2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Veep9]

Fox Williams asks “how do you rate your computer skills?” and then asks for details! What do they want here? Is it just competency with Microsoft Office?

 

[sunflowerducks]

Fox Williams asks “how do you rate your computer skills?” and then asks for details! What do they want here? Is it just competency with Microsoft Office?

I think so. You could also mention your typing speed and any programming languages you know.

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

I think so. You could also mention your typing speed and any programming languages you know.

Or if you have any legal work experience and have experience with matter management systems etc, then put this here as well

 

[Oxdart]

Wonder why CC pretty much only take penultimate students now for vacs and direct tc’s. Seems a bit discriminatory imo. Why is someone in their second year of uni better qualified to apply than someone in their final year/who’s graduated? They could all pretty much still start at the same time too, even if it was a year later.

I have been wondering this too and it’s definitely age discrimination. They saw they will consider all apps because if they didn’t I’m guessing someone could actually sue them? I’m non law so apols if that’s not how this works.

 

[Tangle]

Hi

My portal status says "In Process". Maybe forward your confirmation email to Grad Recruitment and see if it's just a glitch?

Thank you ! I’ll do that

 

[Veep9]

Or if you have any legal work experience and have experience with matter management systems etc, then put this here as well

Thank you both!

 

[MJ90]

I have been wondering this too and it’s definitely age discrimination. They saw they will consider all apps because if they didn’t I’m guessing someone could actually sue them? I’m non law so apols if that’s not how this works.

Really not sure what their thinking is behind it precisely but it seems to be age based primarily...
Class action lawsuit TCLA squad? 😁

 

[Abbie4329]

I have been wondering this too and it’s definitely age discrimination. They saw they will consider all apps because if they didn’t I’m guessing someone could actually sue them? I’m non law so apols if that’s not how this works.

I emailed CC about this in August. I’m a post grad. They told me for 2023 TC they’ve already given a significant number of the TCs to people from the SPARK scheme. I think first years are their actual target market. I guess the aim is to take the talent before other firms do.

 

[MJ90]

I emailed CC about this in August. I’m a post grad. They told me for 2023 TC they’ve already given a significant number of the TCs to people from the SPARK scheme. I think first years are their actual target market. I guess the aim is to take the talent before other firms do.

Still doesn't explain why the rest of the TC places can't (or won't likely) go to people who are beyond their penultimate year.

 

[NSinger]

Still doesn't explain why the rest of the TC places can't (or won't likely) go to people who are beyond their penultimate year.

They actually have a YouTube video explaining their reasoning behind it:

 

[Adrian_Healey]

They actually have a YouTube video explaining their reasoning behind it:

They actually have a YouTube video explaining their reasoning behind it:

I completely sympathise with those who are disappointed about this, and I am concerned about firms taking the political correctness/positive discrimination stance. (I understand their year 11 are aimed at state school students, and to be fair giving AC's to candidates they know from first year schemes is understandable.)

Regardless of your opinion about this however, recruitment is a two way process and if you don't agree with their policy, then you probably aren't missing out much by not working for them.
Hope we all get to work at a firm that value us

 

[Celestie]

They actually have a YouTube video explaining their reasoning behind it:

I am not convinced by it - it constricts certain groups in being successful and personally, that doesn't sit well with me. TC's should be open to everyone, rather than targetted. Hence, I will never apply to CC again.

 

[Abbie4329]

Still doesn't explain why the rest of the TC places can't (or won't likely) go to people who are beyond their penultimate year.

True. I do think CC’s approach is a bit short sighted. Graduates will have more to offer in my opinion. They’ll likely have relevant work experience and perhaps a better understanding of what they’re getting themselves into.

 

[Andrew M]

I am not convinced by it - it constricts certain groups in being successful and personally, that doesn't sit well with me. TC's should be open to everyone, rather than targetted. Hence, I will never apply to CC again.

I agree. It's the kind of restrictiveness that other firms are moving away from...

And I'm completely objective here, given that I haven't looked to apply as I don't want to work in London.

 

[MJ90]

They actually have a YouTube video explaining their reasoning behind it:

Quite an unnecessarily long video that aims to say a lot but ends up not saying much at all. They are prioritising applicants in penultimate year purely because of the number of people applying? This disadvantages career changers, mature students further along, and graduates unnecessarily.

Disclaimer: I don't have a vendetta against CC! I am just genuinely perplexed as to their rationale when no other firm I know of, including other MCs that get huge applicant numbers, like FF, did not take this stance post covid.

 

[Abbie4329]

I am not convinced by it - it constricts certain groups in being successful and personally, that doesn't sit well with me. TC's should be open to everyone, rather than targetted. Hence, I will never apply to CC again.

I agree. Having to review a lot of applications isn’t a valid reason to exclude ‘older’ candidates.

 

[Veep9]

True. I do think CC’s approach is a bit short sighted. Graduates will have more to offer in my opinion. They’ll likely have relevant work experience and perhaps a better understanding of what they’re getting themselves into.

I ... kinda feel like if you want a certain mould of a lawyer, you get them young and train them up. It feels like a control thing.

To me, this is remarkably short sighted, especially in a world in which diversifying intake has become key, but if you are CC and have several thousand applications for one place, you can afford to do it.

I hate it and I wouldn’t want to work there at all.

 

[Celestie]

I agree. It's the kind of restrictiveness that other firms are moving away from...

And I'm completely objective here, given that I haven't looked to apply as I don't want to work in London.

I agree. Having to review a lot of applications isn’t a valid reason to exclude ‘older’ candidates.

It is literally the most ridiculous excuse I have seen, other firms with more applications have worked around this so surely CC can too instead of being unnecessarily selective.

It just makes me question whether the firm has issues with ageism, elitism etc. It does not permeate a welcoming and inclusive environment.

 

[Abbie4329]

Quite an unnecessarily long video that aims to say a lot but ends up not saying much at all. They are prioritising applicants in penultimate year purely because of the number of people applying? This disadvantages career changers, mature students further along, and graduates unnecessarily.

Disclaimer: I don't have a vendetta against CC! I am just genuinely perplexed as to their rationale when no other firm I know of, including other MCs that get huge applicant numbers, like FF, did not take this stance post covid.

To add to this, if a lot of TCs are being given to first years, what are CC evaluating? Surely at the time of application the first years won’t have many undergraduate grades. Are they assessing candidates based almost solely on A levels? It’s just such a strange method of recruitment in my opinion.

 

[Kubed]

I'm glad to read other people's opinions on CC's stance - I was keen on the firm but this stance did help me to decide that it's not the kind of firm I want to work in