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

Status
Not open for further replies.

kat_

Valued Member
Premium Member
Junior Lawyer
Nov 14, 2020
115
186
HSF PFO did not meet the benchmark.

What is even is my life. Last year I did well in tests but my applications were bad. This year I feel like my applications are much better but I fail all tests.

I just went through my report and I am a bit confused.
It seems like it is the same report, as in, I got literally all the same skills I had last year. But now I failed?
Do firms change what they are looking for?
 

Asil Ahmad

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Forum Winner
  • Mar 29, 2020
    1,640
    2,160
    29
    I just went through my report and I am a bit confused.
    It seems like it is the same report, as in, I got literally all the same skills I had last year. But now I failed?
    Do firms change what they are looking for?
    HSF test the SJT test and verbal reasoning test have correct answers so maybe you might have got answers wrong there but don't worry there will be other firms and I have had bad luck with HSF also.
     

    avaelle42

    Star Member
    Dec 15, 2021
    36
    101
    I just went through my report and I am a bit confused.
    It seems like it is the same report, as in, I got literally all the same skills I had last year. But now I failed?
    Do firms change what they are looking for?
    Sorry to hear you were not successful. Do you mind me asking when you sat the test? I did mine almost a week ago and haven't got feedback yet?
     

    James Carrabino

    Legendary Member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Junior Lawyer 11
    Oct 12, 2021
    666
    1,556
    Now im genuinely curious about the 2023 intake! I’d like to apply for 2023 but I’ve never seen this option (I’m not going to do it now but I'm asking so that in the future I do not lose an opportunity again). Where should a look?

    I’m sorry to hear that. May I ask you for which scheme you applied?
    Most firms will not be recruiting for the 2023 intake this year, but occasionally space becomes available at certain firms and they advertise 2023 intake openings on their websites/job pages when that is the case!
     

    James Carrabino

    Legendary Member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Junior Lawyer 11
    Oct 12, 2021
    666
    1,556
    just got NRF wg test too! so thrilled lol even though its so early in the stages
    It's a huge step just passing that initial screening :) The times that I did were limited and I knew that there was still a distance to go but it would always massively boost my confidence in my ability to navigate the process!
     

    tc.la.vs

    Esteemed Member
    Mar 1, 2021
    76
    420
    little bit sad - got to BM AC last year. after it they specifically told me how good my written application/skills were. Just got a rejection pre WG this year... I basically wrote a similar application but upgraded with new work experience/skills/etc -- how can they have loved my written app last year but disliked it so much this year that they didn't even get me to do a WG? despite it ultimately being a very similar but improved app?
     

    rose0904

    Distinguished Member
    Junior Lawyer
    Sep 6, 2021
    53
    129
    Is it likely that firms will have already filled ACs if they recruit on a rolling basis? E.g., if their applications close next week and they only have around 10 VS spots, are they likely to have filled all of these/all the ACs already?
     

    mads_g

    Star Member
    Premium Member
    Nov 20, 2021
    26
    60
    HSF PFO did not meet the benchmark.

    What is even is my life. Last year I did well in tests but my applications were bad. This year I feel like my applications are much better but I fail all tests.
    Sorry to hear that! Out of interest, when did you complete the test? I just got an email to say my application is under review, but still haven’t had any confirmation or report about the test so still have no idea whether I met the benchmark or not 🤷‍♀️
     
    Reactions: futuretraineecity

    SCN

    Valued Member
    Junior Lawyer
    Feb 20, 2020
    109
    366
    little bit sad - got to BM AC last year. after it they specifically told me how good my written application/skills were. Just got a rejection pre WG this year... I basically wrote a similar application but upgraded with new work experience/skills/etc -- how can they have loved my written app last year but disliked it so much this year that they didn't even get me to do a WG? despite it ultimately being a very similar but improved app?
    I'm not sure about BM, but some firms have policies that if you've reached AC you either can't re-apply or you have to wait two years or you have to show significant improvement in application. Might be a reason why?
     
    • Like
    Reactions: James Carrabino

    kat_

    Valued Member
    Premium Member
    Junior Lawyer
    Nov 14, 2020
    115
    186
    HSF test the SJT test and verbal reasoning test have correct answers so maybe you might have got answers wrong there but don't worry there will be other firms and I have had bad luck with HSF also.
    Yeah, you are right, I must have had wrong answers.
    I guess after attending 2 open days I thought I had a chance, anywayyyy onto the next one!
    All the best in your other applications!!
    Sorry to hear you were not successful. Do you mind me asking when you sat the test? I did mine almost a week ago and haven't got feedback yet?

    I did the test on Thursday last week.
    I guess no news is...good news.
     

    James Carrabino

    Legendary Member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Junior Lawyer 11
    Oct 12, 2021
    666
    1,556
    little bit sad - got to BM AC last year. after it they specifically told me how good my written application/skills were. Just got a rejection pre WG this year... I basically wrote a similar application but upgraded with new work experience/skills/etc -- how can they have loved my written app last year but disliked it so much this year that they didn't even get me to do a WG? despite it ultimately being a very similar but improved app?
    I am very sorry to hear this. Is it possible that they have a policy of not considering applications from those who have reached AC stage previously? Otherwise, it could have been flagged that you applied before, at which point they recognised that you submitted a very similar application and were hoping that you would work more on it.

    Also, it could be that a different recruiter read your application, or the same one read it and was just having a worse day this time around. It is a brutal process as there is just so much luck involved, but if you keep applying I know you will beat the odds!
     

    kat_

    Valued Member
    Premium Member
    Junior Lawyer
    Nov 14, 2020
    115
    186
    Sorry to hear that! Out of interest, when did you complete the test? I just got an email to say my application is under review, but still haven’t had any confirmation or report about the test so still have no idea whether I met the benchmark or not 🤷‍♀️
    'Under review' means that you met the benchmark and passed the test, I think?
    (That's what it was like last year)

    I received the report in my rejection e-mail, it said something along the lines of 'if you wish to generate feedback report...click here'.
     

    anon123456789

    Valued Member
  • Oct 25, 2021
    121
    346
    Sorry to hear that! Out of interest, when did you complete the test? I just got an email to say my application is under review, but still haven’t had any confirmation or report about the test so still have no idea whether I met the benchmark or not 🤷‍♀️
    I don't want to give any false hope so take this with a pinch of salt but I received an email saying my application was under review after having taken the test. I then received an email saying I met the benchmark shortly after so I think it's a good sign! :); I also never received a feedback report, it seems that some people did and some people didn't so I'm not quite sure of the process involved there.
     
    Status
    Not open for further replies.

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Newsletter

    Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.