TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[hannah04]

Could anyone help me to understand the timelines for potential Training Contract start dates on the back of a Vacation Scheme? I have managed to secure a Vacation Scheme for this Summer (July 2023) at one of my favourite firms and as I understand it, at the end of the scheme there is an opportunity to interview for a training contract place at the firm. In the event that I was successful at obtaining a TC place off the back of the vac scheme, would the firm be likely to offer this to start SQE prep the coming September (September 2023) or would I expect this to commence the following September (2024)?

Congrats! If your vacation scheme is this summer, then (for most firms) the corresponding intake for a training contract is 2025, so you would commence the SQE in 2024.

 

[N_16]

Congrats! If your vacation scheme is this summer, then (for most firms) the corresponding intake for a training contract is 2025, so you would commence the SQE in 2024.

Question on the back of this - as a non law student I would need to do some form of a conversion course so I would start this in September 2023 and then do the SQE in 2024 right? Just want to triple check this!

 

[rosec]

How recent should a recent deal be if asked to talk about one at interview?

 

[lawyering]

Congratulations!
It's good to see they're still sending out offers, there's still hope haha

Thank you - hope you get good news soon!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

How recent should a recent deal be if asked to talk about one at interview?

I have always been told that mid-2020 should be the latest so max 2 years. But others might have a shorter time frame than me.

 

[Jessica Booker]

How recent should a recent deal be if asked to talk about one at interview?

Less than 12-18 months in my opinion. Ideally in the last six months if you can but up to 18 months is generally fine.

Sometimes very unique deals that only happen once in a lifetime can be used though.

 

[jomar]

@Jessica Booker or anyone else.. need some help - just submitted a Vero background check, put down all the information required, but they dont even ask for emails/contact details of people at the organisations I worked for? Do they just randomly contact HR? This is so concerning. Please give me clarity.

 

[refy]

@Jessica Booker or anyone else.. need some help - just submitted a Vero background check, put down all the information required, but they dont even ask for emails/contact details of people at the organisations I worked for? Do they just randomly contact HR? This is so concerning. Please give me clarity.

Hey - I've had to do this for a vac scheme recently and I think they randomly contact HR. If they don't reach anyone, they'll email you (they did this for me when they couldn't find a company website for one of my checks)

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker or anyone else.. need some help - just submitted a Vero background check, put down all the information required, but they dont even ask for emails/contact details of people at the organisations I worked for? Do they just randomly contact HR? This is so concerning. Please give me clarity.

Usually you would have to give contact details. I can only think if they already have the companies on their database that they would know who to contact. But this wouldn’t work for small companies or many companies outside of the U.K. - it would only really apply to companies that have 100s of employees.

 

[NMA]

@Jessica Booker I know firms let you know post-ac to tell them if you have conflicting offers for an earlier response, but do you think asking them for an early reply so i don't have to attend another AC will suffice? If I get the offer I won't attend the other AC, and by not attending the AC i'll save £100+ on train tickets + travel and accommodation in London, food etc. and won't have to skip Uni.

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker I know firms let you know post-ac to tell them if you have conflicting offers for an earlier response, but do you think asking them for an early reply so i don't have to attend another AC will suffice? If I get the offer I won't attend the other AC, and by not attending the AC i'll save £100+ on train tickets + travel and accommodation in London, food etc. and won't have to skip Uni.

Yes, you could position it this way, although the firm may still not be able to give you an answer earlier.

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Usually you would have to give contact details. I can only think if they already have the companies on their database that they would know who to contact. But this wouldn’t work for small companies or many companies outside of the U.K. - it would only really apply to companies that have 100s of employees.

Do you happen to know what happens if one of the companies you’ve worked for no longer exists?

 

[jomar]

Usually you would have to give contact details. I can only think if they already have the companies on their database that they would know who to contact. But this wouldn’t work for small companies or many companies outside of the U.K. - it would only really apply to companies that have 100s of employees.

Is it fine to upload documents like reference letters without being asked to on Vero? Once I submitted, they then give you an option to upload documents.

 

[rosec]

I have always been told that mid-2020 should be the latest so max 2 years. But others might have a shorter time frame than me.

Less than 12-18 months in my opinion. Ideally in the last six months if you can but up to 18 months is generally fine.

Sometimes very unique deals that only happen once in a lifetime can be used though.

thank you so much for your responses!! 😊

 

[Deleted member 11671]

does anyone know how to contact people on Aspiring Solicitors? I've clicked on 'contact me' on their profile.
Am I meant to send them a message on the AS website or do they contact you? pls help out a noob

You have to send them a message.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do you happen to know what happens if one of the companies you’ve worked for no longer exists?

They will usually contact you to see if you can get any alternative proof - for instance from another ex employee or ask for bank statements as evidence of payment

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it fine to upload documents like reference letters without being asked to on Vero? Once I submitted, they then give you an option to upload documents.

Yes, if they give you that functionality, then you can do so. It’s not necessary to do so though, and they will still seek the reference directly.

 

[Aditya_o2]

I post in here for the benefit of others. Cut the BS and just ask what you want to ask please.

I applied end December. this is a post app rejection, sorry I forget to mention that originally.

Ngl the beef has been quite entertaining...

 

[jomar]

They will usually contact you to see if you can get any alternative proof - for instance from another ex employee or ask for bank statements as evidence of payment

@Jessica Booker Is it fine to email Vero with the contact details of people you worked with, so that they don't have to randomly track people down?

 

[N_16]

Is it fine to email Vero with the contact details of people you worked with, so that they don't have to randomly track people down?

I was thinking the same thing because some of these experiences happened years ago and I was only with the firm for a few days to a week (for work experience etc) - surely it's better to provide a reference? Maybe you can enter one in the additional information section on the Vero form?