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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ChambersLoading" data-source="post: 246657" data-attributes="member: 24616">Hi [USER=42112]@Abbie Whitlock[/USER] [USER=36777]@Andrei Radu[/USER] (and everyone else), I could really use some honest advice, and sorry in advance for how long this is.Last year (after graduating) I focused fully on TC applications. I made 7 applications and reached 3 assessment centres, but was ultimately rejected. The feedback was mainly that my answers were too long and I lacked commercial awareness.I was upset, but also encouraged bc I believed that 3 ACs from 7 applications suggested my academics/profile were competitive. So I moved to London, tried to secure a paralegal/legal role, and when that didn’t work out I took a part-time retail job and dedicated my time to improving for this cycle.This year I submitted 17 applications and only got 1 interview and then got rejected (Skadden). I’m still waiting for feedback, but honestly I feel crushed. It genuinely feels like I went backwards despite putting in far more effort.Since last year I have:• completed an internship at Barclays • paid for application review support + mock interviews• refined my CV/ work experience section multiple times• improved my answers and structure• actively worked on commercial awarenessI truly believe this year’s applications were significantly stronger than last year’s, yet the results were dramatically worse. I also had interviews last year with Gibson Dunn and White & Case and was told reapplying would be fine and prior applications/ interview performance wouldn’t affect any future ones. However, Gibson Dunn (applied November) hasn’t responded at all despite follow-ups, which has been particularly discouraging as they and Skadden are my top firms. I also completed the VI for White & Case in December and still haven’t heard back, even though candidates who completed it later have already been invited to ACs/ received PFOs. At the same time I’m struggling financially in London on a part-time retail salary and cannot seem to land a paralegal role. Everything requires experience. I’ve applied through agencies, cold-emailed, called firms, sent speculative applications and nothing has worked.So I’d really appreciate advice on three things:<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">How can I realistically obtain a paralegal/legal role with no past experience?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">What should I be doing between now and next cycle beyond daily commercial awareness study + interview practice + completing TCLA courses?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Do firms genuinely review your application if you have previously interviewed? I am especially concerned about Skadden and Gibson Dunn, as these are genuinely my dream firms.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">I know this is wrong and not advisable, but could I apply with a new email and not disclose that I have previously interviewed? Since I’ll be changing my last name this year (for unrelated reasons, I promise I am not crazy), would that make it harder for firms to connect me to my previous applications? I appreciate this may not be the right approach, I’m just feeling stuck and trying to understand my options.</li> </ol>I want to be clear: I’m not looking for sympathy, just honest guidance on what to change because clearly something isn’t working.Thank you to anyone who reads all of this/ offers any advice, I really appreciate it</blockquote>

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