TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Future$trainee]

I got an email from K&L Gates last week with a test.

have you heard back since you completed the test?

 

[medy]

has no one heard from CMS dubai about the AC?

Had a pleasant experience at a DLA AC last week, really nice people

was this DLA Dubai?

 

[medy]

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I saw someone say the other day that they recruited a tiny amount through the direct route? As in 90% come through the VS?

In regard to the OP's question, I would guess those figures are roughly right? Although maybe slightly less at the VI/AC stage?

Do you think the fact that they don't have a cap on the number of trainees they recruit might have an impact?

 

[laby201]

I know exactly who you are talking about. I had the same Partner during my Winter AC :/

If we’re talking about HSF and the case study interview, I’m pretty sure I had the same bad experience with the same Partner (it was a male Disputes Partner).

If 4 people have had the same bad experience with one interviewer, unless it’s designed to be that one and they’re incredibly harsh, that seems off to me.

It was a shame as the other two who interviewed me were really friendly, but it was impossible to gain any sort of rapport was him. Could definitely tell he rated himself highly (and rightly so), but it was a little uncomfortable.

 

[laby201]

Do you think the fact that they don't have a cap on the number of trainees they recruit might have an impact?

Potentially? From what I’ve read on here, it looks like they recruit predominantly from the VS, so if they have a year where everyone on the schemes are excellent and pretty much fill all the spaces, there’s less need to recruit as many directly.

 

[isTeapp]

If we’re talking about HSF and the case study interview, I’m pretty sure I had the same bad experience with the same Partner (it was a male Disputes Partner).

If 4 people have had the same bad experience with one interviewer, unless it’s designed to be that one and they’re incredibly harsh, that seems off to me.

It was a shame as the other two who interviewed me were really friendly, but it was impossible to gain any sort of rapport was him. Could definitely tell he rated himself highly (and rightly so), but it was a little uncomfortable.

It was him :/ Were you also told there was no need to pretend he is a client?

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

I haven't received a VI that's why I was wondering if they'd sent everything out already

I think you should email and ask! I applied on the deadline and I received a VI invite on 1/2

 

[isTeapp]

Same here for my winter AC :/ Performed the worst on that interview

I love that for us!

 

[tanamontana]

Anyone else’s confused about Baker McKenzie’s video interview deadline? First email said 29/02 but I just received an email saying to complete before 26/02

 

[nonlawstudent04]

Anyone else’s confused about Baker McKenzie’s video interview deadline? First email said 29/02 but I just received an email saying to complete before 26/02

In the same boat, unsure what to do. The 29/02 deadline looks more official but also feels risky to go with the later one...

 

[laby201]

It was him :/ Were you also told there was no need to pretend he is a client?

Yep, right at the start 😂

Perhaps he acted like that intentionally because you're never going to get "perfect" clients but it did feel like he was deliberately being difficult. The fact four people claim to have had the same experience is alarming too, in my opinion.

 

[Cebause]

Yes I just did, is this the next stage? The website says there is an SJT so I am a bit confused

Hey, I am about to give the VI, and this is my first VI ever. Could you tell me what were the questions like?

 

[sxw517]

Anyone else’s confused about Baker McKenzie’s video interview deadline? First email said 29/02 but I just received an email saying to complete before 26/02

I have had about 7 emails from Bakers since being first invited to the VI, I'm going to go with the later date, as it says that on more of the emails, and the most recent.

 

[Balaton123]

Do firms review video interview responses on a rolling basis? I had a technical error with the Bakers VI and will have to retake it when the firm responds, will this put me at a disadvantage?

 

[lawstudent5533]

Out of interest, say you did a TC with a firm and then decided to take a few months off between qualification and your NQ position, would this be looked down upon by firms?

 

[Cherikon]

In the referee section, is it okay to not grant permission to contact the referees directly? I am afraid that they might miss the email/phone call and want to contact them first.

 

[Jessica Booker]

In the referee section, is it okay to not grant permission to contact the referees directly? I am afraid that they might miss the email/phone call and want to contact them first.

I wouldn’t worry about this. If you tell your referee that you are providing their details anyway, this isn’t really an issue. If there was a delay in them sending the reference, the person doing the checks would follow up with you to see if an alternative reference would be provided.

It is only if you don’t want the referee being contacted as you are still in employment, that you can ask them to delay the reference check until you have told your employer you’ll be working elsewhere.

 

[sxw517]

Had a couple of messages about what Baker's emails I received so I'll just put it on here:

I received an initial email saying that the VI was due on 29th February, off the firm itself (CVmail address)

I then received an email a day later from a recruiter email address, stating that I had been invited to complete a VI, with a deadline of 26th February

The same email came through a further three times, with each of these emails now saying the VI is due on 29th February.

I received a further email this morning saying it was due on 29th Feb.

So five of the emails say 29th and one says 26th.

 

[RevisiontimeRevision]

Hey,
I was wondering if any of you are in a similar position. I am in my final year and have been (though still have a few applications left) been unable to secure either a VS or a TC. I was wondering what everyone's plans are for after studying if they are unable to secure anything in this cycle.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Wondering how to go about this question "Choose one of our clients and explain a challenge they are currently facing. What could the organisation do to overcome this challenge and how could we assist?"
Should it be a general challenge specific to their industry or a very specific one that only their company is facing that I know about from the news? How can I go about the second half?