Reed Smith Open Day Feedback

[wrpark]

Hey all,

I'm relatively new to corporate law as a whole and I wanted to find out more about a couple firms through going to their Open Days. I recently submitted an Open Day application to Reed Smith only to get rejected, and therefore I'm left confused about how an Open Day application should look like. I couldn't find successful Open Day application examples so I ended up structuring mine modelled after Vacation Scheme application answers, which might have been the problem. I thought Open Days were for those with little to no legal experience, which is what I am, so it'll be helpful if anyone can provide any feedback or insight as to my answer didn't work. Thanks!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey all,

I'm relatively new to corporate law as a whole and I wanted to find out more about a couple firms through going to their Open Days. I recently submitted an Open Day application to Reed Smith only to get rejected, and therefore I'm left confused about how an Open Day application should look like. I couldn't find successful Open Day application examples so I ended up structuring mine modelled after Vacation Scheme application answers, which might have been the problem. I thought Open Days were for those with little to no legal experience, which is what I am, so it'll be helpful if anyone can provide any feedback or insight as to my answer didn't work. Thanks!

Hi @wrpark !

Thank you for sharing, and I completely understand your confusion. Open day applications can feel a bit unclear, especially when you are new to applying and haven’t encountered a lot of them. Open days tend to be very competitive as well, as there are often very limited spaces and a lot of applications!

You’re absolutely right to say that Open Days are designed to be accessible to those who have little to no legal experience, and experience isn’t expected at all.

The key difference between Vacation Scheme applications and Open Days applications is that the latter is less about showing your suitability for the firm and more about showing why you’re interested in that firm, and what you hope to gain from attending.

Firms want to see that you’ve thought about what they offer (i.e. practice areas, culture, recent work, USPs) and that you have specific questions or elements that you are curious to learn more about.

Therefore, instead of focusing on your career aspirations or your previous experiences, I would frame your answer around what you’re hoping to take away from the day - advice from trainees, insight into the firm’s work, exposure to the environment and culture, etc. This should be the main bulk of your answer

Don’t be disheartened - as I mentioned, Open Days are extremely competitive, and you’re clearly approaching it thoughtfully and remaining open to feedback. You got this!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey all,

I'm relatively new to corporate law as a whole and I wanted to find out more about a couple firms through going to their Open Days. I recently submitted an Open Day application to Reed Smith only to get rejected, and therefore I'm left confused about how an Open Day application should look like. I couldn't find successful Open Day application examples so I ended up structuring mine modelled after Vacation Scheme application answers, which might have been the problem. I thought Open Days were for those with little to no legal experience, which is what I am, so it'll be helpful if anyone can provide any feedback or insight as to my answer didn't work. Thanks!

Hey,

This is a really good question.

I would focus on highlighting more of what you would GAIN from the open day, rather than what you already KNOW. This is far different from how you would structure VS/TC applications. From what I can see in the screenshot you inserted, I would focus less on your substantive experience as it already seems you have enough exposure to ESG. If I was a recruiter, I would wonder what it is this candidate would then gain from the open day. Another thing is that ESG, or any other practice you mention, may not even be talked about as part of the list of talks. Therefore, you would do well by mentioning 2-3 key practices that the firm is very well known for and these are more likely to come out. Of course, you can include that you have thought about questions you want to ask trainees and lawyers, and ESG may very well form part of that discussion. You could also mention speaking to candidates that attended an open day at the firm (if you have spoken to someone that did), what they said, and what you hope to gain as well. Bear in mind you shouldn't rely too much on the structure of the day as this could change year-on-year. If the advertisement description also covers things to expect from the day, then definitely touch on why certain components appeal.

My open day applications were very vulnerable. I was open and honest with recruiters about what I needed, what I was struggling with, and how that opportunity would unequivocally contribute to my professional development in the sphere of commercial law. Certainly use your discretion on what you want to, and not include, but the general gist is to highlight what you will gain, not what you already have gained.