that be something to mention at interview or in the application itself?

Like I imagine if they asked in the interview "why do you want to do the VS with us" you would mention that it's a great opportunity to get an insight into the firm and show you what a TC there would be like, but if the application question is just "what attracts you to our firm" or something along those lines, then the answer would be pretty much the same whether you're applying for the VS or TC, no?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I see, thank you.

But would that be something to mention at interview or in the application itself?

Like I imagine if they asked in the interview "why do you want to do the VS with us" you would mention that it's a great opportunity to get an insight into the firm and show you what a TC there would be like, but if the application question is just "what attracts you to our firm" or something along those lines, then the answer would be pretty much the same whether you're applying for the VS or TC, no?

would normally be mentioned in both. Obviously depends on the specifics of the question you are being asked though.

 

[LS12]

I see, thank you.

But would that be something to mention at interview or in the application itself?

Like I imagine if they asked in the interview "why do you want to do the VS with us" you would mention that it's a great opportunity to get an insight into the firm and show you what a TC there would be like, but if the application question is just "what attracts you to our firm" or something along those lines, then the answer would be pretty much the same whether you're applying for the VS or TC, no?

I think that from my experience of completing apps (might not be the best way) in both questions you’d be answering why this opportunity. For a lot of my ‘why this firm’ answers I will touch on the programme and what about it makes me attracted to the opportunity. The best advice I got was to make sure my application is for the role I’m applying for. Sometimes it’s easy in apps for vs and internships to try and focus on the end prize ‘the Tc’ (I know it was for me lol) but a mentor advised me that’s not what forms are looking for, they want you to be excited my the current experience too since that’s technically what you’re applying for. Without seeing someone’s specific answers no one can say if they need to be rewritten, but in my experience when I have reapplied for different but similar opportunities at the same firm, rereading my apps meant I had to make slight changes so that grad rec knew I actually wanted position I was applying for

 

[Zoo]

Hi all, I haven't really commented here much, but have very much been reading this forum for advice, tips and motivation during this application cycle. I graduated uni two years ago, and was close to giving up on ever getting a training contract, but early today I got a call saying that one of my dream firms were giving me an offer. Just to let you all know, there is definitely hope, don't give up, and stay strong!

Congratulations!!

 

[RSta]

Hi, has anyone heard back from Latham post-VI? According to the previous email, they'll start Direct TC AC in the week commencing on 5 Oct which is only one week from now on.

 

[CallumJR]

Anyone advice for HSF's online test? I failed it in the last two cycles and want to make sure I pass it this year. Mainly struggling with the second part (personality test)

 

[Jaysen]

Hi all, I haven't really commented here much, but have very much been reading this forum for advice, tips and motivation during this application cycle. I graduated uni two years ago, and was close to giving up on ever getting a training contract, but early today I got a call saying that one of my dream firms were giving me an offer. Just to let you all know, there is definitely hope, don't give up, and stay strong!

So nice to hear when you guys come back and post with your offers. Great motivation and really well done!

 

[DrowninginSQE]

Hi, has anyone heard back from Latham post-VI? According to the previous email, they'll start Direct TC AC in the week commencing on 5 Oct which is only one week from now on.

I got a rejection a couple of days ago...

 

[MzM]

Yes, TC rejection yesterday after passing the SJT

May I ask what year you applied for?