TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Worldstar223]

Anyone heard back from Cleary or Jones Day and applied closer to/on deadline day?

 

[Untilwinter]

Any news from Akin post test?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I am a shtty liar, okay? 😂😂 Also, when I said I make up stuff, I mean I spice up existing experiences 😂😂

Can't really say a time I disagreed with someone was the time when my toxic retail manager was lowkey manipulative and psycho, now can I? 😭 So I like to go on a daydream exercise where I imagine she didn't follow some ethical procedure and we had a polite discussion about it 💅

And that's the problem - a lot of people are not very good liars and get spotted easily (a bit like Jay!).

But I think you could use the example of your retail manager if there is something you did to improve the situation. If it was just that they were manipulative and pyscho, there isn't any action from you to resolve or improve the situation. However, if you did so something (e.g. helped train new members of the team, took on additional responsibilities to protect others/get things done/improve the working environment), then you could definitely use such an example (and it may actually be a pretty good example to use).

 

[Miss Chocolate]

And that's the problem - a lot of people are not very good liars and get spotted easily (a bit like Jay!).

But I think you could use the example of your retail manager if there is something you did to improve the situation. If it was just that they were manipulative and pyscho, there isn't any action from you to resolve or improve the situation. However, if you did so something (e.g. helped train new members of the team, took on additional responsibilities to protect others/get things done/improve the working environment), then you could definitely use such an example (and it may actually be a pretty good example to use).

Very true. 😭😂

Thank you for sharing that. Tbf I have always assumed that I should stay away from examples that may be too "negative" or "real" because I don't want the interviewer to get a bad impression or develop a bias. I also worry that they may think I am the sort of worker to leave a workplace and then talk negatively about the people. However, the way you have explained that makes a lot more sense and it's reassuring to hear that we can speak about those kind of examples too, but worded appropriately of course!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Very true. 😭😂

Thank you for sharing that. Tbf I have always assumed that I should stay away from examples that may be too "negative" or "real" because I don't want the interviewer to get a bad impression or develop a bias. I also worry that they may think I am the sort of worker to leave a workplace and then talk negatively about the people. However, the way you have explained that makes a lot more sense and it's reassuring to hear that we can speak about those kind of examples too, but worded appropriately of course!

You can talk about crappy situations, you just have to be mindful of the language you use to describe them, particularly when talking about others or their work.

You also focus less on what others did and more about what you did to change the situation. If you can focus on the improvements you made, especially if they benefitted others (not just you) then you are not getting to caught up in the “negative” of the situation, you are focusing on the positive.

 

[Chelsea101]

Does anyone have any advice on how to answer the 'why commercial law' question for interview prep or some examples of how they went about it. Kinda stressing on this point for interview prep :/ Whenever I try to answer this question I end up with half-convincing responses that are based purely on my past experiences rather than the technicality of commercial law if that makes sense. Any support would be very helpful

 

[Happycloud100]

If we applied to Gibson Dunn on the deadline is it safe to assume a PFO

 

[Miss Chocolate]

You can talk about crappy situations, you just have to be mindful of the language you use to describe them, particularly when talking about others or their work.

You also focus less on what others did and more about what you did to change the situation. If you can focus on the improvements you made, especially if they benefitted others (not just you) then you are not getting to caught up in the “negative” of the situation, you are focusing on the positive.

Yesss that's something I picked up on during the STAR practice today. I don't focus on T and A (challenge/action) as much as I need to. So thank you for emphasising that. I don't know if other candidates struggle with it too, but I find it quite difficult to follow it in a structured way. I need more preparation to fix it, I think. Especially since the VIs are also short.

 

[Chdhsbski]

DWF VI!!!!!!!!! Need some input please or I'll cry during the VI.

Have you done the VI yet? Can anyone help

 

[Bubbles]

Does anyone know if Birketts sponsors visas?

 

[Sunshinepink]

Has anyone taken the CRS VI yet? I would like some tips please

 

[trackstar1364]

Dechert PFO finally!!!! Post-VI and written exercise

 

[trackstar1364]

This whole process is so random...like there's no rhyme or reason to any of the decisions made thus far <3

 

[AlCapone]

Jones Day PFO post app - did their Forage as well!

 

[sxw517]

Nah I’ve never done this myself. My answers are always completely real and never made up on the spot

View attachment 5716

This one time at caravan club...

 

[SolicitorHopeful]

Has anyone taken the CRS VI yet? I would like some tips please

Well done! When did you get the invite if you don't mind me asking?

 

[sldn1]

Hey everyone, Im applying to Paul Hastings work placement (their version of VC) and Im a bit confused about their questions;
Why do you wish to complete a work placement with us? and What has attracted you to Paul Hastings?

I feel like both questions are super similar: also can I discuss why I want to train at PH in the first question? I cant seem to find any info on the work placement

 

[Worldstar223]

Jones Day PFO post app - did their Forage as well!

When did you apply?

 

[bella98]

@axelbeugre Please could I quickly get your opinion on this.

I did a practice interview with someone from my uni's careers service and I explained that sometimes I exaggerate or make up examples for STAR answers and she said it's best to respond with "haven't been in that situation, but a similar position I have been in....I responded with..." or "I haven't experienced that yet, but this is how I would react in that position..."

What do you make of this? Thank you!!

@Pennine Valley HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHAHAA Loved your answer to this

In my opinion, it's a blend of honesty and strategy, because I’m afraid that admitting to a lack of experience in too many scenarios can lead to the interviewers concluding you lack the necessary competencies for the job, since these interviews aim to assess those very competencies. I’ve been rejected after ACs for less important reasons than this

Therefore, I believe there's a fine line when it comes to embellishing scenarios. It's one thing to outright fabricate experiences, like claiming you raised money for a charity when you didn't, which is not advisable ahaha. On the other hand, slightly exaggerating the extent of your collaboration within a team might be common.
That’s the part where I perform best in my interviews and I exaggerate all my answers lolol

E.g. I did volunteer at the uni legal advice clinic and had to work in a team to write an advice letter for a client, however, we just split the tasks and did research. So I obv had to embellish this scenario a little bit

 

[helly1234]

I attended. What do you want to know?

I've sent you my notes

Hi, I recently came across the firm and am finding it difficult to find info on them. Is it possible for you to send me those notes as well? Thanks!