TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hello,
I have an interview with CRS coming up and I understand that the firm has a strong presence in private wealth but also in corporate and commercial clients.
@Amma Usman, @Andrei Radu, @Ram Sabaratnam, I would really appreciate any tips on how to show commercial awareness, as that is where I feel I have been let down in previous ACs

Hiya @fxy

Congrats on getting the CRS interview! From my experience during previous cycles, the CRS interview involved a few distinct elements: (1) a very fun group exercise, (2) a case study exercise, and (3) a partner interview.

For the group exercise, we had around half an hour to discuss roughly 6-8 topics. Here, the key is to make sure your contributions have an impact. Your interventions can even be in the form of a question to show that you're able to prompt discussion and further the conversation, building or reflecting on what others have said. As always with these things, I'd say try to be concise, clear, and show you're genuinely listening and building on others' points. In terms of the topics themselves, I'd suggest brushing up on current business trends and events that are affecting the legal profession and the market (e.g. AI, hybrid working, ESG, etc.). Don't worry about being overly technical. It's more about demonstrating common-sense solutions and asking thoughtful questions.

As for the commercial case study (assuming it's similar to the one that I completed), you'll want to think about day-to-day operational challenges rather than just high-level strategy. You could think about questions like: how does a company manage its workforce effectively, handle tough employer decisions, or successfully integrate new technologies? We were given a scenario involving a company facing certain problems, and our task was essentially to interview a partner/senior associate who was role playing as a client. Again, it's less about detailed firm knowledge/commercial knowledge and more about showing practical insight and good judgment.

When it comes to the final partner interview and showing commercial awareness, you'll want to particularly think about CRS's strengths in private wealth alongside corporate and commercial sectors. They like seeing that you understand both personal client dynamics and wider business concerns, so try to keep that balance. I'd also have a think more generally about why anyone would be interested in joining a firm with a strong private client/commercial split.

Hope that gives you a steer. Good luck!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hello,

I wanted to ask - in case I don’t meet the 2:1 criteria and have mitigating circumstances to support the same but do well in Capp test and WGT, do I have chance getting shortlisted at firm? How focused are they on grades?

Thanks!

Hiya @Law queries

Wanted to echo some of what @Chris Brown has already astutely pointed out. Totally agree it's a tricky question, but ultimately I'd say don't count yourself out! Loads of applicants with mitigating circumstances and grades slightly below a 2:1 still manage to secure vacation schemes. I've known candidates who've had success at securing vacation schemes with firms as wide ranging as Addleshaw Goddard and Weil despite not quite meeting the grade cut-off. While grades matter, I've always tried to emphasise that they're just one piece of the puzzle. If you do well on the Capp test and Watson Glaser, those are also important data points that firms will consider when deciding to move your application along.

Many firms are also genuinely open to looking at mitigating circumstances. The key is making sure you clearly (and briefly!) explain those circumstances, helping the recruiter put your grades into context. After that, make sure your application really shines in other ways, like clearly highlighting your experiences, interests, and why the firm feels like a strong match. In my experience, many firms appreciate that people's time in university aren't always straightforward. I hope you keep applying!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

any1 think we will hear from OC post AC this week?

 

[User5678]

Browne Jacobson telephone interview for london office

Any insights would be very very appreciated. @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman

 

[James Wakefield]

Did anyone else get sent a Cappfinity test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner?….

Is this a mistake? 😅

 

[sibs23]

Has anyone done the Bates Wells AC for the Vac scheme? Has anyone heard back?!

Yes, I did mine last week. We got told we would hear back early this week (Mon/Tues).

 

[James Wakefield]

Did anyone else get sent a Cappfinity test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner?….

Is this a mistake? 😅

If anyone else is in the same situation, I’ve emailed the Early Careers team to check whether we need to do the test and will share the response here.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Did anyone else get sent a Cappfinity test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner?….

Is this a mistake? 😅

They better be serving caviar in every course…

 

[RaniaH062002]

Anybody heard back from Brabners? I've not yet even received an invite for their SJT and it's making me worried that if I haven't been sent one I've possibly received a PFO.

 

[1234578]

If anyone else is in the same situation, I’ve emailed the Early Careers team to check whether we need to do the test and will share the response here.

Thank you!

 

[Chris Brown]

Did anyone else get sent a Cappfinity test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner?….

Is this a mistake? 😅

If anyone else is in the same situation, I’ve emailed the Early Careers team to check whether we need to do the test and will share the response here.

They better be serving caviar in every course…

I’ve also received a test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner. They’re asking for too much now lmao. A Cappfinity SJT and a telephone interview for a dinner??!! 🥲🥲

Yeah hopefully it’s just an error and we don’t need to do the test. I’m guessing it’s purely to cut down the numbers. I wonder how many people have applied for the dinners previously. It must be at least 500+ for them to need these additional stages. 🥲🥲

Watch them only give something like cheese and beans on toast or tuna sandwiches. They better be serving caviar for every course otherwise what’s with all this nonsense??!! 🥲🥲​

 

[student353]

Has anyone had a PFO post-interview from PW? I’m so tired of waiting 🥲

 

[TC129129]

any1 think we will hear from OC post AC this week?

Apparently they said 3-4 days but I didn't hear this

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Apparently they said 3-4 days but I didn't hear this

Ohh ok so should be early this week then …

 

[James Wakefield]

If anyone else is in the same situation, I’ve emailed the Early Careers team to check whether we need to do the test and will share the response here.

So the Cappfinity was not a mistake!

“Thank you for your email.

The online assessment is part of the application process.”

 

[fidrrygalka]

Has anyone had a PFO post-interview from PW? I’m so tired of waiting 🥲

Even some people’s toxic situationships could learn from PW on ghosting and edging techniques

 

[student353]

Even some people’s toxic situationships could lewej from PW on ghosting and edging techniques

Omg REAL, I feel so needy at this point 😅😂

 

[adrianchkong]

If anyone else is in the same situation, I’ve emailed the Early Careers team to check whether we need to do the test and will share the response here.

Just heard back from the Early Careers team confirming that the test is indeed part of the application process for the Senior Partner Dinner.

 

[Meghna]

I still haven’t heard anything from Mishcon after completing the VI. Should I be concerned? Is it worth emailing them?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey everyone,

I accepted to do a two week vacation scheme at a top US firm (upcoming from next week) BEFORE accepting a training contract offer from the firm I want to and will be going to.

I still want to do the vacation scheme, as its two weeks and will therefore give me good exposure to two new practice areas, which I see as hugely valuable to inform my training contract seat choices. There is nothing in my training contract offer documents that precludes me from accepting work experience with other firms/explicitly restricts me from doing this vacation scheme, the only limitations I can see are around 'acting professionally' and keeping any information on the TC firm confidential, both of which I will of course do.

I see no ethical concerns around this either, as I had accepted the VS offer before accepting the TC offer, so no other candidates are restricted from a shot at the VS firm as I had already taken the place. I could also do with the spare cash!

Would nonetheless be interested in what others think/if anyone knows of or has been in the same position.

I personally don't see the value in doing vacation schemes if there is no chance in you considering training with the firm. I think exploring what you might enjoy as a trainee can be done in far more productive (and realistic) ways than a vacation scheme too. You have 2-3 years to also work this out rather than needing that information now.

I'd argue you are restricting someone from doing the vacation scheme as the firm can backfill the opportunity with someone else if you were to renege on the offer. This is why many firms run waiting lists or get back in contact with candidates that were close to getting offers.

However, it is ultimately your choice and no one else's business what you choose to do. It is only their opinion on the matter based on their experiences.

My opinion is based on the frustrations of being on the other end of this. I feel like mine and my colleagues' time has been wasted when this has happened to me in the past. A lot of effort goes into running vacation schemes and it just seems a shame for all the effort with no chance of any return.

There are enough people who choose to continue with vacation schemes for a range of reasons - sometimes its financial, sometimes its just to be 100% sure they are making the right decision, sometimes its for reasons like yours. So it wouldn't be that you are the only one doing this.