General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Tintin06]

Someone told me on TSR that if you haven’t sent off summer applications before mid December you have a very slim chance. With respect to rolling, how true is this statement? It seems to me that currently most firms are recruiting for the winter VS, and I’m guessing will start reviewing the summer/spring when they have finished recruiting and organising which is in a couple of weeks?

I applied to Vinson & Elkins the day of the deadline this year and still got the VI.

 

[bethbristol]

It's Baker McKenzie but I can't find a competency list on his website

Definitely prepare one about challenges firm love those.
I would add
- conflict resolution
- time management

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

It's Baker McKenzie but I can't find a competency list on his website

Looks like it is a strengths based interview so wouldn't be competency questions.

 

[Lawgirl123]

Looks like it is a strengths based interview so wouldn't be competency questions.

Can you explain what the difference is? Do you not need to use examples in a strength-based interview? Thanks!

 

[Andrew M]

Can you explain what the difference is? Do you not need to use examples in a strength-based interview? Thanks!

Strength based questions determine what your strengths and motivations are, and how you would respond in X circumstances (e.g. what would you do if given a task which you don't know how to complete/haven't got time to do). They are basically looking to see what kind of trainee you would be. You can't necessarily prepare for these kinds of questions in the way that you can with competency questions.

 

[Jooooopp7]

Does anyone know a good structure for when writing about a commercial story that interest you on an application. I feel like I tend to waffle too much and ends up being too descriptive. Would I need to link it back to the firm? or any of their competencies and how could I do this? Also one of the questions asks for the implications of the case but I'm not 100% sure of what this means? Any help would be super appreciated!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Can you explain what the difference is? Do you not need to use examples in a strength-based interview? Thanks!

Strengths based interviews (if thats what they truly are) tend to be forward looking rather than backwards looking, often asking you to often see how you may respond to something in the future, rather than how you have in the past.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does anyone know a good structure for when writing about a commercial story that interest you on an application. I feel like I tend to waffle too much and ends up being too descriptive. Would I need to link it back to the firm? or any of their competencies and how could I do this? Also one of the questions asks for the implications of the case but I'm not 100% sure of what this means? Any help would be super appreciated!

You only have to link it to the firm if they explictly ask you to in the question posed. Its probably worthwhile seeing the question you are talking about it full to understand the context of "implications".

 

[Lawyered22]

Hello Jaysen, I requested Premium membership a couple weeks ago now in order to access the app reviewing service but I am yet to hear back anything regarding it. Are there any other steps I need to take or do I just need to be patient? Currently waiting until I get feedback before submitting any more apps this cycle

 

[Staples]

Hi @Jessica Booker - I’m writing a VS application for a firm that asks for a 500 word cover letter about myself and “why this firm”. Normally I’d tackle the “myself” part by focusing on my motivation and my skills - but those are covered by separate 250 word questions (one on “why law” and one on my skills). So I’m not sure what they want me to talk about in the “myself” section of the cover letter!
Would you have any tips? I was thinking I could talk about my previous experiences/background (bringing together motivation and skills), but not sure that’s what they’re looking for, and I’d risk repeating myself anyway?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hello Jaysen, I requested Premium membership a couple weeks ago now in order to access the app reviewing service but I am yet to hear back anything regarding it. Are there any other steps I need to take or do I just need to be patient? Currently waiting until I get feedback before submitting any more apps this cycle

@Jaysen - just tagging in you in case you didn't see this post

 

[Jooooopp7]

You only have to link it to the firm if they explictly ask you to in the question posed. Its probably worthwhile seeing the question you are talking about it full to understand the context of "implications".

So the questions is: 'Discuss a legal case that recently caught your attention. Why did this interest you and what were the implications?'
Is there a structure I could follow to answer questions like these similar to the STAR structure when answering competency questions?

 

[Lawyered22]

@Jaysen - just tagging in you in case you didn't see this post

Thanks Jessica!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

So the questions is: 'Discuss a legal case that recently caught your attention. Why did this interest you and what were the implications?'
Is there a structure I could follow to answer questions like these similar to the STAR structure when answering competency questions?

• Explain why that case caught your attention
• Explain why the subject matter interests you
• Rather than detailing the case, explain the outcome of the case, and how it may impact future work a law firm could be doing (or how they may advise clients on the subject matter) in the future

 

[Jooooopp7]

• Explain why that case caught your attention
• Explain why the subject matter interests you
• Rather than detailing the case, explain the outcome of the case, and how it may impact future work a law firm could be doing (or how they may advise clients on the subject matter) in the future

Thank you, this helps so much!

 

[Jaysen]

Hello Jaysen, I requested Premium membership a couple weeks ago now in order to access the app reviewing service but I am yet to hear back anything regarding it. Are there any other steps I need to take or do I just need to be patient? Currently waiting until I get feedback before submitting any more apps this cycle

Hey there, I did respond to this last time. Please drop me a PM!

Hey - I don't think we have a premium membership associated with the email you signed up to the forum with. Could you drop me a PM with your premium email address? Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 2707]

• Explain why that case caught your attention
• Explain why the subject matter interests you
• Rather than detailing the case, explain the outcome of the case, and how it may impact future work a law firm could be doing (or how they may advise clients on the subject matter) in the future

Hi Jessica, is it fair to say that in most applications we should focus more on talking about our motivations/why we're invested rather than loading the answer with hard facts?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica, is it fair to say that in most applications we should focus more on talking about our motivations/why we're invested rather than loading the answer with hard facts?

No - in the case you need a balance given the final point. You also need to show your analysis (rather than facts) for the final point too.

 

[SamsanTech]

It's Baker McKenzie but I can't find a competency list on his website

Hey, can I ask how long you had to wait until you received the VI invite after the Watson Glaser?

 

[M1999]

What does a letter grade mean when putting your Undergrad results in... shall I leave it blank and just put the percentage? Or is it asking me to say if its an 'I' for a First. A bit confused. Thanks!