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

[LawfulRust00]

Like this post if you have an addiction to refreshing emails at 5pm on a weekday.

 

[AvniD]

Video Interviews: Why They Can Be Difficult, Which Resources to Use and How You Can Ace Them​

I've been seeing a lot of posts recently about VI horrors (I've been there too!) and requests for resources to prep for them so I thought I'd make this quick post on them for the forum.

• Why can they be difficult?
  • They're timed so that adds pressure on your preparation and nervousness
  • They can feel 'artificial' because you're not talking to someone but you have to pretend that you are while you answer
  • They test your ability to quickly prepare and deliver mini oral presentations, which is a skill that can take time to develop
• Which resources can you use to prepare?
  • TCLA's 200+ Question Bank
  • Dheepa's top tips
  • Alice's tips and tricks for VIs
  • Jaysen's write-up on VIs
  • TCLA's video interview simulator
• How do you you ace a VI?
  • Maintain an even tone- I cannot stress this enough. The more you focus on speaking calmly with even voice modulation, the less rushed you will feel and the stronger your answer's ending will be.
  • Create a quick structure on the spot- Once you've identified what the question is asking you, jot down 2-3 relevant points with pen and paper. Go over them a few times while creating a mental structure of how you would like to present them. This will reduce the likelihood of you blanking and even if you do, you can glance at your paper to refresh your memory.
  • Dress as you would for a face-to-face interview- This will definitely help with feeling more confident!
  • Look into the camera while speaking- This will help you not get distracted by either the timer or how you look on screen. These distractions can sometimes create more nervousness and pressure, which is undesirable.
  • Practice with someone else- This is so that they can guide you about your content, tone and delivery and where you can improve. Doing this will also reduce some of the artificiality that prepping for VIs can sometimes carry.

 

[Jessica Booker]

My email said this:

"Please complete the test within three days of receiving this email".

If i received a test invite on the 4th does that mean I have to complete it by the 7th? really not sure xx

Yes, I would expect this to be the case.

 

[AvniD]

I really admire how candid you have all been with your experiences about VIs and how you've come together to support one another 👏👏👏

I've made a post on practice resources and tips for VIs above ⬆️ that I'll link here too- I hope y'all find it helpful! Wishing you the very best! 😇

i just had my interview and feel like sometimes talked a bit too fast and ran out of breath, do you guys think that will be a problem?

CMS AC Invite! Was so worried because there were so many technical issues with my VI (they had to ask me to re-record my questions) and definitely was quite rambly!

If someone could give some insight on what I should expect, I would be incredibly grateful!

For some context in case anyone is wondering, I completed the VI on 13th December (This was after I was told to re-record as well!).

I just did a VI. probably one of the worst 20 minutes of my entire life 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I messed up basically every question and basically just gave up.

Not fun at all! I received a question like what would be the worst part about being a commercial lawyer. I honestly had not prepared that....and I don't even remember what I said - which is the worst part 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

I had that question on a VI before Christmas too and it was awful, I just panicked! I think it's rare to come out of a VI feeling like they went well though, just because of how unnatural they can feel. I did my first last cycle and I thought it was horrific but I made it to AC so don't write yourself off yet!

Baker McKenzie VI invite Anyone have any tips? am super nervous!

Hi guys, not sure if this is the right place to ask but I have struggled with interviews, particularly pre-recorded VIs and phone interviews for 3 cycles now and it's just because I get so nervous about the time limit that I draw a blank and practically forget how to speak! Anyone have any tips to overcome this (I have done lots of practice Qs but still struggle)? Thank you

I have had the exact same issue! I would recommend having post-it notes near your camera with some structured STAR bullet points, they can go a long way as you won't be reading them out but at the same time they will help you as a prompt and calm your nerves. My biggest fear just before recording the VI was always that my mind would go blank, but because I would practice the key questions likely to come up beforehand I could glance at my prompt if I struggle to think whilst answering which was a source of comfort!

If you don't have an answer prepped to the question then have a 'Stickies' app open (if you have a Mac), jot your main bullet points there and drag it to the top, always helps me to structure my answer!

 

[isaacsj]

Thanks! They were both London based.

It depends on the firm and welcome to the forum. Also for Gowling I think kit depends on the office that you applied for.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Thanks! They were both London based.

Then I would assume that there would still be a lot of people in the process.

 

[isaacsj]

Yeah for sure. Hypothetically, say there are 1000 people that apply. Roughly speaking, do 25% make it to a VI?

Then I would assume that there would still be a lot of people in the process.

 

[Rob93]

Yeah for sure. Hypothetically, say there are 1000 people that apply. Roughly speaking, do 25% make it to a VI?

I think it really depends on the firm.

 

[TheLegend27]

Anyone heard from NRF post TI?

Had mine today and asked grad rec about this, she said (because of the many interviews going on) we should expect to hear back in either late Jan or early Feb - hope this helps!

 

[asf49955]

It happened to me today! Did they e-mail you back?

Hi, did you guys resolved the question? Just wonder if you are all receiving the test with the hyperlink ending /apply/103 ?
Not sure if it's the glitches come from.

 

[CorporateLaw101]

This is going to sound a very basic question, but I’m rather confused.

I am in my final year of LLB and applying to vacation schemes.

Am I supposed to be starting my training contract in 2023 or 2024?

 

[John Travoni]

This is going to sound a very basic question, but I’m rather confused.

I am in my final year of LLB and applying to vacation schemes.

Am I supposed to be starting my training contract in 2023 or 2024?

2023, but you could alternatively choose 2024 if you wanted to take a year out or do some paralegal work beforehand.

 

[OreoShake]

Anyone heard back from HFW and Pinsent Masons?
Thanks.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Yeah for sure. Hypothetically, say there are 1000 people that apply. Roughly speaking, do 25% make it to a VI?

It really depends on the rest of the recruitment process, application numbers and quality. For some firms probably closer to 70% of candidates get through to IV. With others it could be less than 10%.

 

[Jessica Booker]

This is going to sound a very basic question, but I’m rather confused.

I am in my final year of LLB and applying to vacation schemes.

Am I supposed to be starting my training contract in 2023 or 2024?

There is no set timeframe of when you should start a TC. It could easily be 2025 or 2026 if you so choose.

The earliest you could start most TCs is 2023 though, given you need to complete either the LPC or SQE for them. However, some firms are building SQE prep into their training contract, and so technically you could start those type of TCs this late summer/autumn.

 

[ZaraB]

Bristows VI for the TC! Yay!!!🤩

 

[S87]

Links ghosting is ugly!

 

[ssolicitorz]

What is BCLP's online test like? Is it purely SJT or are there some watson glaser/writen response/video interview elements to it?

 

[stemlawgal]

A&O PFO. So far that’s rejections from NRF and A&O, CC keeping my app “on hold”, and nothing from anywhere else.

 

[manchunited]

Hogan rejection post WG. Did it 2 days ago, probably didnt go well 😅 does anyone know if they can provide your test score?