TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Kad28]

Anyone else still waiting on Dechert post VI?

When did you send your app?

 

[Legalstalker]

Hey everyone! This is my first time posting here as I'm in a situation I'm quite upset about and would like some advice.

About a week ago, I had an assessment centre at a firm I was very keen on (I won't disclose which as I'm not sure I feel comfortable doing that). I feel the day generally went well and although the case study was quite difficult, I didn't think I performed *too* badly. There were 5 other people here on the day and everyone was really friendly, so didn't think anything was off and we all added each other on LinkedIn when there was a break period in the day after another candidate suggested we do so.

However, when the day was over, one of the other candidates hugged the Grad Rec member and said "it was great to see you Kathy, hopefully see you again in the next few weeks". When someone asked what she meant by this, she said she was a long-term family friend. This immediately seemed unfair to me; I don't know how strong her application was and she may have deservedly been there on her own merit, but it just made me feel uncomfortable. She said she hadn't performed too strongly throughout the day too, which I feel is worth bearing in mind.

Earlier this week, I was rejected from the firm. I'm obviously disappointed but it's just one of those things. Nevertheless, when scrolling through LinkedIn, I saw the other girl post that she had successfully landed a VS at the firm. I instantly felt like the whole process was completely unfair and she had gained a place because she had internal contacts. If I'm honest, this upset me just as much as the rejection itself knowing I was up against what I feel was a nepotistic candidate.

Part of me wants to write to the firm and say how I feel this is unjustified, but I know that won't achieve anything. I'm female, state educated and have attended a non-RG university, so I already feel I've had to work harder than many other applicants just to be in this position. It feels like a slap in the face. Am I right to be annoyed or is this just commonplace in the City and something you just have to suck up?

I tick every box you’ve just mentioned so I know how hard you worked to get to that stage and how awful it is not getting that offer when you performed to a decent level for it!

This is my advice and it’s probably not the best….

Realistically you can’t change the outcome and if she got that VS off of nepotism it probably won’t help her in the TC interview at the end of the VS as it’ll be the partner who decides not grad rec? As mean as it is, it’ll be sweeter watching her not get the TC at the last stage 😅

Focus on your other applications and use this AC experience as leverage for other upcoming ones as you will get more in the future as you’ve shown you have the ability despite your background. Good luck

 

[karennnnnnnnn]

Hey everyone! This is my first time posting here as I'm in a situation I'm quite upset about and would like some advice.

About a week ago, I had an assessment centre at a firm I was very keen on (I won't disclose which as I'm not sure I feel comfortable doing that). I feel the day generally went well and although the case study was quite difficult, I didn't think I performed *too* badly. There were 5 other people here on the day and everyone was really friendly, so didn't think anything was off and we all added each other on LinkedIn when there was a break period in the day after another candidate suggested we do so.

However, when the day was over, one of the other candidates hugged the Grad Rec member and said "it was great to see you Kathy, hopefully see you again in the next few weeks". When someone asked what she meant by this, she said she was a long-term family friend. This immediately seemed unfair to me; I don't know how strong her application was and she may have deservedly been there on her own merit, but it just made me feel uncomfortable. She said she hadn't performed too strongly throughout the day too, which I feel is worth bearing in mind.

Earlier this week, I was rejected from the firm. I'm obviously disappointed but it's just one of those things. Nevertheless, when scrolling through LinkedIn, I saw the other girl post that she had successfully landed a VS at the firm. I instantly felt like the whole process was completely unfair and she had gained a place because she had internal contacts. If I'm honest, this upset me just as much as the rejection itself knowing I was up against what I feel was a nepotistic candidate.

Part of me wants to write to the firm and say how I feel this is unjustified, but I know that won't achieve anything. I'm female, state educated and have attended a non-RG university, so I already feel I've had to work harder than many other applicants just to be in this position. It feels like a slap in the face. Am I right to be annoyed or is this just commonplace in the City and something you just have to suck up?

I would say I’ve seen these nepo connections irl, at a scheme a student was bragging about her uncle who was the head of tax at another big city law firm and how she had scored work experience with him through an technical loophole of some sorts. I would say don’t take it too seriously, it’s more of a slap of the face to them that we have been able to get to a similar stage to them without the same help they have gotten. I think it’s funny once you look at it from that perspective, and a law firm who has not seen your potential and would rather choose a nepo baby over you is not the right law firm for you. Arrogance within these nepo kids in law firms is truly a common thing. But I think the struggles that the rest of us have to go through makes it all worth it in the end knowing we have truly earned our place there. So keep your head high and solider on would be my advice! Good luck!! 😊

 

[isTeapp]

When did you send your app?

I submitted the video interview in December….

 

[zaynah.c]

I recently attended an AC with Mishcon for the Spring VS and the last one's are next week. So Im guessing you'll hear back towards the end of Jan once the Spring AC's are done

what did the AC entail?

 

[axelbeugre]

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre ahead of my assessment centre tomorrow I just wanted to know some ways to build a rapport with the interviewers. The interview will be conducted online with one associate and one member of Grad recruitment and I’m just worried how I can build that rapport in an online setting. Any tips and suggestions?

I personally think that smiling a lot and being very personable throughout the interview will allow you to build a rapport with the interviewer.

I had all my interviews online last year and making myself and the interviewers comfortable in speaking to me through smiling and laughing at their joke (if they made some) was key to build a nice conversation. Unfortunately it will also depend on the firm and the interviewers and how friendly they present themselves, but I would say overall that presenting yourself as a very smiley person goes a long way.

 

[axelbeugre]

Hi guys,

I have a couple of questions, would love @Jessica Booker and @axelbeugre opinions but forum please feel free to chime in.

1)How would you relate the firm's growth to you as an aspiring solicitor? Would it be enough to relate it to practice areas' growth, the opportunity to experience more workload in terms of cases/deals and therefore increase your commercial acumen?

2) I am particularly fascinated by Finance infrastructure for a couple of reasons. First, it is someone related to what I do but I deal more with setting up the infrastructure but not finance. Secondly, there are a lot of macro and micro economic factors which make the practice area widely interesting. However, I do not have experience in this particular area. How do I talk about it, how do I express my desire to learn more?

1) I think it is enough to mention the factors that you stated, I certainly used these to explain why I was interested in a certain firm in my interviews last year. Talking about the growth of the practice areas works, additionally I would talk about being exposed to working with new and exciting clients, inspiring lawyers which will increase throughout the growth trajectory of the firm, and having a more important role incases and deals the firm work on.

2) You can talk about it by relating to the reasons you just mentioned. You can link it back to your experience in infrastructure and the ins and outs of the financing of these projects and how these financial processes are what spark your interest in the sector. From here you can talk about cases you have read and that the firm has worked on which caught your attention and why. You also mentioned the macro and micro economic factors, I would explain those in detail and explain why they are interesting to you specifically, this is something that only you can know. I would not worry about not having experience, so many people do not. I certainly did not have any experience in financing emerging venture capital projects but that is what I was interested in when applying and I focused on my previous professional and personal experiences, as well as what I read about the firm, its work and the sector itself to emphasise why I personally was interested in the sector.

 

[S87]

1) I think it is enough to mention the factors that you stated, I certainly used these to explain why I was interested in a certain firm in my interviews last year. Talking about the growth of the practice areas works, additionally I would talk about being exposed to working with new and exciting clients, inspiring lawyers which will increase throughout the growth trajectory of the firm, and having a more important role incases and deals the firm work on.

2) You can talk about it by relating to the reasons you just mentioned. You can link it back to your experience in infrastructure and the ins and outs of the financing of these projects and how these financial processes are what spark your interest in the sector. From here you can talk about cases you have read and that the firm has worked on which caught your attention and why. You also mentioned the macro and micro economic factors, I would explain those in detail and explain why they are interesting to you specifically, this is something that only you can know. I would not worry about not having experience, so many people do not. I certainly did not have any experience in financing emerging venture capital projects but that is what I was interested in when applying and I focused on my previous professional and personal experiences, as well as what I read about the firm, its work and the sector itself to emphasise why I personally was interested in the sector.

Thank you so much @axelbeugre

 

[erderlylars]

what did the AC entail?

Have you heard back for the summer vac scheme post vi?

 

[Ash2323]

Hi @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre, would like some advise on a CV blind interview at an AC. If i am asked to introduce myself, should i say which uni(s) I studied at when saying my background? The email about the cv blind interview says the following: "The interviewers will receive a copy of your application form, however this will be limited to the questions and answers under the following sections work experience, activities and your application question answers. Where organisations are specified in your application regarding work experience, these will be generalised for your interviewer e.g. 'law firm' or 'professional services firm'. In addition, reference to educational institutions will be removed, including specific mention of your university or school within application answers." Just wondering how i should conduct myself when explaining about myself if asked?

 

[tcplease2345]

Those who got VI from SH summer scheme when did you apply?

 

[hanz123]

I can’t believe I’m saying this but my first ever AC invite from AG 😭
I’d appreciate any advice from anyone that’s previously done an AC since it is my first ever assessment centre and don’t know what to expect thank you!

 

[SR99]

Has anyone else who applied for Mayer Brown Summer VS still not heard back post app?

 

[smileymay1234]

Has anyone heard from Goodwin regarding the vacation schemes?

I emailed & they said end of month so hopefully this week

 

[sadieyates56]

I have Pinsent Masons Assessment Centre next week and I have no idea what it actually entails. I know there will be an interview and some kind of case study but could anyone provide me with any more guidance on what it will be like / how to prepare?

 

[sakinazali]

I completed an AC for a direct TC in a firm and will receive a response at the end of March. I am a penultimate year student and am also eligible for their internship whose deadline is start of March. Should I apply for internship? PS they don't offer TC to their interns; they have to reapply for TC.

 

[m12]

Has anyone else who applied for Mayer Brown Summer VS still not heard back post app?

including the post-app test?

 

[Untilwinter]

Does anyone know the answer to this question? Never considered this point
"What could the firm do if the parties want to sign the acquisition document but are still waiting for regulatory approval?"

 

[lllaaawww098]

Has anyone got to Dentons AC for spring vac scheme or got the Spring VS itself? I feel like they're running super late this year

 

[SR99]

including the post-app test?

Yes including the post-app test have you been invited to the job sim or rejected yet?