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

[Miki3999]

Just completed the Mayer Brown JS. For all those who got the invite, it’s essentially a VI, written assessment & SJT rolled into one. That’s unfortunately as much info as I can give in order to preserve the integrity of the assessment and all, but preparing as you would for those individually will prepare you for it.

does it involve motivational questions as well? I guess it does

 

[Parsorandini]

I just absolutely tanked in the Irwin Mitchell VI My final answer didn't even save it seems - it just says that I ran out of time to answer. I've emailed them but I doubt it'll make a difference. Good luck to the rest of you and on to the next one I guess..

 

[djqb]

Would anybody know if Dentons sends out WG test invites automatically or after they've screened the application?

 

[elizabeth_98]

Would anybody know if Dentons sends out WG test invites automatically or after they've screened the application?

on their website it says 'If you meet our initial criteria in the application form, next up is the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test.' so they must look at parts of the application form at least

 

[djqb]

on their website it says 'If you meet our initial criteria in the application form, next up is the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test.' so they must look at parts of the application form at least

Thank u!!!

 

[George Maxwell]

Hi, Was slightly unsure how to approach Bird & Bird's questions and what exactly they were answering for... these are the 2 questions I was confused about:

1) Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise?
Is this question asking what the biggest opportunity is for the tech industry for example in general or what is an opportunity that Bird & Bird can take advantage of in the tech industry? What should the tech industry focus on? Or what Bird & bird should focus on in the tech industry?

2) In your view, what will be the greatest innovation to influence the firm in the next 5 years and why?
What is the greatest innovation that will impact the way law firms are structured or the way its employees will work (for example new AI, document drafting tech etc) or what is a big innovation in the world in general that will bring in a lot of work for the firm?

Hope this makes sense and would appreciate if people could share how they are approaching these questions as I am super unsure

Hi @LSELawsolicitor,

These questions are absolutely valid. I had to re-read the first question a couple of times before I understood properly!

I will caveat this by saying this really is my opinion so I could easily be wrong!

1. I think that this is trying to test your commercial awareness. I interpreted this as asking about the biggest opportunity for businesses in that sector/the industry as a whole.

If B&B's application is like previous years, you will have very limited space, so perhaps would not be able to do this. But if you do have space (don't force it!), it might be a good idea to then link this back to the firm and how they might take advantage of this trend.

2. On my reading of the question, I think any of your interpretations could work. I actually think it's really impressive how many readings you have managed to draw out of this question.

That being said, in general, try to interpret questions in the most natural way. I would have interpreted this question in the second way you mention. But I do think the others work too!

Please do reach out if you would like any further thoughts on this or anything else 😇

I just absolutely tanked in the Irwin Mitchell VI My final answer didn't even save it seems - it just says that I ran out of time to answer. I've emailed them but I doubt it'll make a difference. Good luck to the rest of you and on to the next one I guess..

Hey @Parsorandini,

I am really sorry to hear about this. It sounds like it was an error on their end, not yours.

In my experience GR are very understanding about this sort of thing. I would honestly just wait to hear back and not to make any assumptions about what might happen. I was able to retake VIs where there was a technical glitch when I was applying for example!

Let us know what happens. I really hope IM get back to you soon 🤞

 

[CC03]

we should hear back by Friday about video interviews!

Oh! I only applied last week, day before the deadline? And haven’t received a WG yet!

 

[elizabeth_98]

Does anyone know how long A&O take to let you know whether you've passed their SJT?

 

[S30]

Does anyone know how long A&O take to let you know whether you've passed their SJT?

I got an email the following day saying I passed, literally 24 hours after I completed the test

 

[Parsorandini]

Hey @Parsorandini,

I am really sorry to hear about this. It sounds like it was an error on their end, not yours.

In my experience GR are very understanding about this sort of thing. I would honestly just wait to hear back and not to make any assumptions about what might happen. I was able to retake VIs where there was a technical glitch when I was applying for example!

Let us know what happens. I really hope IM get back to you soon 🤞

Hey George, thanks so much for that. It's great to hear that you got to retake one, fingers crossed for similar for me! All I can do is wait I guess.

 

[ZaraB]

Would anybody know if Dentons sends out WG test invites automatically or after they've screened the application?

When did you apply if you don't mind me asking?

 

[elizabeth_98]

I got an email the following day saying I passed, literally 24 hours after I completed the test

Thank you 😄

 

[User274302]

Just got a strange PFO. 'Your application was one of our strongest' - okay? so take me? lol

 

[hannaheshaw04]

Hi, I received the link to Irwin Mitchell's VI on 1/12 and it says The deadline for completing this video interview is 7 calendar days from this email being sent.

Does this mean it is due today or tomorrow please?

 

[GXA123]

Hi, I received the link to Irwin Mitchell's VI on 1/12 and it says The deadline for completing this video interview is 7 calendar days from this email being sent.

Does this mean it is due today or tomorrow please?

I think tommorow would be the 8th, I think it’s better to do it today tho @Jessica Booker what do u think?

 

[Lawfulx]

Hi! I'm sorry if this has already been asked. But I was wondering if anyone has tips regarding the DLA Piper App QS? I feel like I'm struggling with 1) what they really mean with business news story? Like can it be any news that's about a business or something specific that they are looking for and 2) how to actually structure and answer this? Do we first mention which business news story, explain what happened and why we chose that one?

 

[GOI983]

DLA Piper PFO post-WG at 7:15pm yesterday...

 

[GOI983]

Just completed the Mayer Brown JS. For all those who got the invite, it’s essentially a VI, written assessment & SJT rolled into one. That’s unfortunately as much info as I can give in order to preserve the integrity of the assessment and all, but preparing as you would for those individually will prepare you for it.

Please answer this one question: are there motivational questions?

 

[John Travoni]

DLA Piper PFO post-WG at 7:15pm yesterday...

Which office did you apply to and when did you submit your application?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi! I'm sorry if this has already been asked. But I was wondering if anyone has tips regarding the DLA Piper App QS? I feel like I'm struggling with 1) what they really mean with business news story? Like can it be any news that's about a business or something specific that they are looking for and 2) how to actually structure and answer this? Do we first mention which business news story, explain what happened and why we chose that one?

They won’t be looking for anything in particular, but I would pick a story that could impact them either directly as an organisation or indirectly impact them via their clients.

The elements you have highlighted are all important to include. It doesn’t really matter whether you explain your interest in the story first or last.