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

[vacschemesforeveryone]

This happens all the time with law firms. They are having this conversation with people every cycle, so the firm will be very used to having this conversation.

Explain you have multiple schemes and that you are seeing whether firms can offer alternative dates. Firms are used to people having multiple schemes - it is not an issue.

Be prepared for HSF to say they can’t move you though and that you may have to turn down one of your three schemes. Even if I’m the past they have been able to move people around, it doesn’t necessarily mean they can do it this year - the scheme could already be oversubscribed, they could already have a waiting list of people looking to move etc.

Thank you Jessica! The other two firms do not offer spring schemes at all, is it worth asking them also if they would offer alternative dates? Thank you

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you Jessica! The other two firms do not offer spring schemes at all, is it worth asking them also if they would offer alternative dates? Thank you

You could ask them if they offer alternative dates too, but it’s most likely they will clash at some point over the summer with the other schemes. There are only so many weeks over the summer and firms only tend to start their schemes late June and end them mid August, typically because so many people go on annual leave at the end of August. That means there are only about 8-9 weeks potential schemes could run, meaning unless the schemes are all short (1-2 weeks) there could be clashes.

Whichever firm you do choose to contact, call rather than email them. It will be much quicker and you can discuss things with them rather than email back and forth.

 

[dani2000]

Hey! Not yet. Have you?

no not yet! I'm gonna do it tomorrow i think i dont want to leave it too late

 

[vacschemesforeveryone]

Hi @vacschemesforeveryone,

Thank you for the question! Congratulations too for getting three vacation scheme offers. I am aware that this result will reflect a lot of hard work, so really well done(!).

Before I start my answer , I want to caveat the following by saying that this really is my opinion. This is not the sort of thing for which there is a right answer, but my thoughts below demonstrate how I would deal with this. Unfortunately I cannot guarantee that this will yield a positive outcome etc.

That being said, I will answer your question in two parts. First I will speak about deferring vacation schemes. Second I will touch on HSF.

1. My advice would be to be as open and honest as possible with the firm. In my experience, honesty is always appreciated. In addition, it avoids the possibility of the firm finding out later. It also prevents uneasiness (for you) in knowing what you can/should say (given what you think you have told them) to the firm in the future about your experiences or movements.

If it were me, I would send the Graduate Recruitment team an email. I would include the details of each of my vacation schemes. I would be open and explain that I found myself in the fortunate position that I had been offered three vacation scheme places and would like to discuss options with them.

I would then detail the various reasons why I wanted to complete three vacation schemes/the firm to transfer me to another scheme. I would emphasise that this does not mean that you value HSF/your offer from them any less, but that it is the only way in which you can feasibly complete all three schemes (bear in mind, I would only say this if this really were the case!).

Legitimate reasons, in my opinion would include: making an informed decision, money, networking opportunities and professional development opportunities resulting from the schemes. I would really encourage you to remove/add your own reasons to these in accordance with your own thoughts.

I would also offer to speak on the phone about my predicament to fully explain my reasons too.

I do not think that a firm will not withdraw your offer for asking. HSF may just say no. However, at least this way you have not been dishonest (you have shown integrity) and you have done all you can to explore all the available options. By doing this you are not being rude (the firm is a commercial entity and Graduate Recruitment will not be personally offended you asked), but in many ways mature and considered.

2. HSF are a fantastic firm. I felt like I genuinely fit in during my vacation scheme.

The Graduate Recruitment team, along with the rest of the firm are, in my experience, understanding people who would appreciate honesty (and the maturity that being honest often requires!).

If you would like to know anything further about the firm, please do tag me! 💪

Thank you so so much for this, it's extremely helpful!! Thanks so much

 

[MandyAA]

anyone done the hill dickinson test? what's it like?

It’s just a standard WG test - 30 minutes to complete

 

[LS_1998]

Anyone still waiting on AG post VI for London?

yep and i'm not holding my breath hahaah

 

[average_jo123]

I did my AC last Monday and received an offer.

Is this for Linklaters summer vac scheme?

 

[awd1998]

Hi @vacschemesforeveryone,

Thank you for the question! Congratulations too for getting three vacation scheme offers. I am aware that this result will reflect a lot of hard work, so really well done(!).

Before I start my answer , I want to caveat the following by saying that this really is my opinion. This is not the sort of thing for which there is a right answer, but my thoughts below demonstrate how I would deal with this. Unfortunately I cannot guarantee that this will yield a positive outcome etc.

That being said, I will answer your question in two parts. First I will speak about deferring vacation schemes. Second I will touch on HSF.

1. My advice would be to be as open and honest as possible with the firm. In my experience, honesty is always appreciated. In addition, it avoids the possibility of the firm finding out later. It also prevents uneasiness (for you) in knowing what you can/should say (given what you think you have told them) to the firm in the future about your experiences or movements.

If it were me, I would send the Graduate Recruitment team an email. I would include the details of each of my vacation schemes. I would be open and explain that I found myself in the fortunate position that I had been offered three vacation scheme places and would like to discuss options with them.

I would then detail the various reasons why I wanted to complete three vacation schemes/the firm to transfer me to another scheme. I would emphasise that this does not mean that you value HSF/your offer from them any less, but that it is the only way in which you can feasibly complete all three schemes (bear in mind, I would only say this if this really were the case!).

Legitimate reasons, in my opinion would include: making an informed decision, money, networking opportunities and professional development opportunities resulting from the schemes. I would really encourage you to remove/add your own reasons to these in accordance with your own thoughts.

I would also offer to speak on the phone about my predicament to fully explain my reasons too.

I do not think that a firm will not withdraw your offer for asking. HSF may just say no. However, at least this way you have not been dishonest (you have shown integrity) and you have done all you can to explore all the available options. By doing this you are not being rude (the firm is a commercial entity and Graduate Recruitment will not be personally offended you asked), but in many ways mature and considered.

2. HSF are a fantastic firm. I felt like I genuinely fit in during my vacation scheme.

The Graduate Recruitment team, along with the rest of the firm are, in my experience, understanding people who would appreciate honesty (and the maturity that being honest often requires!).

If you would like to know anything further about the firm, please do tag me! 💪

Thanks for this really useful helpful answer. I am also in a very similar position and been agonising over a similar decision all week as it just happens the two summer vacation scheme partly clash for one week and I am really struggling to pick between the two firms and also feel there is not much to separate the firms either so would also be interested to know members views on CMS and DLA as really doesn't seam to be much in them from my own research.

 

[antisocial applicant]

How bad is it if you mispronounce the name of a firm in a video interview? I pronounced Michelmores like Michaelmores D:

 

[aspiringlawyer22]

Thanks for this really useful helpful answer. I am also in a very similar position and been agonising over a similar decision all week as it just happens the two summer vacation scheme partly clash for one week and I am really struggling to pick between the two firms and also feel there is not much to separate the firms either so would also be interested to know members views on CMS and DLA as really doesn't seam to be much in them from my own research.

I’m doing DLA’s vac scheme this summer and having worked with them in the past (through their insight programme, for example) I would say they invest quite a lot in training and supporting interns. I’ve heard great things about their vac scheme and I’m really looking forward to it

 

[Ambs123]

How bad is it if you mispronounce the name of a firm in a video interview? I pronounced Michelmores like Michaelmores D:

I literally did the same thing for MDR and I have nooOoO idea - but I keep thinking that end of the day - these things happen. I’ve had my name mispronounced several times, and it’s always just a simple mistake. Hopefully our chances aren’t hindered too much by this honest mistake and I think at the end of the day, if we have done well, a mispronunciation won’t be the be all end all

 

[LBT99]

Thanks for this really useful helpful answer. I am also in a very similar position and been agonising over a similar decision all week as it just happens the two summer vacation scheme partly clash for one week and I am really struggling to pick between the two firms and also feel there is not much to separate the firms either so would also be interested to know members views on CMS and DLA as really doesn't seam to be much in them from my own research.

I know very little about either's vac scheme (and I haven't interacted with CMS much) but I spent a week at DLA's Edinburgh office (real estate) in August 2019 and they were genuinely some of the nicest people I've ever met. Super welcoming and really cared about my experience there. I was only in 1st year at the time, but they made an effort to assign work that allowed me to add value and understand what a trainee would actually do. My desk was near the front door and I always had people coming up to say hello and get to know me, from trainees to partners. So, again, whilst I know very little about CMS, I really enjoyed my time with DLA!

 

[Jessica Booker]

I literally did the same thing for MDR and I have nooOoO idea - but I keep thinking that end of the day - these things happen. I’ve had my name mispronounced several times, and it’s always just a simple mistake. Hopefully our chances aren’t hindered too much by this honest mistake and I think at the end of the day, if we have done well, a mispronunciation won’t be the be all end all

I have heard so many firms’ names pronounced incorrectly, even firms you think would be easier to say. It is something that can easily be corrected, so it won’t be a deal breaker necessarily.

 

[Leightoncass]

no not yet! I'm gonna do it tomorrow i think i dont want to leave it too late

Me too 😂😂😂
I’ve prepared 2 motivations questions & then some strength & competency questions. Do you think they might ask anything commercial-awareness related?

 

[Adrian_S]

All the hearts on my screen RN

Perfectly captures how I feel about this forum and Taco Bell 😭

 

[Jaysen]

It’s a bit much at the moment, I’ll take a few hearts down 😅

 

[Adrian_S]

It’s a bit much at the moment, I’ll take a few hearts down 😅

I hope every one gets offers from their dream firms and dream manz today

 

[GXA123]

OMGG, OBSESSED WITH THE HEARTS

 

[Legalmel_99]

These hearts are soo cute haha

 

[Nicole15]

roses are red, violets are blue, manifesting good news for all of you!