Can someone explain the process to a TC?

OP

Original post by J-SP

What kind of firms are you looking at? Makes answering this a little easier

Firms that have really good financial regulation/AML teams. Like Norton Rose, Slaughter, CMS etc...

Reply 2

OP

Original post by J-SP

First year:

Apply for first year programmes
Apply for open days
Apply for campus ambassador/manager roles

Penultimate year:

Apply for vacation schemes in the Autumn/Winter
Apply for training contracts in the Spring/Summer

Repeat in third year if necessary.

Repeat after you have graduated if necessary

Thank you! I'm going to look at more campus ambassador roles.

I was wondering, because of the type of law I'm going into might it be worth placing stress on the fact I've worked at HSBC for 2 years? I'm not too sure if this is valid experience I can put on a VS application

Reply 3

Original post by fushrooms

Firms that have really good financial regulation/AML teams. Like Norton Rose, Slaughter, CMS etc...

CMS have an "academy", so to get onto their training contract, you have to be a part of the academy. The other firms are green zone, by that I mean, you can apply directly without having a vac scheme. Just how much a vac scheme helps is anyones guess.

As you asked what things you can do in the build, these are just a few I would recommend; try and get work experience this summer, how much this strengthens your application is a very awkward question, may @J-SP will know better. However, I cant see how getting 1/2 legal work experience placements can do anything but make your CV stronger, even if it is a minimal amount. Secondly, grades, try and get as good as you can. I have found that first year grades are literally the most important, contrary to popular belief, when you apply for VS, you have nothing but first year grades, even for training contracts, some people do not have their full second year grades in time so there first year grades are what is considered.

Slaughters require 65+ in each module, although I am not sure if they have changed this. I asked at a law fair last year and the lady seemed quite strict on this policy. Although, I have not checked since as it put me out the running.

Reply 4

OP

Original post by TSRFT8

CMS have an "academy", so to get onto their training contract, you have to be a part of the academy. The other firms are green zone, by that I mean, you can apply directly without having a vac scheme. Just how much a vac scheme helps is anyones guess.

As you asked what things you can do in the build, these are just a few I would recommend; try and get work experience this summer, how much this strengthens your application is a very awkward question, may @J-SP will know better. However, I cant see how getting 1/2 legal work experience placements can do anything but make your CV stronger, even if it is a minimal amount. Secondly, grades, try and get as good as you can. I have found that first year grades are literally the most important, contrary to popular belief, when you apply for VS, you have nothing but first year grades, even for training contracts, some people do not have their full second year grades in time so there first year grades are what is considered.

Slaughters require 65+ in each module, although I am not sure if they have changed this. I asked at a law fair last year and the lady seemed quite strict on this policy. Although, I have not checked since as it put me out the running.

Does CMS Academy start from their open days or just from getting onto their VS?

ALSO, I have just been accepted onto training to become an adviser for the Citizens Advice Buerau so I think that may class as legal work experience. I've applied for a few smaller firms for the summer too, as the bigger ones do not seem to offer this.

In terms of Slaughter, I'm averaging a 70 from my first semester so hopefully if I can keep this up, I'll be okay 😊😊

Reply 5

OP

That's what I'm going to try and do now I think! It's a shame that I didn't realise there was so many opportunities early first semester. I was just trying to get settled and everything. I have an open day for Bristows but hopefully I'll have better luck next year too!

Reply 6

OP

Yeah! It seems like it's going to be a generally good experience, I'm excited!

I think, for me, my main worry is the type of law I want to go in to. There doesn't seem to be much opportunity to gain experience in this area. I've checked FCA, Bank of England, banks legal departments etc. I know that my uni also doesn't offer a specialist module until 3rd year.

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 7

How did you find out? I have done my stalking on LinkedIN but found very little.

Reply 8

OP

Haha, I'm pretty early on the LinkedIn train to be honest. I spend like half my day looking at people getting onto VS's. You've just given me a new tip 😂

Reply 9

Just spent the last hour in awe of some of them :frown:

I am in my first year, and spend literally 2-3 hours stalking people on Linkedin.

EDIT: Just got locked and asked to pay for premium membership. Apparently, I might be using it for recruitment purposes, little do they know :wink:

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 10

Original post by J-SP

That slaughters rumour is a bad one. It’s nit quite true, although they do have a strong emphasis on academic achievement, it’s not as prescriptive as what you have said.

Yeah, I went to ask to see how accurate it was, she was quite firm in her belief that getting below 65 is below par, which I suppose compared to their applicants most probably is. Did encourage me to apply, but was not exactly filled with confidence.

Reply 11

Original post by J-SP

You might have misunderstood. 65% average maybe, but not in every module...

Yeah most likely, although there have been a few posts knocking around on here with similar facts and the legal cheek comments section, though, the authenticity of both, is questionable to say the least.

Reply 12

How do you know this? It seems unlikely but I guess it does make sense, if the individual shows quality elsewhere, grades are only a small fraction, albeit at S&M they do seem to care more than others.

Reply 13

Neither did I, it has given me a good realisation how bad I can procrastinate.

Yeah, the whole grade requirement seems to be quite sketchy with most firms. Its weird because some people have gotten into top firms with 61/62 average whereas others have 76+ and struggle to get into even medium size firms. One does wonder how bad their application forms must be.

Reply 14

Original post by J-SP

I don’t think it is actually possible (on the LinkedIn point).

Grades are a not a priority on an application. Just everyone assumes they are, and therefore the real deciding factor. Reality is motivation or written style will let down most applicants - too many assume they have nailed that.

It is haha, I cannot see anyones name/picture on the "people who search for, also searched for" section. It is blurred till the end of the month. Very annoying, as to stalk I literally have to go through google.

Reply 15

What do you mean by "weird" - not sure if I should be offended. (Not that I work there but still)

Original post by J-SP

Grades are a not a priority on an application. Just everyone assumes they are, and therefore the real deciding factor. Reality is motivation or written style will let down most applicants - too many assume they have nailed that.

Why is it made out to be the deal breaker? I get that firms have a "minimum" which is usually a 2:1, but from the opinion of many, lecturers alike, it seems that without a 1st or high 2:1 a TC is out of reach. Of course this is generalisation, but whilst you know your stuff, how come when you are looking at peoples linkedin most have high 2:1/first from a RG uni minimum, is this just because of the number of applications of high flyers, or has the legal market now become a place where without said grades you are unlikely to be successful?

Reply 16