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

Status
Not open for further replies.

Rob93

Legendary Member
Dec 29, 2020
627
1,677
If my interview is centred around a debate of an article, would it then be okay to ask what their view is of the topic in the part for questions at the end? Don’t want to appear invasive
This is probably a fine question to ask but I think there is something to be said for reading between the lines from the interviewers. I assume this is a partner interview in the style seen at Slaughters, where they'll push you on either side of a question. After the back-and-forth it might well be clear where the interviewer comes out on the question - a smile, a chuckle might give this away.

If they're a bit more coy, or better thespians, in a perfect world I'd want to ask not 'what do you think' but some kind of oblique question to force their hand, maybe with a counterfactual. That's obviously very context-dependent and I wouldn't bank on being able to do this.

I haven't interviewed for firm grad schemes but I've been interviewed by a lot of lawyers for various roles and one thing I know is lawyers love to talk. It's difficult, but try to pick up both what they're saying outright and what they're saying through tone and nonverbal cues. If they're playing, as they often will be in debate interviews, they'll be chuffed if you can play back.
 

Rob93

Legendary Member
Dec 29, 2020
627
1,677
Has anyone heard anything back from Greenberg Traurig??

Also if anyone has any inside info on their 1st-year trainee/NQ salary I'd be intrigued to know. Seeing as most law firms are so open about salary the fact I haven't seen any mention of it anywhere is making me a bit sceptical.

Considering their revenue, size, US roots, ranking etc I assume it will be pretty similar to other US firms in the city with around £50k for year 1 and then £120k plus for NQ but would be interested to know.
Don't know for sure but I'd expect them to be in market with the most elite US firms for NQ pay - c. £150k
 
  • Like
Reactions: ellensdaleoriginal

John Travoni

Legendary Member
Jan 14, 2021
662
886
I wanted to know for Watson Glaser percentile does how long you complete the test in effect your percentile. For example, if you complete it in 15 minutes and you have 30 minutes for it and if yes does speed increase your percentile. What are your thoughts on this @Jessica Booker
No. There is only one way you can increase your percentile score in a WG test and that is getting the questions correct.
Remember, your percentile score is based on how you do in comparison to the other candidates taking the test, so it would make no bearing on your score if you do it quickly or slowly.
 

Asil Ahmad

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Forum Winner
  • Mar 29, 2020
    1,640
    2,160
    29
    No. There is only one way you can increase your percentile score in a WG test and that is getting the questions correct.
    Remember, your percentile score is based on how you do in comparison to the other candidates taking the test, so it would make no bearing on your score if you do it quickly or slowly.
    Thank you very much for this.
     

    Rob93

    Legendary Member
    Dec 29, 2020
    627
    1,677
    No. There is only one way you can increase your percentile score in a WG test and that is getting the questions correct.
    Remember, your percentile score is based on how you do in comparison to the other candidates taking the test, so it would make no bearing on your score if you do it quickly or slowly.
    I could be wrong but I don't think this is quite right - accuracy is more important than speed, but I've definitely heard of WG tests that have time as a factor
     
    Reactions: ZaraB and h1

    Rob93

    Legendary Member
    Dec 29, 2020
    627
    1,677
    I could be wrong but I don't think this is quite right - accuracy is more important than speed, but I've definitely heard of WG tests that have time as a factor
    Like, insofar as two scores are otherwise equal - let's say 34/40 with precisely the same responses - you will score better having done it in 15 minutes than in 25.

    Edit: or rather, rank better.
     

    Kubed

    Legendary Member
    Future Trainee
    Forum Winner
    Junior Lawyer 49
  • Nov 25, 2020
    271
    798
    I could be wrong but I don't think this is quite right - accuracy is more important than speed, but I've definitely heard of WG tests that have time as a factor
    Yep this is correct for some firms, for example although the HSF test is not timed, I think they consider the time taken when scoring.
     
    Last edited:
    • Like
    Reactions: John Travoni and Rob93

    John Travoni

    Legendary Member
    Jan 14, 2021
    662
    886
    I could be wrong but I don't think this is quite right - accuracy is more important than speed, but I've definitely heard of WG tests that have time as a factor
    You’ve totally misunderstood what I said. Asil asked whether doing the WG questions would increase your percentile score. I clarified by saying that is not true and the only way you can improve and get the best percentile score is by getting the questions correct. Of course some WGs have a time factor element but the overriding principle still stands, to get the highest percentile score, you need to get as many of the questions correct.
    And yes that’s correct. Firms might take other factors into account even there isn’t a time element, such as how long you took but firms who do give you a report with a percentile score, that is based on how many questions you got correct in comparison to the focus group used.
     

    Rob93

    Legendary Member
    Dec 29, 2020
    627
    1,677
    Yep this is correct, for example although the HSF test is not timed, I think they consider the time taken when scoring.
    This is what I thought. Again I think accuracy takes primacy, but assuming otherwise equal responses assesors could look at time in terms of overall total time, time taken by section, time taken on individual questions. I imagine getting it right is worth [1] but that multipliers are applied on some scale to reflect speed in some instances.
     

    Rob93

    Legendary Member
    Dec 29, 2020
    627
    1,677
    You’ve totally misunderstood what I said. Asil asked whether doing the WG questions would increase your percentile score. I clarified by saying that is not true and the only way you can improve and get the best percentile score is by getting the questions correct. Of course some WGs have a time factor element but the overriding principle still stands, to get the highest percentile score, you need to get as many of the questions correct.
    And yes that’s correct. Firms might take other factors into account even there isn’t a time element, such as how long you took but firms who do give you a report with a percentile score, that is based on how many questions you got correct in comparison to the focus group used.
    Yeah I fully agree with the basic premise that improvement principally hinges on higher accuracy. From what I've gathered though - and I am no expert, happy to be corrected - otherwise identical scores could be differentiated in percentile terms by a time consideration.
     
    Status
    Not open for further replies.

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Newsletter

    Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.