TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

From what I have seen on LinkedIn it appears more privately educated/ grammar school individuals know about them ( or maybe they're just the one who have the confidence to post about it).

I didn't know about them, nor did I know about a-level schemes and it really annoys me because if I had known about a-level and first year schemes I probably could have saved myself time. But I went to a state school where their only goal was getting people into university ( they obtained more funding per student, so they needed their progression to university figures to be higher to attract more students - they literally told me this or I overheard them). It wasn't just my schools fault, I did have access to the internet but a school or parents who know about these opportunities/ how to find these opportunities/ the path to take does help.

At least in your school they wanted to send people into uni. In my mine their only goal was to get rid of us asap, as they didn’t have enough teachers to teach the IB 😂

 

[ah898]

Jones day AC 🎉Can’t find anything online about what the group exercise/interviews cover, so any insights would be very appreciated

 

[law2022x]

Jones day AC 🎉Can’t find anything online about what the group exercise/interviews cover, so any insights would be very appreciated

i think it’s the first year they’re doing an AC like this so might explain it!

 

[dms21]

Just wondering for those who have done a few cycles, when is the latest you would usually hear back from firms and when is the latest you could sit for an interview? Specifically if anyone knows for TLT, Withers, and Travers Smith that would be a plus!

 

[Zi48]

Just wondering for those who have done a few cycles, when is the latest you would usually hear back from firms and when is the latest you could sit for an interview? Specifically if anyone knows for TLT, Withers, and Travers Smith that would be a plus!

I had an interview for Withers in early April last year, and I think some people had theirs after that

 

[dms21]

I had an interview for Withers in early April last year, and I know people had theirs after that

Wow that is really late. Was it in person?

 

[Zi48]

Wow that is really late. Was it in person?

It was online, I was on year abroad so I don’t remember if I requested that or if they just run all of them online

 

[Sunshinepink]

A pub is a part-time job.

I was thinking this too. A job doesn't need to be a legal one straight away and there is ALWAYS something that can be done including volunteering work. Firms like work experience (I have attended events and multiple grad recruitment's have said to have some before applying) because of the transferable skills that you will bring to the table. I had never heard of taking time off work to do applications or it being a sufficient excuse as to why there is a gap in my life until this forum. That alone could demonstrate the ability to multi-task.

 

[Kbrandnew]

And finally… the long awaited RPC PFO!! Honestly just happy to know did anyone else who received a PFO have any success in obtaining their WG score?

So sorry to hear that. Can I ask, is this PFO post AC or WG? Also, I asked them for my WG result just before my assessment centre, so I am sure you can email and they'll happily send it over!

 

[Sunshinepink]

Adding to the gap conversation:

I graduated without a TC offer and I didn't have the money to spend on the LPC or an LLM ( nor did I want any more debt + it's really not necessary, if you obtain a TC the firm will cover the SQE now anyway - UOL and BPP are just good at marketing).

I obtained a paralegal role through Flex Legal - I joined their system in March and obtained my role in August. I really enjoyed my paralegal role but it had a very high turnover which meant work would be dumped on you at the last minute and you'd just end up working late - not a 9-5 - which is fine, what I expected from a law firm but it meant I didn't have time to fully invest in applications and interviews ( I was stuck as a paralegal and I didn't want to be a career paralegal) .

If I could take back time I would work a retail job or a 9-5 where at 5 you're done or even a part time job, ( there are some paralegal/ legal admin roles). I would try to obtain some pro-bono work to bulk my cv ( citizen's advice/ support through court I believe are lowish commitment)

I would then apply for paralegal roles in January ( so once the vac scheme session is over you have a job). I think because of how tough it is to get a paralegal role you can get away with a gap a bit more ( as long as you're doing something else in that time).

I know a few people who just worked in retail and managed to obtain a TC. I worked as a paralegal and still don't have one.

I also know people who went into a different career and then obtained a TC - I wish I considered other careers alongside law at uni so at least I could have built a career elsewhere and entered law as a career changer.

After attending numerous events, I completely agree with you with the career stuff. Many people that I have come across had perhaps one legal experience which was a vacation scheme then went onto a TC. There is so much pressure to get a legal job straight away but attitudes towards 'only legal experience' is shifting, the same way there are many undergraduate History graduates as solicitors at firms. The whole point of applications is so that we stand out and the careers we go into (even briefly) can really help our applications because there will be thousands of LLB graduates applying writing nice things but it's about what will ultimately make person A stand out from person B. That's why firms ask about you as a person but at the same time, it's never too late for anything

 

[BolderBlackPrincess]

Anyone else doing the Linklaters Spring Week?

 

[law2022x]

Exactly. Really doubting the other person who said grad recruitment told them it fine to just relax at home for a year???

Sorry but I have been reading your comments over the past week, and you come across quite combative and abrasive. The other person is merely sharing their experience as they are entitled to do so - you don't need to doubt their truthfulness. You had a different experience and that's that.

 

[BolderBlackPrincess]

Sorry but I have been reading your comments over the past week, and you come across quite combative and abrasive. The other person is merely sharing their experience as they are entitled to do so - you don't need to doubt their truthfulness. You had a different experience and that's that.

How so

 

[Seven]

How so

Well for one you just tried to do a strawman fallacy argument when I never said in verbatim that grad rec said to sit at home for a year and do nothing. If you read anything I said, that would’ve not been the conclusion you tried to push - quite the opposite actually. It’s fine though, just leave it be - I said we can agree to disagree ages ago.

 

[BolderBlackPrincess]

Well for one you just tried to do a strawman fallacy argument when I never said in verbatim that grad rec said to sit at home for a year and do nothing. If you read anything I said, that would’ve not been the conclusion you tried to push - quite the opposite actually. It’s fine though, just leave it be - I said we can agree to disagree ages ago.

You were providing poor advice to someone who needed it. Less strawman, more simply hyperbole.

 

[Seven]

You were providing poor advice to someone who needed it. Less strawman, more simply hyperbole.

Okay ☺️ Best of luck on ur tc journey xx

 

[law2022x]

You were providing poor advice to someone who needed it. Less strawman, more simply hyperbole.

I will give you some good advice: try to be more tactful in how you respond to others who are merely trying to help and share their insights. And do not misstate what someone else has said (this one is pretty important for lawyers).

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

Hello everyone! I’m a long-term lurker here and have made a profile for my first post as I’m having a bit of a dilemma.

I want to preface this by saying I know how privileged I am to be in this position and can’t believe it’s going through my head, but I received a VS offer and I feel kinda… flat?

This is my third cycle and I’ve worked really, really hard throughout the past few months and, like everyone else on here, getting a TC was my main goal. However, the firm I applied to, while I like, was nowhere near the top of my list. I got PFOs from most of my preferred firms, including my dream firm at the AC stage, and now having this offer almost feels like a consolation prize? I know how absurd that seems and a lack of self-awareness given it’s a very good City firm, but I suppose my aspirations are high. The practice areas aren’t exactly my main interest either (I know City firms have a wide variety, but in terms of its specialisms).

Given this is my third cycle, I know I would be downright stupid to reject the offer, and I will do the VS. However, if I convert it to a TC, would it be senseless to turn it down and try again for a “better” firm next year? I suppose there’s zero guarantees and it could leave me waiting 2 or 3 more cycles though and when I’ve worked for 3 years to get to this point, it wouldn’t make sense.

It’s probably just a mixture of emotions, which is strange when I thought obtaining a VS would be my highlight of the year. If anyone has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated (tagging @Jessica Booker and @axelbeugre as know you give great advice on here!)

 

[BolderBlackPrincess]

This is incorrect actually. They will never ask why you have a gap. Once you pass the app stage, your work experience is irrelevant until they ask you competency questions during the interview e.g. tell me when you worked in a team and then you can draw on one of your work experience or even at university. They will never ask at interview stage especially when they know you just recently graduated, as to why you have a “gap”. What you can do to bridge that gap though after graduation is attending open days and virtual events to put in the work experience section. A lot of firms value this proactive approach to attending legal-specific events, especially when you’re doing master classes or workshops at such firms.

Look at the bold. This is entirely wrong, an attempt to make an objective statement based on anecdotal examples. One could very easily argue this type of disregard for an opinion is also abrasive and flippant.

Not at all, I most definitely understand the competitiveness but having gaps in work experience really doesnt indicate incompetence or lack of skill. I’m basing it off what I’ve seen and have been advised from grad rec at events I’ve been to. You can sell yourself remarkably either way.

Bold. Equally strawman, never even alluded to this.

At the end of the day, its two people with vastly different opinions. However, if you want the best chance of securing a TC, your suggestion is unlikely to be the best course of action.

 

[BolderBlackPrincess]

I will give you some good advice: try to be more tactful in how you respond to others who are merely trying to help and share their insights. And do not misstate what someone else has said (this one is pretty important for lawyers).

Again, example? Where was i disproportionately untactful?