TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[catlover123]

Has anyone not received any tests from NRF for the WVS still? I see some people have had VIs. I applied on 25 September.

During my telephone interview they said that Assessment Centres start next week, so I assume if you still haven't received your test invites then it probably is a PFO...? Can't be sure though so don't quote me on this - and you never know! [Edit: It seems like this is incorrect if you have done the tests for NRF in a previous cycle as you might not be required to do them again]

 

[catlover123]

Just passed NRF “Scholars” application stage and the next stage is an Artic shore test, does anyone have any tips on the test /what I can do in preparation please??

Thanks in advance

There is a really really good guide video on YouTube by YOUinConsulting that helped me prep for it... Ended up getting 93rd percentile so really recommend it!

 

[hannahfl]

I just received a TI from NRF! Any tips would be greatly appreciated

 

[tillywizz98]

Hey huge congrats!! when did you do the Watson Glaser if you remember? And when did you then hear back/ receive the AC invite?

Thanks!! I think I did the WG around the 20th, and heard back today

 

[sm99]

Ah I meant to say I just sent off the initial application, I haven't done the assessment yet - how was that like?

It’s SJT + then a question. You can do them on separate days. I did the SJT saved my work and then a few days later went back and did the q. From memory it’s untimed too

 

[yasmars]

Has anyone heard from HL lift off?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you @axelbeugre !

Sorry I have one last question - how should I approach the question "Why have you chosen to become a solicitor? What relevant skills do you possess?"- is this basically asking why commercial law and what skills I have gained from my work experiences? (But I have already discussed it under the work experience section)

Also, there is one question asking me about "Other than law, what is something you are passionate about?" and a similar one "Please give details of your extra-curricular activities and interests including any positions of responsibility." I guess the answers for both of these questions are quite similar - should I talk about some topic like finance for the first, and talk about my extra- curricular like travelling for the second question?

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker

Hi @emilyding

Your skills won’t just come from your work experience. You may have developed them through your extra curriculars or academics too, so don’t be afraid to highlight your key strengths/skills. Try to think about what yours are rather than just what you think the firm might be looking for. That is how you then stand out from the crowd as you are not just highlighting the skills a solicitor needs, but focusing on your particular strengths.

Do make sure you explain what motivates you to become a solicitor too though - and you can make this more commercially focused too if you would prefer - it really depends on what are the drivers behind your motivation for the career.

I would see the extra curriculars and passion as two very different questions. The passionate question is there to find out what drives you again - what do you get buzzy about? If you had an opportunity to try and convince someone to be passionate about the thing you care about, how would you “pitch this”? For the extra curriculars, you then may have some cross over in the topic of what you are passionate about, but I would expect this to cover a broader range of activities and also focus on your achievements/responsibilities rather than your interest in the topic (assuming there is cross over - there might not be!).

 

[NW Law]

Covington & Burling AC for WVS. So I’m sure people will start to hear back soon!

 

[LegallyBrown]

Hogan Lovells TC pfo. This was sent in July

Sorry about that but just to clarify - they just sent the PFO for your July TC application now?

I don’t understand what they’re doing with the candidates from that particular applicant pool - thought they were waiting to see the outcome of the VS’s at least.

 

[Tintin06]

Willkie invite to written exercise (which is in January).

 

[BM2004]

is it video or telephone interview? i thought all the vac scheme interviews are telephone interview (i did it last week), and then a virtual assessment center?

I thought this too, a lot of conflicting information here. Can anyone clarify?

 

[axelbeugre]

Thank you @axelbeugre !

Sorry I have one last question - how should I approach the question "Why have you chosen to become a solicitor? What relevant skills do you possess?"- is this basically asking why commercial law and what skills I have gained from my work experiences? (But I have already discussed it under the work experience section)

Also, there is one question asking me about "Other than law, what is something you are passionate about?" and a similar one "Please give details of your extra-curricular activities and interests including any positions of responsibility." I guess the answers for both of these questions are quite similar - should I talk about some topic like finance for the first, and talk about my extra- curricular like travelling for the second question?

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker

@emilyding,

• Yes, the first questions are asking you to discuss your motivations behind your decision to start your career as a commercial lawyer, so feel free to discuss these reasons mentioning any personal anecdote but also experiences, whether professional or extracurricular, that inspired you to want to pursue commercial law and become a solicitor. The second part asks about your skills. You should discuss the skills you have developed through your experiences and basically link them to why those will make you a successful solicitor. These could be attention to detail, international mindset or team-work. I would discuss where you developed them and how these will be beneficial to you as a solicitor. You should discuss your work experiences where you see fit, and yes, even if you have given a detailed description of your experiences, you should still reference your work experience in these kind of questions and link them back to the reasons why you chose to become a lawyer, or why this firm etc. They are useful to understand what you have learned from these experiences and go beyond a mere description of the tasks (Which you would have done in the description section).
• I would say that these two are quite different questions actually. In the first one, they are asking you to talk about anything that is not law. Some people talk about dancing, music, art, football, tennis, cooking whatever you enjoy doing or learning about, it is worth discussing in this question. It does not have to be related to law at all. I, for instance, used to speak about the transition to net zero and sustainability as those were topics I was interested in and was studying during my master (so as you can se not law related!). However, the second question is asking you to describe your extra-curricular activities and positions of responsibility. These could be clubs or societies you were part of at university, volunteering opportunities, international experiences abroad, anything of that nature.
• I guess you could talk about finance in that question if you really are interested in finance but it will not give you an advantage over someone who talks about something else. If anything, they might ask you questions during the interview so be mindful of that and only talk about something you would feel confident talking about. I hope these tips help and good luck again!

 

[LegallyBrown]

I thought this too, a lot of conflicting information here. Can anyone clarify?

Hey, I got one today - it’s a telephone interview set to last 20 minutes.

For anyone that’s curious, not sure if this is just relevant to the people invited today (or reflective of the overall availability) but their only slots were tomorrow and Thursday.

 

[Untilwinter]

I just received a VI from NRF! Any tips would be greatly appreciated

When did you complete arctic shore if you dont mind me asking?

 

[saraeali]

Anyone completed the Willkie VI and not heard back?

 

[Tintin06]

Anyone completed the Willkie VI and not heard back?

Yes. I got invited to do a written exercise.

 

[Missy0909]

How rolling is Dechert? Has anyone made it to the next stage submitting on the deadline?

I heard back today and I submitted on the deadline

 

[ayek]

I need to complete my DLA VI by Thursday but really can’t shake my nerves. I’m worried it’s going to reflect when I talk and I have no idea how to deal with it — any tips, please?

I feel like no matter how much I prepare, there’ll be a random question pop up of which I don’t know the answer, and it’ll completely throw me! I’m trying to be confident, but would really appreciate any help.

 

[legallybrunette8]

got accepted to a DWF insight day, it's the little things 😌

 

[islasorna]

DLA VI! Seems like this is fairly new for DLA as I can't find too much online in terms of the best way to prep for this. Does anyone have any advice on what to expect? (Competency or strength based questions?)