TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

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ReedSmithBecca

Star Member
Sep 12, 2023
33
46
Right! You can’t just serve 4 croissants and call it lunch and breakfast, especially if you need to take medicine. Bear in mind we were there from 9am -4pm, without both lunch or breakfast provided, or being told to bring lunch/ allowed to go to Tesco.
Hi, I've just been made aware of this comment so I wanted to reply as I'm really sorry to hear this. Of course there is no obligation to, but if you would like to provide some more feedback, we'd be very glad to receive it at: [email protected].
To give you a little bit of context, we started off by providing lunches, but none of it got eaten and candidates fedback that they felt too nervous to eat, which is why we swapped to lighter snacks of pastries and biscuits available throughout the day (plus options to suit any dietary requirements as needed), which typically run from around 10:30am-3pm. We gave a lunch break of between 45 and 30 minutes and let candidates know that they were free to leave during this time, but I'm sorry that this message didn't get through.
We really do care about making our Assessment Days (and all events) an environment that is welcoming and allows candidates to perform at their best, so if you want to either directly message me your feedback or email it through, we'd appreciate any suggestions you have.
Becca
 

GWJlaw

Star Member
Nov 6, 2023
33
82
MoFo first stage interview and TLT AC. I've already accepted one VS and waiting to hear from two post AC meaning I thought my cycle was largely over. I've decided to decline the MoFo first stage as I know the process will be so time consuming when I'm not sure that I am culturally aligned to US Law firms or Mofo specifically anyway. ( I applied 7 months ago and forgot). Knowing that I if I took more time away from focusing on my degree, went through the process and was successful I might not be totally happy doesn't feel worth it.

I've sent recruitment an email this morning but I can't help but feel terrible about it 😭 Turning down opportunities when I've struggled so bad to be in the position I'm in feels ungrateful. I know that doing it is not a constructive use of my time as If I was successful after my spring VS I would accept the TC as I adore the firm. The 3 other Acs if got/done if they led to opportunities for summer I'd be more inclined to take, so I don't see the point in wasting peoples time.

Idk guys I feel bad and ungrateful and needed to leave this somewhere 😭 I really hope this creates an opportunity for someone else!!
 

ReedSmithBecca

Star Member
Sep 12, 2023
33
46
Things like this really upset me tbh! So telling of their regard for candidates/general ethos. I need to take my twice daily medication with food but at a day-long AC we weren't provided anything, nor were we allowed to leave. I was literally so close to leaving midway
Hello, I responded to the original comment above but wanted to let you know that the same message stands. We do genuinely care about ensuring candidates have a good experience, so appreciate any other feedback you might have - you're welcome to directly message me. Becca
 
D

Deleted member 32324

Guest
Whilst I didn't attend the assessment centre, this is really nice from Becca to acknowledge the issue. I've been to quite a fair share of assessment centres and at a few by the time the final exercise comes around I'm absolutely starving and it leaves a sour taste in the mouth about whether the firm actually cares for candidates. HSF were definitely the best in this regard and at least provided my cohort with a proper meal. Glad someone else has acknowledge the meal issue on this platform at assessment centres and fair play to Reed Smith for at least holding themselves accountable to some extent.

ALSO: can the feedback please be made anonymous as a lot of people would be too scared that it will impact their chances of getting in (as dumb as that sounds, people think they may come off as ungrateful)
Hi, I've just been made aware of this comment so I wanted to reply as I'm really sorry to hear this. Of course there is no obligation to, but if you would like to provide some more feedback, we'd be very glad to receive it at: [email protected].
To give you a little bit of context, we started off by providing lunches, but none of it got eaten and candidates fedback that they felt too nervous to eat, which is why we swapped to lighter snacks of pastries and biscuits available throughout the day (plus options to suit any dietary requirements as needed), which typically run from around 10:30am-3pm. We gave a lunch break of between 45 and 30 minutes and let candidates know that they were free to leave during this time, but I'm sorry that this message didn't get through.
We really do care about making our Assessment Days (and all events) an environment that is welcoming and allows candidates to perform at their best, so if you want to either directly message me your feedback or email it through, we'd appreciate any suggestions you have.
Becca
 

elektrajenkov

Star Member
Dec 20, 2023
48
187
MoFo first stage interview and TLT AC. I've already accepted one VS and waiting to hear from two post AC meaning I thought my cycle was largely over. I've decided to decline the MoFo first stage as I know the process will be so time consuming when I'm not sure that I am culturally aligned to US Law firms or Mofo specifically anyway. ( I applied 7 months ago and forgot). Knowing that I if I took more time away from focusing on my degree, went through the process and was successful I might not be totally happy doesn't feel worth it.

I've sent recruitment an email this morning but I can't help but feel terrible about it 😭 Turning down opportunities when I've struggled so bad to be in the position I'm in feels ungrateful. I know that doing it is not a constructive use of my time as If I was successful after my spring VS I would accept the TC as I adore the firm. The 3 other Acs if got/done if they led to opportunities for summer I'd be more inclined to take, so I don't see the point in wasting peoples time.

Idk guys I feel bad and ungrateful and needed to leave this somewhere 😭 I really hope this creates an opportunity for someone else!!
I can relate to this! I can only do one VS this summer for a few reasons and have recently accepted an offer at my top choice firm but it feels SO wrong withdrawing current applications/not pursuing next steps after all the effort put in and months of waiting for those next steps 😭 like you, I’m trying to think of it as I really hope that creates an opportunity for someone else at their dream firm! please feel free to PM me if you wanna talk about this more because it’s such a weird position to be in!
 

ja_mibe

Active Member
Mar 7, 2024
10
11
Hi, I've been a silent observer of this forum for a month or so now, but just made an account because I received an interview invite this morning (first time I have made it to this stage for any firm) and I have a couple of questions.

Firstly, is it worth sending a reply? I only ask this because the email says that I will receive a further email next week offering me a selection of interview dates to choose from, so not sure if it is necessary. My natural inclination is to reply to the email just to say thank you, I guess I'm more just wondering if this is something other people do. Secondly, if I am receiving another email next week to choose dates, when can I actually expect these interview options to be? Just trying to factor in how much time I have to prepare.

These questions might seem super obvious but this is my first cycle and first interview so some clarification would be great. Thanks!
 
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