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

[amzey2]

Had my first ever partner interview today and I can’t help but feel it went badly (even though it seemed fun and conversational at times). Despite rehearsing my answers and doing some mock interviews over the last several weeks, I was somewhat thrown off by the way certain questions were phrased. Also, my nerves got the better of me at certain points.

Does interviewing ever get easier? Is it just a matter of doing more ACs and getting used to the partner-style of questioning?

Sorry for all the questions - just feeling kinda low and not knowing what I should do to be prepared in the future.

From my experience, partner interviews are way less “scripted” and much more conversational. You can therefore expect much more follow-up questions. One advice would therefore be to know your answers fully; not just by memory but also by substance. I.e., if upon being asked why the firm you mention their expertise in x practice, also know why you want to be at a firm strong in x practice.

It does definitely get better down the road - mainly because you know what they want to know and you realise that at the end of the day the questions stem, not from them wanting to take you aback, but rather from them genuinely wanting to know more about you.

As a side-note, it does help knowing your answers by memory, but try not to sound too rehearsed as well - for example, if you are namedropping someone you’ve talked to at the firm, then maybe slide in something along the lines “you might actually know him/her - he/she sits in …”. Put simply, do show your interpersonal skills as well (not only is it one of the key skills a lawyer but it also shows that, over and above you being good at what you do, you’ll also be a great colleague.).

Hope that helps and good-luck for upcoming interviews!

 

[bsqaured]

Did all those who received HSF vs offers hear back from them on the same day?

 

[Bugsy Malone]

Completely agree with this!

1st cycle - 0 offers
2nd cycle - 0 offers 1 AC
3rd cycle - 3 offers had to reject one due to a clash but didn’t convert either VS to a TC
4th cycle (now) - 1 offer

Incredible resilience!! 🙌

me:

1st cycle = 1 ac 0 vs
2nd cycle = 2 ac 1 vs no tc offer
3rd cycle = 2 ac 1 vs no tc offer

now
4th cycle = 1 vs

 

[Adrian_S]

From my experience, partner interviews are way less “scripted” and much more conversational. You can therefore expect much more follow-up questions. One advice would therefore be to know your answers fully; not just by memory but also by substance. I.e., if upon being asked why the firm you mention their expertise in x practice, also know why you want to be at a firm strong in x practice.

It does definitely get better down the road - mainly because you know what they want to know and you realise that at the end of the day the questions stem, not from them wanting to take you aback, but rather from them genuinely wanting to know more about you.

As a side-note, it does help knowing your answers by memory, but try not to sound too rehearsed as well - for example, if you are namedropping someone you’ve talked to at the firm, then maybe slide in something along the lines “you might actually know him/her - he/she sits in …”. Put simply, do show your interpersonal skills as well (not only is it one of the key skills a lawyer but it also shows that, over and above you being good at what you do, you’ll also be a great colleague.).

Hope that helps and good-luck for upcoming interviews!

you lot are stars! no further interviews this cycle, but let’s see how my direct tc apps shake out. will see how i can incorporate some of the points you made. thank you for the time you took to craft that response

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you very much for this.

Also will it be good to mention that one of their clients could be involved in this project or suggest they pick up a new client to help support this project.

Yes, either or both approaches could be covered in the answer depending on the example you are using.

 

[Legalmel_99]

Incredible resilience!! 🙌

me:

1st cycle = 1 ac 0 vs
2nd cycle = 2 ac 1 vs no tc offer
3rd cycle = 2 ac 1 vs no tc offer

now
4th cycle = 1 vs

We will definitely get there in the end!! Congratulations on your offer for this cycle! Xx

 

[Legalmel_99]

Completely agree with this!

1st cycle - 0 offers
2nd cycle - 0 offers 1 AC
3rd cycle - 3 offers had to reject one due to a clash but didn’t convert either VS to a TC
4th cycle (now) - 1 offer

Just want to add thank you for the lovely messages those that have said thank you for expressing sometimes Vac schemes don’t always end up with an offer. To those who are asking me what I did wrong not to secure it please think before typing it’s very insensitive and I’ve had more messages why I haven’t converted it xx

 

[summer207]

Had my first ever partner interview today and I can’t help but feel it went badly (even though it seemed fun and conversational at times). Despite rehearsing my answers and doing mock interviews over the last few weeks, I was thrown off by the way certain questions were phrased. Also, my nerves often got the better of me.

Does interviewing ever get easier? Is it just a matter of doing more ACs and getting used to the partner-style of questioning?

Sorry for all the questions - just feeling kinda low and not knowing what I should do to be prepared in the future.

We are our own worst critics, so the interview may not have been as bad as you think! With rehearsing answers, you don’t want to do it to an extent that you sound scripted in the actual interview. Of course, your answers for why law and why the firm should be solid, but you genuinely cannot anticipate every question you’re going to be asked especially where it’s conversational and certain questions follow from a previous one.

Regarding nerves, I used to put a sticky note by my webcam reminding me to smile and that I’m capable. I thought it was corny so it actually kept me smiling in the interview. You may not get everything right but don’t let it affect your confidence for the rest of the interview. Also, humanising the process definitely helped me because the partners interviewing you (although experienced in their practice) are normal people. Nerves will definitely be expected but taking deep breaths before joining the call (or going into the interview room) and remembering how far you’ve come should help.

I’m not sure what you mean by partner-style of questioning but from my experience, it tends to be more conversational and flow from points you’ve made or something you mentioned in the application. My advice for this is prior to an interview, reflect on all your experiences (work-related, volunteering, extra-curricular, etc) and think about what you did, why you did it, what you enjoyed/didn’t enjoy, transferable skills, etc. If you can speak about any of your experiences substantively, you’re in a much better position to respond to a question even if it’s one you may not have prepared beforehand. I hope this helps!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Yes, either or both approaches could be covered in the answer depending on the example you are using.

Thank you very much for this will try to implement this into my answer.

 

[Adrian_S]

We are our own worst critics, so the interview may not have been as bad as you think! With rehearsing answers, you don’t want to do it to an extent that you sound scripted in the actual interview. Of course, your answers for why law and why the firm should be solid, but you genuinely cannot anticipate every question you’re going to be asked especially where it’s conversational and certain questions follow from a previous one.

Regarding nerves, I used to put a sticky note by my webcam reminding me to smile and that I’m capable. I thought it was corny so it actually kept me smiling in the interview. You may not get everything right but don’t let it affect your confidence for the rest of the interview. Also, humanising the process definitely helped me because the partners interviewing you (although experienced in their practice) are normal people. Nerves will definitely be expected but taking deep breaths before joining the call (or going into the interview room) and remembering how far you’ve come should help.

I’m not sure what you mean by partner-style of questioning but from my experience, it tends to be more conversational and flow from points you’ve made or something you mentioned in the application. My advice for this is prior to an interview, reflect on all your experiences (work-related, volunteering, extra-curricular, etc) and think about what you did, why you did it, what you enjoyed/didn’t enjoy, transferable skills, etc. If you can speak about any of your experiences substantively, you’re in a much better position to respond to a question even if it’s one you may not have prepared beforehand. I hope this helps!

thank you so much. i’ve gone from feeling bad to feeling like I can do anything! (Loved the “corny” sticky note suggestions for VIs btw)

 

[psr23]

I’ve been offered a new paralegal role and I have no idea whether I should take it or not! I’m currently at an international law firm, it’s probably the better name to have on my cv, but the role is kind of a dead end one and now that I’ve been doing it for a while, I’ve learnt everything I can and won’t grow much more. The new role is at a west end firm, the work is with less impressive clients and is probably a bit further removed from the sort of work city firms do. However, there’s more opportunity to gain experience across contentious & non-contentious work, so I think I’d learn more. I don’t know if I’m being ‘snobby’, but I’m worried the firm isn’t prestigious enough and there aren’t the TC opportunities that are available at my current firm. Would being at a west end firm harm my TC apps in anyway? I don’t know if I’m just being silly, being offered this role has come out of the blue so I don’t really know what to do! Any advice would be much appreciated 😊

 

[GXA123]

I’ve been offered a new paralegal role and I have no idea whether I should take it or not! I’m currently at an international law firm, it’s probably the better name to have on my cv, but the role is kind of a dead end one and now that I’ve been doing it for a while, I’ve learnt everything I can and won’t grow much more. The new role is at a west end firm, the work is with less impressive clients and is probably a bit further removed from the sort of work city firms do. However, there’s more opportunity to gain experience across contentious & non-contentious work, so I think I’d learn more. I don’t know if I’m being ‘snobby’, but I’m worried the firm isn’t prestigious enough and there aren’t the TC opportunities that are available at my current firm. Would being at a west end firm harm my TC apps in anyway? I don’t know if I’m just being silly, being offered this role has come out of the blue so I don’t really know what to do! Any advice would be much appreciated 😊

This is exactly what you need to say I’m future interviews! And recruiters are gonna love it! It shows amazing skills. And it’s always fun to try something new

 

[spamelinazoid]

Hey all, just saw someone on LinkedIn got their offer for the Forsters vac scheme - has anyone else heard back? It's been 2 weeks + 3 days since my AC and I was on the first AC of the cycle (Monday, Feb 28)

 

[Deleted member 11671]

I’ve been offered a new paralegal role and I have no idea whether I should take it or not! I’m currently at an international law firm, it’s probably the better name to have on my cv, but the role is kind of a dead end one and now that I’ve been doing it for a while, I’ve learnt everything I can and won’t grow much more. The new role is at a west end firm, the work is with less impressive clients and is probably a bit further removed from the sort of work city firms do. However, there’s more opportunity to gain experience across contentious & non-contentious work, so I think I’d learn more. I don’t know if I’m being ‘snobby’, but I’m worried the firm isn’t prestigious enough and there aren’t the TC opportunities that are available at my current firm. Would being at a west end firm harm my TC apps in anyway? I don’t know if I’m just being silly, being offered this role has come out of the blue so I don’t really know what to do! Any advice would be much appreciated 😊

If you don't have other competing roles at the moment, I don't see what harm it could do for your CV.

 

[kr253]

I’ve been offered a new paralegal role and I have no idea whether I should take it or not! I’m currently at an international law firm, it’s probably the better name to have on my cv, but the role is kind of a dead end one and now that I’ve been doing it for a while, I’ve learnt everything I can and won’t grow much more. The new role is at a west end firm, the work is with less impressive clients and is probably a bit further removed from the sort of work city firms do. However, there’s more opportunity to gain experience across contentious & non-contentious work, so I think I’d learn more. I don’t know if I’m being ‘snobby’, but I’m worried the firm isn’t prestigious enough and there aren’t the TC opportunities that are available at my current firm. Would being at a west end firm harm my TC apps in anyway? I don’t know if I’m just being silly, being offered this role has come out of the blue so I don’t really know what to do! Any advice would be much appreciated 😊

I'd say it depends where your interests lie and where you would ideally like to do a TC. I think your reasoning and explanation is sound about having more learning opportunities in the new role but also understand your concerns re prestige. At the end of the day though as long as you can justify the move in future applications and interviews (which I think you can), then I can't see why it would do you any harm!

 

[psr23]

Thank you to everyone who replied - I didn’t expect this many responses - this community is really great!

 

[S87]

My chat with @Jessica Booker was even better than I envisioned! Thank you for your tips

 

[Jessica Booker]

My chat with @Jessica Booker was even better than I envisioned! Thank you for your tips

Glad to be of help - apologies if you got me in full talkative mode - I know some of my calls went on longer than expected!

 

[ssolicitorz]

FYI: I contacted W&C because still haven't heard back post VI, and they said that they are still reviewing VI's and will hopefully be done by the end of March

 

[Hele25]

Okay so 2 days ago I saw online that the branch of the small firm (4-6 trainees a year across 2 offices) I’ve applied to is being absorbed into another firm.
I’ve emailed grad rec to ask how this may effect my application, but very curious to know if this is going to be a “we’re not continuing with our recruitment this year) - bearing in mind these are now apps for 2024 training contracts? Has this happened before to other people? Thanks 😊