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

[John Travoni]

Gateley Assessment Centre!! I am having a rollercoaster of a week after my rejection on Monday 😅 (Manchester office for anyone still waiting to hear - completed the VI end of Jan!)

If you don’t mind me asking, what scores did you receive in your report ??

 

[tt_xo]

I have been waiting since 19th January. Have emailed and they said to be patient. I think they're going to compile them all and then decide...

Thanks for the response!

 

[legalgemma]

If you don’t mind me asking, what scores did you receive in your report ??

I got the top band for applied verbal intellect and the middle band for applied numerical intellect, then Grit:4, Applied Intellect: 9, Creative Force: 7, Digital Mindset: 6

My email only came through half an hour ago so don't give up hope ! 🤞

 

[S87]

In my application, I often mention the current development of my start-up.
However, everything is still at seed level and I am really struggling on how to bring my idea to the next level.
Does anybody know how to get some mentorship or any kind help for struggling entrepreneurs?

 

[GXA123]

refreshing my emails like crazy these days omg

 

[LegalAmin]

Gateley Assessment Centre!! I am having a rollercoaster of a week after my rejection on Monday 😅 (Manchester office for anyone still waiting to hear - completed the VI end of Jan!)

We’ll done Gemma! Seems like we’re applying for all the same places haha

 

[aspiringlawyer123_]

literally just a 50 min interview and 50 min written task, there's QnA as well but that's not assessed

Is there no group exercise this year?

 

[average_jo123]

​

APPLICATION DATES AND TIMELINE
Firm: PwC
Opportunity: Legal Summer Internship (London) 2022

23 Dec 2021 — applied and received automatic invite to Career Unlocked (Behavioural Based Assessment) by Arctic Shores
27 Dec 2021 — completed Arctic Shores Assessment (before deadline stipulated)
28 Dec 2021 — received Arctic Shores Assessment/Career Unlocked feedback report

04 Feb 2022 — received this video interview invite:

"Congratulations for passing the Behavioural Based Assessment and the screening stage: you are now one step closer to potentially receiving an offer! You are now going to be invited to the next stage of assessment which is called Career Conversation, otherwise known as the recorded video interview".​

12 Feb 2022 — completed HireVue VI (before deadline stipulated)
23 Feb 2022 — PFO

"I hope this email finds you well. This is an update on your application for the Legal Summer Internship with us. Though you have passed the Video Interview, you have unfortunately not met the benchmarks in order to progress to the next stage of assessment. It is therefore with regret that we confirm you will not be progress to the Career Focus Day and that your application is being declined".​

MY QUESTIONS — ANY THOUGHTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED :'(
I'm VERY confused by the PFO email and what they mean by the "benchmarks" that I have failed to meet — does this mean I failed certain aspects of the Arctic Shores assessment and therefore will not be progressed even though I did fine in the VI? If this is the case why did they tell me that I passed the behavioural based assessment when I was invited to VI? Or are they talking about some other "benchmarks" that we don't know about?

If I'm being rejected because I failed all/part of the Arctic Shores assessment, why did they even progress me to VI in the first place - is it because they want to give those who perhaps didn't do well in the initial assessment to prove themselves in the VI, and then review the application holistically (taking into account both VI and Arctic Shores performance) before deciding who gets to progress? If this is the case, why am I told that I "passed the video interview", but will not be progressed anyway? Could it be because I "passed the VI" but when reviewed together with my poor Arctic Shores performance, is still not good enough to progress compared to other candidates?

I'm just disheartened that I'm being told that I "passed the VI" but still will not be progressed, and not being told why. Would hate to think that I performed okay in the VI but am being rejected because I didn't do so well in Arctic Shores Also, I'm just generally really disappointed that I keep getting rejected from law firms because of psychometric tests when I have done relatively okay in other assessments e.g. application writing and VI. Is it worth emailing to ask what exactly is the "benchmark" they're referring to? I doubt they'll reply though, as they would just see this as another candidate asking for individual feedback, which they are unable to provide?

 

[legalgemma]

We’ll done Gemma! Seems like we’re applying for all the same places haha

And we have the same good taste in usernames fingers crossed I will see you there!

 

[AspiringIPLawyer]

I had an AC with HSF a couple of weeks ago. I did get asked on the 'introduce to a topic you know about' question but the associate taking the interview had involvement in the topic I wrote about so it might be dependent on who interviews you! They didn't ask any questions on closest competitors, new office etc more the standard why HSF, why commercial law stuff, then general competency questions

Hey @AspiringIPLawyer,

I feel grateful that we have such a fantastic community who can offer you some more contemporary (and potentially more accurate advice than me on this given that my interview was nearly a year ago. Thank you for the above @amerlin2022 and @unserious candidate.

Just to start, please always feel free to ask as many questions/clarifiers as you need. I am here to help where I can and am delighted to do so!

So for my interview, I actually wasn't asked about the topic I mentioned in my application. That being said, I did prepare for questions on it, and in line with the users that have replied previously, I think it would be prudent to do so.

With regard to your second question, I also was not asked about where HSF should open up their next office. That being said, much like the special topic, just because it was not mentioned in my interview, does not mean that it will/will not come up! I always took the approach if I could think of a question that could reasonably be asked in an interview/AC, and I could not comfortably think of an answer, I needed to prepare more thoroughly.

Definitely double-down on your three whys and practice(!). I really think practicing is the secret to success at interviews. My HSF competency interview was really unstructured and dynamic, so although it is difficult to prepare for in some ways, more experience thinking on your feet in an interview will only be helpful!

I am so glad to hear that found Jake Schogger's book useful 🏆

Thank you @amerlin2022 , @unserious candidate and @George Maxwell for your comments.

As always, I'm so grateful for all of the kind and helpful people in this community!

I have the AC tomorrow (after a month of waiting which I think has just made me more nervous!) so hope it goes ok, even if I don't end up getting the VS!
Have a great rest of your week 🙌🏼

 

[Jessica Booker]

In my application, I often mention the current development of my start-up.
However, everything is still at seed level and I am really struggling on how to bring my idea to the next level.
Does anybody know how to get some mentorship or any kind help for struggling entrepreneurs?

@Jaysen will probably be best placed to help with this!

 

[RoughWood]

​

APPLICATION DATES AND TIMELINE
Firm: PwC
Opportunity: Legal Summer Internship (London) 2022

23 Dec 2021 — applied and received automatic invite to Career Unlocked (Behavioural Based Assessment) by Arctic Shores
27 Dec 2021 — completed Arctic Shores Assessment (before deadline stipulated)
28 Dec 2021 — received Arctic Shores Assessment/Career Unlocked feedback report

04 Feb 2022 — received this video interview invite:

"Congratulations for passing the Behavioural Based Assessment and the screening stage: you are now one step closer to potentially receiving an offer! You are now going to be invited to the next stage of assessment which is called Career Conversation, otherwise known as the recorded video interview".​

12 Feb 2022 — completed HireVue VI (before deadline stipulated)
23 Feb 2022 — PFO

"I hope this email finds you well. This is an update on your application for the Legal Summer Internship with us. Though you have passed the Video Interview, you have unfortunately not met the benchmarks in order to progress to the next stage of assessment. It is therefore with regret that we confirm you will not be progress to the Career Focus Day and that your application is being declined".​

MY QUESTIONS — ANY THOUGHTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED :'(
I'm VERY confused by the PFO email and what they mean by the "benchmarks" that I have failed to meet — does this mean I failed certain aspects of the Arctic Shores assessment and therefore will not be progressed even though I did fine in the VI? If this is the case why did they tell me that I passed the behavioural based assessment when I was invited to VI? Or are they talking about some other "benchmarks" that we don't know about?

If I'm being rejected because I failed all/part of the Arctic Shores assessment, why did they even progress me to VI in the first place - is it because they want to give those who perhaps didn't do well in the initial assessment to prove themselves in the VI, and then review the application holistically (taking into account both VI and Arctic Shores performance) before deciding who gets to progress? If this is the case, why am I told that I "passed the video interview", but will not be progressed anyway? Could it be because I "passed the VI" but when reviewed together with my poor Arctic Shores performance, is still not good enough to progress compared to other candidates?

I'm just disheartened that I'm being told that I "passed the VI" but still will not be progressed, and not being told why. Would hate to think that I performed okay in the VI but am being rejected because I didn't do so well in Arctic Shores Also, I'm just generally really disappointed that I keep getting rejected from law firms because of psychometric tests when I have done relatively okay in other assessments e.g. application writing and VI. Is it worth emailing to ask what exactly is the "benchmark" they're referring to? I doubt they'll reply though, as they would just see this as another candidate asking for individual feedback, which they are unable to provide?

I cant comment as i dont know anything about PWC, but having had a rejection at AC before where I was told there was literally NOTHING that I could improve on, i understand how painful and confusing this situation can be.

 

[teddyowen34]

Still waiting to hear back from Simmons after completing my VI first week of January

 

[MH]

Gateley Assessment Centre!! I am having a rollercoaster of a week after my rejection on Monday 😅 (Manchester office for anyone still waiting to hear - completed the VI end of Jan!)

Well done! Does it say when the ACs will be happening?

 

[Jessica Booker]

​

APPLICATION DATES AND TIMELINE
Firm: PwC
Opportunity: Legal Summer Internship (London) 2022

23 Dec 2021 — applied and received automatic invite to Career Unlocked (Behavioural Based Assessment) by Arctic Shores
27 Dec 2021 — completed Arctic Shores Assessment (before deadline stipulated)
28 Dec 2021 — received Arctic Shores Assessment/Career Unlocked feedback report

04 Feb 2022 — received this video interview invite:

"Congratulations for passing the Behavioural Based Assessment and the screening stage: you are now one step closer to potentially receiving an offer! You are now going to be invited to the next stage of assessment which is called Career Conversation, otherwise known as the recorded video interview".​

12 Feb 2022 — completed HireVue VI (before deadline stipulated)
23 Feb 2022 — PFO

"I hope this email finds you well. This is an update on your application for the Legal Summer Internship with us. Though you have passed the Video Interview, you have unfortunately not met the benchmarks in order to progress to the next stage of assessment. It is therefore with regret that we confirm you will not be progress to the Career Focus Day and that your application is being declined".​

MY QUESTIONS — ANY THOUGHTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED :'(
I'm VERY confused by the PFO email and what they mean by the "benchmarks" that I have failed to meet — does this mean I failed certain aspects of the Arctic Shores assessment and therefore will not be progressed even though I did fine in the VI? If this is the case why did they tell me that I passed the behavioural based assessment when I was invited to VI? Or are they talking about some other "benchmarks" that we don't know about?

If I'm being rejected because I failed all/part of the Arctic Shores assessment, why did they even progress me to VI in the first place - is it because they want to give those who perhaps didn't do well in the initial assessment to prove themselves in the VI, and then review the application holistically (taking into account both VI and Arctic Shores performance) before deciding who gets to progress? If this is the case, why am I told that I "passed the video interview", but will not be progressed anyway? Could it be because I "passed the VI" but when reviewed together with my poor Arctic Shores performance, is still not good enough to progress compared to other candidates?

I'm just disheartened that I'm being told that I "passed the VI" but still will not be progressed, and not being told why. Would hate to think that I performed okay in the VI but am being rejected because I didn't do so well in Arctic Shores Also, I'm just generally really disappointed that I keep getting rejected from law firms because of psychometric tests when I have done relatively okay in other assessments e.g. application writing and VI. Is it worth emailing to ask what exactly is the "benchmark" they're referring to? I doubt they'll reply though, as they would just see this as another candidate asking for individual feedback, which they are unable to provide?

I am speculating, but I suspect they are screening your application post all of these assessments and then a final cut is made, and that the benchmark applies to your application rather than any of the assessments you have completed.

PwC will probably be getting somewhere between 50k-100k applications a year across all of their intern/graduate programmes (maybe even more) and so they use the assessments as a filtering tool which is quicker/produces better results than just reviewing your application alone before inviting you to such assessments.

 

[legalgemma]

Well done! Does it say when the ACs will be happening?

Thank you! The dates I was offered were March 23rd, 28th or 31st

 

[bibss]

​

APPLICATION DATES AND TIMELINE
Firm: PwC
Opportunity: Legal Summer Internship (London) 2022

23 Dec 2021 — applied and received automatic invite to Career Unlocked (Behavioural Based Assessment) by Arctic Shores
27 Dec 2021 — completed Arctic Shores Assessment (before deadline stipulated)
28 Dec 2021 — received Arctic Shores Assessment/Career Unlocked feedback report

04 Feb 2022 — received this video interview invite:

"Congratulations for passing the Behavioural Based Assessment and the screening stage: you are now one step closer to potentially receiving an offer! You are now going to be invited to the next stage of assessment which is called Career Conversation, otherwise known as the recorded video interview".​

12 Feb 2022 — completed HireVue VI (before deadline stipulated)
23 Feb 2022 — PFO

"I hope this email finds you well. This is an update on your application for the Legal Summer Internship with us. Though you have passed the Video Interview, you have unfortunately not met the benchmarks in order to progress to the next stage of assessment. It is therefore with regret that we confirm you will not be progress to the Career Focus Day and that your application is being declined".​

MY QUESTIONS — ANY THOUGHTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED :'(
I'm VERY confused by the PFO email and what they mean by the "benchmarks" that I have failed to meet — does this mean I failed certain aspects of the Arctic Shores assessment and therefore will not be progressed even though I did fine in the VI? If this is the case why did they tell me that I passed the behavioural based assessment when I was invited to VI? Or are they talking about some other "benchmarks" that we don't know about?

If I'm being rejected because I failed all/part of the Arctic Shores assessment, why did they even progress me to VI in the first place - is it because they want to give those who perhaps didn't do well in the initial assessment to prove themselves in the VI, and then review the application holistically (taking into account both VI and Arctic Shores performance) before deciding who gets to progress? If this is the case, why am I told that I "passed the video interview", but will not be progressed anyway? Could it be because I "passed the VI" but when reviewed together with my poor Arctic Shores performance, is still not good enough to progress compared to other candidates?

I'm just disheartened that I'm being told that I "passed the VI" but still will not be progressed, and not being told why. Would hate to think that I performed okay in the VI but am being rejected because I didn't do so well in Arctic Shores Also, I'm just generally really disappointed that I keep getting rejected from law firms because of psychometric tests when I have done relatively okay in other assessments e.g. application writing and VI. Is it worth emailing to ask what exactly is the "benchmark" they're referring to? I doubt they'll reply though, as they would just see this as another candidate asking for individual feedback, which they are unable to provide?

I am very sorry to hear about your experience ☹️☹️ If it is of any consolation to you, I had a similar experience with EY. I was rejected post tests, despite my email saying that I performed well and had positive results… However, they said they didn’t have a place for me. Completely understand how you feel 🥲

Cheer up !! No point dwelling on it, although I recognise how hard it is not to. 💓

 

[RARodle]

Does anyone know when we will hear back for PwC Legal Post-VI??

I heard back this morning!

 

[JD]

Has anyone heard from Greenberg Traurig? I know they say if you haven't heard by the 28th you have been unsuccessful but just wondering if anyone has heard back yet?

haven't heard back either

 

[coffeeshops]

Withers PFO

i'm so sorry to hear! was this for spring or summer?