TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[saj2002]

What firm is this? There could be 1000s of possible questions, but you could filter it down by looking for the firm-specific possible VI questions

BDB Pitmans

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Are you sure you are eligible for both? I'd normally expect there to be different criteria for programmes like this.

But if you are eligible, based on the comments from the recruiter, then yes you can apply with similar answers.

I emailed them for eligibility too but they said final-year students are eligible to apply. They didn't specify whether non-residents can apply too even though I asked for confirmation on that. I can't find anything about their new Work Experience programme anywhere on the website (or the internet). I only have the link to the application form. Without meaning to sound unnecessarily grumpy (lol), the responses I have had from the firm aren't very detailed so their communications feel quite rushed and don't always answer the question.

Should I email the recruiter asking if I am eligible? Over email she may have more time to consider. Would I be daft asking her if I can use the same responses for both applications (even though they will be duplicates)?

 

[LillyandSilver]

Anyone applied to PMC? I did but can’t see my app on their portal. I wrote them an email to confirm receipt of my application since I never got a confirmation email either but no response from them.

I got an email receipt when I applied but no email receipt after filling out the rare recruitment form that was sent after and I've heard nothing since then. I'm worried i didn't submit the rare recruitment form properly and so my application hasnt gone through.

 

[tcplease2345]

Is there anyone else here who didnt get even one AC yet?

 

[EqualityNonNegotiable]

Let’s look at the example of the car industry for instance: Tesla and Ferrari are both car manufactures. Now just because Tesla produces electric cars and Ferrari produces high performance petrol cars doesn’t mean that they are not competitors. Just because they try to target different audiences, brand themselves differently, price their cars differently etc. does not take away from the fundamental aspect that they are both car manufacturers in the same industry.

Ha! Bet you didn't know that @ElonMusk!

I love how you claimed they are competitors yet provided the arguments that perfectly contradict your statement.

 

[Law_Between_Life]

Regretting taking out my 'helping clients tackle literal and figurative unchartered waters' when talking about the shipping sector and its fueling changes in my SH application.

At the time felt grad recruitment might have found it incredibly cringy.

 

[S87]

Has anyone ever applied to Paul Hastings and would be happy to have a chat?

 

[Deleted member 32324]

Anyone with Baker McKenzie spring AC next week - feel to free message me

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Regretting taking out my 'helping clients tackle literal and figurative unchartered waters' when talking about the shipping sector and its feeling changes in my SH application.

At the time felt grad recruitment might have found it incredibly cringy.

LMAOOOOO we love a creative thinker 🤣🤣 <3

 

[holz567]

If anyone wants to feel better about themselves about how this application process is going, just be rest assured that it could not go worse than my AC today if you tried.

I felt like my written exercise went quite well and then came my partner interview. I felt prepared and the interview was progressing positively. However, I gesticulate a lot during interviews (not a regular amount, but excessively). I took the Partner’s offer for a glass of water at the start of the interview and as I’m sure you can imagine how this story ends, my hand knocked over the glass of water, which spilt all over my shirt, lap, and onto the chair.

The Partner gave an awkward laugh and said not to worry as they fetched a paper towel, but I was absolutely mortified. The rest of my answers were obviously not good as I was uncomfortable in both a physical and emotional sense.

When I went to the toilet afterwards to dry myself off and to hold back the tears, I realised that my white shirt was lower quality than I imagined. When I knocked the glass with such vigour, it splashed a lot of water onto my shirt. As such, it had gone slightly see through and I was very likely flashing a Partner I’d just met my bra.

So, if you think things go badly for you, at least you didn’t soak yourself, embarrass yourself, and let a Partner know Victoria’s Secret!

I’m sure I’ll laugh about it one day and sharing it makes the pain slightly worse. Perhaps they’ll give me a VS out of pity. A fat glass of wine is now needed.

 

[yasmars]

If anyone wants to feel better about themselves about how this application process is going, just be rest assured that it could not go worse than my AC today if you tried.

I felt like my written exercise went quite well and then came my partner interview. I felt prepared and the interview was progressing positively. However, I gesticulate a lot during interviews (not a regular amount, but excessively). I took the Partner’s offer for a glass of water at the start of the interview and as I’m sure you can imagine how this story ends, my hand knocked over the glass of water, which spilt all over my shirt, lap, and onto the chair.

The Partner gave an awkward laugh and said not to worry as they fetched a paper towel, but I was absolutely mortified. The rest of my answers were obviously not good as I was uncomfortable in both a physical and emotional sense.

When I went to the toilet afterwards to dry myself off and to hold back the tears, I realised that my white shirt was lower quality than I imagined. When I knocked the glass with such vigour, it splashed a lot of water onto my shirt. As such, it had gone slightly see through and I was very likely flashing a Partner I’d just met my bra.

So, if you think things go badly for you, at least you didn’t soak yourself, embarrass yourself, and let a Partner know Victoria’s Secret!

I’m sure I’ll laugh about it one day and sharing it makes the pain slightly worse. Perhaps they’ll give me a VS out of pity. A fat glass of wine is now needed.

This sounds like my worst nightmare! I’m so sorry that happened to you! I’m sure you’ll look back one day and laugh about it. Don’t beat yourself up too much about it, accidents happen.

 

[holz567]

This sounds like my worst nightmare! I’m so sorry that happened to you

Thank you! It was honestly like a comedy sketch and will probably never live it down.

Ah well, at least I’ll always have a funny story to pull out if needs be? But hope that goes to show everyone that things can always go much, much worse!

 

[yasmars]

Thank you! It was honestly like a comedy sketch and will probably never live it down.

Ah well, at least I’ll always have a funny story to pull out if needs be? But hope that goes to show everyone that things can always go much, much worse!

You probably won’t be forgotten as a candidate that’s for sure! And also, partners are only human.

 

[Ash2323]

If anyone wants to feel better about themselves about how this application process is going, just be rest assured that it could not go worse than my AC today if you tried.

I felt like my written exercise went quite well and then came my partner interview. I felt prepared and the interview was progressing positively. However, I gesticulate a lot during interviews (not a regular amount, but excessively). I took the Partner’s offer for a glass of water at the start of the interview and as I’m sure you can imagine how this story ends, my hand knocked over the glass of water, which spilt all over my shirt, lap, and onto the chair.

The Partner gave an awkward laugh and said not to worry as they fetched a paper towel, but I was absolutely mortified. The rest of my answers were obviously not good as I was uncomfortable in both a physical and emotional sense.

When I went to the toilet afterwards to dry myself off and to hold back the tears, I realised that my white shirt was lower quality than I imagined. When I knocked the glass with such vigour, it splashed a lot of water onto my shirt. As such, it had gone slightly see through and I was very likely flashing a Partner I’d just met my bra.

So, if you think things go badly for you, at least you didn’t soak yourself, embarrass yourself, and let a Partner know Victoria’s Secret!

I’m sure I’ll laugh about it one day and sharing it makes the pain slightly worse. Perhaps they’ll give me a VS out of pity. A fat glass of wine is now needed.

I'm sending you a virtual girl hug right now!! Im so sorry this must have been so uncomfortable but good on you for soldering on through the interview regardless ❤️

 

[axelbeugre]

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker

Hi, I am applying for a vac scheme with a firm that has recently started doing a work experience scheme. Both are two week long. Both use the same application form. I asked the recruiter if I can apply to both and she sounded a little unsure at first but then said I can.

Am I okay to just copy and paste? I mean the application forms are identical so i don't know what else to do. Also, the reason why I am applying for the work experience programme as well is because there's no online test and so it's easier to get some sort of experience even if I don't make it to the vacation scheme.
thank you!! <3

If the recruiter confirmed this then I would say that you can apply with similar answers.

I will still try and make it a bit different where you can, for instance in the 'why the firm' section, you can focus on different aspects in both applications and that is already a significant difference in itself.

 

[axelbeugre]

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker when completing an application, it is a good idea to mention a legal work experience/vacation scheme opportunity that you have coming up at another law firm? The firm is in a different region to where I would be applying for TC's but also in the same region as another that I am to for a VC.

I know that completing legal work experience can be helpful but I have not yet done it even though it has been confirmed. Should I mention it and how could I go about this because it was somewhat due to a connection that I have at the firm putting in a good word for me in addition to my CV which is also pretty good

I personally would not mention anything that you have not yet done just to be on the safe side.

It is better to mention these experiences once you do them as I am sure they will be points that your interviewers will raise and saying in the interview that you cannot talk about the experience because you still have not done it might not be productive in my opinion.

I hope that helps but good luck with the applications!

 

[axelbeugre]

Hi axel, I am in a similar position. How does one go about asking to be considered for a direct tc. Would you have to leverage other offers or just ask directly?

I personally emailed saying that I had an offer with a tight deadline but I was very interested in the firm and wanted a chance to convert my vacation scheme offer. I think that the key is stressing the fact that you have another offer but you are still very interested in the firm you are emailing and ask if there is anything they can do to put you on the direct training contract route.

Alternatively, calling HR might also be a good idea so that you can come off even more genuine and excited about the firm.

 

[axelbeugre]

Does anyone have any advice for the Mayer Brown AC? Any tips would be really appreciated

Congratulations for receiving the assessment centre invite, this is a huge achievement!

I shared some general tips that might be useful as starting point in this post: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2023-24.8037/post-167210

Good luck with it and congratulations once again!

 

[axelbeugre]

Spring Vac Scheme at Withers!!! ... its been three long cycles but we finally got there.

Congratulations!

You are the proof that keep pursuing your dream does pay off in the end! You should be so proud of yourself!

 

[laby201]

This is quite a random question, but in written exercises, is it better to use “we” or “I” when referring to assistance you may give?

In my current paralegal position, I’m always told to use we so it refers more to the firm (as in “we note”, or “we would advise”). Is this a standard approach or is it better to use “I” so your advice appears more focused and personal?

It may be a case of me just overthinking and one of those things that makes zero difference but figured I would source opinions nonetheless!