General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Emily77]

I was invited to an AC today! Hope you hear back soon as well

Congrats! What date did they give you for the AC?

 

[Tintin06]

Anyone else have any experience of applying as someone with Asperger's/autism. I'm really struggling getting past the tests and wonder if being on the spectrum has anything to do with it.

 

[NadineBusty]

Anyone else have any experience of applying as someone with Asperger's/autism. I'm really struggling getting past the tests and wonder if being on the spectrum has anything to do with it.

check if you are eligible to apply to NRF's Guaranteed Interview Scheme. People with a disability are offered an interview.

 

[emmaruss23]

I submitted my application for Weil last week and still haven't received the WG test. Is anyone else still waiting for it?

 

[Kablahc]

Anyone have any tips for virtual open days?

Also, just spent 30 minutes writing an application for a virtual open day at another firm, only to find out after I submitted... it's for non Russell Group students only, and i'm very much at a RG uni note to self- learn to read!!!

 

[Nat000]

I don't post a lot, but I wanted to say that I was offered a TC with Slaughters today!

This is a really gruelling process, but one thing I've learnt from it that might help people is that you do only need one place to take a chance on you, out of the hundreds out there. Last year I applied to almost ten vac schemes and Slaughters was the only firm that didn't reject me INSTANTLY. Like, some firms honestly could not reject me fast enough. In my TC interview there I was specifically asked about this, and it felt embarrassing having to admit that no other place had even deemed me worthy of an interview. But different people are suitable for different firms and the right place will want you anyway!

A huge thank you to everyone on the forum, whose posts gave me so much motivation over the past year, and especially to Jessica for putting up with all my annoying questions. If anyone wants help looking over applications, cover letters etc, please message! Would love to pay it forward.

 

[jan28]

I don't post a lot, but I wanted to say that I was offered a TC with Slaughters today!

This is a really gruelling process, but one thing I've learnt from it that might help people is that you do only need one place to take a chance on you, out of the hundreds out there. Last year I applied to almost ten vac schemes and Slaughters was the only firm that didn't reject me INSTANTLY. Like, some firms honestly could not reject me fast enough. In my TC interview there I was specifically asked about this, and it felt embarrassing having to admit that no other place had even deemed me worthy of an interview. But different people are suitable for different firms and the right place will want you anyway!

A huge thank you to everyone on the forum, whose posts gave me so much motivation over the past year, and especially to Jessica for putting up with all my annoying questions. If anyone wants help looking over applications, cover letters etc, please message! Would love to pay it forward.

Wow congratulations!!

 

[bel123456]

I don't post a lot, but I wanted to say that I was offered a TC with Slaughters today!

This is a really gruelling process, but one thing I've learnt from it that might help people is that you do only need one place to take a chance on you, out of the hundreds out there. Last year I applied to almost ten vac schemes and Slaughters was the only firm that didn't reject me INSTANTLY. Like, some firms honestly could not reject me fast enough. In my TC interview there I was specifically asked about this, and it felt embarrassing having to admit that no other place had even deemed me worthy of an interview. But different people are suitable for different firms and the right place will want you anyway!

A huge thank you to everyone on the forum, whose posts gave me so much motivation over the past year, and especially to Jessica for putting up with all my annoying questions. If anyone wants help looking over applications, cover letters etc, please message! Would love to pay it forward.

congrats!!! were you on the vac scheme? or did you apply direct tc this cycle?

 

[Nat000]

congrats!!! were you on the vac scheme? or did you apply direct tc this cycle?

Thank you! I was on the vac scheme, which got pushed to September for non-law students.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Anyone else have any experience of applying as someone with Asperger's/autism. I'm really struggling getting past the tests and wonder if being on the spectrum has anything to do with it.

Are you asking for reasonable adjustments suitable for you and each assessment?

 

[Tintin06]

Are you asking for reasonable adjustments suitable for you and each assessment?

I don't really know what adjustments to ask for. I know I perform poorly in the inferences section of the Watson Glaser but I don't know what to ask for specifically.

 

[Velikilawyer123]

it’s not that it’s artificial - but saying what you don’t like is negative and that’s something to avoid in an application.

What you need to do is focus on the positives of what the firm can offer you that the more “prestigious” firm cannot.

A “why your firm“ question doesn’t need to be comparative though, but many applications ask why it’s different to other firms you have considered or applied to, and in those instances a comparative answer is required.

Ah okay, thank you, that makes sense. So say I'm a candidate with a US VS on my CV, applying for a mid-market UK firm, and the "why us" question isn't comparative, it's just along the lines of "why are you interested in our firm". Would you at any point in this answer expect to see mention of what this firm can offer that the US one couldn't, or should that be kind of softly implied (e.g. by mentioning this firm has a cross-UK presence and full-service offering, something which many / most US firms lack)?

 

[Velikilawyer123]

In your justifications in why you like the firm you're applying to, you could affirm parts you liked from the vac scheme firm like intake size or practice area etc. Or reaffirm another aspect and say how you did a vac scheme at X and that was an aspect you realised you didn't want from your TC. There's probably good ways to put it in your question which makes you look like you know what you want and are well informed about the career without being artificial at all.

I see, thank you!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I don't really know what adjustments to ask for. I know I perform poorly in the inferences section of the Watson Glaser but I don't know what to ask for specifically.

Do you receive any adjustments to assessments at university?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Ah okay, thank you, that makes sense. So say I'm a candidate with a US VS on my CV, applying for a mid-market UK firm, and the "why us" question isn't comparative, it's just along the lines of "why are you interested in our firm". Would you at any point in this answer expect to see mention of what this firm can offer that the US one couldn't, or should that be kind of softly implied (e.g. by mentioning this firm has a cross-UK presence and full-service offering, something which many / most US firms lack)?

it’s not what the us firm can’t offer, it’s what the firm you are applying to can offer

 

[Tintin06]

Do you receive any adjustments to assessments at university?

Ah this makes me feel so old. Graduated in 2019 and still applying for Vac Schemes after three years.

No adjustments at university, but I'm not sure I'd have known what to ask for.

What sort of adjustments can firms make in the application process?

 

[XARA]

Does anyone have a rough idea regarding how long it takes to hear back from NRF after the application form was submitted?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Ah this makes me feel so old. Graduated in 2019 and still applying for Vac Schemes after three years.

No adjustments at university, but I'm not sure I'd have known what to ask for.

What sort of adjustments can firms make in the application process?

Try graduating in 2004....

There are a whole range of adjustments that can be made. Unfortunately it is usually down to the individual candidate to advise what these would need to be and then for the firm to be able to explain whether they can adjust the process accordingly.

Typical adjusment in situations similar to yourself is to swap a video interview to a telephone interview for instance. But it really depends on your personal circumstances.

 

[Velikilawyer123]

it’s not what the us firm can’t offer, it’s what the firm you are applying to can offer

Right, so that means I'm not mentioning the US firm unless it's to back a positive point about the firm I'm applying to, got it. Thanks

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Right, so that means I'm not mentioning the US firm unless it's to back a positive point about the firm I'm applying to, got it. Thanks

You'll need to mention it in your application - it would be silly to keep it out of your application entirely. But in any motivational answers you need a convincing answer that would help to allievate any concerns.

Basically a recruiter for a lower ranked firm with not much similar to the firms on your CV "is this person really interested in us, or are they likely to be the person who reneges or jumps ship at the first opportunity to the type of firms their CV suggests they are truly interested in". It is up to you to explain why that isn't going to be the case.