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

[Ambs123]

I just did the VI for WBD and didn’t get to finish my final question … not feeling very hopeful

 

[Hele25]

WBD VI was an unmitigated disaster 😅😭
I prepped well for the VI, but sometimes things just don’t come together.
I’m not one for excuses, but honestly, last 5 weeks of my degree, working 14+ hour days, my brain is just dead and I could not have done any more. You know when you even know what you want to say but the words won’t come? Oh well.

On to the next cycle. 💃🏻

 

[Vilhëlm van Dossburg]

To anyone who has completed the WBD video interview - is the time to read the question/prep before answering unlimited? The practice question suggests so - any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[TCgrad]

Has anyone heard from Slater and Gordon about AC? I submitted my video interview in the beginning of last week but haven’t heard from them. The AC is meant to start this week

Have you heard back yet? I haven't heard either way.

 

[ShayAS]

Has anyone heard positively from SH AS placement scheme, if so when? I haven’t heard from them.

 

[AvniD]

WBD VI was an unmitigated disaster 😅😭
I prepped well for the VI, but sometimes things just don’t come together.
I’m not one for excuses, but honestly, last 5 weeks of my degree, working 14+ hour days, my brain is just dead and I could not have done any more. You know when you even know what you want to say but the words won’t come? Oh well.

On to the next cycle. 💃🏻

You have a good attitude towards this and your self-awareness really comes through 👏👏👏. I would say though that don't count yourself out just yet. As it goes, hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

 

[Valenok]

Have you heard back yet? I haven't heard either way.

No, I haven’t heard either way too 🥲

 

[Lucy124]

Has anyone done the written exercise for CRS?

 

[John Travoni]

Have you heard back yet? I haven't heard either way.

Nope. Haven’t heard anything either

 

[Ambs123]

WBD VI was an unmitigated disaster 😅😭
I prepped well for the VI, but sometimes things just don’t come together.
I’m not one for excuses, but honestly, last 5 weeks of my degree, working 14+ hour days, my brain is just dead and I could not have done any more. You know when you even know what you want to say but the words won’t come? Oh well.

On to the next cycle. 💃🏻

I know exactly what you mean! Feel the exact same as you but better things will come for us!

 

[Lawyered]

Hi everyone, I am unsure that this is the right thread, but after failing to transform a VS in a TC, I asked for detailed feedback. The motivations I was provided with when they actually called me, did not make any sense and were so vague that I was really bothered ("you did not manage to demonstrate enough enthusiasm"....like ok... I can't even really tell you how ridiculous it was...).
But the weird thing is that when I asked for specific feedback, they e-mailed back saying that they could reply to my email or arrange a call, the choice was completely mine.
Now, I work over 50 hours a week and I spent way too much time to go through their assessment process and to attend a scheme there - I am also residing abroad and the whole experience was very difficult for me already...I am frustrated and I would rather hear from them by email. So I send them my preference and they reply saying that becuase my email address is external and in order to comply with their data protection policy it is best to arrange a call.
I am really annoyed now. What are they talking about? Is it so hard to provide proper feedback by email? Does anyone else have similar experience or were unable to get written feebdack?
I swear my impression given this approach is that their assessment criteria are non existent and their decision-making process is random. I am so angry....looking for reassurance :/

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone, I am unsure that this is the right thread, but after failing to transform a VS in a TC, I asked for detailed feedback. The motivations I was provided with when they actually called me, did not make any sense and were so vague that I was really bothered ("you did not manage to demonstrate enough enthusiasm"....like ok... I can't even really tell you how ridiculous it was...).
But the weird thing is that when I asked for specific feedback, they e-mailed back saying that they could reply to my email or arrange a call, the choice was completely mine.
Now, I work over 50 hours a week and I spent way too much time to go through their assessment process and to attend a scheme there - I am also residing abroad and the whole experience was very difficult for me already...I am frustrated and I would rather hear from them by email. So I send them my preference and they reply saying that becuase my email address is external and in order to comply with their data protection policy it is best to arrange a call.
I am really annoyed now. What are they talking about? Is it so hard to provide proper feedback by email? Does anyone else have similar experience or were unable to get written feebdack?
I swear my impression given this approach is that their assessment criteria are non existent and their decision-making process is random. I am so angry....looking for reassurance :/

Did you give them a work email address by any chance? If so, that might be the data issue. I cannot think of any other reason why they would potentially change their mind (as it seems they were happy to provide it via email at first). The only thing could be if there are any data concerns relating to other people in the process (both interviewers or other candidates), but this seems unlikely.

Calls are generally a lot easier for them - it's quicker for them to do it over a call and answer any questions you may have, rather than providing a written document to you, and for you to then come back with questions and for there to potentially be back and forth. I generally encourage people to have a call rather than rely on something in writing as:

1) You can ask questions as you discuss the feedback
2) You can ask for clairty
3) You can listen to the tone a lot more - I think people will often read things differently when they are written versus how they may come across in a call
4) Although this doesn't sound like it would be the case in your instance, you could ask the firm what other opportunities there could be with the firm/whether you could reapply.

 

[WeRegretToInformYou]

baker mckenzie video interview invite

 

[iamJW]

Has anyone had any positive experience with being rejected post-AC for a VS and then having some success after applying for a direct TC with the same firm within the same cycle? I was strongly encouraged to reapply for the direct TC route that opens this summer in my AC feedback call and although it doesn't conflict with any policy (only applying once per cycle etc) I am wondering how I can improve my application or how likely I will make it to the AC stage when my experiences are unlikely to change between now and the summer?

 

[Arendt0927]

Hi guys, (sorry this may not be the right place to post) just wondering if anyone has any experience/tips regarding reshaping your mindset after failing to convert a VS?
It's my first VS - I understand that it's a learning process & you can improve based on your feedback (yet to receive), but I'm slightly trapped by my own "if you can't make this one you're probably not gonna make the other schemes because no one wants you" thinking
I have 2 other schemes in the summer - would really appreciate any tips & insights

 

[Jessica Booker]

Has anyone had any positive experience with being rejected post-AC for a VS and then having some success after applying for a direct TC with the same firm within the same cycle? I was strongly encouraged to reapply for the direct TC route that opens this summer in my AC feedback call and although it doesn't conflict with any policy (only applying once per cycle etc) I am wondering how I can improve my application or how likely I will make it to the AC stage when my experiences are unlikely to change between now and the summer?

I have had experience of this as a recruiter. In fact, I can name several associates at firms who I had this exact same conversation with.

My advice is to focus your efforts on improving in the areas the firm highlighted as development areas. Being quite bold in subsequent applications to say "you told me this wasn't strong enough, and so I have subsequently done X and Y" is a pretty powerful statement and doesn't mean everything has to change. You are just focusing on changing in the area the firm said you needed to.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys, (sorry this may not be the right place to post) just wondering if anyone has any experience/tips regarding reshaping your mindset after failing to convert a VS?
It's my first VS - I understand that it's a learning process & you can improve based on your feedback (yet to receive), but I'm slightly trapped by my own "if you can't make this one you're probably not gonna make the other schemes because no one wants you" thinking
I have 2 other schemes in the summer - would really appreciate any tips & insights

Just because one firm doesn't think you are right for them (or that they are not right for you) now, doesn't mean every firm will think that whether that be right now or forever in the future. If that was the case, thousands of partners across law firms wouldn't be where they are now.

You have two fantastic opportunities coming up - consider them fresh opportunities to impress rather than anything like a second chance. You are starting from scratch BUT with the advantage that you can take the lessons learned from your first scheme. Get the feedback from your Spring scheme firm, and think about how you can apply that feedback to your learning/skill set ahead of your other schemes.

Try not to beat yourself up too much until you have your feedback. You don't know the reasons why the firm didn't pick you this time. And it sounds brutal, but the firm could have ultimately done you a favour. Maybe they are not the right firm for you? It sounds like this is the very first opportunity you have had to secure a TC. Just because it is the first, doesn't mean it is actually the best!

 

[TCApp2021]

Do firms usually have open days for TC-holders?

 

[OB]

After almost 7 weeks, I’ve finally been put out of my misery with a post-AC rejection 😅

 

[unserious candidate]

Do firms usually have open days for TC-holders?

offer holder events, yes!