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6 First-Year Schemes?!
An insight into what makes you stand out
Hi,
Receiving an offer for a first-year scheme is impressive enough.
But how about six offers?!
That’s incredible!
Heaven Amanuel, first-year LLB student at University of Warwick, has agreed to give us an insight into what she found helpful when applying for these schemes.
Q: What made your applications stand out?
I haven’t received any feedback on my applications but I think a clear structure (making sure each element of the question is addressed) and well-rounded content were key (academic, charitable and entrepreneurial in my case with clear links back to the firm/desired skills).
When talking about the firms, I was very very specific and made clear connections to myself to show I understood them well.
Q: How did you prepare for the interview?
A: Rare and Upreach provide lots of clear guidance. Some past questions are also available to look into.
My approach in this case was to go broad then narrow my research into specific areas of the firm that connected with me well and keep documents of past experience details that I look over.
I try not to prep for specific answers but maintain deep understandings of myself, the firm and any intersection for core competencies so I can answer on the spot naturally but in depth.
Commercially, I look into annual reports to find the firm’s objectives and look into a few major deals they’ve done that align with my current interests.
Generally keeping up with commercial/legal news again means I don’t prepare for specific questions but keep an open mind/connect interview questions to my knowledge where best applicable.
Being prepared to speak on the spot allows for much more of my genuine personality to show which is often appreciated.
Q: How are you preparing for case studies?
A: I did have mock interviews with Rare and Upreach where I practiced the case studies.
I also recommend negotiation competitions, these helped break down a commercial case study quickly and effectively in terms of useful information.
Making sure I had a general structure for any case study. Typically I follow:
- concisely explain the task
- executive summary
- issues, grouped by practice area/team
- exploring risk/opportunity
- offering a range of options to mitigate or maximise these potential outcomes
- weaving in some commercial awareness to justify or explain thought process
Q: Anything else you’d like to share that helped you?
A: I’d really recommend just doing the basics right:
- writing on a word document to check spelling, punctuation and grammar,
- making sure the name of the firm is correct,
- keep a bank of resources and very specific firm research that connects to you well,
- keep a CV/ extended CV with a bit more info on your extracurriculars and skills.
- Also, just go for it — if you aren’t failing you aren’t trying!
Until next Sunday,
Alin George
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⚖️ This week in Law History
When reading these facts, try to think about the wider implications each had.
14 April 1983 — The first cordless telephone, capable of operating up to 600 feet from base, was introduced. It was made by Fidelity and British Telecom and sold for £170.
15 April 1755 — Dr Samuel Johnson’s A Dictionary of The English Language’ is first published.
16 April 1705 — Queen Anne of England knighted the scientist Isaac Newton at Trinity College, Cambridge.
17 April 1969 — Voting age in Britain was lowered from 21 to 18.
18 April 1949 — The Republic of Ireland Act came into force as Southern Ireland became a Republic and left the Commonwealth.
19 April 1775 — The start of the American War of Independence against Britain when fighting began at Lexington and Concord.
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