TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[Asil Ahmad]

For those who did WG for Baker McKenzie did you do the test with panpowered.

 

[Aga123+]

any tips on trying to move on from disastrous AC?! Feel like I've left myself down!

I felt the same after an AC (last year) and honestly, this feeling really sucks. But just remember that as long as you did your best, you can hold your head high - it is a great achievement to even get to the AC stage. Also, no matter the outcome, use this experience as a learning curve and push forward to the next task.

From personal experience, it is really easy to replay the whole thing over and over again (this isn't going to help at all). Instead, try and do something you really enjoy to take your mind off things for a while

 

[allthingslegaltech]

any tips on trying to move on from disastrous AC?! Feel like I've left myself down!

I failed mine yesterday, got rejected this morning.

Remember that they clearly saw something in you for you to have made it to the AC, that doesn't happen by accident. If it didn't go well, it's an opportunity to learn and improve, and then reapply next time. Keep moving forward, you've got this!

 

[unserious candidate]

willkie pfo post-VI. very much expected, it was the worst VI i have ever done 😂😂
Gemma was kind enough to offer a feedback phone call, which is rare at VI stage, but i’ll pass 😭

 

[OB]

willkie pfo post-VI. very much expected, it was the worst VI i have ever done 😂😂
Gemma was kind enough to offer a feedback phone call, which is rare at VI stage, but i’ll pass 😭

You should definitely take her feedback offer, I went to lots of her events when she worked for Aspiring Solicitors and she's probably the reason I've gotten this far today!

 

[Jessica Booker]

willkie pfo post-VI. very much expected, it was the worst VI i have ever done 😂😂
Gemma was kind enough to offer a feedback phone call, which is rare at VI stage, but i’ll pass 😭

I’d encourage you to get the feedback - you’ll need to get very comfortable with giving and receiving feedback in the career and it’s a great way to get used to it, even if it does hit hard or seem obvious.

 

[koshka]

omg Willkie written exercise !!! I’ve been having such a breakdown about all my rejections I think I might cry (good tears for once )

 

[AspiringTrainee]

Willkie Written exercise! I thought I mucked that up! 🎉

 

[SCN]

tips on Macfarlanes AC?

 

[M777]

Has anyone heard from Willkie re booking written exercises yet?

 

[ZaraB]

You should definitely take her feedback offer, I went to lots of her events when she worked for Aspiring Solicitors and she's probably the reason I've gotten this far today!

Agree with this 100%, but I hadn’t interacted with Gemma through AS, instead I watched a LawCareers.net webinar on applications and Gemma was one of the speakers, her advice was not only excellent but also very motivating and I actually felt
this career is within reach because of attending that webinar.

 

[CF12345]

In virtual interview is it okay to refer to notes?

 

[summer207]

When you are given your interviewer's name, are there particular things you are expected to know/research about them?

 

[JM1998]

When you are given your interviewer's name, are there particular things you are expected to know/research about them?

When I was preparing I would check the partners in case I’d named a particular practice area or deal I was interested in. Just in case you name a specific deal in your app and you end up in an interview with the partner who led it! It wouldn’t look great if they were really keen to talk about it and then you’d just namedropped it in the application and couldn’t talk about it.

I don’t know how common this situation is, or whether this is expected, @Jessica Booker would probably be best placed to answer this!

 

[AspiringTrainee]

Has anyone heard from Willkie re booking written exercises yet?

It says in my email within 5 working days you’ll get links to book - so maybe Monday?

 

[xxangelxx]

anyone who has been to a Dentons AC? would really appreciate any advice cheers xxx

 

[AspiringTrainee]

Is this a mistake? I did the BCLP interview this afternoon at 2 and just been invited to AC!? But it says “dear %first name%” 😂😅

 

[George Maxwell]

@George Maxwell So I have this question specifically for HSF also and I am just wondering whether you believe my reasons below are ok? So I essentially know that HSF are a full-service firm with strengths across numerous practice areas (corporate and disputes) but my specific reasons for my interest revolve around their strength in IP, allowing you to specialise in particular sectors in TC (specifically interested here in corporate strengths at firm and how I can specifically do life sciences/tech work here as interested in these industries), and their focus on innovation.

So in line with these reasons, I have also applied to firms like TW, Bird & Bird (which are actually quite different to HSF as not as well-rounded as they specialise more in these areas I am interested in). With this in mind, when speaking about other firms I have applied to and why and my motivation for HSF – would you say this reasoning isn’t strong enough/doesn’t apply to HSF enough or is fine because of their full-service nature and its natural to take a specific interest in certain things?

I hope what I am asking makes sense!

Hi @gracelaw_,

This is a good question.

So as I said in my previous post, I think that highlighting certain characteristics of some firms, and contrasting ones in others is fine. It just depends on how well you can justify your attraction to the characteristics in question.

In this case, you could highlight that training at HSF would allow you to have exposure to first-class IP work whilst also allowing you to experience other (equally strong) practice areas (i.e., it would give you a very rounded training contract). It can also provide world-class structured training etc. Hogan Lovells would do this too as they are also highly ranked for IP (and are very similar to HSF in many ways).

It is normal to have a particular interest in something too and I think this displays a healthy interest in the career more generally. All I would say is make sure that you are able to justify your interest and be able to speak about it (even after being prodded/pushed or while being subject to significant pressure by your interviewer).

I would caution you that it is a good idea to demonstrate that you are committed to keeping an open mind about practice areas.

I was told numerous times about people who went to HSF intent on being a litigator, who then qualified into a non-contentious seat, such as corporate, for example. The firm like to know that you will be enthusiastic wherever you are put (as you are unlikely to get your first choice seat for each rotation of your TC). Supervising a trainee who clearly does not want to be in X seat is pretty miserable (and does not reflect well on you as a trainee either).

Incidentally, during my vacation scheme, the IP presentation was particularly interesting and was a real highlight.

Rachel Montagnon who led the talk was fantastic. The presentation was just very interactive and fun 🤓. I know others on the scheme felt the same way too!

I hope that helps.

Please do reach out if you have any further questions 🚀

 

[summer207]

When I was preparing I would check the partners in case I’d named a particular practice area or deal I was interested in. Just in case you name a specific deal in your app and you end up in an interview with the partner who led it! It wouldn’t look great if they were really keen to talk about it and then you’d just namedropped it in the application and couldn’t talk about it.

I don’t know how common this situation is, or whether this is expected, @Jessica Booker would probably be best placed to answer this!

This doesn’t actually apply in my scenario, I didn’t mention a practice area or deal, but I’ll have a look at any interesting deals or firm initiatives he’s worked on. Thank you!

 

[ps123]

anybody else waiting on Mayer Brown post Job Simulation?