TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[hopefulforatc]

I have a connection at a silver circle who reviewed my application for their winter vac scheme and said it looked really strong/helped with "improvements" but I still got a post-app PFO so take from that what you will! I do agree though that unless you have a connection most people just don't have the time or energy to help strangers - one "hey can you take a quick look at this" quickly becomes four follow ups and I personally would not have the inclination to invest so much time into someone I didn't know.

yea doesn't make a huge difference. If it has to happen it will.

 

[bangarangbass39]

I don’t even blame them either. Trainees are going to very busy people and helping a stranger try and advance on an application is a lot of effort unless you’ve already got a connection or built some rapport with them.

For sure! I think some shouldn’t give advice/present themselves as willing to. I realise Trainees are the best marketers. Great at selling to you they are open and available but in reality they aren’t. I don’t blame tho.

I think if people want help it’s best to speak to recruiters and careers advisors at uni. It might seem fruitless but they’re the ones who are headhunting, read applications the most and know what a good one looks like. Trainees aren’t always the best because in reality they don’t know what specifically did or didn’t get them through the door. I mean ppl get given great ratings post Vac Scheme or post application stage and still don’t secure an Interview/CV.

 

[ADKM]

Inspired by @Legalstalker and @Sharon Wu, I also want to share my application journey so far. To anyone reading this, if u feel ur behind the 8 ball, I hope this post comforts u. I’m a graduate, having worked in hospitality, sales (covering groceries, footwear & apparel, home furnishings), legal, and volunteering, I still haven’t gotten a tc and will never lose optimism of getting one until I get one.

Total apps submitted (across 2 cycles)- 26
PFO post apps- 20
PFO post 2nd stage- 3
Firms waiting on- 3
AC reached- 0
Hardest rejection- W&C as I gave a lot of thought on drafting a concise, bespoke cover letter so this one particularly hurt 😭
Easiest rejection- shearman & sterling as I heard some not-so-great stories about them

Plan going forward- currently working as a sales assistant but have a new offer lined up with a global AI training and collection company in London (will start from 19 march). Given all the hype surrounding AI, hopefully this role gives me some good experience ahead of the new season.

As I have some legal experience under my belt, I’m planning on submitting few direct apps in the summer.

Congratulations on ur VS offers @Legalstalker and @Sharon Wu, very well deserved 🥳🥳 hope u both convert it

 

[Jessica Booker]

View attachment 5894

I stumbled upon this on TikTok and wondered if this post was actually accurate as it strikes me as somewhat forced/inane?

I’m not disputing that 1, 3, and 5 are good points, I just think 2 and 4 are weird. How will connecting with graduate recruitment on LinkedIn help you at all? They’re not going to offer preferential treatment, if they remember your name at all, so what purpose does that serve?

Same with 4, unless you have a connection at said firm, what trainee or associate is going to spend their time reading and offering tailored advice to a stranger on their application? When some of these firms receive 4,000 applications, again, why would they offer preferential treatment?

Perhaps I’m being overly pessimistic or am I accurate here?

In most instances, you won’t be visible to GR teams even if you do connect with them on LinkedIn.

They are generally connected with hundreds/possibly thousands of other people and their timelines are far busier than you can ever be “visible” to them. And that’s even assuming they have the time to be active on LinkedIn.

 

[HLL]

Someone previously mentioned acquiring work experience in finance and pe to put one in a stronger position next cycle. As someone from a law background, I wonder what types of internship role in finance/pe I could look at. Have never thought of this route before so appreciate any insights!

 

[BillSikes]

Anything from Marriott Harrison?

 

[DieHard]

Someone previously mentioned acquiring work experience in finance and pe to put one in a stronger position next cycle. As someone from a law background, I wonder what types of internship role in finance/pe I could look at. Have never thought of this route before so appreciate any insights!

Do you mean in terms of investment side of Private Equity?

 

[DieHard]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back
from W&C post VI. I’ve tried calling several times but they haven’t yet picked up.

When did you complete the VI?

 

[Broadwater]

Someone previously mentioned acquiring work experience in finance and pe to put one in a stronger position next cycle. As someone from a law background, I wonder what types of internship role in finance/pe I could look at. Have never thought of this route before so appreciate any insights!

Obviously that would be great but they'd be mega competitive unless you know someone in the industry. Tbh I'd just write to high street firms near you that do a bit of commercial work and ask to work for them for a couple of weeks. I got some small-scale transactional experience by doing that and was able to draft various ancillary documents and manage a part of the signing process. All that is v applicable to the work of a trainee and less competitive to get

 

[F12M34L]

Anything from king and spalding?

 

[nliro85]

How do people deal with post-AC PFO anxiety or whatever it is called that affects you after being rejected post-AC!

 

[hopefulforatc]

I am a recent graduate from a Russell group university and this is my first cycle of vacation scheme applications. I have low A Level grades however, I was able to get VIs from some firms but I did not pass them. I am thinking of reapplying next cycle.

@Jessica Booker what do you suggest I should do in the meantime to increase my chances next cycle.

 

[lawbear123]

has anyone completed the dentons VI?

 

[CHLTC]

Has anyone heard back from Charles Russell Speechlys (CRS) post video interview yet?

 

[TCchaser24]

Who else got dwf AC london?

 

[AlegalA]

Irwin Mitchell AC for Legal services for Individuals in London!!!
This is my first AC so would be extremely extremely grateful for tips. It's an online AC so any advice for that would also be really appreciated!!

 

[sldn1]

Has anyone not heard back from Dechert post VI/written assessment for summer? I did mine over a month ago and im assuming PFO

 

[trainee2025]

Has anyone not heard back from Dechert post VI/written assessment for summer? I did mine over a month ago and im assuming PFO

I wouldn’t assume anything with Dechert to be honest - they can be very slow as the team is very small

 

[Kld]

congrats both of you!! what office is this for and what service?

Thank you! That's really kind of you. London office - personal services.

 

[legallybrunette8]

this might be a silly question, but when firms ask "why did you apply to this programme/what challenges might you face during this programme", are we meant to be talking about their vacation scheme or their training contract? I'm assuming it would be the VS, but since most of them lead to TCs i can't help but feel the TC should also be addressed???