TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Samridhi Jain]

Hi, I think the Links vac scheme applications open up today but with my uni exams I'll only be able to apply in May - I know they review on a non-rolling basis but I'm a lil worried. And I wanted to confirm if this is for folks graduating in 2025 and those who will be starting their TCs in 2026?

I'm doing my application prep but it's a little last minute and I feel overwhelmed. Do you have any tips for me to navigate this along with uni exams?

@Jessica Booker, could you share something that would help? Thanks

 

[futuretraineecity]

On the subject of references, are firms likely to contact me prior to checking work experiences? I used to volunteer at a branch of a large national charity, but was never formally registered on their systems until my final month. I am worried if they contact the charity directly, it will look like I didn't volunteer for the length of time I did. Whereas if the firm ask me for contact details, I can give them the email of my direct supervisor who can confirm?

Out of curiosity, do firms check volunteering in reference checks then?

 

[livelovelaw]

I think they do it before the VS. I did one for my Spring VS. Not sure if it varies from firm to firm

which firm was this for?

 

[Denver]

Out of curiosity, do firms check volunteering in reference checks then?

From my experience, yes.

 

[sxw517]

Also, is it normal to have not been given a seat in any of your three seat preferences for an upcoming vacation scheme, and instead one in an area of law you have shown no interest in, either in the application or the interview?

Pretty confused as to how the seat allocation has worked for this...

 

[NMA]

Out of curiosity, do firms check volunteering in reference checks then?

Sounds like a voluntary role, so it’s unlikely to be checked where it isn’t employment.

If you were employed, then the company will have a general HR contact number/email that will be sought anyway.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do you provide information to background check companies or do they automatically check against your application form? I'm no longer working one of the roles but it would say on my written application that I am (as I stopped after)

You generally have to provide the information although the reference check company will have your application to cross reference the information against.

 

[CorporateCrocodile]

I thought maybe other people are interested. It’s basically a ranking based on a report on vault 100 law firms https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...8519/2022+LSCA+Law+Firm+Climate+Scorecard.pdf View attachment 4926

Myself and a bunch of other students from different universities are currently working on the same report but for UK based firms. It won't be finished until April but I'd be more than happy to share it with the forum once it's done. If anyone else is interested in this sorta thing, feel free to shoot me a DM, we could always use more members!

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker, could you share something that would help? Thanks

This is ridiculously early. The scheme will be opened for many more months.

And it’s non-rolling, so it doesn’t depend whether you apply today or on the deadline.

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Hi @Jessica Booker, if a firm has two summer schemes, and you can only attend one of the two schemes, will firms ever be flexible on numbers on each scheme? I don’t want to give up an offer, but I also know I’m likely one of the last people to choose a scheme date as I had one of the last interviews, and there’s a chance my preference of scheme dates are all booked up now. TIA.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker, if a firm has two summer schemes, and you can only attend one of the two schemes, will firms ever be flexible on numbers on each scheme? I don’t want to give up an offer, but I also know I’m likely one of the last people to choose a scheme date as I had one of the last interviews, and there’s a chance my preference of scheme dates are all booked up now. TIA.

Up to a certain point - they will have a capacity issue that will limit the number of people they switch across schemes.

It is something to discuss with them at the point of offer.

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Up to a certain point - they will have a capacity issue that will limit the number of people they switch across schemes.

It is something to discuss with them at the point of offer.

Ok, thank you. Do firms generally allocate dates as and when people sign their offers? I was told I’d get the paperwork a week after my verbal offer (so early next week), but I know others got offers over a month ago due to choosing earlier ACs.

 

[adafdadfadfafdaf]

Do people think CRS will get back today about direct TC applications?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Ok, thank you. Do firms generally allocate dates as and when people sign their offers? I was told I’d get the paperwork a week after my verbal offer (so early next week), but I know others got offers over a month ago due to choosing earlier ACs.

Possibly, but there are other factors in play here. For instance, people declining offers can influence what schemes are available/under subscribed.

I wouldn't spend time trying to over analysing this - I don't think its productive. If you have been made a verbal offer, then you should call them to discuss which scheme you can join (assuming they haven't specified the dates to you in the verbal offer).

 

[lllaaawww098]

what batch should it be getting replies from white and case today?

 

[KBLAW]

Hi, I have some vac schemes coming up but grad rec from each firm keep asking me whether I have a TC offer with another firm (not whether I have accepted it, just whether I have the offer) I was wondering why grad rec ask this? Is it seen as a positive or a negative? @Jessica Booker
Thanks for the help

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, I have some vac schemes coming up but grad rec from each firm keep asking me whether I have a TC offer with another firm (not whether I have accepted it, just whether I have the offer) I was wondering why grad rec ask this? Is it seen as a positive or a negative? @Jessica Booker
Thanks for the help

Because they are trying to work out whether you will renege their VS offer or are likely to not accept a TC with them even if you are to join them on the vac scheme.

Its a double-edged sword - it could be seen positively that you have secured an offer elsewhere, but negatively that you may be less likely to accept a TC with the firm.

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Possibly, but there are other factors in play here. For instance, people declining offers can influence what schemes are available/under subscribed.

I wouldn't spend time trying to over analysing this - I don't think its productive. If you have been made a verbal offer, then you should call them to discuss which scheme you can join (assuming they haven't specified the dates to you in the verbal offer).

Thank you ☺️

 

[Ali A]

Has anyone who has had a feedback call post AC felt it was really positive?

Are they all supposed to be like that?

I didn't really learn anything new about what I could improve but was told I performed really well in all the exercises.

 

[j.s.cox]

I thought maybe other people are interested. It’s basically a ranking based on a report on vault 100 law firms https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...8519/2022+LSCA+Law+Firm+Climate+Scorecard.pdf View attachment 4926

I read this report and feel like it doesn't really touch on the nuance of the situation. Even supposedly "clean" technologies employ climate damaging work. An example of this is the mining that is required to get the materials needed for EV batteries. In an ideal world, it would be great to have law firms avoid working with any companies damaging the environment. In reality, this would be very difficult to achieve and someone has to do the work in the end.