The Pupillage Interview/Acceptance/Rejection Thread 2013

Is anyone else still waiting for a response from Great James Street?

Is it appropriate to use bullet points in the Pupillage Questionnaire (e.g. I would make a good barrister because a), b) and c) bearing in mind that the word limit is so tight?

I wouldn't risk it. They're looking for your written advocacy as well as your understanding. Bullet-pointing, unless invited, doesn't demonstrate that very well.

I tend to disagree with this point. I very much doubt they are looking for the next Dickens. You have a finite amount of time/words to catch a reader's attention. Using 25 words to express what can be written in 5 is self defeating.

Provided the grammar is good, using bullet points demonstrates clarity of thought.

Everyone still heard nothing from MCB?

Thanks for the responses to my question above.One more....how is everyone arranging their employment history? Is it best to simply list in reverse chronological order (e.g. internship, work, mini pupillage, internship, mini pupillage etc...) or to group them as in "employment," "mini pupillages" and "internships"?Cheers!

Anyone else nearly have a heart attack when the email from 18SJS arrived a few minutes ago...!? At least they're being good about keeping us in the loop in relation to the delay though - I am impressed.

For the Employment Section on Gateway when we're asked about 'Responsibilities' and 'Achievements', are people talking more generally about their Mini-Pupillage experiences and how they were beneficial, or only listing examples where had responsibility (surely these are minimal) and/or achieved something (ie. tasked with completing written work).

Advice appreciated.

More of the former for me. A mini-pupillage may have confirmed your desire to specialise in a particular area of law and that is arguably an achievement in itself.

Is work experience as a paid charity fundraiser worth mentioning (skills of persuasion, interpersonal skills etc) or is it likely to repel the reader considering that such individuals are generally regarded as highly irritating?!

More of the former for me. A mini-pupillage may have confirmed your desire to specialise in a particular area of law and that is arguably an achievement in itself.

Is work experience as a paid charity fundraiser worth mentioning (skills of persuasion, interpersonal skills etc) or is it likely to repel the reader considering that such individuals are generally regarded as highly irritating?!

I think work experience of that nature is definitely worth mentioning if you can sell it. Much better to have something a little different.

Thanks. I'm wondering whether it's appropriate to use humour in the "non legal employment" section. The application as a whole seems so dry otherwise!

I feel the same, but I have been advised to avoid the use of humour both in application form and pupillage interviews.