Hi all! I applied to
Skadden's VC / TC but was unsuccessful. The text below (with redactions) was my answer to "What are your reasons for applying to
Skadden?" Does anyone have any tips on what I could have done different? I never seem to get anywhere with my applications, so grateful for any advice.
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There are two main reasons I am applying to Skadden.
First, despite its status as a leading full-service firm, Skadden has retained the mentality of a determined newcomer who continuously strives to prove themselves. Speaking with [Skadden Associate] at a [University] alumni event confirmed that this drive defines the firm that surpassed £1tn in deal value in 2015 and then became a top-two global dealmaker in 2024.
Having moved to the UK at 14, I know that success takes precisely that — proving yourself over and over again. To get accepted into a top university, I stayed up most Friday nights mastering an unfamiliar education system. Later, when qualifying as a commercial solicitor became my goal, I took on trainee-level work at [Law firm I worked at] to demonstrate my capabilities. For example, I built Excel models used by an international wholesaler in settlement negotiations to assess the commercial feasibility of offers. Although this required analysing granular data and conducting extensive legal research, showing myself I could do this was worth it. I want to work at a firm that shares this approach to work.
The second reason is Skadden's recent active growth in FinTech M&A set against its broad transactional practice. Taking financing, private equity and M&A modules at [University], I realised I would enjoy transactional work. Deals are firmly grounded in the present, something that the influential yet decades-old competition disputes I administered at [Law firm I worked at] could not offer. Through my dissertation on barriers to FinTech growth I became particularly interested in innovation and its future. I want to train in an environment where I can explore diverse transactions while focusing on how innovation scales. Skadden offers both. Alongside a wide choice of transactional training seats, the firm supported several major crypto- and stablecoin companies with entering US capital markets, where innovation accelerates. Together, these factors make Skadden the ideal environment for me to develop.
Hi,
Hope the application season is going well for you. In regards to your application, I can see a real desire to work at the firm but the way you have phrased certain motivations don't best display them.
1) Some of your language is sometimes emotive and casual, where it could be more succinct and formal. e.g calling
Skadden a firm that wants to 'prove itself', 'proving yourself over and over again', 'showing myself I could do this was worth it'. You could condense some of this down into neater and more formal phrasing. They are an esteemed firm with offices worldwide working on massive deals, and you clearly resonate with this breadth and depth- you can hone in on that in a clearer and more formal way that best displays your own skills and research into the firm.
2) Wanting to work at a firm that is keen on expansion is a very good reason to write about, but you need to display how this growth makes them unique, as many firms share this mindset- some more research into the firm could help tailor this point e.g you could find a noteworthy deal, a longterm client or new firm initiative that interests you and include this.
3) Your second paragraph is stronger, but again has some casual language e.g 'I realised I would enjoy transactional work'- what was it specifically about your module? Many candidates may have studied these modules, what makes your interest note worthy?
4) Further, in any application or interview try not to mention things you don't like (e.g competition) as you will be a trainee at the firm (hopefully) and have to sit in a variety of seats, so you should appear open to everything!
Overall, your application could do with more signposting of your research into the firm which you can then link to your own skills in a better manner. Try to avoid casual language in the future too as lawyers need to be clear and concise.
I hope this helps, you can message me if you need more advice/need me to elaborate on any points.
