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What To do in first year to prepare for VC's?
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<blockquote data-quote="Anon08" data-source="post: 73777"><p>Okay, first things first - this is incredible. You're a pre-university student with the foresight and the motivation to start preparing for a career in commercial law... - I want to point out that that is incredible, and there aren't too many others like yourself!</p><p></p><p>Second (I'm smiling as I write this because this really is fantastic), it is super that you've already identified the core things you need to do:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Building competencies through societies/work experience</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Commercial awareness</li> </ul><p>Third, to quickly answer one of your questions - yes, definitely, being on the rowing team is a great experience, and you've already identified the competencies that it evidences - again, amazing stuff! Just remember: <strong>any non-law experience is valuable if it demonstrates core competencies</strong>. I have no idea why, but some candidates denigrate their experiences just because they are non-legal. Please don't - they are unbelievably valuable because they evidence core competencies and demonstrate that you are an all-rounded, interesting individual. Think about, what I call, the 3 am test. Imagine you and a partner are stuck in an office at 3 am grinding out some urgent work - does the partner want to be in there with you? Well, if you can be an amiable, all-rounded individual who can talk about things other than work...then probably!</p><p></p><p>Fourth, regarding setting yourself up for success. I don't know whether you'll be doing a law or a non-law degree; nevertheless, please start looking into First-Year schemes. These include:</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Clifford Chance SPARK</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Allen & Overy First</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Linklaters Pathfinder</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Weil, Gotshal & Manges Fast Track</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">CMS First Steps</li> </ol><p>...<strong>and much more!</strong></p><p></p><p>First-Year scheme applications, like CC SPARK, can open and close really quickly - so you have to be on the ball. Start doing some preliminary research over the summer and doing some application preparation work. Increasingly First-Year schemes are becoming the Golden Ticket - they are very exclusive and give you a shot at securing a VS/TC far earlier in your academic career than is usual. By the way, a proper 'First-Year' scheme is essentially like a more chill vacation scheme: unless you're at somewhere like Weil, you won't be doing 'work-work', rather you'll be having presentations, meeting the firm, doing some exercises, and so on. In a way, they are assessments for a VS/TC offer and a chance to meet the firm, like you would on an Open Day.</p><p></p><p>Aside from First-Year schemes, firms will also offer 'Insight' schemes (a halfway-house between an open day and a full-blown First-Year scheme). You can worry about this slightly later, maybe once you join university but make sure you apply for those. And, of course, apply for Open Days - they're as competitive as the rest. Still, they are beneficial for garnering specific information to deploy when you apply to the firms you have visited for their respective vacation schemes/training contracts.</p><p></p><p>So, in terms of setting yourself up for all that - TCLA could not be better! Have a look at some of TCLA Premium's courses/firm profiles, and try to research/build up your answers to 'why do you want to pursue a career as a commercial solicitor?' and 'why do you want to train/work/join [insert firm name here]?'. I would also suggest looking at Jake Schogger's Commercial Law Handbook and his Applications, Interviews and Internships Handbook. Finally, over the summer, research First-Year schemes, make a spreadsheet with the core information (estimated app opening/closing dates, etc.), and begin researching/thinking/preparing some basic answers to the motivational questions stated above and core competency questions.</p><p></p><p>By the way, the core competencies are (my opinion, disclaimer, etc.):</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Teamwork</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Organisation</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Reliance/Determination</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Negotiation/Persuasion/Dealing with Difficult People</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Communication</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Adaptability/Flexibility</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Innovation/Entrepreneurship</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Integrity</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Going above and beyond/Going the extra mile</li> </ol><p>(If you want to see a full list of motivation/competency/commercial questions, see <a href="https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/175-training-contract-interview-questions-2/" target="_blank">here</a> - but don't freak out - this is a bit too much for you to worry about at this stage!)</p><p></p><p>Okay, this is a lot to take in, and I am sorry because I don't want to spook you inadvertently. Nevertheless, I wanted to give you as much advice as possible (in one place, so it doesn't get lost!). I would just conclude with this: the fact that you are pre-university, and are on TCLA asking these kinds of questions, is just fantastic. If you keep up this kind of motivation and conscientiousness, I am convinced you'll do exceedingly well! Good luck, and if you have any more questions, be sure to post them!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Anon08, post: 73777"] Okay, first things first - this is incredible. You're a pre-university student with the foresight and the motivation to start preparing for a career in commercial law... - I want to point out that that is incredible, and there aren't too many others like yourself! Second (I'm smiling as I write this because this really is fantastic), it is super that you've already identified the core things you need to do: [LIST] [*]Building competencies through societies/work experience [*]Commercial awareness [/LIST] Third, to quickly answer one of your questions - yes, definitely, being on the rowing team is a great experience, and you've already identified the competencies that it evidences - again, amazing stuff! Just remember: [B]any non-law experience is valuable if it demonstrates core competencies[/B]. I have no idea why, but some candidates denigrate their experiences just because they are non-legal. Please don't - they are unbelievably valuable because they evidence core competencies and demonstrate that you are an all-rounded, interesting individual. Think about, what I call, the 3 am test. Imagine you and a partner are stuck in an office at 3 am grinding out some urgent work - does the partner want to be in there with you? Well, if you can be an amiable, all-rounded individual who can talk about things other than work...then probably! Fourth, regarding setting yourself up for success. I don't know whether you'll be doing a law or a non-law degree; nevertheless, please start looking into First-Year schemes. These include: [LIST=1] [*]Clifford Chance SPARK [*]Allen & Overy First [*]Linklaters Pathfinder [*]Weil, Gotshal & Manges Fast Track [*]CMS First Steps [/LIST] ...[B]and much more![/B] First-Year scheme applications, like CC SPARK, can open and close really quickly - so you have to be on the ball. Start doing some preliminary research over the summer and doing some application preparation work. Increasingly First-Year schemes are becoming the Golden Ticket - they are very exclusive and give you a shot at securing a VS/TC far earlier in your academic career than is usual. By the way, a proper 'First-Year' scheme is essentially like a more chill vacation scheme: unless you're at somewhere like Weil, you won't be doing 'work-work', rather you'll be having presentations, meeting the firm, doing some exercises, and so on. In a way, they are assessments for a VS/TC offer and a chance to meet the firm, like you would on an Open Day. Aside from First-Year schemes, firms will also offer 'Insight' schemes (a halfway-house between an open day and a full-blown First-Year scheme). You can worry about this slightly later, maybe once you join university but make sure you apply for those. And, of course, apply for Open Days - they're as competitive as the rest. Still, they are beneficial for garnering specific information to deploy when you apply to the firms you have visited for their respective vacation schemes/training contracts. So, in terms of setting yourself up for all that - TCLA could not be better! Have a look at some of TCLA Premium's courses/firm profiles, and try to research/build up your answers to 'why do you want to pursue a career as a commercial solicitor?' and 'why do you want to train/work/join [insert firm name here]?'. I would also suggest looking at Jake Schogger's Commercial Law Handbook and his Applications, Interviews and Internships Handbook. Finally, over the summer, research First-Year schemes, make a spreadsheet with the core information (estimated app opening/closing dates, etc.), and begin researching/thinking/preparing some basic answers to the motivational questions stated above and core competency questions. By the way, the core competencies are (my opinion, disclaimer, etc.): [LIST=1] [*]Teamwork [*]Organisation [*]Reliance/Determination [*]Negotiation/Persuasion/Dealing with Difficult People [*]Communication [*]Adaptability/Flexibility [*]Innovation/Entrepreneurship [*]Integrity [*]Going above and beyond/Going the extra mile [/LIST] (If you want to see a full list of motivation/competency/commercial questions, see [URL='https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/175-training-contract-interview-questions-2/']here[/URL] - but don't freak out - this is a bit too much for you to worry about at this stage!) Okay, this is a lot to take in, and I am sorry because I don't want to spook you inadvertently. Nevertheless, I wanted to give you as much advice as possible (in one place, so it doesn't get lost!). I would just conclude with this: the fact that you are pre-university, and are on TCLA asking these kinds of questions, is just fantastic. If you keep up this kind of motivation and conscientiousness, I am convinced you'll do exceedingly well! Good luck, and if you have any more questions, be sure to post them! [/QUOTE]
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