TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

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Jessica Booker

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Aug 1, 2019
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Yesss that's something I picked up on during the STAR practice today. I don't focus on T and A (challenge/action) as much as I need to. So thank you for emphasising that. I don't know if other candidates struggle with it too, but I find it quite difficult to follow it in a structured way. I need more preparation to fix it, I think. Especially since the VIs are also short.
Oh I slightly disagree on the A part - this should be the majority of your answer. Basically very brief S and T, and mainly detail around A and R (result, reflection, and reward).
 

bella98

Legendary Member
  • Mar 9, 2023
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    997
    Anyway, this is so frustrating guys. My weakness in ACs has always been the case studies - feedback consistently highlights my strengths in motivation, competencies, and written tasks, but I falter when it comes to case study interviews.

    Today, though, was a significant improvement with Hogan Lovells - it was the best I've ever performed in a case study interview, and I felt really proud of my progress. It wasn't flawless, but it was a huge step forward compared to my past attempts.

    However, what’s frustrating is that I feel like I bombed the situational interview. 😭😭 I don't believe I answered the questions incorrectly (I did offer to assist a struggling trainee and so on), but I think my responses lacked structure and were a bit disjointed. I'm just venting about a tough moment - wishing I could do better. Sorry for the personal meltdown.
    But when I finally make progress in one direction, I feel like I struggle in another.. like I finally mastered competencies and never had a situational interview until this one so I didn’t have that kind of practice. 😳

    HOPE THEY LIKED ME
     

    EllaClayton

    Valued Member
    Jan 23, 2023
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    If we’re still waiting to hear back from a firm post-AC, and have other offers coming in, could we email grad rec to ask for an update on our AC outcome? Or would it be unprofessional to do so?
    I’ve never done it myself but I’ve seen on this forum and grad rec mentioned at my AC for a firm if you need to have a result sooner rather than later you can contact them for an update but it’s not a guarantee they will have one eg if it’s a firm that complete their ACs and then decide on vac scheme offers, they might not have finished all ACs to have made their decision yet!
     
    D

    Deleted member 9747

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    Same! The first question threw me. Idk why I didn’t prepare one beforehand ( I guess because no other firm asked in a VI) but once I finished the question I knew it was over for me.
    The project with new colleagues one... I must have said nothing of substance in the whole 2 mins haha
     
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    ayiiii05

    Valued Member
    Nov 10, 2023
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    Jones Day PFO post app! The amount of rejections I've gotten is mad but I know I'm good enough for this so these PFOs will never stop me. If anyone is in the same boat as me and has just been receiving rejections post-app it's okay, the firm just wasn't for you :) Btw I hope I'm not coming off as too confident, I have just spent so much time doubting myself but that has never helped me, everyone is worthy of getting a VS/TC!
     
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    EllaClayton

    Valued Member
    Jan 23, 2023
    113
    246
    Jones Day PFO post app! The amount of rejections I've gotten is mad but I know I'm good enough for this so these PFOs will never stop me. If anyone is in the same boat as me and has just been receiving rejections post-app it's okay, the firm just wasn't for you :) Btw I hope I'm not coming off as too confident, I have just spent so much time doubting myself but that has never helped me, everyone is worth of getting a VS/TC!
    Sorry to hear that but it sounds like you’ve got a great mindset! Do you mind me asking when you applied?
     

    mfuturetrainee

    Legendary Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
  • Sep 21, 2021
    355
    827
    Anyway, this is so frustrating guys. My weakness in ACs has always been the case studies - feedback consistently highlights my strengths in motivation, competencies, and written tasks, but I falter when it comes to case study interviews.

    Today, though, was a significant improvement with Hogan Lovells - it was the best I've ever performed in a case study interview, and I felt really proud of my progress. It wasn't flawless, but it was a huge step forward compared to my past attempts.

    However, what’s frustrating is that I feel like I bombed the situational interview. 😭😭 I don't believe I answered the questions incorrectly (I did offer to assist a struggling trainee and so on), but I think my responses lacked structure and were a bit disjointed. I'm just venting about a tough moment - wishing I could do better. Sorry for the personal meltdown.
    But when I finally make progress in one direction, I feel like I struggle in another.. like I finally mastered competencies and never had a situational interview until this one so I didn’t have that kind of practice. 😳

    HOPE THEY LIKED ME
    hey ive read before how you struggled w case studies as well so MASSIVE CONGRATS AND WELL DONE on progressing in that regard, honestly im the same as u in my last AC, my case study jus let me down, everything was there but that and I struggle with it massively as well (I completely get ur frustration)

    I'd love some tips on how you improved ur approach to case studies, help a sis out please 😩

    p.s even if u struggled with the situational judgement, if you did holistically really well as a whole w some slight falters, thats completely ok theyre never looking for a finished, polished product so dont write yourself off so quickly, im sure you smashed it
     

    Cherikon

    Star Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 30, 2023
    43
    82
    Anyway, this is so frustrating guys. My weakness in ACs has always been the case studies - feedback consistently highlights my strengths in motivation, competencies, and written tasks, but I falter when it comes to case study interviews.

    Today, though, was a significant improvement with Hogan Lovells - it was the best I've ever performed in a case study interview, and I felt really proud of my progress. It wasn't flawless, but it was a huge step forward compared to my past attempts.

    However, what’s frustrating is that I feel like I bombed the situational interview. 😭😭 I don't believe I answered the questions incorrectly (I did offer to assist a struggling trainee and so on), but I think my responses lacked structure and were a bit disjointed. I'm just venting about a tough moment - wishing I could do better. Sorry for the personal meltdown.
    But when I finally make progress in one direction, I feel like I struggle in another.. like I finally mastered competencies and never had a situational interview until this one so I didn’t have that kind of practice. 😳

    HOPE THEY LIKED ME
    I did well in previous case study interviews but struggled with competencies, which made it extremely difficult for me to get to the AC stage 😖 I think it's the lack of preparation on my front. Need to devote more time to competencies.
     
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