TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[william.law1]

Has anyone heard back from the W&C Spring vacation scheme AC?

 

[CHLTC]

anyone heard back from baker mckenzie or freshfields?

I have not heard back from either yet. Has anyone heard? is it good to still not have heard back? getting a touch worried now

 

[CHLTC]

Any1 heard back from Baker McKenzie yet? Or Freshfields? BM said you would hear back by Jan 31st!

Thanks

 

[Hana ♥]

Any1 heard back from Baker McKenzie yet? Or Freshfields? BM said you would hear back by Jan 31st!

Thanks

There were test invites and pfos given to spring applicants, but I've only seen pfos for summer so far.

 

[Cherikon]

"Why do you think Fox Williams is a good fit for your legal career? Please describe how your skills and interests align with any of our core sectors. 250 max" When discussing my skills, how detailed shall I be? Should I use the STAR technique or just briefly outline my skills?

 

[Balaton123]

Simmons Bristol AC invite! Does anyone have any tips? How much commercial knowledge is expected at an assessment centre - do i need to know the ins and outs of financial transactions?

Congrats! Did you get the invite today? :0

 

[Pallavi]

If I haven't heard back from White & Case for the Summer vacation scheme with a VI, should I consider it a pfooooo (((((((

 

[Ghassen]

exposing myself for submitting a last minute app but does anyone know if NRF's deadline is today at 11:59pm or tomorrow at 11:59pm - it just says that the deadline is 4 Feb on the grad rec website

I want to know this as well, to see if I should submit my application today or tomorrow.
Please any help.

 

[lawstudent2003]

Hi! Has anybody done the Squire Patton Boggs VI yet? Just wondering how people found it and if the questions are competency based or commercial awareness?

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

Hi! Has anybody done the Squire Patton Boggs VI yet? Just wondering how people found it and if the questions are competency based or commercial awareness?

Asking for myself too!

 

[cattlawapps324]

I want to know this as well, to see if I should submit my application today or tomorrow.
Please any help.

pretty sure it will be 11:59pm tomorrow

 

[axelbeugre]

I reapplied to two firms that I got through to vi last cycle and this year I can't pass app stage. I'm sooo confused. I have more experience, also did not copy and paste from last cycle (even amended why law a little bit). What are law firms expecting to see when a candidate reapplies? @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre would really appreciate your answers

They would not necessarily know if you reapplied (most firms) and so it is just a matter of trying to answer the questions as best as you can and understand what the law firm wants from you each year.

Since you passed the application stage last year, it might be worth analysing what elements you included last year that you took out (perhaps) this year and see if those could potentially be the reasons why you did not pass the application stage this year.

Moreover, it might be worth noting that so many other factors might get into the reasons why you did not get through the application stage (most of which might be out of your control like competition etc) so I would say to focus on getting to know people who got through and got offers from these firms and ask for their insights into what they did, differently from you, and understand their approaches to the questions provided.

This approach, in my opinion, helps massively in understanding what the firms are looking for.

I hope this helps and good luck with everything!

 

[Apple]

Still not a peep out of Shearman for its Spring vac scheme 0.0

 

[legallyells]

@axelbeugre - do you have any advice / tips on how to prepare for a group presentation AC? for ref, the firm has used some commercial topics previously. any help would massively appreciated, thank you!

 

[farr_x]

Has anyone completed Pinsent Masons AC this cycle? If so, any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[bella98]

In response to a situational judgement question regarding managing an excessive workload and balancing various duties, I mentioned that I would not request a deadline extension unless it becomes critically necessary and is also considered appropriate by my supervisor.

Is this considered the right approach? The interviewer specifically asked " Would you ask for an extension of the deadline for X task?"

 

[Jessica Booker]

I want to know this as well, to see if I should submit my application today or tomorrow.
Please any help.

Will be tomorrow

 

[Jessica Booker]

"Why do you think Fox Williams is a good fit for your legal career? Please describe how your skills and interests align with any of our core sectors. 250 max" When discussing my skills, how detailed shall I be? Should I use the STAR technique or just briefly outline my skills?

STAR only really works for one example competency question answers (eg “tell me about a time you have….”).

Given the multiple aspects of this question, you will only have the ability to reference the skills or interests and briefly where you have gained them from rather than describing those experiences.

 

[Jessica Booker]

In response to a situational judgement question regarding managing an excessive workload and balancing various duties, I mentioned that I would not request a deadline extension unless it becomes critically necessary and is also considered appropriate by my supervisor.

Is this considered the right approach? The interviewer specifically asked " Would you ask for an extension of the deadline for X task?"

It’s difficult to give a particular answer to this without knowing the detail of the specific question.

But ultimately asking whether deadlines can change is a very normal part of a trainee’s time management skills. It maybe that the answer is no to an extension request though, so for these type of questions you also need to be prepared for the “what if that doesn’t work” follow up question.

 

[Cherikon]

STAR only really works for one example competency question answers (eg “tell me about a time you have….”).

Given the multiple aspects of this question, you will only have the ability to reference the skills or interests and briefly where you have gained them from rather than describing those experiences.

Thank you, Jessica. That cleared a lot of confusion for me.