2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[MDS]

My assessment centre was on tuesday

Hey!! Congratulations on the vac scheme offer!! Was wondering if you could give any tips on the interview? I have an AC with Ashurst next week, you would be a true lifesaver

 

[Jony]

Hey!! Congratulations on the vac scheme offer!! Was wondering if you could give any tips on the interview? I have an AC with Ashurst next week, you would be a true lifesaver

For fairness, I'm not sharing anything specific with anyone!

But I would honestly, honestly say - ALL of the interview questions that are listed as part of TCLA's questions bank were super worthwhile rehearsing! Go through each of them as many times as possible. And be yourself, and friendly

 

[Legal_rawn]

For the Jones Day cover letter what are the key things to focus on? Obviously the non-rotational TC structure ought to be mentioned somewhere but what else other than that? It is only 300 words so I am struggling to work out what to allocated my word count to! Any help would be so appreciated

 

[AS2000]

For the Jones Day cover letter what are the key things to focus on? Obviously the non-rotational TC structure ought to be mentioned somewhere but what else other than that? It is only 300 words so I am struggling to work out what to allocated my word count to! Any help would be so appreciated

You could mention their smaller trainee intake and their strong mid-market M&A work.

 

[MDS]

For fairness, I'm not sharing anything specific with anyone!

But I would honestly, honestly say - ALL of the interview questions that are listed as part of TCLA's questions bank were super worthwhile rehearsing! Go through each of them as many times as possible. And be yourself, and friendly

Thank you!

 

[anon101]

For fairness, I'm not sharing anything specific with anyone!

But I would honestly, honestly say - ALL of the interview questions that are listed as part of TCLA's questions bank were super worthwhile rehearsing! Go through each of them as many times as possible. And be yourself, and friendly

Hi, congratulations on the offer! Could you please tell me where I can find this question bank?

 

[Jony]

Hi, congratulations on the offer! Could you please tell me where I can find this question bank?

Over here. all the very best

https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/175-training-contract-interview-questions-2/

 

[AS2000]

Binned by W&C Yesterday for the Winter Vac Scheme. Submitted my app on the last day but was really counting on as I had spent so much time on it. Is it worth applying to their TC later this year?

 

[Alice G]

Rejection for Freshfields' grad workshop

I am so so sorry Flora, you’re working so hard and you’ll get there <3

I just want to say that truthfully, open days and workshops are often much more competitive than TC and vacation scheme applications. For workshops and open days, firms need to be selective because they are mindful they need to make them valuable and so need to confine numbers slightly to ensure this. Often firms will only run a couple of these open days a year so there really aren’t many places available. With TCs and vacation schemes firms have much more leeway to invite candidates to ACs because they can often run many of these in a week and some firms do two a day! I really hope this reassures you guys and for anyone feeling like they shouldn’t try for TCs and Vac schemes because of open day rejections, please do still apply! Take a look at the application you submitted maybe after a few days to process everything and then try to self assess what was good about it and what can be improved. Like I’ve said, open day places are more competitive than AC places so don’t be put off by this.

 

[Amy456]

Does anyone know if you can apply to the freshfields vacation scheme as a third year law student.

 

[Alice G]

Does anyone know if you can apply to the freshfields vacation scheme as a third year law student.

I just searched and their website says this:

“Am I eligible?
You’re eligible to apply for the vacation scheme if you are a penultimate-year student studying any degree. If you are studying a four-year degree, you are able to apply in your second year and, if offered, we will defer your place.”

 

[OB]

Does anyone know if you can apply to the freshfields vacation scheme as a third year law student.

Only penultimate year students are eligible. Final year students and graduates have to apply for a direct TC!

 

[Lawsm21]

Just wondering- should I be responding to an email inviting me to the assessment centre? It is just a generic email so I assume not and I have chosen the date on the portal so have confirmed my acceptance, but suddenly thought I should check if it is customary/ polite to email thanking them and saying I look forward to it?

 

[bel123456]

Just wondering- should I be responding to an email inviting me to the assessment centre? It is just a generic email so I assume not and I have chosen the date on the portal so have confirmed my acceptance, but suddenly thought I should check if it is customary/ polite to email thanking them and saying I look forward to it?

nah!

 

[M1999]

Just wondering- should I be responding to an email inviting me to the assessment centre? It is just a generic email so I assume not and I have chosen the date on the portal so have confirmed my acceptance, but suddenly thought I should check if it is customary/ polite to email thanking them and saying I look forward to it?

No point I don’t think, grad rec are pretty busy and therefore it’s just another irrelevant email (no offence)! I think you can show your gratitude at the actual AC

 

[Celestie]

Just wondering- should I be responding to an email inviting me to the assessment centre? It is just a generic email so I assume not and I have chosen the date on the portal so have confirmed my acceptance, but suddenly thought I should check if it is customary/ polite to email thanking them and saying I look forward to it?

I wouldn't (and haven't for one I have been invited for) because there is not much else they can say back to you. Kick back, relax and congratulations on getting this far!

 

[Jim Boy Calloway]

Hey everyone, I just got a rejection from Ashurst for winter vac scheme post application, my rejection said "your application was of a high standard , but we have unfortunately only been able to shortlist a small percentage of applications for this vacancy" and I just wanted to know if this is their generic email? guess i'm just trying to figure out if my application was actually strong or they just say that to everyone

I can confirm that they do not say this to everyone. The rejection email I received made no mention of it being a "high standard" haha

 

[jam1999]

@Jessica Booker @Jaysen
Any tips to handle this question for the Irwin Mitchell Vac Scheme?

"Our clients have lots of legal advisors to choose from. As a trainee solicitor you will speak with new clients on a day to day basis, therefore it is important to understand how Irwin Mitchell can support them.
After a busy day at the office, you begin your journey home on the train. The passenger next to you notices you are reading a legal journal and mentions that they are currently looking for a new firm of solicitors as they are not happy with their current firm. How would you promote Irwin Mitchell to the potential client?"

I understand it is generally to show why you think Irwin Mitchell is a great firm, and how you would sell that to someone else. But - it seems difficult that we do not know if this is a client looking for personal/business services, or what service they are looking for... any ideas?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker @Jaysen
Any tips to handle this question for the Irwin Mitchell Vac Scheme?

"Our clients have lots of legal advisors to choose from. As a trainee solicitor you will speak with new clients on a day to day basis, therefore it is important to understand how Irwin Mitchell can support them.
After a busy day at the office, you begin your journey home on the train. The passenger next to you notices you are reading a legal journal and mentions that they are currently looking for a new firm of solicitors as they are not happy with their current firm. How would you promote Irwin Mitchell to the potential client?"

I understand it is generally to show why you think Irwin Mitchell is a great firm, and how you would sell that to someone else. But - it seems difficult that we do not know if this is a client looking for personal/business services, or what service they are looking for... any ideas?

I think your questions in part show how you can approach the question.

 

[Celestie]

Has anyone applied for Boodle Hatfield? Heard from them? I haven't started applying yet and they have a strenuously long application form (4+ 500 word questions ). Don't want to waste my time if they are handing out VI or ACs