TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

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law2022x

Legendary Member
Feb 21, 2022
160
450
So this is just absolutely irrelevant to the argument at hand and youve gone off an tangent. The argument is not about who is a bigger competitor or who is a more direct competitor, its about who is W&C's competitors full stop.

Here you say:

This is literally what the whole argument is about and how this whole discussion orirginated, I urge you to please assimilate all the information accurately before writing a response.



Thats not a contradiction, I was simply explaining those are some of the ways the two companies try to compete.

Furthermore, your second statement shows your lack of ability to make comparisons and make logical deductions. Mcdonalds is in the fast food industry, not the sit-down, restauraunt dining industry, it caters to people who want affordable, quick, on-the-go food. Their competitors are other fast-food restauraunts like burger king and KFC. Of course they would not be competing with fine dining chains because they're in a different industry. It is not like I said "every company that produces vehicles are competing with each other." So, your statement only proves my point further.

Im honestly shocked by so many people's lack of business acumen and ability to understand their business models. You're applying to jobs where you're going to be doing this on a daily basis so its a bit alarming to be honest...
be quiet
 

RonRod13

Valued Member
  • Nov 18, 2023
    122
    185
    Some of the members on this forum will argue the toss over absolutely anything, they'd probably even debate the colour of the sky on a clear day.

    I think many people raise points, unaware that one of the resident pedants will swoop in with a fine-tooth comb ready to dissect every word of their post.

    It's really quite tiresome, even not being a part of it.........
    You do understand that you are applying for jobs where you're going to be having discussions like this everyday for many many hours a week. If you find it so "tiresome" perhaps you should consider a different career path...
     
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    laby201

    Legendary Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 28, 2021
    277
    795
    So this is just absolutely irrelevant to the argument at hand and youve gone off an tangent. The argument is not about who is a bigger competitor or who is a more direct competitor, its about who is W&C's competitors full stop.

    Here you say:

    This is literally what the whole argument is about and how this whole discussion orirginated, I urge you to please assimilate all the information accurately before writing a response.



    Thats not a contradiction, I was simply explaining those are some of the ways the two companies try to compete.

    Furthermore, your second statement shows your lack of ability to make comparisons and make logical deductions. Mcdonalds is in the fast food industry, not the sit-down, restauraunt dining industry, it caters to people who want affordable, quick, on-the-go food. Their competitors are other fast-food restauraunts like burger king and KFC. Of course they would not be competing with fine dining chains because they're in a different industry. It is not like I said "every company that produces vehicles are competing with each other." So, your statement only proves my point further.

    Im honestly shocked by so many people's lack of business acumen and ability to understand their business models. You're applying to jobs where you're going to be doing this on a daily basis so its a bit alarming to be honest...
    No one wants to engage in this debate anymore. If you disagree with what countless other people have told you, that’s fine.

    If you want to go into an interview when asked who a firm’s competitors are and you answer “all US firms”, I hope that goes well for you, Ron Rod. What a fantastic display of business acumen that is. Have a good day.
     

    Seville123

    Star Member
  • Sep 1, 2019
    27
    149
    Do you have any tips for converting a vac scheme at an MC firm - Have one coming up in the summer (was fast-tracked from the open day) and could really use some help as it's my first scheme.

    - Make sure you let your Principal/supervisor know where you are at all times
    - Be enthusiastic and curious; don't be afraid to ask your Principal/supervisor questions about the work that they are doing.
    - During the department presentations, make sure to be enthusiastic and ask lots of questions - it may not necessarily count towards conversion but it does help to build confidence when a Partner says that you asked a good question!
    - Be proactive in organising coffee chats with employees - have coffee chats not with employees from all hierarchical levels, and different departments. Graduate recruitment may ask you during the scheme how many coffee chats you have organised, so be prepared for that.
    - At the same time, ensure that you manage your workload, and do not organise so many coffee chats that you can not do your work to a high standard!
    - If you have assessed work to submit, submit it on time
    - Before the vac scheme, really brush up on your commercial awareness, but also your *technical knowledge*. The reason I didn't convert my vac scheme was because I did not have enough technical knowledge.
    - If you are a non-law student, take some time to read a few contracts, and get to grips with how they are set out, and what is in them. Have a brief look at the Companies Act 2006. Have an initial understanding of how companies are run: AGMs, Model Articles, Directors' Duties, etc.
    - Understand how an M&A deal works if your MC firm is prominent in Corporate - watch 'The Anatomy of a Deal' by Allen & Overy on Youtube.
    - Have serious attention to detail, and set out your written work clearly

    That's all I can think of for now!
     

    saj2002

    Distinguished Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
  • Dec 7, 2023
    61
    106

    This thread is also very useful:

    Thank you so much!!! this is very helpful :)
     
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    sxw517

    Legendary Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
  • Sep 20, 2021
    646
    618
    You do understand that you are applying for jobs where you're going to having discussions like this everyday for many many hours a week. If you find it so "tiresome" perhaps you should consider a different career path...
    No, I wasn't aware... please enlighten me, I'm ever so interested...
     

    EzeLaylor

    Distinguished Member
  • Oct 15, 2021
    59
    93
    - Make sure you let your Principal/supervisor know where you are at all times
    - Be enthusiastic and curious; don't be afraid to ask your Principal/supervisor questions about the work that they are doing.
    - During the department presentations, make sure to be enthusiastic and ask lots of questions - it may not necessarily count towards conversion but it does help to build confidence when a Partner says that you asked a good question!
    - Be proactive in organising coffee chats with employees - have coffee chats not with employees from all hierarchical levels, and different departments. Graduate recruitment may ask you during the scheme how many coffee chats you have organised, so be prepared for that.
    - At the same time, ensure that you manage your workload, and do not organise so many coffee chats that you can not do your work to a high standard!
    - If you have assessed work to submit, submit it on time
    - Before the vac scheme, really brush up on your commercial awareness, but also your *technical knowledge*. The reason I didn't convert my vac scheme was because I did not have enough technical knowledge.
    - If you are a non-law student, take some time to read a few contracts, and get to grips with how they are set out, and what is in them. Have a brief look at the Companies Act 2006. Have an initial understanding of how companies are run: AGMs, Model Articles, Directors' Duties, etc.
    - Understand how an M&A deal works if your MC firm is prominent in Corporate - watch 'The Anatomy of a Deal' by Allen & Overy on Youtube.
    - Have serious attention to detail, and set out your written work clearly

    That's all I can think of for now!
    This is so helpful - Thank you so much 😍😍 I was so lost figuring out how to prepare 😭 so this is going to be really helpful in figuring out where to start.
     

    VacayScheme

    Distinguished Member
    Nov 14, 2023
    50
    210
    - Be proactive in organising coffee chats with employees - have coffee chats not with employees from all hierarchical levels, and different departments. Graduate recruitment may ask you during the scheme how many coffee chats you have organised, so be prepared for that.
    - At the same time, ensure that you manage your workload, and do not organise so many coffee chats that you can not do your work to a high standard!

    Question for anyone who's done vac schemes before - how do you actually go about the above? Are you just encouraged to approach people at random or is there more guidance during the vac scheme itself?

    Arguably my biggest concern about doing well on my vac schemes is the networking side of things - definitely doesn't come naturally 😅.
     

    RonRod13

    Valued Member
  • Nov 18, 2023
    122
    185
    No one wants to engage in this debate anymore. If you disagree with what countless other people have told you, that’s fine.

    If you want to go into an interview when asked who a firm’s competitors are and you answer “all US firms”, I hope that goes well for you, Ron Rod. What a fantastic display of business acumen that is. Have a good day.
    Sorry, when did I say that I would go into an interview and my response would be "all US firms". That is an absurd conclusion to jump to and you can't infer that from my statement earlier saying that W&C's competitors are, indeed, every other US commercial law firm.
     

    Legalstalker

    Legendary Member
    Premium Member
  • Oct 9, 2023
    399
    1,708
    Mcdonalds is in the fast food industry, not the sit-down, restauraunt dining industry, it caters to people who want affordable, quick, on-the-go food. Their competitors are other fast-
    I’m sorry the only thing I took from your message was that McDonalds is affordable 😭 I transfer from my savings to buy a McFlurry 🥹
     

    laby201

    Legendary Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 28, 2021
    277
    795
    Sorry, when did I say that I would go into an interview and my response would be "all US firms". That is an absurd conclusion to jump to and you can't infer that from my statement earlier saying that W&C's competitors are, indeed, every other US commercial law firm.
    Someone asked who W&C’s competitors were, likely in preparation for an interview answer. Your direct response was:

    “Literally every other US law firm...?”

    What an absurd conclusion I jumped to when you said their competitors were all US firms. It can be directly inferred from your answer that, presumably, that’s who you regard W&C’s competitors to be.

    Would love to see your Watson Glaser score, sure you’d thrive on the inferences section.

    Now, is there a way to mute people on this forum? You’ve had your 15 minutes of fame, Rod.
     
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    EqualityNonNegotiable

    Distinguished Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Nov 1, 2023
    70
    148
    There's also no need to use ad hominem abuses, it's quite unnecessary.
    like that you mean?
    Im honestly shocked by so many people's lack of business acumen and ability to understand their business models. You're applying to jobs where you're going to be doing this on a daily basis so its a bit alarming to be honest...

    You do understand that you are applying for jobs where you're going to be having discussions like this everyday for many many hours a week. If you find it so "tiresome" perhaps you should consider a different career path...
     
    • Like
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    Seville123

    Star Member
  • Sep 1, 2019
    27
    149
    Question for anyone who's done vac schemes before - how do you actually go about the above? Are you just encouraged to approach people at random or is there more guidance during the vac scheme itself?

    Arguably my biggest concern about doing well on my vac schemes is the networking side of things - definitely doesn't come naturally 😅.
    It can be quite daunting at first!

    Depending on the firm you go to, you will get an e-mail and Microsoft Outlook. With this, you will be able to see the calendar and schedules of the employees you wish to speak to. Use this to see their availability, and also send invitations for coffee chats that way. The employees know that there will be vac scheme students there who are eager to network, so a lot of the time, they are willing to meet with you and answer all of your questions (at least at the firm I went to lol!).
     
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