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

[starman]

When did you apply??

15/12

 

[Law2022]

I think the rest of us will have to sit tight until tomorrow to hear back from Skadden… Good luck all⭐️

 

[therealellewoods]

Guys can you apply to Ashurst TC after being rejected from the WVS? The application was the first i ever did (properly) and I was so naive and just didn’t realise what to put etc. but I feel like I could do better now

 

[GXA123]

Guys can you apply to Ashurst TC after being rejected from the WVS? The application was the first i ever did (properly) and I was so naive and just didn’t realise what to put etc. but I feel like I could do better now

do they recruit a lot from direct TCs?

 

[therealellewoods]

hi everyone! just contingency planning here... what is the job market and application process for paralegal roles like? I am in my penultimate year so have another chance next year to secure a TC, but failing that I will want to apply for a paralegal role. Is it super competitive? Do most places want you to have previous experience and not be straight out of uni? What is the application process?

any insight anyone has will be majorly appreciated ta x

Me and three of my friends all studied law at completley dif unis, only one of us has the LPC and we all got good paralegal roles pretty much straight away from graduating - this was in my hometown too I reckon it’ll be even easier in a bigger city where there’s more demand

 

[GXA123]

Guys can you apply to Ashurst TC after being rejected from the WVS? The application was the first i ever did (properly) and I was so naive and just didn’t realise what to put etc. but I feel like I could do better now

You cannot apply for both a vacation scheme and a training contract in the same recruitment window, this is from the website!

 

[nadoodle9]

Anyone heard from Reed Smith today?

 

[antisocial applicant]

Me and three of my friends all studied law at completley dif unis, only one of us has the LPC and we all got good paralegal roles pretty much straight away from graduating - this was in my hometown too I reckon it’ll be even easier in a bigger city where there’s more demand

really happy to read this! If I may ask, how did you go about finding a paralegal role (did you just search firm websites, go through those employment agencies?) and what is the size of your firm (high street, regional, national, that kind of thing)? I'm in my third year and am contemplating the paralegal route if the vacation scheme route doesn't pan out form me

 

[OreoShake]

Finished two ACs. And as I wait for the result, I can think of better answers 🤣

 

[therealellewoods]

really happy to read this! If I may ask, how did you go about finding a paralegal role (did you just search firm websites, go through those employment agencies?) and what is the size of your firm (high street, regional, national, that kind of thing)? I'm in my third year and am contemplating the paralegal route if the vacation scheme route doesn't pan out form me

My firm is a regional commercial firm, my friend worked in an in house paralegal role for a big U.K. company, now works in a regional firm ( so do my other two friends ) - and I honestly just applied to some on a whim, I think one of my friends got hers on LinkedIn but the rest literally just from indeed etc! I wasn’t even really planning on moving back to my hometown I just came back on a temporary basis so just like applied for a few things quickly and got one so I honestly think you won’t find it hard either ☺️ Im baso in the same position this is my first cycle applying as I wanted to do human rights law so hasn’t done vac schemes before so I’m applying now while working and having commercial experience even as a paralegal has really helped!

 

[therealellewoods]

You cannot apply for both a vacation scheme and a training contract in the same recruitment window, this is from the website!

Thank you!! I thought so tbh! I played myself by choosing to apply to them for my first ever try 😂

 

[antisocial applicant]

My firm is a regional commercial firm, my friend worked in an in house paralegal role for a big U.K. company, now works in a regional firm ( so do my other two friends ) - and I honestly just applied to some on a whim, I think one of my friends got hers on LinkedIn but the rest literally just from indeed etc! I wasn’t even really planning on moving back to my hometown I just came back on a temporary basis so just like applied for a few things quickly and got one so I honestly think you won’t find it hard either ☺️ Im baso in the same position this is my first cycle applying as I wanted to do human rights law so hasn’t done vac schemes before so I’m applying now while working and having commercial experience even as a paralegal has really helped!

Thanks so much for your insight. I'm feeling a lot more positive about the application process now

 

[therealellewoods]

Thanks so much for your insight. I'm feeling a lot more positive about the application process now

You’re welcome! Sorry I meant to say mine is actually a national firm - and I have no prior experience in commercial so yeah you’ll be fine and don’t even write off VS’s yet hopefully you’ll get one anyways 🤩

 

[OB]

Thanks so much for your insight. I'm feeling a lot more positive about the application process now

Just to balance out, I found it really hard to secure a legal role post graduating (graduating in 2020 didn't help too) and spent a year and now have an administrative role in a large law firm. My experience is based on London though

 

[RachelLouise22]

Just to balance out, I found it really hard to secure a legal role post graduating (graduating in 2020 didn't help too) and spent a year and now have an administrative role in a large law firm. My experience is based on London though

I can second this, I found the paralegal market in my city (Leeds) difficult to access and highly competitive. I had to take an assistants role first and leverage this into paralegaling about 7 months after graduating. It definitely helps if you have a language skill the role requires (I definitely do not). For me, I edged out other candidates by having experience working for a large client of the department I work in but this is quite niche (social housing) so if you have any unique skills/experiences I’d try use those!

 

[Abii]

Just to balance out, I found it really hard to secure a legal role post graduating (graduating in 2020 didn't help too) and spent a year and now have an administrative role in a large law firm. My experience is based on London though

Yeah I think London and other large cities are very different to anywhere else. they are very competitive markets due the the desire people have to live in certain locations and particularly in certain types of law - a paralegal role I secured had over 1000 applicants.

 

[therealellewoods]

I can second this, I found the paralegal market in my city (Leeds) difficult to access and highly competitive. I had to take an assistants role first and leverage this into paralegaling about 7 months after graduating. It definitely helps if you have a language skill the role requires (I definitely do not). For me, I edged out other candidates by having experience working for a large client of the department I work in but this is quite niche (social housing) so if you have any unique skills/experiences I’d try use those!

Im in Sheffield for context although I was living in london before moving back and did have a few interviews

 

[Adrian_S]

K, I know I said I wanted a hot body, a Bugatti, and a Maserati but… mama just got a Watson Glaser invite from Weil, y’all.

A little shocked. I applied on December 26th and assumed it was a PFO. If anyone has suggestions for the test I’d be very grateful.

 

[Zubin]

Has anyone not received the tests from Mayer Brown after submitting an application for a vs? I thought they were automatic but doesn't seem so

These tests are sent after application review. I received mine along with a "Congratulations, we would like to progress your application to the next stage..." type email. Hope this helps

 

[Zubin]

Just received my first ever VS offer from Macfarlanes! I am so over the moon. It's been such a trying journey to get here - over 40 applications, two cycles, and lots of improvement to my knowledge and skills along the way.

For those who are still on their journey, trust me, your time will come! Just keep at it with your preparation, commercial awareness development, and application writing. One of the biggest mistakes I made was applying to a ton of different firms and not understanding what it was about those specific firms which appealed to me, rather than making a few, tailored applications that truly reflected my interests.

Good luck to everyone! Now onto more ACs and interviews... grind don't stop!