TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Nine]

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

Hi Jessica and Axel! (+ anyone else who’d like to give advice)

Unfortunately a firm I really like has PFO’d me for their vac schemes but I know I can reapply for their TC’s and I’m hopeful about it - What changes do you think I should make to show my continued interest to work at the firm? My rejection was post VI so I think there might be something to do with that given it was my first VI. Thank you!!

Hey @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre - do let me know about this please Thank you!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

The 2 Paul Hastings questions seem awfully similar ?? Why do you wish to complete a work placement with us? and What has attracted you to Paul Hastings?

I would focus the first one what you hope to gain from the vacation scheme (so why the opportunity) while the second question can be more focus on why the firm.

 

[Deleted member 31343]

The week of doom and many app results:
Simmons - Wednesday
Shoosmiths - Friday
Goodwin - Friday hopefully
BBC - Friday hopefully
Farrer - Next week Monday

If I don’t get 1 place my cycle is over

BBC PFO after 4 stages and no AC

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

The 2 Paul Hastings questions seem awfully similar ?? Why do you wish to complete a work placement with us? and What has attracted you to Paul Hastings?

I would focus the first one what you hope to gain from the vacation scheme (so why the opportunity) while the second question can be more focus on why the firm.

 

[Farhan65756]

3 people or less for the placement in the London office. Around 4-5 in other offices.

I asked one of the members from Graduate Recruitment on LinkedIn and she said 4-5 for London as well.

 

[Givemeatcplease]

I was in the middle dot for all but 8 of the qualities! For the other 8, I got 6 on the right and 2 on the left! Absolutely no idea what any of that means though hahah - happy to give more detail but I do not understand the feedback very much on these tests

Thank you! I haven't heard anything yet I was in the middle dot for the majority, with about 50/50 to the left/right.

When did you submit your application if you don't mind me asking? I know it's non-rolling but I love the firm and scrambling!

 

[Farhan65756]

Oh god I thought they were taking 5 people in London as well
Which office did you guys apply to?

London for me
Also one of the members from Grad Rec said 4-5 for London too. I asked her on LinkedIn.

 

[LKG]

Post VI?

Post app

 

[Misty Meanor]

Hello @Jessica Booker,

I just wanted to seek your advice. I have an upcoming AC this week, however I have fallen ill. I emailed the firm last week but only received a reply today that stated that there was only this AC slot available, and if I do not attend I would miss out on this opportunity. I am unsure what to do in this circumstance, as I do not want to miss out on the AC, but also do not want my illness to impact my performance. Any guidance you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[axelbeugre]

Am I expected to ask questions at the end of a live video interview? if yes, what sort of questions should I ask?

Do you mean interview with partners, associates or graduate recruitment right? If so, yes, you are expected to ask questions at the end. If you mean a classic video interview then no.

In terms of questions, it really depends on you and what you want to know about the firm or the interviewers. I personally always asked about their favourite deal or case they worked on, their favourite client, why they decided to pursue a career in law.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hello @Jessica Booker,

I just wanted to seek your advice. I have an upcoming AC this week, however I have fallen ill. I emailed the firm last week but only received a reply today that stated that there was only this AC slot available, and if I do not attend I would miss out on this opportunity. I am unsure what to do in this circumstance, as I do not want to miss out on the AC, but also do not want my illness to impact my performance. Any guidance you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Is it in person or virtual?

 

[m1474]

BBC PFO after 4 stages and no AC

So sorry to hear this. Did you get an email?

 

[law12345]

So sorry to hear this. Did you get an email?

They're on the portal

 

[EliteWhovian]

How did you know ?

I am guessing from the holding email, looks like they will have completed the review by the end of February and hopefully we'll hear back soon

 

[Boating]

I was in the middle dot for all but 8 of the qualities! For the other 8, I got 6 on the right and 2 on the left! Absolutely no idea what any of that means though hahah - happy to give more detail but I do not understand the feedback very much on these tests

Damn I got 12 to the right, 2 to left, rest in the middle and no invite, wonder how they score that, unless my cover letter was dead

 

[EliteWhovian]

It's one of the last VS applications I am waiting to hear back from so the pressure is on. I'm scared that I am getting my hopes up too much even though so much time has passed since the VI that I can hardly remember how it went haha

I really hope you get to the next stage, try not to think about it too much

 

[sibs23]

I really hope you get to the next stage, try not to think about it too much

Ah, thanks. Same to you. I have to remember that I still have plenty of time for direct TC apps as well

 

[ayiiii05]

Hoping and praying for NRF VI and Travers interview ugh, NRF results were 5 to the right, 3 to the left, rest in the middle

 

[axelbeugre]

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

Hi Jessica and Axel! (+ anyone else who’d like to give advice)

Unfortunately a firm I really like has PFO’d me for their vac schemes but I know I can reapply for their TC’s and I’m hopeful about it - What changes do you think I should make to show my continued interest to work at the firm? My rejection was post VI so I think there might be something to do with that given it was my first VI. Thank you!!

A lot of firms suggest to not reapply to the direct training contract route if you have been rejected the same here unless substantive change to your application has been made, as in you have done an interesting work experience.

I personally would not apply because your chances of succeeding with this firm might be a big slim. I was in your same shoes with W&C last year before receiving my training contract offer from another firm I was considering applying after the video interview stage but I got the advice to not apply to the direct training contract route as nothing in my application would have changed apart adding a vacation scheme from a US firm. They tend to reserve the spots for people who cannot attend the scheme or who work full-time, understandably so.

What I would do if I were in your shoes is speaking to people who were successful in the process this year, ask them how they passed the video interview stage and make sure that you implement these tips and suggestions in the next cycle.

Unless you have had other vacation scheme offers that you can put in your application, I personally would not apply again as it is really difficult to succeed with those especially if you got already rejected the same application cycle, since your competition will have the edge of not being in your position if that makes sense.

However, if you feel like you still have a good chance then I would recommend keep learning about the firm through their LinkedIn and social media pages as well as the website, speaking with people at the firm, from future trainees to associates, and rewrite the answers you provided in the applications.

I also shared some tips on passing video interviews which I think you would find useful: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/how-to-prepare-for-a-law-firm-video-interview-a-step-by-step-guide-️.8346/ and https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2023-24.8037/post-151491

I also recently wrote a guide with more tips: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2023-24.8037/post-167426

I hope this helps!

 

[axelbeugre]

The 2 Paul Hastings questions seem awfully similar ?? Why do you wish to complete a work placement with us? and What has attracted you to Paul Hastings?

1) I think that the first questions pushes you to mention 2/3 reasons as to why you would practically benefit from the experience at the firm. Here, I would talk about the chance of meeting inspiring partners and associates whose work you admire and like, the chance of experiencing the practical tasks of a trainee at the firm and understanding the culture of the firm for instance.
2) Here, I would list the 2/3 reasons for which I am applying to the firm: is it a particular practice area the firm excels at? Is it the deals and cases the firm works on? Is it the type of clients the firm deals with? Is it the pro bono opportunities which attracted you most? All these considerations could be made in this answer, which have to be very specific to the firm.