TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[edpx8]

Has anyone heard back from S&C after being put on-hold? (was put on hold in early December). Email states I should have heard back after 12th Jan...

 

[Soprano]

Did Slaughter and May give you an offer via email or on a call?

Via email

 

[rosec]

A general question regarding timeframes for accepting training contract offers after a vac scheme.

If I have a vac scheme with firm A who offers me a TC before another Vac scheme with another firm that I prefer but the vac scheme hasn't even commenced yet, would I be have enough time to do the vac scheme with firm B and then consider both options, or would the offer 'expire' for the TC from firm A?

Thanks in advance

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker

it depends on the firm. I was in this situation last year and I waited until both schemes were over to accept one, but this was dependent on the first firm not giving me a strict timeframe/ deadline for which I had to reply, as opposed to the second firm who did give a deadline. so definitely ask the firm/ read the contract to see if there is a date by which you need to accept/reject and then see where you can go from there!

 

[Jessica Booker]

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker

Hiya,

I was wondering if you think there are any advantages of completing a 2 week summer scheme over a 1 week spring scheme. A firm has given me the option of both and I feel like having the extra week may allow for extra coffee chats or time to build rapport. Do you know if factors like this will be considered when assessing candidates for TCs? I want to give myself the best chance

To that point, do you have any tips with how to succeed on a vacation scheme?

Thanks so much for all the help!

The firm wouldn't run different length schemes if there was a preference for a candidate who had done a longer or shorter scheme. I would go with the scheme that works best for you.

There is some great advice in this thread that gives advice on converting your scheme:

Converting your vacation scheme into a training contract - top tips in 2021

Hey all, A few people have asked about this so I thought we'd create a central thread for 2021. Anyone feel free to share your own top tips on converting a vacation scheme into a training contract. I'd recommend reading the following threads to kick us off...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Jessica Booker]

Not sure this is the right place to ask but I recently booked a mock interview with TCLA and have been trying to reschedule it since I can no longer attend it but I haven’t been successful. Can anybody advise what I can do?

Do you still need help with this? If so, please feel free to PM me with your name/email address and I can ask the team to contact you.

 

[Jessica Booker]

This isn't a vac scheme question so sorry for randomly putting this here, but I applied for a law-related but non-legal graduate role with a company in London and the recruiter has not been in touch? I did the online test beginning January and since then have reached out to her by email but have had nothing back lol shall I just assume they aren't going to take me forward in the application process but haven't bothered to tell me?

You could chase one last time to see if it was just missed, but sometimes recruitment can be like this unfortunately, especially when they are individual roles rather than programmes.

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker, it is in-person. They are not running any virtual ACs from what I've gathered.

This is tricky then. I would suggest resting up until the assessment centre and then trying to attend on the basis you are well enough to travel into the office and that you aren't going to be contagious.

I understand you may not still be feeling 100% and that you may be concerned about how it impacts your performance, but it seems like this would be your only chance to be considered. There won't be anything else you can do (which is really disappointing).

 

[clo224455]

it depends on the firm. I was in this situation last year and I waited until both schemes were over to accept one, but this was dependent on the first firm not giving me a strict timeframe/ deadline for which I had to reply, as opposed to the second firm who did give a deadline. so definitely ask the firm/ read the contract to see if there is a date by which you need to accept/reject and then see where you can go from there!

That's great advice thanks !!

 

[Jessica Booker]

A general question regarding timeframes for accepting training contract offers after a vac scheme.

If I have a vac scheme with firm A who offers me a TC before another Vac scheme with another firm that I prefer but the vac scheme hasn't even commenced yet, would I be have enough time to do the vac scheme with firm B and then consider both options, or would the offer 'expire' for the TC from firm A?

Thanks in advance

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker

It depends on the firm's policy. Some will give you to mid September to accept, others may only give you 4 weeks.

However, you can accept and then renege on an offer as long as you have not started any onboarding processes for the GDL/LPC/SQE or have received any financial support from the firm.

 

[clo224455]

It depends on the firm's policy. Some will give you to mid September to accept, others may only give you 4 weeks.

However, you can accept and then renege on an offer as long as you have not started any onboarding processes for the GDL/LPC/SQE or have received any financial support from the firm

Thank you Jessica!

 

[Jessica Booker]

View attachment 5847

What does this mean? That I passed the assessment but they just don't want to employ me😝

Anyone else get this?

It isn't you, it is them - the vacancy no longer exists and so there is no point bringing you forward for it.

 

[Jessica Booker]

If I apply for vacation schemes again next cycle and do not do anything in between, will that lower my chances?

When you say "not do anything" I think this would lower your chances - you would need to be seen to be doing something, whether this is work, study, training or even something like travelling. They will want to see you are actively looking to improve yourself, and so if there was "nothing" in the most recent months, that could be of some concern to how actively you are seeking to improve your candidacy.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey guys, when in an interview where you have been given the names of the interviewers is it okay to mention that you have had a similar experience to one of the interviewers (non-law related.) One of the panellists at the organisation volunteered at the same place I did when they were a student (found out by LinkedIn lurking), is it okay to make a passing comment like "I volunteered at the same place you did when you were a student Bob, the skills I have developed doing xyz..."

Would this be a good idea or be seen as too forward 😂

I would mention you had looked at their LinkedIn profile before saying this but its not a problem to do so - I have had similar things pop up in interviews from time to time.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Out of interest, why do some firms send out successful/ unsuccessful correspondence in one batch and then take longer ie a day or more to send out the opposite outcome to the other candidates? Not sure if I made any sense! I’m not so much meaning after the final stage as I understand reasons for why that could be. Do you @Jessica Booker by any chance have any insight of why this is? thank you!!

Whole host of reasons why this could be the case - I really wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey guys, hope to get some advice. I got an AC for a VS but as I am based outside the UK, I have to fly to the UK and it is very costly. I do not think the firm offers virtual AC due to the format of the AC. I have already accepted the AC invite in-person a while back as I was very eager for the AC. Should I ask if I could do the AC virtually even though I doubt this is an option, and would requesting this now put the firm off? Is it advisable that I fly to the UK for the AC? Thanks.

Speak to the firm first - they may be able to offer a virtual AC. It won't put the firm off (although they maybe slightly disappointed you didn't raise this before booking in), but it could be a fairly easy solution where they offer it to you.

If they don't offer it to you, you can ask how much they can reimburse in travel expenses and then make a decision from there as to whether to attend.

 

[tcplease2345]

That sucks. The application cycle is brutal. But getting to VI is incredibly impressive. I got a rejection today as well.

I'd say shoot it then. I can't say with certainty that your app wouldn't go through. As I said, everything else matters like your materials - Work Experience, Motivation, Competency answers. As TCLA has shown the most unlikely get incredibly far! There is no perfect applicant.

I think that if you're applying though it should be clear why the firm and why you. You can apply, but to get far you should be incredibly motivated to work for them and not just because they have vacancies. You should want to work there/get experience there above all. I think that's why I asked the question. Not because I think you're making a bad decision based on your grade profile. I just think you should, really, REALLY wanna work there.

Thank you! it is indeed brutal.

I think it is only a matter of time if not this cycle then next cycle but the thing is to never give up.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Group exercises typically form a part of the assessment at a law firm assessment centre. How common is it for lawyers at a law firm to work together as a group under timed conditions all sat together at a table and for someone to time-keep?

When your time is recorded, this is pretty much every meeting a lawyer goes into....

 

[tcplease2345]

When you say "not do anything" I think this would lower your chances - you would need to be seen to be doing something, whether this is work, study, training or even something like travelling. They will want to see you are actively looking to improve yourself, and so if there was "nothing" in the most recent months, that could be of some concern to how actively you are seeking to improve your candidacy.

It could be a non-law job as well?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

You could chase one last time to see if it was just missed, but sometimes recruitment can be like this unfortunately, especially when they are individual roles rather than programmes.

Thank you, Jessica! Coincidentally, I did hear back from them (for the first time!) after making my post and got rejected. Perhaps the trick is to post about all the ghosting experiences on TCLA 🤣🤣

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it normal/acceptable to ask a law firm you're doing a vac scheme at to allow you to attend an interview for another firm whilst you're there (if you have no other choice scheduling wise)? for example by extending your break or coming in a little later?

@Jessica Booker

You can ask - but the firm can say no, especially if the timing of the interview is going to clash with their own assessments.

Your better bet is to ask the interviewing firm whether they can provide an alternative date where you are attending a vacation scheme.

If they cannot offer an alternative interview date, then speak to the GR team and see what they say, but be prepared that you may have to turn the interview down.