Help with TC assessments

[tosin4774]

Hey @tosin4774 , thanks for your question. Ideally, you should cover two things in the answer. When I was applying for insight schemes, the word count was typically 300 words and less. This means you’ll need to be really concise in your answer.

1. Why Commercial Law: This requires strong demonstrated interest. Often times, candidates fall into the trap of including generic answers like cross-border work or highly stimulating deals. As you can imagine, this is generic because alot of professions offer this. For more information on this, I have made a thread on Friday which I have linked HERE. It relates to finding your WHY which I feel is super important for the process - and life generally!

2. Why the Specific Firm: Again, this is another point which requires strong, non-generic points. Agreed, this is not an easy question to answer, as a lot of firms feel similar from the outset. They all do the same kinds of work and work on similar deals. However, dig deep and you will find differences in their internal strategy, differences in their practice area specializations, and so on. How do you find this out? A good deep dive on the website will help. However, speaking to people at the firm or future trainees is recommended. They are able to tell you about projects and procedures beyond the surface of a web page!

Bonus points: If the word count permits, you could also touch on any skills, experiences, or achievements which make you a stellar candidate for the scheme.

Do I need to relate why I would like attend the insight scheme personally to me @Amma Usman ?

 

[Amma Usman]

Do I need to relate why I would like attend the insight scheme personally to me @Amma Usman ?

Hey @tosin4774 ,

Yes, I definitely recommend linking it to you as this will show demonstrated interest, not just interest in the scheme. Any candidate can show an interest in the scheme, and this is through linking it to generic stuff about the firm. Specific interest is what gets you an offer. Avoid mentioning generic things such as pro bono work or international opportunities - based off these characteristics, and many alike, firms are similar off the bat of it. Focus on the work. Which practices appeal to you and why? Why do you want to learn more about M&A, for example? Is the firm even transactional focused to begin with? If it’s not, then you are either (1) applying to the wrong firm (2) not focusing on an area they are prominent at. Now just to clarify, most firms tend to be good at the full spectrum of work - as ‘full service’ firms they naturally should be. But, you will find that each firm is better at some practices than others. Now say you’re drawn to an insight scheme at Kirkland - why does that appeal to you personally? Is it because you’re drawn to finance and private equity? Why do those areas appeal? Have you taken some experience in it already, maybe through a forage experience? What did that experience not offer you that makes you want to see more of it live from the firm directly? Is it the advertised networking events with trainees or the associate panels?

Insight schemes, similar to open day applications, differ significantly from a VS application. In insight applications, you need to show what you will gain from the experience, rather than what you know. In VS applications, you need to show what they will gain from employing you as a candidate.

Hope this helps!