TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[hehostressed]

Does anyone know how far out from the start date paralegal positions recruit from?

I’d say a week to a month. I’d say the standard is two weeks unless the firm is stringent on when they want you to start (like one firm wouldn’t mind whenever you start asap and pay you in six weeks rather than four, and another would just wait till the start of a new month so they can calculate your pay accordingly)

 

[Untilwinter]

currently stressing for my white and case interview on Monday. Does anyone have any advice on common reasons why applicants get rejected from the assessment centre? I was just wondering what to avoid. (Apart from naming all US firms as competitors 😂)

failing to finish the written assessment, not saying enough during group exercises, cutting my answers for 'why law' or 'why firm' short, freaking out after looking at the frowning partner and spitting out every single commercial concept I've studied the past week were some of the personal ones 💀

just go in prepared, relax, and try to be yourself. they are not looking for perfection🤣

 

[km_bntn]

Vinson & Elkins and Mayer Brown PFO in the space of two hours :')

 

[laby201]

currently stressing for my white and case interview on Monday. Does anyone have any advice on common reasons why applicants get rejected from the assessment centre? I was just wondering what to avoid. (Apart from naming all US firms as competitors 😂)

I honestly think the biggest factor/advice I can give is to be confident.

I know it’s way easier said than done, but I’m pretty sure it’s a big reason why I’ve been rejected at AC stage in the past. You can have all the commercial acumen, firm knowledge, and motivation in the world, but if that Partner who’s interviewing you couldn’t picture putting you in front of a client, I think you’re struggling to get the VS.

It’s incredibly cheesy, but tell yourself that you deserve to be there. You’ve reached that stage and the firm has invested time and money in you. If they didn’t think you were worthy of being on a VS, they wouldn’t have invited you. Remind yourself of that, be personable, and be confident.

I remember getting myself freaked out at my last AC because when everyone was going around saying what uni they were at, 4/7 were from Oxbridge, one from LSE, and the other Cornell. It immediately put me on the back foot and made me question why I was there when they’re bound to be more capable. But they’re not. They’re in the exact same spot as you and have as good a chance as you do.

Be confident, have self-belief, and I genuinely feel that makes your prospects and performance increase ten fold

 

[Cawareness101]

Hi guys, I’ve been rejected from 3 firms already post AC this application cycle. Any advice on how to move on and don’t let all the rejections so close ruin me.

 

[user7879]

Did anyone here apply to white & case LPC training contract?

 

[karennnnnnnnn]

Has anyone heard back from Dentons after submitting their application to the summer vacation scheme?

 

[Sharon Wu]

currently stressing for my white and case interview on Monday. Does anyone have any advice on common reasons why applicants get rejected from the assessment centre? I was just wondering what to avoid. (Apart from naming all US firms as competitors 😂)

I've had 5 ACs across previous cycles so I feel well qualified to answer this question (sarcasm)
I'm not sure about common reasons but here are some DO NOTs that I have done.

1. Don't get into an argument with the Partner on the interview panel during the interview. I don't mean a discussion or heated debate, I mean a full blown argument... {AC 1}
2. Don't get into an argument with a member of graduate recruitment on the interview panel during the interview. (This was a different interview to that above). {AC 2}
3. Don't get into a heated debate with a Senior Associate during the interview. (same panel as number 2). {AC 2}
(If you see them exchange a glance at the end, just know that you are not getting the job. In fact, a sensible person would know this before it got to that point, but I did not).
4. Don't state obvious lies. I said I was an Olympian. I don't even play sport for the country or at county level. I don't even play sport period. {AC 3}
[I was nervous, and my mouth kept moving without engaging with my brain first...].
5. Don't go to the interview wearing or with items from another law firm. e.g. like a pen, pad, umbrella etc. (The partner kindly pointed this out to me, that it would appear I was leaning more to other firms, pointing at the items from other law firms that I had brought in. (Thankfully I did not argue with him) {AC 4}
6. Don't lie. And if you are going to lie, then back it up with something sensible. I stated that I'm a runner and did the marathon in 2 hours. {AC 4}
{Again, I've no idea why I bothered lying. I could have just used something that I actually do}

DO NOTs that I have not done, but have witnessed
(1) do not arrive late, (2) do not smell (3)do not forget to iron your clothes (4) do not go overkill with perfume (5) do not smoke, only to go to the loo and brush your teeth

What I've learned. Just be yourself. Lots of people (like me) just crucify themselves. My nerves just take over and I just become someone else. Just be yourself. You will be fine. This year I was myself and I have got the furthest than any cycles before, manage to bag myself a Spring VS.

(On an aside, RonRod has rubbed a few people up the wrong way today, but at least it was virtual and not in person, at a law firm, to a panel or partner like me...we all deserve another chance)...

 

[IanforaTC]

I've had 5 ACs across previous cycles so I feel well qualified to answer this question (sarcasm)
I'm not sure about common reasons but here are some DO NOTs that I have done.

1. Don't get into an argument with the Partner on the interview panel during the interview. I don't mean a discussion or heated debate, I mean a full blown argument... {AC 1}
2. Don't get into an argument with a member of graduate recruitment on the interview panel during the interview. (This was a different interview to that above). {AC 2}
3. Don't get into a heated debate with a Senior Associate during the interview. (same panel as number 2). {AC 2}
(If you seem them exchange a glance at the end, just know that you are not getting the job. In fact, a sensible person would know this before it got to that point, but I did not).
4. Don't state obvious lies. I said I was an Olympian. I don't even play sport for the country or at county level. I don't even play sport period. {AC 3}
[I was nervous, and my mouth keep moving without engaging with my brain first...].
5. Don't go to the interview wearing or with items from another law firm. e.g. like a pen, pad, umbrella etc. (The partner kindly pointed this out to me, that it would appear I was leaning more to other firms, pointing at the items from other law firms that I had brought in. (Thankfully I did not argue with him) {AC 4}
6. Don't lie. And if you are going to lie, then back it up with something sensible. I stated that I'm a runner and did the marathon in 2 hours. {AC 4}
{Again, I've no idea why I bothered lying. I could have just use something that I clearly do}

DO NOTs that I have not done, but have witnessed
(1) do not arrive late, (2) do not smell (3)do not forget to iron your clothes (4) do not go overkill with perfume (5) do not smoke, only to go to the loo and brush your teeth in the loo

What I've learned. Just be yourself. Lots of people (like me) just crucify themselves. My nerves just take over and I just become someone else. Just be yourself. You will be fine. This year I was myself and I have got the furthest than any cycles before, manage to bag myself a Spring VS.

(On an aside, RonRod has rubbed a few people up the wrong way today, but at least it was virtual and not in person, at a law firm, to a panel or partner like me...we all deserve another chance)...

I'm sorry but I lost it at "I said I was an Olympian... I don't even play sport" 😂

 

[Untilwinter]

I've had 5 ACs across previous cycles so I feel well qualified to answer this question (sarcasm)
I'm not sure about common reasons but here are some DO NOTs that I have done.

1. Don't get into an argument with the Partner on the interview panel during the interview. I don't mean a discussion or heated debate, I mean a full blown argument... {AC 1}
2. Don't get into an argument with a member of graduate recruitment on the interview panel during the interview. (This was a different interview to that above). {AC 2}
3. Don't get into a heated debate with a Senior Associate during the interview. (same panel as number 2). {AC 2}
(If you see them exchange a glance at the end, just know that you are not getting the job. In fact, a sensible person would know this before it got to that point, but I did not).
4. Don't state obvious lies. I said I was an Olympian. I don't even play sport for the country or at county level. I don't even play sport period. {AC 3}
[I was nervous, and my mouth kept moving without engaging with my brain first...].
5. Don't go to the interview wearing or with items from another law firm. e.g. like a pen, pad, umbrella etc. (The partner kindly pointed this out to me, that it would appear I was leaning more to other firms, pointing at the items from other law firms that I had brought in. (Thankfully I did not argue with him) {AC 4}
6. Don't lie. And if you are going to lie, then back it up with something sensible. I stated that I'm a runner and did the marathon in 2 hours. {AC 4}
{Again, I've no idea why I bothered lying. I could have just used something that I actually do}

DO NOTs that I have not done, but have witnessed
(1) do not arrive late, (2) do not smell (3)do not forget to iron your clothes (4) do not go overkill with perfume (5) do not smoke, only to go to the loo and brush your teeth

What I've learned. Just be yourself. Lots of people (like me) just crucify themselves. My nerves just take over and I just become someone else. Just be yourself. You will be fine. This year I was myself and I have got the furthest than any cycles before, manage to bag myself a Spring VS.

(On an aside, RonRod has rubbed a few people up the wrong way today, but at least it was virtual and not in person, at a law firm, to a panel or partner like me...we all deserve another chance)...

Oh my gosh i am so sorry this happened to you but you are hilarious🤣🤣🤣 laughed out loud for the first time this week.

 

[justanotherstudent]

Have a Jones Day interview coming up. Any advice on what it is like and what to expect? Anyone willing to dm

 

[laby201]

I've had 5 ACs across previous cycles so I feel well qualified to answer this question (sarcasm)
I'm not sure about common reasons but here are some DO NOTs that I have done.

1. Don't get into an argument with the Partner on the interview panel during the interview. I don't mean a discussion or heated debate, I mean a full blown argument... {AC 1}
2. Don't get into an argument with a member of graduate recruitment on the interview panel during the interview. (This was a different interview to that above). {AC 2}
3. Don't get into a heated debate with a Senior Associate during the interview. (same panel as number 2). {AC 2}
(If you see them exchange a glance at the end, just know that you are not getting the job. In fact, a sensible person would know this before it got to that point, but I did not).
4. Don't state obvious lies. I said I was an Olympian. I don't even play sport for the country or at county level. I don't even play sport period. {AC 3}
[I was nervous, and my mouth kept moving without engaging with my brain first...].
5. Don't go to the interview wearing or with items from another law firm. e.g. like a pen, pad, umbrella etc. (The partner kindly pointed this out to me, that it would appear I was leaning more to other firms, pointing at the items from other law firms that I had brought in. (Thankfully I did not argue with him) {AC 4}
6. Don't lie. And if you are going to lie, then back it up with something sensible. I stated that I'm a runner and did the marathon in 2 hours. {AC 4}
{Again, I've no idea why I bothered lying. I could have just used something that I actually do}

DO NOTs that I have not done, but have witnessed
(1) do not arrive late, (2) do not smell (3)do not forget to iron your clothes (4) do not go overkill with perfume (5) do not smoke, only to go to the loo and brush your teeth

What I've learned. Just be yourself. Lots of people (like me) just crucify themselves. My nerves just take over and I just become someone else. Just be yourself. You will be fine. This year I was myself and I have got the furthest than any cycles before, manage to bag myself a Spring VS.

(On an aside, RonRod has rubbed a few people up the wrong way today, but at least it was virtual and not in person, at a law firm, to a panel or partner like me...we all deserve another chance)...

How have you managed to land yourself in arguments with both a Partner and a graduate recruitment member? I’m really intrigued to know what you argued about 😭

And as funny as the Olympian one is, I’m dying at the marathon one. You’ve literally told a Partner that you broke the world record for a marathon by about 30 minutes 😂😂 I don’t even know how you do that or what the reaction was but that’s hilarious. Thanks for brightening up the forum and glad you got a VS!

 

[yxngd2x]

I've had 5 ACs across previous cycles so I feel well qualified to answer this question (sarcasm)
I'm not sure about common reasons but here are some DO NOTs that I have done.

1. Don't get into an argument with the Partner on the interview panel during the interview. I don't mean a discussion or heated debate, I mean a full blown argument... {AC 1}
2. Don't get into an argument with a member of graduate recruitment on the interview panel during the interview. (This was a different interview to that above). {AC 2}
3. Don't get into a heated debate with a Senior Associate during the interview. (same panel as number 2). {AC 2}
(If you see them exchange a glance at the end, just know that you are not getting the job. In fact, a sensible person would know this before it got to that point, but I did not).
4. Don't state obvious lies. I said I was an Olympian. I don't even play sport for the country or at county level. I don't even play sport period. {AC 3}
[I was nervous, and my mouth kept moving without engaging with my brain first...].
5. Don't go to the interview wearing or with items from another law firm. e.g. like a pen, pad, umbrella etc. (The partner kindly pointed this out to me, that it would appear I was leaning more to other firms, pointing at the items from other law firms that I had brought in. (Thankfully I did not argue with him) {AC 4}
6. Don't lie. And if you are going to lie, then back it up with something sensible. I stated that I'm a runner and did the marathon in 2 hours. {AC 4}
{Again, I've no idea why I bothered lying. I could have just used something that I actually do}

DO NOTs that I have not done, but have witnessed
(1) do not arrive late, (2) do not smell (3)do not forget to iron your clothes (4) do not go overkill with perfume (5) do not smoke, only to go to the loo and brush your teeth

What I've learned. Just be yourself. Lots of people (like me) just crucify themselves. My nerves just take over and I just become someone else. Just be yourself. You will be fine. This year I was myself and I have got the furthest than any cycles before, manage to bag myself a Spring VS.

(On an aside, RonRod has rubbed a few people up the wrong way today, but at least it was virtual and not in person, at a law firm, to a panel or partner like me...we all deserve another chance)...

Eliud Kipchoge must be shook with that marathon time

 

[smileymay1234]

Has anyone heard back from Dentons after submitting their application to the summer vacation scheme?

Got rejection about a week ago maybe a bit more

 

[PlimptonWeld]

Any news from Slaughters?

 

[lawbear123]

any news from Gibson Dunn post second stage?

 

[EmileGreen]

This argument is getting exceedingly irritating and is pretty much irrelevant to the thread topic. Can admins put a stop to this?

In other news, anyone heard from Cleary post-app in the last few days?

 

[icl]

Bakers PFO post-VI.

This is now my 3rd VI that I've failed this cycle, and from past cycles I know VIs are my weak point, but I thought that this was my best VI so far. I also failed at this same stage for Bakers last year, which makes this more dejecting.

I've never gotten to an AC and really need to know how to improve my VIs. I am wondering if it would be worth it to DSAR the firm, even though in the PFO email they say they are unable to provide specific feedback? Would also appreciate any help from people who have gone through the same issue and later made it past VIs!

 

[Jessica Booker]

**Please read**

I am going to delete any further posts trying to bring up the W&C competitor debate and anything associated with it that has any form of condescending or superiority tone to it. A number of posts have already been removed from this thread for this reason.

If this was an assessment, none of you would have passed it with the approaches or thinking I have seen. The constant “I have to have the last word” and trying to one up-manship each other is tiresome.

We have already sent some warnings out about this to some members and we will send more if needed. Warnings can result in temporary or permanent bans from the forums.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Long time lurker on here but I’ve made an account just to share this as I honestly cannot believe it.

Me and my boyfriend both applied to the same firm at a similar time (we’re both at uni studying law). We reviewed each other’s applications, got through, prepped for the VIs and I thought mine went really badly. He heard yesterday that he got through to the AC and I was really happy for him.

However, I heard today that I also got it and the only available date was THE EXACT SAME DATE AS MY BOYFRIEND’S AC.

I’m not sure what to make of this. In a way, it’ll be nice to have that support network there and is a funny story, but hoping it doesn’t put me off/or I’m not overly jealous if he gets it and I don’t. If we both get it and land a VS together, I probably would pretend I don’t know him so the firm doesn’t judge (if they would).

What a wild turn of events 😭😰

I have heard many stories like this in my time. Law is actually a pretty small world, so I have seen relatives, housemates, couples, best friends, neighbours be in VS or TC cohorts.