Vac Schemes 2011: Because when you're a lawyer it's never too early!

Hi All,

I need your advice. There is this question on one of the forms which asks the following: 'Why are you interested in pursuing a career at an international law firm?' Any advice you provide would be much obliged.

Thanks

Hahaha! No, we are not going to fill in your application form for you ok, maybe someone else might be angelic enough to but definitely not me, lol.

Seriously though, just answer the question? If they asked you this in an interview would you say 'Hold on a second' and ask TSR for advice?

If you don't know why you want to work in an international law firm, then maybe you should think about it first before applying. It would just be plain wrong if we gave you our reasons as they wouldn't be yours. So just put yours (but if your reasons are something like, I wanna make lots of money, don't put that in obviously. put in what you think the firm would want to hear. and you can find this out by doing research on the firm.)

There is no need for playground sarcasm if you have nothing positive to say then do not say anything

The thing is...I wasn't being sarcastic

And I did say something positive, I said you should simply answer the questions with YOUR reasons (which is what they asked for), obviously only the reasons they would want to hear, and within the context of research you've done on the firm. Simples.

Sorry if I misunderstood your response. The problem I have with this question is whether to write about why I want to work for an international law firm in general or do I need to focus on why I want to work for the firm in question. `

Have so far sent a VC application to DLA Piper and completed one for Norton Rose. Good luck everyone

What on earth is a VC?

What on earth is a VC?

Has anyone does the Herbert Smith logical reasoning test? It was bloody hard! Also, on some apps there is one compulsory referee and one optional one. Do you think it will reflect less well on you if you only put one referee down?

Ah about to send off my first application (for a TC, did a VS there this year)...scary (tis a regional firm with a December deadline)

Hi, I'm about to start my 1st year of law at york just wondered if anyone had ay tips for my first year.

Obviously good grades are a must and mooting is a good idea but are any other activities particularly useful? (sports/writing?) I already have a couple of weeks work experience under my belt - nothing serious though! Are any vac schemes open to first years? Or am I better off just getting as much unofficial work experience as I can and waiting until my second year?

Thanks in advance.

Good luck

Thanks I'm now picking apart all the things I said in my application...and what I didn't say. Argh. Shouldn't torture myself like this!

In terms of legal experience, you can attend first year open days (DLA Piper, Freshfields, Herbert Smith, Lovells and many more firms have them), apply for workshops at CC... Do some research and lots of stuff will come up. Otherwise, just do what you really enjoy and can talk passionately about in your interviews.