TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Inquisitive]

Anyone know when Mayer Brown sends assessment centre invites, and when they typically take place?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Guys, is anyone able to access their Mishcon application after submission? I can't. I forgot to save a copy. Should I email graduate recruitment and request a copy of my application? I want to go through it in preparation for the interview.

 

[shortypie90]

https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-gb/graduates/opportunities/vacation-scheme unfortunately nrf test is automatic...😔😔

 

[lawtrainee]

Its not necessarily a PFO, but I wouldn't rush to contact them either. Sometimes these things take longer than expected.

If you haven't heard anything by Friday or even Monday next week, then contact them.

Thank you

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

Update for anyone waiting for Gibson Dunn post app. I sent an email and they said that they are still reviewing applications. If you haven’t heard from them, your app is still under review.
Well I have been under review for 4 months now 😂

 

[aspiringm&alawyer]

I don't know why Cleary hasn't yet sent me a PFO for Summer VS. I'm pretty sure all the spots are filled just from the number of ACs I've seen?

 

[I’m_Batman]

Well done on Mishcon VIs happy to help if you DM

 

[I’m_Batman]

Pinsents AC (Leeds)!! 🎉

You should get extra points because this is in god's county

 

[Easttowest]

Have done VI but not heard since

When did you apply?

 

[Bubbles]

Farrers pfo 😍

 

[EqualityNonNegotiable]

Well done on Mishcon VIs happy to help if you DM

Can I DM you, please?

 

[ayiiii05]

For the Mayer Brown automatic tests, does anyone have an idea of what good results look like? I know the outcome of these tests will be different for each person but I just want to get a sense of what I should try to obtain.

 

[EllaClayton]

Any more Simmons and Simmons news other than people through external schemes?

 

[lawgurl90]

Does anyone know if VWV sponsors visas? I cant find anything on their website and their name isn't showing up on the list of sponsorships published by the government. I don't want to waste my time finalising this application if it won't lead to anything lol.

 

[axelbeugre]

Hi @axelbeugre @Jessica Booker this is my first application cycle and I’m trying to get on the front foot by preparing for assessment centres even though I don’t have any currently lined up (yet!). Do you have any tips or can point me to any information on how to prepare for competency based interviews and how to build up my commercial awareness for article review/case study exercises?

Appreciate the support and hope you don’t mind the tag!

Hey @TonyStark,

I totally understand your drive and I do applaud you for starting to prepare now so you are ready when you do receive assessment centres (which you will soon!!!).

I did share some tips in this post and I hope it is useful for you!: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2023-24.8037/post-167210

For case study/article interviews what I would recommend is:

1. Practice talking about commercial articles with your friends and family: this helped me a lot with confidence and controlling my nerves. I used to ask my friends to send me random commercial articles and debate on them for some time and I wanted them to challenge me on every point I made.
2. Keep up to date with commercial news reading commercial news article, use LinkedIn and follow the law firms you have applied to and read the deals they have worked on, study the practice areas you might be interested in and what trainee and lawyers do in them. Additionally, what I used to do was reading an article and summarise it in writing and make considerations as to the links to be made to the legal sector and that helped a lot in understanding how to link commercial news to the legal sector.
3. Reach out to people who did the same assessments at the same firms so you can hear their experiences and they might help you with tips and suggestions. This was fundamental for my preparation when I was applying so I would definitely do this all the time to best understand what the case study or article would be about and how to best prepare.

I hope these are helpful and good luck!

 

[axelbeugre]

When answering "why x firm" in an AC interview

Is there any point in me saying the practice area as they will follow up asking me what practice area am I interested in anyway?

Instead should I briefly speak about the awards won within the sector of the practice area i like and the firm overall and why they stood out to me in wanting to apply over their competitors? Then reference this point again when they ask about my interest in a practice area and include a deal and how this deal is important to me?

Are these points too broad and not very specific to the firm?

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

I think these points work and I would probably include them in my answers too, I would also brunch out a little more in the why the firm question and talk about pro bono, diversity initiatives, international opportunities that the training contract offers. But these are great points!

 

[Arf1309]

CMS VI! (Insight scheme)

 

[axelbeugre]

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre would you happen to know the best way to approach this? Thank you

I would just wait patiently as unhelpful as this sounds because the law firm is probably insanely busy. I would not look too much into this, no news is good news in all honesty so just try to relax and focus on other things rather than the call you are expecting! I know it is hard though! I did reach out to some firms when I was interviewing last year with updates and they were kind in giving me the offer the day I emailed so you could do that (but I would do it after a couple of weeks sine they might reach out before then anyway).

I hope this is helpful and congratulations for getting an assessment centre, it is so exciting!

 

[axelbeugre]

Does anyone know if VWV sponsors visas? I cant find anything on their website and their name isn't showing up on the list of sponsorships published by the government. I don't want to waste my time finalising this application if it won't lead to anything lol.

I would try and email them with this kind of questions, at least you do not waste your time as you said. They will be transparent with you and hopefully they will reply quickly too!

 

[Petallove1]

Hi everyone how would you go about an interview question about how a firm can maintain a competitive advantage in the current legal market? In terms of structure, things to pull on, etc. I keep coming back to AI & tech which is obviously important but I'd like to come up with a few more examples for variation tyia

@axelbeugre do you have any advice for this?