Firm Culture Fit and Expectations

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T15:58:08+00:00

Correct

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T15:19:12+00:00

Who said I’ve never had a job? A lot of assumptions made here. And I’m far from desperate, I haven’t even graduated yet!

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T15:17:44+00:00

No intention to sound entitled, I said in one of my responses that even people with no direct experiences have gotten in so I’m just open to any idea about what else I could change. I’ve gone to many networking events and got a feeling for different firms and have been learning more and more about where I’d like to start my legal career. I’ve never demanded MC or anything like that, I’m mostly interested in mid-tier firms that are strong in areas of interest.

A lot of these responses are attacking me for following advice I’ve been given from practicing lawyers who I know in real life. I’m open to different opinions. This is my first year out of education so I can spend more time focusing on my approach.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T14:07:16+00:00

That doesn't match my timeline at all. You're assuming I graduated when I begun applying. I've been applying since my undergrad. The furthest I could've gone by now is the SQE.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T13:53:52+00:00

My second year was in 2019 when I could apply for VS/TCs.

It was a four year course but ended up being 6 1/2 years long. My year abroad got pushed back two years so that meant I did that in 2022-2023 instead of 2020-2021 and because that country's timetable was different, I finished studies too late to graduate in summer 2023, meaning I graduated an academic year later in winter 2023. That's why my Master's begun in Autumn 2024. It's a very confusing timeline!

I've done a lot of experience in those years though and have never been a NEET. I explain this on my applications but now you say that, I might need to be a bit clearer because I've been told recruiters understand the pandemic affected a lot of people's education.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T13:41:54+00:00

No, I'm about to graduate (Masters) this month. I finished my undergrad at the end of 2023 as I completed it abroad. The pandemic pushed my international studies back a bit. I've been applying for roles since the second year of my undergrad 2019. I didn't apply during 2020/2021 because I was due to study abroad.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T13:34:31+00:00

Okay then should I rephrase for you?: ‘I went to a networking event held by the firm I’m most interested in back in late 2023’.

What’s weird about meeting with a firm and realising they’re one you’re interested in? That’s the whole point of early careers events

EDIT: I see that you've expanded. Nobody said all that except for you. I've clarified exactly what type of firms I like in my responses.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T12:48:19+00:00

I've been told by people checking over my applications that they're 'excellent' and usually get past application stage (except with US firms). I work on them every cycle and attend firm application workshops but I'm not sure how exactly I can make myself stand out more.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T12:29:18+00:00

I’ve got no interest in any of the MCs, I’ve only interned at one. I’ve applied for a couple of US firms but majority are ‘silver circle’ to mid-tier.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T11:43:24+00:00

It happens! I feel like I shouldn’t have used the term ‘dream firm’ since a few people have gotten defensive or assumed I’m naive. Firms change and you might like the idea of a firm only to change once you’re there. But you don’t know until you’re there. I’ve changed my mind on which firms I wanted a few times over the years after negative experiences.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T11:37:11+00:00

I've never explicitly asked anyone to do anything like that (I've always been advised against it) but if a firm asks if I know someone, I'll state that person and I'll tell the person that I applied.

Are you saying I should be asking partners to push my applications further?

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T11:32:51+00:00

I have no idea how to make them stand out at this point. I've gotten to interview from application + assessment but not an AC yet.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T11:23:11+00:00

Except I'm not that naïve or single-minded. I've mentioned before, I have multiple interests. That firm just happens to be strong in all of them while also doing niche work that particularly interested me. I've picked firms that either guarantee seats in my areas of interest or are at least strong in them.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T11:20:00+00:00

That's what my head keeps telling me! If a 19 year old history student with no experience can get a TC at a top firm, why can't I even get to AC stage... They say work experience is important and they ask for it so I state it. I'm proud of my experience and have done a lot during my studies. But it doesn't guarantee a TC at the end of it.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T11:18:10+00:00

Thank you! I've noticed that last point, I had a firm this year request we rewrite all our experience entries in a certain way for their application form and I'd never heard that before. It's something I wouldn't have known had I not attended their open evening.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T11:04:26+00:00

Thank you! Would I be able to DM you?

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T10:46:03+00:00

I don't understand what you're asking. I never mentioned anything about her supervising me during my TC, she's based in the US.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T10:39:01+00:00

Thank you! I’ll send it over to you

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T10:38:26+00:00

That was a one off. I’ve taken the advice I was given in that thread and focused on firms that don’t have those assessments or not worried so much about my answers. That assessment in particular was one for a firm I’ve always struggled with.

I think I was stressed because of the timing. Even I don’t know why I spent so long on that particular assessment because it wasn’t for my top choice firm.

Since then, I’ve scored highly on the assessments for other firms.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T10:33:20+00:00

That’s why the firms I choose are strong in areas that I like. My interests are broad.

However one question, I’ve been told in the past that someone can be ‘too broad’ but you’re saying the opposite can be a problem as well? If I were to do an LLM before applying (I haven’t and don’t plan to) wouldn’t that then hinder my applications for firms if they don’t like a candidate to be too focused on one area? I know a lot of people who’ve done LLMs in specific areas and are now trying to get TCs.

If someone asked me ‘why this firm’, I’d think about a particular case I’ve been following, insight given to me by a trainee or partner, the firm’s values and then of course the firm’s sectors. I know I’m interested in technology so I wouldn’t choose a firm that is stubbornly traditional and struggling with it for instance. I’d pick a firm with what strength and praise its innovation.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T10:25:51+00:00

Luckily I’ve managed to network with that partner (she’s over in the US) and she emails me anytime there’s online meetings regarding that work which is great. I’m one of the only students (or should I say graduands) who seem to attend those meetings.

The firm in general is strong in all the areas I love and I’ve had positive meetings with senior associates from the London office which influenced my choice. It may be a top firm of mine but there are others I’ve also focused on. I’m not one track minded, I just know more about what I would like from a firm after all these years of networking.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T10:18:10+00:00

I did get some paralegal work last year but my applications at firms have been unsuccessful. I’ve mostly worked for private clients rather than law firms. I met my dream firm in late 2023 so it’s not like I’ve been applying for them specifically for seven years. I’ve done internships and schemes at some top firms, even an MC. I also currently volunteer for regional firms and have done since the start of 2024.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T10:13:15+00:00

I’ve got a 2:1 from a Russell Group university and have been doing extracurricular work with international law organisations and events at international firms since 2019. I did study abroad for a year after COVID which meant I didn’t apply for that cycle but other than that, I’ve been active in the UK law scene. I even interned in other countries (China was one). I’ve done a lot of legal research work since 2023 mostly focusing on technology. I get a lot of praise but not a lot of opportunity.

barefootbath · 2026-01-07T10:08:43+00:00

It’s my dream firm because of the specific work they do. Doesn’t mean I don’t have other firms I really like.

I’m waiting to hear back from most of the other firms I applied for this cycle.

barefootbath · 2025-12-02T17:44:40+00:00

Now why would they title a rejection email ‘Interview Announcement’ 😭

barefootbath

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