Case Study: Sidley Austin – From Four Years of Rejection to a Training Contract (US$225k NQ Track)

hassan2990
Sep 8
2 min read

Updated: Oct 7

At a Glance

95% offer‑rate benchmark (flagship); 100% interview pass (STAR‑3™); 9 months from restart to offer; Frameworks: STAR‑3™, PEAL‑3™
NQ salary track: US$225k; projected lifetime uplift £4m+

Before

Four application cycles, zero interviews, despite first‑class law degree; confidence eroding.

After

Sidley Austin Vacation Scheme converted to a full Training Contract on a US$225k NQ track.

Problem

Jess, a high‑achieving graduate from an elite UK university, had endured four consecutive cycles of rejections. Corporate‑law acceptance rates hover below two percent and skew towards Oxbridge profiles with internships. Despite immaculate academics, her cover letters failed screening algorithms, and she had never practised a single motivational interview. After 40+ unanswered applications she sought discreet, high‑precision support that matched her ambition and her UHNW family’s expectations.

Solution

Redrafted 8 applications per firm (≈ 303 edits overall) using PEAL‑3™ → 95% screening pass‑rate.
Simulated 20 HireVue & partner‑panels → 90% first‑round pass‑rate, filler‑word density ↓ 80%.
Executive presence coaching (tonality, pauses, gravitas) → supported vacation‑scheme success.

Result

Within 9 months Jess secured and converted a Sidley Austin Vacation Scheme to a Training Contract. Confidence restored; trajectory set to a US$225k NQ path—proving that granular frameworks + insider coaching can vault stalled candidates into the two-percent club.

ROI Table

Metric	Result
Family Investment	£POA (Price on Appointment).
Starting Salary	$225,000
Pay-back Period	≈ 2 months
Projected Lifetime Uplift	£4m+

Testimonial: “Genuinely thought this was impossible. Truly exceptional.” — Jess’s mother

Privacy notice: All case studies use fictional names and anonymised details to protect client confidentiality. Where appropriate, and with the client’s consent, we may arrange an introduction for you and your parents after their offer has been secured.