TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[legalgrinch]

First ever AC completed this afternoon. Can we get a prayer circle going to make it a good outcome...

Hate how you can never really tell how it went because the interviewers will nod along to anything I spout making it so hard to judge 🤞

I hate those ones! You got this! 🙌

 

[mfuturetrainee]

I know I’ve practically taken over this forum today but quick question for a panicking human 😂😂

I’ve just recorded myself answering “why do you want to work for x firm”

It came up to 6mins 10 seconds.

Would this come across as me yapping on? How long should you spend answering a question?
If I smile and console the poor partner that I’m nearly finished talking would that make it better? 😭
Would my answer to “why do you want to be a commercial lawyer” be short than the former

I watched it back and I thought I did a pretty good job would offered myself the TC tbh…

i’d say it’s a bit long to be speaking for that long imo but idk, I kind of try to keep it at 4 minutes (including the nerves will probably have u speaking faster as well)

also don’t console the partner, be confident in your delivery and make sure it’s not waffle, you want to come across as assured as possible would be my advice but regards to the timings there could be diff opinions on this!

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica! If I still apply the winter vacation scheme later this year ( final year of a non-law degree), when the training contract will begin?

Most likely not until the next recruitment cycle and so intakes a year later than the firm is recruiting for now.

 

[eleven14og]

I reapplied to two firms that I got through to vi last cycle and this year I can't pass app stage. I'm sooo confused. I have more experience, also did not copy and paste from last cycle (even amended why law a little bit). What are law firms expecting to see when a candidate reapplies? @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre would really appreciate your answers

 

[neonorange]

Does Withers send online assessment invite to everyone? Just received one from them.

Not that helpful but I sent my application to them earlier this month and got an invite to the online assessment a handful of days later so they either send them out on a rolling basis or send them to everyone who applies.

 

[J53]

I know I’ve practically taken over this forum today but quick question for a panicking human 😂😂

I’ve just recorded myself answering “why do you want to work for x firm”

It came up to 6mins 10 seconds.

Would this come across as me yapping on? How long should you spend answering a question?
If I smile and console the poor partner that I’m nearly finished talking would that make it better? 😭
Would my answer to “why do you want to be a commercial lawyer” be short than the former

I watched it back and I thought I did a pretty good job would offered myself the TC tbh…

I would say that is on the longer side, I don't know if you wrote this down or not, but that length sounds to me like a solid side of A4. It's an interview, in essence a conversation, not a one-way speech. Look at the reasons for x firm and see what bits you could cut down a bit, I would say 4 reasons why, with 30-45 seconds on each, a minute tops. I would say that's long enough to demonstrate your research and passion for the firm, but not so long that you ramble on. It's really good research though if you can talk for six minutes non-stop about one firm, knowledge of the firm is one of the key things they look for so well done.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I reapplied to two firms that I got through to vi last cycle and this year I can't pass app stage. I'm sooo confused. I have more experience, also did not copy and paste from last cycle (even amended why law a little bit). What are law firms expecting to see when a candidate reapplies? @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre would really appreciate your answers

Unless they asked whether you had reapplied within the application, they wouldn’t necessarily know it was a reapplication, and therefore wouldn’t be lookin for anything any different to any other applicant.

If they have asked in the application, then they may focus on the evidence in your application since your last application and what is likely to have changed since then.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I know I’ve practically taken over this forum today but quick question for a panicking human 😂😂

I’ve just recorded myself answering “why do you want to work for x firm”

It came up to 6mins 10 seconds.

Would this come across as me yapping on? How long should you spend answering a question?
If I smile and console the poor partner that I’m nearly finished talking would that make it better? 😭
Would my answer to “why do you want to be a commercial lawyer” be short than the former

I watched it back and I thought I did a pretty good job would offered myself the TC tbh…

I would try and get it down to about half of this time if you can.

I suspect you are either

1) going off on too many tangents - keep your answer more focused on key points rather than lots of detail

2) trying to anticipating presenting other evidence in this answer - for instance, trying to show your skills rather than your motivations.

 

[midnightsky990422]

Mishcon VI invite, wont be doing that for a couple days as I feel like death.

Also how quickly did people get the test for Gateley?

I applied Sunday night and got the test yesterday lunchtime

 

[midnightsky990422]

Does anyone have any tips for the Gateley legal interactive assessment? Is there a maths aspect involved? I'm terrible at maths and have been sent an invite to do the assessment, I've been putting it off!

Hey yes there is but apparently the test is not timed so you can take your time and work through the questions at your pace (I think! I’m yet to take the test but this is what I’ve heard). I’m rubbish at maths too but I’ve been practicing questions on Graduates First and since it’s untimely I think I’ll be alright. I’ve made a cheat sheet with simple methods on to help me through it!

 

[Legalstalker]

I would try and get it down to about half of this time if you can.

I suspect you are either

1) going off on too many tangents - keep your answer more focused on key points rather than lots of detail

2) trying to anticipating presenting other evidence in this answer - for instance, trying to show your skills rather than your motivations.

I think it’s more the latter, thanks a lot Jessica!!

Would you saving my experience, skills and achievements for “why me” if that were to come up and deals and awards for of the firm for “why us and not our competitors” kind of question?

I don’t want to anticipate a question and it doesn’t come up and I’ve got soo my more to give but I don’t want to say soo much that they’re scared to ask another question as I’ll just talk 😭

 

[Jessica Booker]

I think it’s more the latter, thanks a lot Jessica!!

Would you saving my experience, skills and achievements for “why me” if that were to come up and deals and awards for of the firm for “why us and not our competitors” kind of question?

I don’t want to anticipate a question and it doesn’t come up and I’ve got soo my more to give but I don’t want to say soo much that they’re scared to ask another question as I’ll just talk 😭

You can reference experiences but you just don’t need the detail of what you did in those experience. Explain the correlation to the firm you are applying to rather than the detail of your experience.

Similarly, I sense you are going into detail about the deals or awards. You don’t need to do this (they know what they are better than you do), but they need to know why the deal or award is relevant to you and your application.

I’d also focus on three key reasons for you are applying to that firm rather than lots of reasons - pick the most relevant to you and this will focus your answer down too.

 

[bella98]

You can reference experiences but you just don’t need the detail of what you did in those experience. Explain the correlation to the firm you are applying to rather than the detail of your experience.

Similarly, I sense you are going into detail about the deals or awards. You don’t need to do this (they know what they are better than you do), but they need to know why the deal or award is relevant to you and your application.

I’d also focus on three key reasons for you are applying to that firm rather than lots of reasons - pick the most relevant to you and this will focus your answer down too.

Today I thought about my answer for why Hogan Lovells for my upcoming interview, I noted three reasons. Firstly, the wide range of practice areas offered by the firm would allow me to have a well-rounded experience and make an informed decision regarding where I want to quality.

As the second reason I talk about a particular practice area that interests me (explaining why), mentioning the firm has a strong expertise in this area. Lastly, I value the firm’s strong commitment to D&I and its active engagement in pro bono work.

Do you think my initial reason might seem too general, given that many firms boast a broad spectrum of practice areas? This is one of the reasons why I applied, but I'm concerned about giving the impression of limited research.

 

[Legalstalker]

Today I thought about my answer for why Hogan Lovells for my upcoming interview, I noted three reasons. Firstly, the wide range of practice areas offered by the firm would allow me to have a well-rounded experience and make an informed decision regarding where I want to quality.

As the second reason I talk about a particular practice area that interests me (explaining why), mentioning the firm has a strong expertise in this area. Lastly, I value the firm’s strong commitment to D&I and its active engagement in pro bono work.

Do you think my initial reason might seem too general, given that many firms boast a broad spectrum of practice areas? This is one of the reasons why I applied, but I'm concerned about giving the impression of limited research.

Good luck for your interview!

I have just narrowed mines down to 3/4.

firstly, one of their key practice areas being of interest to me and how my experience links back to this with brief mention of a case and why it’s important to me.

Secondly, I spoke about the training contract structure, the lack of mandatory seats allowed for more exposure and let’s trainees have the responsibility to drive their career into multiple areas/ areas they’re interested in and how this could contribute to their high retention rate. Also added in about their multiple offices with an opportunity to do an international secondment and large intake for networking.

lastly, spoke about culture specifically diversity and their partnership with 10K interns shows their dedication to tackling diversity in the legal field with majority participants actually getting a TC.

@Jessica Booker would this be too much to say? I’ve narrowed it down from the 8 points I had before 😅

 

[EK_27]

sorry to hear is this post AC?

Post App lool I wish I got that far 😅

 

[pfotherecord]

Anyone who has interviewed at Sidley - how long did it take for you to hear back whatever the outcome?

Heard via email three days after the interview when I was waitlisted (from Winter to Summer). Going on 4 months since and still waiting 😢

 

[RSK]

Has anyone heard back from Reed Smith post VI?

nope

 

[saj2002]

I hate that firms send acceptances before pfos, I'd rather know than think about it all weekend 😭

 

[AnxietyBundle]

Guys, what ON EARTH is a group interview? (asking for the Walker Morris AC )

 

[Apple]

@Jessica Booker

I've got the Macfarlanes written exercise in a few days, which often includes a letter. In all the examples I have looked at people seem to never use any headings/sub-headings when writing these letters, even though they address multiple different legal issues. Is that normal?

I'm worried it will seem like I have no structure if I do it that way.

Do you have any "model" examples of a letter beyond just the formalities?