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

[Asil Ahmad]

Thank you for clarifying! I think @Jessica Booker, @GXA123, @NS95 and @OB have given you fantastic responses already and I couldn't agree more!

Thank you very much for this. Thank you for replying to my post really appreciate it a lot.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

From my understanding you would do seats in different business services areas (e.g. at A&O you would go into project management, consulting etc). None of this work would be legal so you would not be any closer to qualifying as a solicitor, you would just have a really good inside knowledge of how law firms work 2 years down the line. You would also need to show how you're dedicated to business services and not just applying as a Plan B, and then explain later on at TC interviews why you went down that grad scheme and are now pursuing a TC.

Yes I am aware that there are different seats.

Thank you very much this is really helpful. I agree with the thing about simply as a TC alternative.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

from my own understanding it doesn't amount to a training contract, I think it is basically like any other graduate scheme, also I think most firms that would invest in you in that area would like to stay there! so it is something to consider if you are passionate about and would see yourself working in in the future, because it is not an easy route and could be harder than a tc because it is still new and developing and requires lots of innovation and maybe coding!

edit: they also don't require a legal background for applying therefore I don't think it could amount to qualifying as a solicitor (not sure about this).

Hope this helps a bit.

Thank you for this and I agree that it is harder than getting a TC my friend told me that also.

 

[GOI983]

Thank you for this and I agree that it is harder than getting a TC my friend told me that also.

*Could be*

 

[rightletsdothis]

How long do law firms usually take to get back to people after vacation scheme conversion interviews (during the Easter period!) and that long ass Easter weekend? I know from summer and winter vac schemes a lot of people heard back on the Monday after finishing on the Friday, but I’m here on the following Thursday practically dying to hear the phone ring. It doesn’t appear as if anyone has heard back in my cohort either. Need some moral support

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

How long do law firms usually take to get back to people after vacation scheme conversion interviews (during the Easter period!) and that long ass Easter weekend? I know from summer and winter vac schemes a lot of people heard back on the Monday after finishing on the Friday, but I’m here on the following Thursday practically dying to hear the phone ring. It doesn’t appear as if anyone has heard back in my cohort either. Need some moral support

Some firms won't make decisions until their summer schemes have concluded. Its not overly common, but does happen enough.

If I hadn't heard back mid part of next week (and no one else in your cohort had) I would contact the firm to ask when you will hear back.

One tip for those with summer schemes is to ask when you will hear back before you leave. It is a very standard question the GR team will be expecting to be asked.

 

[rightletsdothis]

Some firms won't make decisions until their summer schemes have concluded. Its not overly common, but does happen enough.

If I hadn't heard back mid part of next week (and no one else in your cohort had) I would contact the firm to ask when you will hear back.

One tip for those with summer schemes is to ask when you will hear back before you leave. It is a very standard question the GR team will be expecting to be asked.

We were told we would hear back within 2 weeks, but I was curious to ask here because I know from the past 4-5 vacation scheme groups that people have heard back from anywhere ranging between 3 days to 14 days it’s stressing me out so much

 

[thelawgrad0017]

Video interview with WBD! Does anyone know what to expect? (ie competency based or about the firm). Would appreciate if someone can let me know (either here or on message )

 

[annabssmith]

Has anyone heard back from Stephenson Harwood following the written case study?

 

[banana1189]

Video interview with WBD! Does anyone know what to expect? (ie competency based or about the firm). Would appreciate if someone can let me know (either here or on message )

Hi! I did mine a couple hours ago and I think it went so well, so don't worry!!

I don't know what I am allowed to say about it so I'll keep it brief, however, it was very short and the answers are only 90 seconds long. You can re-film your answer once too which is reassuring!

All in all they're very simple questions!

Good luck!

 

[annabssmith]

Has anyone got any tips for the Stephenson Harwood written exercise? Anything would be appreciated

Is this for an assessment centre?

 

[Scandi]

How long do law firms usually take to get back to people after vacation scheme conversion interviews (during the Easter period!) and that long ass Easter weekend? I know from summer and winter vac schemes a lot of people heard back on the Monday after finishing on the Friday, but I’m here on the following Thursday practically dying to hear the phone ring. It doesn’t appear as if anyone has heard back in my cohort either. Need some moral support

I'm in the exact same boat! If anything, I feel you. You got this!

 

[law23]

How long do law firms usually take to get back to people after vacation scheme conversion interviews (during the Easter period!) and that long ass Easter weekend? I know from summer and winter vac schemes a lot of people heard back on the Monday after finishing on the Friday, but I’m here on the following Thursday practically dying to hear the phone ring. It doesn’t appear as if anyone has heard back in my cohort either. Need some moral support

I'm in a similar situation too, but they didn't give an exact time frame for letting us know. Refreshing emails like mad rn!

 

[letmeintolaw]

@Jessica Booker
If I was to be offered a TC after a VS at a regional office, do you think it would be at all possible to request that I do the TC in the firms London office even if I applied for regional?

 

[rightletsdothis]

@Jessica Booker
If I was to be offered a TC after a VS at a regional office, do you think it would be at all possible to request that I do the TC in the firms London office even if I applied for regional?

Jessica is def the best person to answer this but from my experience at the firm I have gone through you can’t (they require you to be interviewed by partners located in the London office or vice Versa) but that just means it’s prob a “depends on the firm” answer to this question !

 

[FutureLawyer99]

For Stephenson Harwood, is the written case study the last stage of the VS or is there an assessment centre after it?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker
If I was to be offered a TC after a VS at a regional office, do you think it would be at all possible to request that I do the TC in the firms London office even if I applied for regional?

You can ask, but the firm may not be willing to convert you over.

Regional firms have had decades of people trying to game the recruitment process by applying to vacancies they think are less popular, secure a TC and then ask to be moved to (what is perceived to be) a more popular office.

It wouldn’t be unknown for the firm to tell you to reapply for the other office. It is really going to depend on the firms attitude towards this and how strong a candidate you are to them.

 

[Amanpreet Kaur]

Hi guys, slightly unrelated but I have an interview for a legal tech startup. Are there any tips/insights any of you could give into explaining your passions for the legaltech sphere? Any help would really be appreciated!

 

[GXA123]

For Stephenson Harwood, is the written case study the last stage of the VS or is there an assessment centre after it?

last stage

 

[GXA123]

@Jessica Booker any tips on how to prep for a paralegal interview please?

Or anyone who could help