TCLA General Discussion Thread #2 (2021)

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jan28

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Hi! I was wondering when the vac scheme has been completed and TC decisions are being made, how much weight is given to VS performance vs general application (eg unis/grades etc). Are people generally on a level playing field at VS stage so there'll be a far greater emphasis on VS performance?
this depends between the firms i think! during my scheme we were told most if not all weight would be put on the final assessments we had over the last two days, which was basically like a full on AC with a written task, case study and an interview. If you don't have similar assessments at the end then they will probably look at your overall performance :)
 
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Anon 11031

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I got a TC offer without ever having been on a vac scheme so I can confirm you'll be just fine 😂
Although that's an incredible achievement🎊, lots of people don't get TC offers even after they've completed a VS and it's probably quite a valid worry. So many people here have done a VS or got to AC and then had the rug pulled under them last minute.

OP should focus on the things they can control such as preparing for the VS scheme, submitting apps elsewhere if they are anxious or feel the need to. I'm sure they will do just fine but relaxing when you haven't gotten over the last hurdle of the recruitment process is probably a mistake that some people make!

Good luck OP ❤️

Also, I'm not sure how you got your TC offer but if it was somewhere in the recruitment process before you completed it that's really rare and candidates should probably know that. Although it's massively impressive!
 
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Jacob Miller

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    For a commercial issue question, I have seen that lots of people talk about the shift from LIBOR to SONIA is that commercial issue talked about this issue. I wanted to ask if this commercial issue is talked about it to often in applications as more people talk about this in an online application form. Also, should applicants discuss a different commercial issue. Thoughts on this @Jaysen @Jessica Booker
    I'd say it's worthwhile discussing if you have a genuine interest in it, but, as Jess says, it's quite a niche issue so could seem contrived if you don't have a clear and genuine interest!
     
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    Jacob Miller

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  • Feb 15, 2020
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    Hi! I was wondering when the vac scheme has been completed and TC decisions are being made, how much weight is given to VS performance vs general application (eg unis/grades etc). Are people generally on a level playing field at VS stage so there'll be a far greater emphasis on VS performance?
    Post-VS, much more consideration is given to the VS performance. If you made it to the VS, your application (inc grades etc) was judged to be sufficient to train there.
     
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    Kablahc

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  • Aug 31, 2020
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    Although that's an incredible achievement🎊, lots of people don't get TC offers even after they've completed a VS and it's probably quite a valid worry. So many people here have done a VS or got to AC and then had the rug pulled under them last minute.

    OP should focus on the things they can control such as preparing for the VS scheme, submitting apps elsewhere if they are anxious or feel the need to. I'm sure they will do just fine but relaxing when you haven't gotten over the last hurdle of the recruitment process is probably a mistake that some people make!

    Good luck OP ❤️

    Also, I'm not sure how you got your TC offer but if it was somewhere in the recruitment process before you completed it that's really rare and candidates should probably know that. Although it's massively impressive!
    I realise my post might have come across a little bit insensitive, I was trying to be a bit jokey about my experience but I think it came out wrong 🤣 This is my second cycle, where (edit: in my first cycle) I got a VS offer then a Direct TC AC/interview that I didn't get to complete due to COVID, so I fully empathise with the situation of having the rug pulled out under you since it happened to me several times just last summer.

    And disclaimer just to be clear, that I got the offer after doing the AC for a VS application, I've only done two cycles so I don't know if this is particularly rare but the TC I was applying for (for a firm's very specific office) does not usually do it and I don't know their motivations. However that's not to say that it never happens because I know very little about the recruitment process and it could be common for other offices and other firms as well. Anyway what I wanted to say but what I think came out wrong was that OP shouldn't worry at all but try their best to enjoy what I'm sure will be a brilliant VS because you never know what's going to come out even of an interview, plus the Direct TC cycle is very much still happening so you never know what offer is around the corner 🎉
     

    Daniel Boden

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  • Sep 6, 2018
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    I only have one vac scheme lined up and I'm worried about putting all my eggs in one basket - am I just overthinking though?
    Haha try not to worry! Just concentrate on preparing as best you can and giving your all on the scheme and you won't go far wrong! Trust in the process and best of luck to you :)
     

    SamTam99

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    Jan 5, 2021
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    @Jessica Booker at what point should I start stressing about not receiving my assessment centre instructions/timetable?

    My AC starts in less than 24 hours and I still don’t know how to log in etc, I’m trying to stay calm, but it’s clearly not working 🤣

    What would you advise I do? Should I wait a bit longer or try to email/call gr?
     

    Asil Ahmad

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    I'd say it's worthwhile discussing if you have a genuine interest in it, but, as Jess says, it's quite a niche issue so could seem contrived if you don't have a clear and genuine interest!
    I agree with you on this and don't just discuss it for the sake of it. Thank you for your reply.
     

    Jessica Booker

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    @Jessica Booker at what point should I start stressing about not receiving my assessment centre instructions/timetable?

    My AC starts in less than 24 hours and I still don’t know how to log in etc, I’m trying to stay calm, but it’s clearly not working 🤣

    What would you advise I do? Should I wait a bit longer or try to email/call gr?
    As it’s now after lunchtime, give them a call. Email won’t necessarily help as they might not pick the email up until tomorrow anyway.
     
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    Anon 11031

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    Turns out SPACs aren't as widely spoken about as I thought. I was talking to my partner about my application and mentioned it (he's a commercial lawyer at an international firm - IP etc) and he just pulled a face at me like...

    😂😂😂
    Episode 5 What GIF by The Office
     

    FM302989

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  • Oct 16, 2020
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    Turns out SPACs aren't as widely spoken about as I thought. I was talking to my partner about my application and mentioned it (he's a commercial lawyer at an international firm - IP etc) and he just pulled a face at me like...

    😂😂😂
    Episode 5 What GIF by The Office
    Lol I'm sure they're tired of law students jumping on a 'commercial' bandwagon acting like thought leaders on the topic. Or they're a firm that just don't touch that market

    1620739085085.png
     

    FM302989

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    It's a leading commercial law firm that definitely works with that stuff but I'm starting to think it's much more of a niche than the rest of us think it is 😂😂😂
    Yeah you're right, it absolutely is still a niche, especially in the UK where it's not a very attractive idea. There may be high value of vehicles being set up, but it's unlikely to be a regular transaction worked on right now
     
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    Jessica Booker

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    Turns out SPACs aren't as widely spoken about as I thought. I was talking to my partner about my application and mentioned it (he's a commercial lawyer at an international firm - IP etc) and he just pulled a face at me like...

    😂😂😂
    Episode 5 What GIF by The Office
    Might have purposely played it that way so you talked about it in layman’s terms rather than jargon. I have seen this done many times before anyway 😁
     
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    Anon 11031

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    Might have purposely played it that way so you talked about it in layman’s terms rather than jargon. I have seen this done many times before anyway 😁
    I wish this was true but he was completely dumbfounded 😂. I'm pretty sure his commercial awareness is worse than mine. Since he's 5 years PQ he doesn't read much beyond his specialism anymore I don't think.

    Pure laziness 😂
     

    jan28

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    Sep 12, 2019
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    Hi guys. I really struggle with 'what's your weakness' questions. I know it's best to give a genuine answer but I've also heard it's not good to talk about a personality trait which all of my examples are 😂 any advice please?
     

    Jacob Miller

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  • Feb 15, 2020
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    Hi guys. I really struggle with 'what's your weakness' questions. I know it's best to give a genuine answer but I've also heard it's not good to talk about a personality trait which all of my examples are 😂 any advice please?
    I discuss this in some depth in my interview prep article accessible via the link in my signature, if you're not already familiar with it :)
     
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