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

[NaimK]

@Asil Ahmad just a quick question bro.

I got this in an email: "The deadline to complete this task is midnight on Thursday 10th February 2022."

Does that mean I have effectively until 23:59 on Thursday to complete it or is it by 23:59 the day before i.e. Wednesday?

 

[gkadh03]

Some tests will be a link in the application portal, dunno if Cleary does this - have you checked there?

yeah its not there i have emailed them so hopefully ill get it

 

[tt_xo]

Is 3 minutes too long to speak about why you want to work at a law firm in an interview?

 

[WillF]

Anybody know what the critical reasoning test at HFW assessment centre is?

When you say as thoroughly as can be - some of the dates on mine may not be exact. Are the screening companies overly pedantic about this sort of thing?

The critical reasoning test for HFW is the Watson Glaser

 

[Asil Ahmad]

@Asil Ahmad just a quick question bro.

I got this in an email: "The deadline to complete this task is midnight on Thursday 10th February 2022."

Does that mean I have effectively until 23:59 on Thursday to complete it or is it by 23:59 the day before i.e. Wednesday?

I say Thursday night so Friday morning 00:00

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is 3 minutes too long to speak about why you want to work at a law firm in an interview?

Not necessarily.

 

[AvniD]

Is 3 minutes too long to speak about why you want to work at a law firm in an interview?

You have to gauge this depending on social cues, the circumstances in which you've been asked the question and the level of detail your instinct tells you to go into.

If the question is generic, don't go into all the detail you can provide so that the interviewer has the chance to ask you follow-up questions. Similarly, if the question is specific, ensure you detail your answer carefully so that the interviewer is satisfied with your answer.

 

[AvniD]

How can a law firm improve to win more climate change/environment related work?

There are a few ways to do this- you could invest time in lateral hiring to enhance your sector expertise, as @Asil Ahmad said you could increase and strengthen your ESG focus, you could come up with partnerships that highlight your environment+ESG focus etc.

 

[tt_xo]

You have to gauge this depending on social cues, the circumstances in which you've been asked the question and the level of detail your instinct tells you to go into.

If the question is generic, don't go into all the detail you can provide so that the interviewer has the chance to ask you follow-up questions. Similarly, if the question is specific, ensure you detail your answer carefully so that the interviewer is satisfied with your answer.

Thanks for the response! Not sure if I can gauge the social cues in this telephone interview but im going to try not to elaborate on everything.

 

[A92167!8]

There are a few ways to do this- you could invest time in lateral hiring to enhance your sector expertise, as @Asil Ahmad said you could increase and strengthen your ESG focus, you could come up with partnerships that highlight your environment+ESG focus etc.

Thanks! How would you say a firm can strengthen their ESG focus? And also what do you mean by partnerships?

 

[sxw517]

Good resources for Watson Glaser? I tend to have mixed success, which doesn't fill me with great confidence for this AC

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Good resources for Watson Glaser? I tend to have mixed success, which doesn't fill me with great confidence for this AC

Job test, assessment day and CC website. Also if you are a TCLA premium member then TCLA WG course.

 

[BM99]

Hi has anyone had some thoughts about DLA Piper? Is that a good firm to work in and whether you will get good training?

 

[Kubed]

Thanks for the response! Not sure if I can gauge the social cues in this telephone interview but im going to try not to elaborate on everything.

If what you're saying is substantive and adds something to your answer, then 3 minutes is fine. If you're rambling then not so much! For my interviews, I personally spoke for between 2.5-3 minutes for the 'why this firm' question - the feedback I had in mock interviews (with Aspiring Solicitors) was that they would generally advise closer to 2 minutes but as I was adding substance (and wasn't repeating myself), slightly longer was fine.

 

[MH]

For BCLP - I’ve got an VS offer. I haven’t done the other firms you’ve mentioned though.

When did you apply may I ask?

 

[AspiringTrainee]

When did you apply may I ask?

Applied 5th Jan. Did the tests 7th Jan. Invited to interview 13th Jan. Assessment centre invite 20th Jan (did AC on 27th) then offer came in on Tuesday

 

[djqb]

Applied 5th Jan. Did the tests 7th Jan. Invited to interview 13th Jan. Assessment centre invite 20th Jan (did AC on 27th) then offer came in on Tuesday

This has got to be some sort of all time record for application turnaround - super congrats to you and BCLP!

 

[AspiringTrainee]

This has got to be some sort of all time record for application turnaround - super congrats to you and BCLP!

Thank you! Even I was so surprised!

Though they did say they’ll be slower now as majority of their applications is within the last few days.

 

[thirdtimelucky]

If what you're saying is substantive and adds something to your answer, then 3 minutes is fine. If you're rambling then not so much! For my interviews, I personally spoke for between 2.5-3 minutes for the 'why this firm' question - the feedback I had in mock interviews (with Aspiring Solicitors) was that they would generally advise closer to 2 minutes but as I was adding substance (and wasn't repeating myself), slightly longer was fine.

I’ve got a mock interview with AS on Monday, how did you find them?

 

[Deleted member 11671]

I’ve got a mock interview with AS on Monday, how did you find them?

I would say be prepared with what you want to get out of the session. Make sure you ask any questions you have. My mock call was super useful.