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

[Asil Ahmad]

Have you checkout out Glassdoor? They usually have all salaries on there

Also roll on friday do as well I think.

 

[Rob93]

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]

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

 

[Asil Ahmad]

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

 

[GXA123]

Has anyone done SPB assessment? I am still confused about what it is going to be? specially that is only 10 mins :/

 

[John Travoni]

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]

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.

 

[sxw517]

Has anyone done SPB assessment? I am still confused about what it is going to be? specially that is only 10 mins :/

have you done the digital interview?

 

[GXA123]

have you done the digital interview?

No, I am asking if anyone done it ^^^^

 

[sxw517]

No, I am asking if anyone done it ^^^^

It'll just be the usual video interview with 3 questions I assume.

 

[Madeleine Fox]

Has anyone heard from Bates Wells?

Yes - I got a reply on January 15th after doing the Watson Glaser

 

[GXA123]

It'll just be the usual video interview with 3 questions I assume.

I hope so

 

[Rob93]

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

Some WG assessments have a time factor, others do not.

 

[Rob93]

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

 

[Rob93]

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]

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.

 

[John Travoni]

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]

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]

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.

 

[anon123456789]

Yes - I got a reply on January 15th after doing the Watson Glaser

Was this an invite to interview?