TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[axelbeugre]

@axelbeugre I saw you did the VI for W&C last year. I was just wondering if you had any advice on what types of questions came up, how many questions and any top tips to ace it. Thanks for your help!

Unfortunately we cannot share the actual questions (and I genuinely do not remember) but they were all motivational if I remember correctly so prepare answers around your motivations for law and the firm.

Additionally, there are some posts on TCLA from me and Erin that might be helpful in terms of tips for video interviews in general, I will include some links here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/how-to-prepare-for-a-law-firm-video-interview-a-step-by-step-guide-⭐️.8346/ and https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2023-24.8037/post-151491

I hope these are helpful and good luck with the assessment!

 

[axelbeugre]

Can anyone please confirm that the Shoosmiths Discover vacation scheme and training contract deadline is on the 4th February 2024? I’m seeing this day but also today (31st) so I’m slightly worried @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

On the firm's website it says 31st January so I would consider that as the deadline: https://www.shoosmiths.com/careers/emerging-talent/placement ; https://www.shoosmiths.com/careers/emerging-talent/apply-now

I linked two parts of the website that confirms that.

 

[axelbeugre]

Addleshaw AC London

Congratulations!!

 

[axelbeugre]

does anyone know how long it takes to hear back from GD after the first round?

It depends, some people hear after a week or two. Last year I heard the day after, it really depends. I would just say to hold on tight and they will get back to you very soon.

 

[Petallove1]

End of Feb seems so far away😫 I applied first week of Dec and had my VI invite right before Christmas

Haha I’m so glad you said that because that’s like a 3 week wait roughly and I’ve been waiting around that long to hear back post-app. Have you heard anything post-VI? I know it’s so long… all of mine are just waiting now and I don’t think I’m going to hear anything for a while 👎🏼

 

[Ronaldo04]

I already considered it a PFO (didn't receive a VI either) because apparently they already finished their first round of AC

I applied on 3rd of Nov

Hello, is this for spring or summer?

 

[axelbeugre]

Realised i‘ve been referring to a firms name with an and instead of & in my work experience section for my applications, do you think this could be a reason for rejections?

I personally do not think it is going to be that big of a deal and they might not even notice it. I made mistakes like this too last year and it was totally fine.

 

[axelbeugre]

Might be an extremely stupid question, but do you think the firm's can figure out if you have used ChatGPT to cut down on some words even if the content is all my own?

They are using tools to see if people used the software or not so I personally would not use it since you are not sure who checks what. I am sure it is fine for most firms but I have heard that some firms are checking whether people used it or not so being careful is key.

 

[axelbeugre]

@axelbeugre For an AC interview, how long would be too long for a 'Why commercial law' or 'Why this firm' answer.

Thank you

I am someone who does not take minutes of an answer into account, as long as I feel like I am not boring the interviewer, I think that the interview went well. So, in my opinion, there is no set time to follow that would determine a good answer from not a good answer, it is something you gauge from your interviewees. I would say that it is important to stay within 1,5 to 3 minutes for each answer but it is a very approximate metric as I do not think there is a good limit to follow. I would not worry about this too much! Try to answer the questions as best as you can without speaking too much or too little.

 

[axelbeugre]

If I had an interview for an internship on the 19th of January, and they stated that I’ll hear an outcome, or whether they were still deciding, by the 26th of January (last Friday), is it ok to chase them via email? Or should I just keeping waiting? I don’t want to annoy them since I chased them previously about the interview.

I personally would wait until next week and then I would email if I were you. It is strange that they have not heard back but they are probably very busy so I would not worry too much about this and reach out only if they do not contact you next week.

 

[Pennine Valley]

DAC Beachcroft, Shoosmiths and Mayer Brown VI

no way Shoosmiths have added VI

 

[marmd99]

anybody heard back from Macfarlanes post AC?

Yes, just now. PFO. You?

 

[aspiringcatsolicitor]

Hoping that we all hear some good news before the end of the week!

 

[BM99]

Akin post test, Latham all said by the end of month. Any news?

 

[izzy1036]

I personally would wait until next week and then I would email if I were you. It is strange that they have not heard back but they are probably very busy so I would not worry too much about this and reach out only if they do not contact you next week.

Thank you!

 

[sibs23]

End of Feb seems so far away😫 I applied first week of Dec and had my VI invite right before Christmas

Still waiting! Also desperate to hear from RPC post-WG

 

[Heartofglass]

Akin post test, Latham all said by the end of month. Any news?

I don't even know if I should hope that Latham would get back to us today. Considering most AC invites the past few day has been mostly spring

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is performance at an assessment centre generally viewed holistically?

I had three interviews and felt two went well and one I struggled and wouldn’t say it was strong at all. Do you need to perform highly across all three interviews to have a chance or could the strength of the other two help my case?

I know it’s out of my hands now but really replaying the bad interview in my mind and want to know if there’s any indication that I’m still in with a shot?

It will generally be a bit of both.

You’ll tend to need to perform to at least a certain level in all of the assessments, but that a slight underperformance, especially if it relates to a specific competency, could be balanced out be a stronger performance in the same competency in another assessment. For instance, if your verbal communication was not strong in one interview, but was in the other two, it’s likely to be balanced out.

 

[bella98]

Is performance at an assessment centre generally viewed holistically?

I had three interviews and felt two went well and one I struggled and wouldn’t say it was strong at all. Do you need to perform highly across all three interviews to have a chance or could the strength of the other two help my case?

I know it’s out of my hands now but really replaying the bad interview in my mind and want to know if there’s any indication that I’m still in with a shot?

Omg I’m in the exact same situation after my RPC AC today😭 did really well in the first interview (competency-based/motivational/commercial awareness, scenario Qs) and I think I did well in the written exercise but I completely bombed the case study interview (which was the shortest one) but yeah..because of that I’m stressing and I think it might be a rejection

Does anyone have any insights? Did anyone pass an AC where you feel you didn’t do well in all three tasks?

 

[hanz123]

no way Shoosmiths have added VI

There’s no VI for me and I’ve been sent the online blended assessment