TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[cleojwilliams]

... those Ashurst tests were something else. Honestly! I think I did so badly especially on the proof reading test I just feel like we were not given nearly enough time.

 

[axelbeugre]

Hi @Jessica Booker @Jaysen @axelbeugre I had my Browne Jacobson telephone interview yesterday and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it and it’s safe to say that today… the wheels have fallen off the wagon, if you get me 😭😭 I gave good detailed answers for why law and I listed 4 skills and elaborated on them for the attributes of a solicitor, but it was just a couple of the other questions I’m not sure if my answers had enough depth and confidence… I don’t know if I’m overthinking it as my interview actually was 23 minutes instead of 15 as the interviewer said they didn’t have another slot straight after me so we didn’t have to rush, so maybe my answers would have been ok given that it was meant to be shorter anyway. I’m just gutted as I’ve thought of better things to say since and I really love Browne Jacobson as a firm… worried I’ve blown this one 😭😭😭

Hey @midnightsky990422,

I totally understand your feelings as it is so natural to feel this way after an interview. However, you should always bear in mind that this is normal and many, me included, feel this way after an interview. This does not in the slightest reflect how your interviewers saw you or evaluated you. From what you said it seems that the interview went well anyway so I think that there is nothing to worry about! I know it is easier said than done but whenever I felt that way, I always thought about how whatever happens now it is out of your control, so it is just a matter of waiting to hear back. Focus on the positive aspects of the situation, such as you got to be interviewed by your favourite firm, you passed so many stages and hurdles to be in this position.

I hope it works out for you and I am sure it will, good luck!

 

[axelbeugre]

Why are we getting so many law firms saying they got unprecedented number of apps? Just off my head, I can remember that SH, Akin, Cooley, Dechert all said this. Are they being nice to not hurt applicants feeling, are some firms just getting more visibility or is the number of career seeker in the legal industry increasing in general? Genuine curiosity🧐

It might be a mix of the two things, I am imagining that more people are applying, or it does feel this way anyway, but at the same time it highlights the reason why they are taking a long time to go through all the applications and struggling to make decisions as to who to give offers to or not.

 

[axelbeugre]

Taylor Wessing PFO post AC

Absolutely gutted, was my favourite firm.

I am so sorry for this, I can imagine this not being the outcome you were hoping for but I am sure that if you ask for feedback, you will be able to understand the reason for the rejection as well as how to improve from now on, which is the whole point of a rejection anyway. I am sure that you will learn a lot from this experience and it should only fuel your goal of being a lawyer and work even harder to achieve it.

I shared a post some time ago about how to deal with rejections which you might find useful: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ons-discussion-thread-2023-4.8038/post-170058

Good luck with everything!

 

[Miss Chocolate]

What if you excel in tasks and get on really well with everyone?

Ahahaha not being funny this is my therapist's response to all of my negative thoughts/anxieties about future. It's all about the mindset 🤯

 

[Sunshinepink]

There are like 5 VI questions in the job sim so I would practice some VI questions. There’s also a short written task but I don’t think you can prepare much for that or the SJT sections

Thank you so much! 😊

 

[Sunshinepink]

Has anyone heard from DAC Beachcroft since the Video Interview stage?

 

[Sunshinepink]

I wouldn’t expect you to have knowledge about the firm for this assessment, but you may want to look at the firm’s values as these could be weaved into the strengths that they are looking for in the skills based element of the assessment.

Thank you so much!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Ahahaha not being funny this is my therapist's response to all of my negative thoughts/anxieties about future. It's all about the mindset 🤯

I think it’s all about balance really - if someone only focused on positive outcomes they probably wouldn’t anticipate potential issues/challenges and then think about how to deal with them.

But I do think constant negative thinking and assuming negative outcomes is just as unhelpful. it won’t help people leverage their strengths.

One of the most important qualities in trainees is self awareness, and the most vital aspect of self awareness is being able to recognise the good and the bad and then utilise the good to make the bad a little less negative!

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I think it’s all about balance really - if someone only focused on positive outcomes they probably wouldn’t anticipate potential issues/challenges and then think about how to deal with them.

But I do think constant negative thinking and assuming negative outcomes is just as unhelpful. it won’t help people leverage their strengths.

One of the most important qualities in trainees is self awareness, and the most vital aspect of self awareness is being able to recognise the good and the bad and then utilise the good to make the bad a little less negative!

So, so true. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.

 

[lawstudent15]

Haven't heard back yet, hopefully next week after the Easter break. When did you have your AC?

On the 29th February, what about you?

 

[sm99]

Does anyone know if AG tc apps are rolling?

 

[sxw517]

If during a work placement the lawyers were QCs as it was a few years ago now, but one has now retired (when he was a QC) and the other is a KC, do you put blah blah QC and blah blah QC or blah blah QC and blah blah KC, or Blah Blah QC (Retired) and Blah Blah KC?

 

[Cherikon]

has anyone got the test and VI invite from SH for the Summer VS?

 

[A worried graduate]

has anyone got the test and VI invite from SH for the Summer VS?

No

 

[Jessica Booker]

If during a work placement the lawyers were QCs as it was a few years ago now, but one has now retired (when he was a QC) and the other is a KC, do you put blah blah QC and blah blah QC or blah blah QC and blah blah KC, or Blah Blah QC (Retired) and Blah Blah KC?

You put the job titles they were in at the time.

 

[random6035]

haven't heard back from mayer brown spring vs post-job sim -- not looking good as the spring vs is meant to start in 2 weeks anyone else in the same boat?

 

[lawstudent2003]

Think they said it would be after they’d finished them all at my AC and believe the last ones were only last week so hopefully soon!

still waiting on irwin mitchell after the ac!

We were told they were giving themselves until the very end of April to let us know outcomes, so just to put your mind at rest if you don't hear anything for a while Good luck to both of you!

 

[mp2000]

haven't heard back from mayer brown spring vs post-job sim -- not looking good as the spring vs is meant to start in 2 weeks anyone else in the same boat?

I didn't even get the job sim so can only assume PFO for me. I emailed last week and they said they'd be in touch next (this) week with an outcome...

 

[futuretrainee2025]

Hi @axelbeugre! Hope you are well Are there any resources for preparing for vacation scheme exit interviews? The database resources for VS interviews was so useful so I was just wondering if there was a similar document or if you have any advice.