TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker - is it necessary to contact my supervisors to introduce myself before the vac scheme begins? I've been given their full names but no email addresses. Thank you

No - it’s not necessary to do this, especially if you have not been given their email addresses. You may find their emails addresses via the firm’s website though - most firms will have profiles of individual lawyers and their contact details.

It is fine to email them at the same time. I’d just keep it short/brief and have a purpose for contacting them.

 

[19.mfjones]

Hey all, once again asking for advice
What sort of feedback have you had from ACs?

Got rejected from my dream firm the other day and am absolutely heartbroken. Never had feedback from an AC before and I'm so scared they're going to say it's my personality. Sometimes when I'm nervous I cone across as slightly informal, but I was true to myself and it still wasn't enough. The feedback call is scheduled for next week the day before my grad, so not great timing either

 

[sm99]

Does anyone think there’s any relevance in tc interviews to note taking?
is no note taking good or bad and is frequent note taking good or bad? 😭

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone think there’s any relevance in tc interviews to note taking?
is no note taking good or bad and is frequent note taking good or bad? 😭

No relevance whatsoever. It’s just how interviewers decide to approach things. Some note take, others don’t - it’s their preference rather than anything about you as a candidate.

 

[Apple]

Does anyone think there’s any relevance in tc interviews to note taking?
is no note taking good or bad and is frequent note taking good or bad? 😭

I had a feedback phone call with grad recruitment and they said "this is a bit weird but their notes said you have strong eye contact" LOL.

 

[Deleted member 9747]

Think lots of people have asked this before but how can you overcome failing to convert a VS?. I know the advice of showing you listened to feedback by doing xyz but.. I have an interview coming up at v similar firm to the one I didn’t convert the vac scheme at. The feedback was annoyingly positive and they said it was the strongest cohort they’d ever had. (So essentially they just like others more than me).

Atm the new firm know I did the Vs but don’t know I didn’t get the Tc.

If I was the interviewer I’d be seriously concerned that another firm thoroughly checked you out for a couple of weeks and didn’t want you. Any advice on overcoming this?

 

[jnice]

Does anybody have any experiences applying for vac schemes as a graduate?

I just graduated and plan to apply for as many winter vac schemes as I can, but it feels odd as a graduate. I'm also not "doing anything" right now apart from sport and am worried it could come up in an interview, should that be a concern?

Yep, I have. I got my TC offer in 2023 and I graduated in 2017!

 

[SS21]

Yep, I have. I got my TC offer in 2023 and I graduated in 2017!

As someone who graduated in 2020… this is super reassuring

 

[legal18]

Hey guys, I have an interview for a volunteering role at a legal advice clinic. Any suggestions on the sort of questions I should prepare for/ how to prepare. Thank you so much!!!

 

[19vanessat]

Think lots of people have asked this before but how can you overcome failing to convert a VS?. I know the advice of showing you listened to feedback by doing xyz but.. I have an interview coming up at v similar firm to the one I didn’t convert the vac scheme at. The feedback was annoyingly positive and they said it was the strongest cohort they’d ever had. (So essentially they just like others more than me).

Atm the new firm know I did the Vs but don’t know I didn’t get the Tc.

If I was the interviewer I’d be seriously concerned that another firm thoroughly checked you out for a couple of weeks and didn’t want you. Any advice on overcoming this?

I’ve been in this situation before as I got really mediocre feedback from another firm - they basically said I was average (lol) so I thought about which part of the AC during the VS could have improved on to make myself more outstanding. I believed I didn’t contribute as frequently or as insightfully as my other team mates and realised it was partly due to nerves + my lack of confidence when it came to public speaking that I’ve struggled with. I was able to then demonstrate a part of the AC component that I improved in (and the results spoke for themselves, as the firm required me to pass the AC before the final TC interview)

So essentially this is another “what are your weaknesses” or “how to you get up from failure” question. They’re testing you on your self awareness and humility, and don’t worry, they know that some firms don’t take the majority of VS students! When I got asked this, the interviewer was very understanding and sympathetic

 

[EM23]

Alhamdulillah, after 2.5 years of applications and 5 vacation schemes been offered training contracts with Dentons and Pinsent Masons!!!

 

[starbright]

Has anyone done a VS at NRF?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Alhamdulillah, after 2.5 years of applications and 5 vacation schemes been offered training contracts with Dentons and Pinsent Masons!!!

Amazing news! Congratulations on both offers!

 

[HMB]

Has anyone done a VS at NRF?

I have!

 

[sunshine101]

Hi, does anyone know if I should submit my FF personal statement as a PDF or Word Document?

Thank You !

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker hi jessica! im writing a personal statement (600 words) for a campus ambassador programme, do you reckon i should format it as a letter to the GR?

No need to put it as a letter. Personal statements can go straight into your opening sentence/paragraph and do not need a form of sign off either.

 

[ChasingTCS]

@Jessica Booker i have a question. I applied to Macfarlanes for the summer vac scheme but got rejected post-AC. I am now planning on applying there again but for their direct TC as I have gained experience at another firm since I last applied. The question is, should I be changing the previous answers that I attempted in my VS application? (eg why Macfarlanes)

 

[Apple]

@Jessica Booker i have a question. I applied to Macfarlanes for the summer vac scheme but got rejected post-AC. I am now planning on applying there again but for their direct TC as I have gained experience at another firm since I last applied. The question is, should I be changing the previous answers that I attempted in my VS application? (eg why Macfarlanes)

Hi im not Jessica but I was in the same position with Macfarlanes and during my feedback phone call with grad recruitment they told me to change the answers if I apply for the direct TC but the general reasons could be similar.

 

[Maddy]

Will it be a disadvantage if we don't have a referral from the firm to which we are applying?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker i have a question. I applied to Macfarlanes for the summer vac scheme but got rejected post-AC. I am now planning on applying there again but for their direct TC as I have gained experience at another firm since I last applied. The question is, should I be changing the previous answers that I attempted in my VS application? (eg why Macfarlanes)

I would alway look to update application questions, particularly to reflect on your more recent experiences. Even your why Macfarlanes may have been influenced/changed slightly by your experience at the other firm.