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

[aspiringlawyer123_]

How long do HSF take to get back to you after AC?

same day for me

 

[jagohaines]

Hi there,

I have my Osborne Clarke AC very shortly. Can anyone confirm whether it will include an interview or whether it will just be WG's and commerical tasks?

Thanks in advance!

Best of luck! Once you have done it would you mind confirming the layout of the day?

Thanks

 

[hassanali]

Strategically speaking, is it better to apply to the London office or other regional office of a firm for better chances at a TC? Regional offices have less vacancies but I assume they have less applicants as well.

 

[Abii]

Strategically speaking, is it better to apply to the London office or other regional office of a firm for better chances at a TC? Regional offices have less vacancies but I assume they have less applicants as well.

Although on paper the odds might look better I'm not sure how successful this approach would be. How can you demonstrate how passionate you are for that job and that TC when the reality is that you are not you just want any TC. I can say that I get a lot more success with my apps when I can demonstrate I want that TC and that firm and that office by focusing on the sectors because its pretty clear I want to do tech transactions work than when I apply to just a city firm in general. Arguably I've had better odds on paper with the big firms as they offer more TCs per applicant but I've got much further through the process with US firms that have many more applicants per available TC when I can evidence why that particular TC and firm is the one I want.

 

[antisocial applicant]

When someone from graduate recruitment addresses you 'hi (first name)' and signs off the email with their first name, does this mean that I am also welcome to call them by their first name or should I just stick with Dear Mr/Ms?

 

[TCApp2021]

During AC commercial exercise presentations, do we have to present with all the formalities (“act the role”) or do we just get straight into it? E.g if the brief says “you are a trainee and will be outlining the pros/cons of an acquisition to this partner”.. do we have to introduce ourselves as a trainee etc

 

[emilyrose99]

When someone from graduate recruitment addresses you 'hi (first name)' and signs off the email with their first name, does this mean that I am also welcome to call them by their first name or should I just stick with Dear Mr/Ms?

Idk if this is best practice but I’d respond ‘hi (first name)’

 

[M777]

Although on paper the odds might look better I'm not sure how successful this approach would be. How can you demonstrate how passionate you are for that job and that TC when the reality is that you are not you just want any TC. I can say that I get a lot more success with my apps when I can demonstrate I want that TC and that firm and that office by focusing on the sectors because its pretty clear I want to do tech transactions work than when I apply to just a city firm in general. Arguably I've had better odds on paper with the big firms as they offer more TCs per applicant but I've got much further through the process with US firms that have many more applicants per available TC when I can evidence why that particular TC and firm is the one I want.

We also can't assume regional offices are so much less competitive than London that aspiring London lawyers should apply to the regions, and then hope they'll get to transfer to London later on. Regional offices still attract 100s (if not 1000s) of applications, especially from students looking to practice in the region permanently (especially students who went to uni in the area). So if an applicant can't convey a genuine interest in working in the regions permanently, then they'll struggle just as much as with London TCs.

So applying to the regions technically increases your odds as you're applying to more places. But a career in the regions compared to a career in London is like comparing apples and oranges.

PS - I'm the exact same as you when it comes to US firms vs big firms!

 

[aspiringlawyer123_]

@Jessica Booker if I have an interview for a direct TC on Monday but my spring vacation scheme says you can’t do the vac scheme if you had a TC offer accepted (and I would rather do the spring vac scheme), is there any point doing the direct TC interview? Do many firms let you extend the period to accept the offer?

 

[Beluga]

@Jessica Booker if I have an interview for a direct TC on Monday but my spring vacation scheme says you can’t do the vac scheme if you had a TC offer accepted (and I would rather do the spring vac scheme), is there any point doing the direct TC interview? Do many firms let you extend the period to accept the offer?

I think this depends on the firm but both firms I have offers with have allowed me extensions by a few months so I can explore my options (and one has even considered extending so I can do a summer VS). Hope this gives you some peace of mind

 

[aspiringlawyer123_]

I think this depends on the firm but both firms I have offers with have allowed me extensions by a few months so I can explore my options (and one has even considered extending so I can do a summer VS). Hope this gives you some peace of mind

Thanks so much!! This firm only hires through direct TC soooo not sure if that means they want everything sorted in Feb time

 

[captainhilts]

Has anyone done a summer vacation scheme at deloitte? how long is it and when does it run? thanks

 

[lawvc2021]

Does anyone else feel deflated and like every single AC they do could have gone so much better...or just me? Am finding this part of the process just quite overwhelming.

 

[Beluga]

Does anyone else feel deflated and like every single AC they do could have gone so much better...or just me? Am finding this part of the process just quite overwhelming.

Once I accidentally came up with (what I thought was) a catchy slogan in a group exercise which was clearly very much innuendo in hindsight ... I thought about it every night before I went to sleep

 

[Rob93]

Thanks so much!! This firm only hires through direct TC soooo not sure if that means they want everything sorted in Feb time

I think there's a convention amongst city firms to give students quite a lot of time to accept or decline an offer - Jessica or Paul could better advise the specifics.

If you're a grad it might really depend on the firm.

 

[LongSufferingLawGrad]

Does anyone else feel deflated and like every single AC they do could have gone so much better...or just me? Am finding this part of the process just quite overwhelming.

Everyone overanalyses and is very self-critical after an AC!

Please have faith in yourself - you are clearly an impressive candidate to reach an AC! Try not to overthink and relax knowing the hard part is over!

 

[Noodles52]

I’m sorry to hear that!

Is that Simons Muirhead Burton? So many abbreviations these days…

I haven’t heard back from them yet

It is indeed! To be fair, I only heard back because I emailed for an update (and also to enquire about their VS, too). Still going ahead with a VS application anyway; no harm in trying after all! Good luck

 

[Emily K]

Does anyone else feel deflated and like every single AC they do could have gone so much better...or just me? Am finding this part of the process just quite overwhelming.

I relate so so much. Just come out of an AC today and already feeling disappointed in myself worst thing is trying to not to let it affect my preparation for an interview tomorrow morning but it's so difficult - feel like I lose confidence after each interview lol

 

[Noodles52]

I get this- I was in the same boat during my applications and just gave up on application-related things for a couple of months. Took that break to reflect on whether I was motivated to go back to making applications and came back only when I felt sure to take on the emotional rollercoaster of making applications. Maybe that'll help?

For sure! Totally agree with your point. I think it's simply because at the moment, I'm studying my MA, working two jobs whilst looking for another because I need a job change, and just trying to keep on top of everything. Very overwhelming, but just taking my time with applications!

 

[ap28]

I have quite a silly question ) when a firm's AC mentions a written exercise, could this be a case study? Or is there a difference between case studies and written exercises?