TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

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Zaakir

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May 9, 2023
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@axelbeugre just had my Goodwin interview, and the interview ended in 20- 25 minutes (bear in mind, we were allocated 45) with the interviewers agreeing with all my points and, even in the case study, one of them said I knew more about the topic than they did! I spent the remaining time just asking them questions. I’m unsure as to whether I should take this as a good sign or a bad one (in that they knew they weren’t going to offer me a place and wanted the interview over and done with). What do you think?
 
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Zaakir

Valued Member
May 9, 2023
115
120
mine went over by 25 mins but that's because they kept questioning me - so potentially a bad sign - I didn't give them the answer they wanted. A short interview can be a good sign, they were probably just busy and if they agreed with you, you were probably fine
I hope so, and I hope you and I both get invites!
 
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Zaakir

Valued Member
May 9, 2023
115
120
mine went over by 25 mins but that's because they kept questioning me - so potentially a bad sign - I didn't give them the answer they wanted. A short interview can be a good sign, they were probably just busy and if they agreed with you, you were probably fine
What were they questioning you about, and what was the answer you gave that they didn’t want?
 

Marissa

Esteemed Member
Premium Member
Jun 25, 2020
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254
Anyone who has been rejected from HL post AC - have you received your feedback report yet? If so how long did it take them to send it? I’ve emailed grad rec as the rejection email told me to to get the feedback, I’m just trying to gauge how long it may take them to get back to me
Mine took 2 months and the feedback from grad rec was only 1 line..
 

BolderBlackPrincess

Active Member
Dec 16, 2023
16
22
@axelbeugre just had my Goodwin interview, and the interview ended in 20- 25 minutes (bear in mind, we were allocated 45) with the interviewers agreeing with all my points and, even in the case study, one of them said I knew more about the topic than they did! I spent the remaining time just asking them questions. I’m unsure as to whether I should take this as a good sign or a bad one (in that they knew they weren’t going to offer me a place and wanted the interview over and done with). What do you think?
'I was able to answer all my interviewer's questions and they said I clearly had a great understanding of the subject - is this a bad sign?'
 

aspiringlawyer47

Legendary Member
Premium Member
  • May 27, 2022
    268
    600
    Birmingham! It's a shame we have to do another AC. What is the point in having 2 ACs :( It was already stressful enough to go though the first and earn a place on the VI. I wish we could just do a partner interview instead Sigh.
    Honestly I’m hoping they change their minds or something 😭 I think our AC is only with their vac scheme students so it might be slightly different. Do you think it’s worth asking grad rec?
     

    laby201

    Legendary Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 28, 2021
    277
    795
    Pinsent PFO post AC

    Now i would like to say I'm surprised based off of my performance from the in tray exercise but i have just read my feedback (which was delivered on amberjack not via a human) and i actually am surprised. I met every single one of their capabilities they were looking for "natural talent, strong potential" and only got "showed some strengths" for attention to detail.

    Maybe i'm delusional but i do think that is a little unfair and annoying to give feedback via a generic amberjack assessment report. I took the day off of work, travelled into central London to not get feedback from a human. i understand there are others so they can't get through everyone but even scheduling a call in the future regarding feedback or making it tailored via amberjack. I dunno.

    I am not going to dwell as i knew my in tray did mess me up but maybe not that much? The firm not having my adjustments set in stone from the beginning did play a part but at least fieldfisher can give a telephone feedback after a TI.

    The beginning of my cycle downfall starts here 😭
    Honestly, I completely agree with you and think that’s really poor from them.

    When you’ve put in hours of research from the application stage to video interview prep to AC prep, let alone with the time/costs involved of travelling to London, I think giving you computerised Amberjack feedback is terrible. They’ve met you in person for a good few hours and have come to an informed decision, so you wouldn’t think it would be a great burden to give some genuine, helpful feedback.

    Sorry about that, I think that’s really disappointing from PM.
     
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    bella98

    Legendary Member
  • Mar 9, 2023
    280
    1,005
    Pinsent PFO post AC

    Now i would like to say I'm surprised based off of my performance from the in tray exercise but i have just read my feedback (which was delivered on amberjack not via a human) and i actually am surprised. I met every single one of their capabilities they were looking for "natural talent, strong potential" and only got "showed some strengths" for attention to detail.

    Maybe i'm delusional but i do think that is a little unfair and annoying to give feedback via a generic amberjack assessment report. I took the day off of work, travelled into central London to not get feedback from a human. i understand there are others so they can't get through everyone but even scheduling a call in the future regarding feedback or making it tailored via amberjack. I dunno.

    I am not going to dwell as i knew my in tray did mess me up but maybe not that much? The firm not having my adjustments set in stone from the beginning did play a part but at least fieldfisher can give a telephone feedback after a TI.

    The beginning of my cycle downfall starts here 😭
    I know how frustrating it is getting a report instead of a call!
    And it’s the main reason why didn’t know where to improve exactly after my winter vac scheme AC with HSF - i talked with someone and they had the same exact report and everything seemed okay 🤦🏻‍♀️ Honestly, after going through what felt like a marathon of countless assessments for a firm, the least they could do is give me a hint about what I'm doing wrong in a conversation with someone, not the report that could’t be less helpful
     
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    CorporateCrocodile

    Esteemed Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
  • Dec 21, 2022
    97
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    Has anyone had post-AC Spring pfo for Milbank yet? Aware offers have gone out but not sure why PFO taking so long - just want to get some feedback at the very least
    I sent them a chaser email today. Poor form from them since grad rec told me on the day that they'd get back to us in 2 weeks regardless of the outcome.
     

    laby201

    Legendary Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 28, 2021
    277
    795
    I know how frustrating it is getting a report instead of a call!
    And it’s the main reason why didn’t know where to improve exactly after my winter vac scheme AC with HSF - i talked with someone and they had the same exact report and everything seemed okay 🤦🏻‍♀️ Honestly, after going through what felt like a marathon of countless assessments for a firm, the least they could do is give me a hint about what I'm doing wrong in a conversation with someone, not the report that could’t be less helpful
    Honestly, I felt exactly the same after my HSF AC.

    The report felt very generalised and their report on my scenario interview just didn’t feel accurate in the slightest. Perhaps they have blanket statements and apply them to each candidate, but that still doesn’t feel sufficient. They know candidates will spend hours and hours getting to that stage and to just give something that’s effectively automated just doesn’t sit well with me.

    Know they’re more focused on those who actually have offers at that stage but is still incredibly unhelpful in the process.
     

    Marissa

    Esteemed Member
    Premium Member
    Jun 25, 2020
    75
    254
    @Jessica Booker Apologies if something like this already exists but I think it would be good we had a separate thread (also featured) for coping with stress and anxiety during the application season. Just a thought.

    I’m sure we all find ourselves constantly refreshing our emails after making 10+ applications and waiting to hear back. And when others post about an AC, WG or VI invite, our brain goes into overdrive and we begin to predict/assume our fate if we haven’t heard anything. I think we need something to encourage ourselves to build more healthy habits for eg, to not think the worst, or perhaps put our emails on silent so we can actually concentrate on our work/studies/activities throughout the day, lol. Some PFOs can be quite hard-hitting and I’d rather pick and chose when I was to digest such information because I have found that it has ruined my entire day at times.
     

    Legalstalker

    Legendary Member
    Premium Member
  • Oct 9, 2023
    417
    1,774
    Honestly, I completely agree with you and think that’s really poor from them.

    When you’ve put in hours of research from the application stage to video interview prep to AC prep, let alone with the time/costs involved of travelling to London, I think giving you computerised Amberjack feedback is terrible. They’ve met you in person for a good few hours and have come to an informed decision, so you wouldn’t think it would be a great burden to give some genuine, helpful feedback.

    Sorry about that, I think that’s really disappointing from PM.
    I know how frustrating it is getting a report instead of a call!
    And it’s the main reason why didn’t know where to improve exactly after my winter vac scheme AC with HSF - i talked with someone and they had the same exact report and everything seemed okay 🤦🏻‍♀️ Honestly, after going through what felt like a marathon of countless assessments for a firm, the least they could do is give me a hint about what I'm doing wrong in a conversation with someone, not the report that could’t be less helpful
    I actually called them to ask for feedback and was told "everyone get's a computerised one. it's how our assessor mark you"

    I'm sorry but no, you don't hype everyone up at the AC that they were the final 30 of 2,500 applicants then give me the same feedback i got post blended assessment back in November. They are really taking "we're innovative and technology centric" to a whole other level. At least the lunch the provided was nice at the AC otherwise i wouldn't be soo forgiving 🤣
     
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