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

[LS_1998]

I’ve been accepted onto a vacation scheme without being invited to any tasks such as further tests, interviews, or assessment centres beyond the application stage. Should I be concerned hahahaha

Any chance this was Blake Morgan?

 

[Scandi]

Anyone still waiting for the outcome of Stephenson Harwood's vac scheme application? Over a month ago since I received a holding email.

 

[Legalmel_99]

I’ve been accepted onto a vacation scheme without being invited to any tasks such as further tests, interviews, or assessment centres beyond the application stage. Should I be concerned hahahaha

I had a vac scheme last year that did this which firm is it x

 

[corplawperson23]

Hiya, just a quick one. I am writing a TC application for a firm in which I have successfully been offered a paralegal position which I am to start in August. Are there any tips on how to incorporate this upcoming position in a 'why are you applying to us' application q?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hiya, just a quick one. I am writing a TC application for a firm in which I have successfully been offered a paralegal position which I am to start in August. Are there any tips on how to incorporate this upcoming position in a 'why are you applying to us' application q?

Is it a temp/contract paralegal role or a permanent role?

 

[Hus95]

Out of curiosity has anyone applied for and got a vac scheme whilst being employed at another firm? how did your employer handle it? as there could be conflicts and clauses in employment contracts that could restrict being able to do so

 

[corplawperson23]

Is it a temp/contract paralegal role or a permanent role?

Its a FTC role

 

[George Maxwell]

I’ve been accepted onto a vacation scheme without being invited to any tasks such as further tests, interviews, or assessment centres beyond the application stage. Should I be concerned hahahaha

Which firm is it for? Congratulations though that's fantastic news!

 

[George Maxwell]

I've tested positive for covid today and my in-person vac scheme starts a week today. At what point should I email them and tell them/ask what happens if I'm still testing positive in a week?

@TC fiend I think has given you fantastic advice for this issue @rose0904. Let us know what you choose to do and how it goes

 

[George Maxwell]

Thank you so much for the advice and sharing your experience @George Maxwell!

I have emailed Graduate Recruitment informing them of the mistake and asked them if it would be possible to make the alteration

Hey @Ameliaa,

You are very welcome! Let me know when you hear back

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Its a FTC role

It will be fine to include it then - sometime you have to tread carefully if you are trying to apply for another job when you haven’t even started the one you have got.

I’d keep it brief - you haven’t started working there yet and so you can’t really talk about your experiences with the firm beyond the recruitment process. Something as brief as that you are looking forward to joining the firm in August as a Paralegal is likely to be sufficient. You may want to make it clear it is a FTC role though.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Out of curiosity has anyone applied for and got a vac scheme whilst being employed at another firm? how did your employer handle it? as there could be conflicts and clauses in employment contracts that could restrict being able to do so

I know there are plenty of people who have done this in the forums - it’s come up in conversation many times.

The main thing is 1) check your terms and conditions of employment and 2) check whether you can take the time off first. You’ll need to disclose your reasoning for having time off and your current firm will make a decision to decline/approve it from there.

If they do approve it, conflict checks are likely to need to be done with both your current employer and your VS firm.

 

[unserious candidate]

hey @Jessica Booker can I do my vac schemes if i have already accepted a training contract offer? I would really value the experience as i have never done a vac scheme or any legal work for that matter. i can’t find anything in any of my contracts that says i can’t. also must i disclose this to both my vs and tc firms?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

hey @Jessica Booker can I do my vac schemes if i have already accepted a training contract offer? I would really value the experience as i have never done a vac scheme or any legal work for that matter. i can’t find anything in any of my contracts that says i can’t. also must i disclose this to both my vs and tc firms?

If there is nothing in either contract, then there is nothing stopping you from doing this. You may need to disclose the other firm's opportunity as part of conflict checks outside of any contractual terms. However, it will depend on what the firm asks from you as part of that conflicts check too.

 

[YP]

Hey, hope everyone is well. Has anyone else still not heard back from Mishcon app stage for VS?

Hi, no news yet from Mishcon post-VI...

 

[ArashSh]

Hi, no news yet from Mishcon post-VI...

Hi,
I got a Mishcon case study invite today so they're still reviewing and sending out invites for sure. Hope you hear a good one soon. Did my VI four weeks ago.

 

[FutureLawyer99]

Has anyone done the final stage interview for a TC with Hill Dickinson before? If so, what sort of questions can I expect? Is it a mixture of competency, motivational or situational judgment?

 

[NMA]

Hi all, not sure where to put this question so sorry if it shouldn't be here, but what do men typically wear on a vacation scheme? Do I have to wear a suit and tie everyday or can I come in a bit more smart-casual e.g., quarter-zips or a jumper over my shirt without a tie?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hi all, not sure where to put this question so sorry if it shouldn't be here, but what do men typically wear on a vacation scheme? Do I have to wear a suit and tie everyday or can I come in a bit more smart-casual e.g., quarter-zips or a jumper over my shirt without a tie?

I don't think most law firms have the suit policy anymore.

I have been a paralegal at 3 different law firms and none of them have I seen lawyers wear suits but I guess it can be different for your VS firm.

Travers Smith is the prime example of not wearing a suit. Everyone ast Travers wears shirts just with no tie.

I recently attended a networking event at Weil in their London office and their legal counsel did not wear a suit and he was going back to the office after that networking event.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi all, not sure where to put this question so sorry if it shouldn't be here, but what do men typically wear on a vacation scheme? Do I have to wear a suit and tie everyday or can I come in a bit more smart-casual e.g., quarter-zips or a jumper over my shirt without a tie?

My advice would be to go more formal on your first day and gauge how informal it is from there.

You can always take a tie and a jacket off to look more informal, but it is much more difficult to "dress up" if you have got a client meeting you are invited to last-minute that requires a suit and tie if you don't have them to hand.

If you are connected with any current trainees on LinkedIn, it would be a good question to ask them about what to expect, as firms can have very different views on this topic and sometimes it is just good to get direct insight from people who are experiencing it on a day-to-day basis.