TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[T_03]

Has anyone not heard back from Goodwin?

 

[James Wakefield]

Can I ask why firms call to make offers when it could be sent via email?

Its nicer to call. Nice for the Grad Recruitment team too, who get to deliver good news. Probably one of the highlights of their job.

 

[clay pulse]

Has anyone not heard back from Goodwin?

I haven't

 

[Maddy]

OK, writing this because I need some advice. I received PW interview which I'm doing on Monday. I've had so much other work and I've barely prepared for it. If I got it, it would already clash with another VS that I have. I feel like pulling out of the process. I know that sounds really silly but it's just so much work and I wonder whether it's worth it. Could someone advise me on what to do?

Also, one of my top choices is CRS and I haven't heard back from them at all, so if I get a PFO I will kick myself for not having done the PW interview, but at the same time I now only have two days to prepare.

Did you get the interview today?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Can I ask why firms call to make offers when it could be sent via email?

While I'm sure @Jessica Booker would have more to say here, I think it's because it’s a more personal and engaging way to make an offer. Every single offer I received was either from an associate or a member of graduate recruitment with whom I had really connected during my interviews/assessment centres. It meant so much when they personally called back to make those offers. The calls also allowed people at the firm to convey genuine enthusiasm about making the offer in a way that can be difficult to achieve over email.

Phone calls also helps build rapport, reinforcing the idea that the firm values the candidate and sees them as a strong fit. This can be important when the firm knows that a candidate has offers elsewhere. Sometimes, firms use the call to provide immediate reassurance, particularly if the process has been competitive or the candidate has waited a while for an outcome.

The last thing I'll say is that phone calls also give me the chance to ask any initial questions about the next steps in a more conversational format. I had a few phone calls where I could quickly ask whether it was possible to be moved to a later or earlier scheme or be considered for a direct training contract instead, as well as sort out any further information that might be needed before accepting the offer itself. This was all so great to do briefly with someone over the phone rather than through email and offered reassurance in situations where I thought my circumstances would be a deal breaker.

Hope that helps!

 

[zonnonomo]

Anyone know if any firms CALL you to reject you post-AC? I just received an email that they tried to reach me but couldn't (I don't see any missed calls though), and am just curious...

last cycle i missed a phone call from milbank on a friday, they emailed asking me to call back, i got excited over the weekend only for them to reject me over the phone on monday 😻

 

[T_03]

I haven't

post partner interview?

 

[SeniorJunior]

Anyone know if any firms CALL you to reject you post-AC? I just received an email that they tried to reach me but couldn't (I don't see any missed calls though), and am just curious...

Addleshaw Goddard call after AC regardless of outcome. They tell you at the start of the AC that they will call within the next week and if you see a call from a withheld number it will be them.

 

[JessicaTC27]

Yeah there’s four stages: (1) written application, (2) pre-recorded VI, (3) written exercise and (4) partner interview. I think partner interviews are running until the end of next week (2-3 week time frame). 🙂​

Thanks that’s a really good insight! Wish you the best of luck !

 

[xxx]

Has anyone who applied to Trowers' London office received an offer?

Haven’t heard back at all… have you?

 

[Starfish31]

Anyone not heard back from Travers Smith after completing the app?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, sorry I found this old message with the search function. As a paralegal, should I be worried about conflict checks for direct training contracts too? Obviously I would disclose this and then avoid acting for the conflicting client once I start my TC, but could it be a reason not to hire me at all? Thank you

Direct TCs are not an issue as you will be out of employment with your paralegal firm by the time you start your TC (when you start working for the firm).

The issue is more when you are effectively working for two companies at the same time that may be different sides of a deal or case - that is what can block people who are paralegalling at one firm from doing a vacation scheme with another

 

[summerk27]

Anyone heard back from Gateley Reading - I know AC offers were made in other offices. They said they would reach out this week.

 

[lawyeringitout]

Does anyone know of cases where the law firm has sponsored visas for the vacation scheme for international students? especially US firms

 

[chlawstudent]

Does anyone have any insights into the Cripps assessment day?

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Direct TCs are not an issue as you will be out of employment with your paralegal firm by the time you start your TC (when you start working for the firm).

The issue is more when you are effectively working for two companies at the same time that may be different sides of a deal or case - that is what can block people who are paralegalling at one firm from doing a vacation scheme with another

That's really good to know, thank you so much!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Can I ask why firms call to make offers when it could be sent via email?

Firms want to ensure they:

1) speak to someone soon - an email could easily be missed by or not picked up for some time

2) Get a sense as to whether the individual will accept the offer

3) have to opportunity to answer any questions the candidate may have

4) engage more with the candidate - it feels much more personable this way. Pre 2014, firms couldn’t make offers to people still in their undergraduate course until the 1st September and the idea was just to make the offer as soon as possible so we sent offers out at 00.00 on 1st September but then follow up with phone calls the next morning, even on a Saturday/Sunday!!

 

[A worried graduate]

I got the fifth paragraph with a link to like stay engaged with Shoosmiths as well something about the strength based test. Maybe some got the strong application part and some didn’t.

I got told that my app was strong two years in a row

I assumed that it was automatic.

 

[futureTS03]

Hi! Have you heard back from Latham in the end?

Nope, have you heard back yet?

 

[Chris Brown]

This question may have been asked before, but how best do you go about structuring an answer to the question “introduce yourself/tell us about yourself” in an interview?​

I would probably just walk in to the interview and say hi my name is Chris Brown and then amaze the partners with something like this: 😂😂