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Message: <blockquote data-quote="HenryGirton" data-source="post: 13384" data-attributes="member: 2643">I recently gained TC offers at a SC firm and US firm during my second cycle of TC applications. I thought I would share what I felt personally helped me out the second-time round and what improved my application to interview ratio.Applications- I really really hope this does not come across boastful!! but during my second cycle of applying I became quite good at applications and always did progress to the next stage after submitting my app. Some of the errors I have noticed in my 1stcycle applications were that they consisted of waffle and overuse of the theasurus! I also used to write my ‘why law?’ answer with a focus on my ‘journey’ opposed to succinct reasons of why I liked commercial law. Moreover, I also spent a lot of time writing about firm awards and deals which I do believe was a complete waste of words. BTW I do not have stellar academics, I have 2.2s in both Tort and Contract yet have interviewed this year at notoriously academic firms such as Slaughter and May. I believe what really helped me in my second cycle was that I became extremely concise. I focused on what specifically made the firm unique and more importantly why those unique aspects of the firm suited my career desires.  In addition, ‘why should we hire you over anyone else?’, is a question I forced myself to answer and interweave throughout my application form.Quality AND quantity-  I have to confess I am not a huge believer of the quality over quantity theory when it comes to applications. Ultimately, the more firms you apply for the better your chances are and more offers you get. This strategy was the key factor which improved my success rate.  I applied to 11 firms and received 6 interviews at 1 US, 1 MC and 3 SC firms (plus I still have post app outcomes pending). Whereas last year I applied to 5 firms and got 3 interviews, which obviously just meant less chance of obtaining an TC. Overall there are so many strong corporate firms out there that offer great training, good clients, quality work etc. so there is no reason to put all your eggs in one basket (firm).Confidence- improving my confidence was the real key thing for me in interviews. I used to get imposter syndrome and this left me being very timid. Once I recognised my strengths (my ‘USP’s) it really helped me answer perceptively to competency questions and pushed me to speak up in group assessments. I began to tell myself beforehand that I was a strong candidate that had unique experiences that only I could offer and I had skills that I knew would benefit the firm- this strengthened me mentally going into interviews. I also found not rehearsing my answers truly helped me not sound robotic.Luck- I believe this has been touched upon before in this thread but I really would like to reinstate the significance of luck. You should never forget that your ability to obtain assessment centres, vacation schemes and training contracts is sometimes completely out of your control. For instance, you could be given an awful supervisor during your vacation scheme, you could have a rude interviewer (I once had an interviewer who looked out the window throughout my interview), you could have a dominating person in your group assessment. So if rejections do come, please do remember this.Don’t compare yourself! - Comparison really destroyed my self-esteem. If you have just been rejected post-interview or vacation scheme it might helpful to take yourself off LinkedIn which is essentially a corporate Instagram where people post only their successes. Focus instead of attacking new applications with even more resilience.I wish you all the best with the upcoming cycle and please don’t ever give up! I literally was in tears the day before my TC offer thinking it would never happen. It may take a few cycles but once you obtain that TC you will have access into a legal career that will last you years and years. Every rejection is a re-direction and if you were rejected from your ‘dream firm’- I can guarantee that firm most likely was never for you anyway! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></blockquote>

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