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

[GOI983]

any thoughts on how best to start a video interview, and the types of points worth making. Is it best to focus on why the work at the firm is appealing or go into things like pro bono ect

I think it is best to stick with explaining the core things surrounding the work the firm does that interests you, given the short response times you will likely have. Moreover, pro-bono, work culture, and secondment opportunities etc. are always good supplementary points to mention, once you have established your main ones relating to the work you will be doing and why that interests you specifically

 

[futuretraineecity]

I think this may have been asked already, but if we are given the names of our interviewers prior to the interview, what should we be doing with this information?

 

[aspiringlawyer22]

Is Linklaters normally this brutal with ghosting? I think last year I got a PFO pretty quickly but I’m not sure if that was an exceptional year

 

[GXA123]

Is Linklaters normally this brutal with ghosting? I think last year I got a PFO pretty quickly but I’m not sure if that was an exceptional year

nobody received any rejections yet so I AM SCARED

 

[legalgemma]

I think this may have been asked already, but if we are given the names of our interviewers prior to the interview, what should we be doing with this information?

Research them through the firm's website / LinkedIn to make sure you are aware of their practice areas and specialities! Either have specific questions to do with that area or at the very least have a solid understanding of what it is so that if they ask anything to do with it, you can make some kind of conversation. It's a massive advantage having their names ahead of time so definitely make use of it - see if you can find any commonground interests you have with them too that may come up in the interview

 

[S87]

I was interested but then the low intake made me say no!

@James Carrabino dont be sad! This is also a numbers game! You need to place your bets strategically!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

any thoughts on how best to start a video interview, and the types of points worth making. Is it best to focus on why the work at the firm is appealing or go into things like pro bono ect

It really will depend on the questions. You just need to focus on answering them and they will direct you to what you should discuss.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I think this may have been asked already, but if we are given the names of our interviewers prior to the interview, what should we be doing with this information?

My personal view on this is nothing - but not everyone will agree with me on this.

Your interview is about you, not about your interviewers.

 

[S87]

This is a cool question - I honestly have no idea which firm I would say! Maybe you want to start a thread about it

I would say CRS is not appreciated enough and regretted not applying to

 

[John Travoni]

nobody received any rejections yet so I AM SCARED

Easily gonna be a serious firing zone from Links very soon they’re gonna be more brutal than Reed Smith. At least RS had the courtesy to send holding emails

 

[S87]

Easily gonna be a serious firing zone from Links very soon they’re gonna be more brutal than Reed Smith. At least RS had the courtesy to send holding emails

For all of us

 

[CF12345]

Easily gonna be a serious firing zone from Links very soon they’re gonna be more brutal than Reed Smith. At least RS had the courtesy to send holding emails

have they sent out summer ACS?

 

[futuretraineecity]

Research them through the firm's website / LinkedIn to make sure you are aware of their practice areas and specialities! Either have specific questions to do with that area or at the very least have a solid understanding of what it is so that if they ask anything to do with it, you can make some kind of conversation. It's a massive advantage having their names ahead of time so definitely make use of it - see if you can find any commonground interests you have with them too that may come up in the interview

My personal view on this is nothing - but not everyone will agree with me on this.

Your interview is about you, not about your interviewers.

Great to get two different perspectives on this, thank you both!

 

[gilo]

It really will depend on the questions. You just need to focus on answering them and they will direct you to what you should discuss.

I was thinking more about the why this firm question usually asked - it’s a lot harder expressing verbally than through writing

 

[imdeded]

Could it be 7 days from the exact time you first started it? I have had assessments follow a timeline like this; best to see what grad rec says!

so grad rec emailed me and basically just sent me a new online assessment url which basically gave me another 7 days to do it, i was surprised they were that generous!

 

[James Carrabino]

@James Carrabino dont be sad! This is also a numbers game! You need to place your bets strategically!

That's a great attitude!

 

[James Carrabino]

so grad rec emailed me and basically just sent me a new online assessment url which basically gave me another 7 days to do it, i was surprised they were that generous!

Great news @imdeded I'm really glad to hear they gave you some extra time!

 

[BeGrateful.101]

does anyone know if PwC's video interview deadline means sunday 23:59 or 00:00?

Today at 23:59

 

[Hele25]

The cover letter is a good place to make it a bit more personal, all while backing your motivations up with evidence.

You could talk about what sparked your interest in a career in commercial law and what made you develop it further, why the firm stood out to you, what your USP is and why it makes you fit for a career in commercial law at the firm.

This is from a few years ago but I found this resource by Izzet Hassan incredibly useful in personalising my cover letters and adding detail to them. I hope you find it helpful!

This is brilliant. I just have to make it though my final Trusts exam and then I will tackle this! Thanks so so much.

 

[manifestingaTC]

Anyone heard from Winston & Strawn or Ropes &Gray?