TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[mattyh23]

Someone please correct me if I’m wrong as I don’t know the approach to take on these questions, but when you’re focusing on who a firm’s competitors are, is there a “right answer”?

For example, if I’m looking at White & Case’s competitors, would Norton Rose Fulbright be one due to its strength in projects and energy like W&C? Or would it better to just go with Latham, Clifford Chance etc with the capital market focus?

I don’t want to try and be “too clever” for my own good if that makes sense and end up tripping myself up!

 

[holz567]

@Jessica Booker I’ve finally got a AC this cycle but it’s for a firm I had one for last year (don’t know if I’m suited to that firm or what haha).

Would they know this when they selected me for the AC? I don’t know if another member of the grad rec would have looked through my application?

I’m just wary of perhaps being asked why I didn’t get it last time out or if I should be prepared for those kind of questions?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Someone please correct me if I’m wrong as I don’t know the approach to take on these questions, but when you’re focusing on who a firm’s competitors are, is there a “right answer”?

For example, if I’m looking at White & Case’s competitors, would Norton Rose Fulbright be one due to its strength in projects and energy like W&C? Or would it better to just go with Latham, Clifford Chance etc with the capital market focus?

I don’t want to try and be “too clever” for my own good if that makes sense and end up tripping myself up!

There isn’t “a” right answer - there are multiple ways in which you can determine what a competitor is or how you would measure it, and so there could be lots of “right” answers.

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker I’ve finally got a AC this cycle but it’s for a firm I had one for last year (don’t know if I’m suited to that firm or what haha).

Would they know this when they selected me for the AC? I don’t know if another member of the grad rec would have looked through my application?

I’m just wary of perhaps being asked why I didn’t get it last time out or if I should be prepared for those kind of questions?

Possibly - it really depends whether they store than information beyond a certain time limit.

Rather than being prepared to talk about why you didn’t get the role last time (they will know this if they are aware) I would focus more on how you feel you have developed your skill set or motivations since your last AC.

 

[Jessica Booker]

When you say pertinent do you mean like firm motivation etc?

What type of question are you worried about?

 

[Legalstalker]

What were your scores if you don't mind me asking? I didn't do great either...

4 7 6 3 wbu?

Not too bothered just awaiting my PFO

 

[mp2000]

4 7 6 3 wbu?

Not too bothered just awaiting my PFO

7744 and an awful interview so same unfortunately. Where/which TC did you apply to?

 

[Givemeatcplease]

Sorry if this is a really stupid question but what exactly is a memorandum/memo and how would you write and structure one for a written exercise?

 

[trainee2025]

Sorry if this is a really stupid question but what exactly is a memorandum/memo and how would you write and structure one for a written exercise?

I would describe a typical memorandum as a brief *internal* communication from one person/party to another. It should be a concise summary of key points that can easily be understood.
As a very general suggestion…you can often structure something like this with an executive summary, a few clear paragraphs discussing each point in more detail, and a conclusion. There should be plenty of examples of this (including headings, formalities etc.) available online.

(I assume in the context of a written exercise that this is the sort of memo which you are referring to. It has a second meaning in contract law but I doubt that would come up in a written exercise.)

 

[Farhan65756]

For anyone who applied to Shoosmiths Discover Placement Mentoring Scheme and was put on the reserve list, has anyone by any chance been taken off the reserve list and been given a spot on the scheme? I’m praying that someone drops out and I get put on the scheme instead 😂🤣

 

[axelbeugre]

If I have an AC coming up with a firm I also had an AC with last year, do they keep records/remember you? Or would it be as if it was a fresh candidate?

Don’t know whether I’d be asked “why do you think you were unsuccessful last year” or something similar?

Any thoughts @Jessica Booker?

They might remember you but I would focus on the fact that you have been invited to an assessment centre again, which is a testament to the fact that the firm likes you!

 

[cgv3005]

Hey! I asked my interviewer about this and she advised that everyone gets fast-tracked to an AC for a training contract! It must just be an error on their website!

Thank you so much! Have you received your contract for the VS yet?

 

[eleven14og]

If anyone has any experience in obtaining annual leave from a full-time job who is strict about when they allow you to take it, please DM . I can't tell them it's for a VS but I also sort of need to give a reason to ask for the AL (or not?).

I had this exact problem and was something I was really stressed about, but it ended up being zero problem.

However, the important part is, you likely have to tell them it's for a vacation scheme. Check the terms of your contract, but it likely says (it had in mine) that you can't take any paid employment elsewhere while still employed at that company. Technically, a VS puts you in breach of that and you could get in trouble.

What I did (and I would advise doing) is emailing your line manager as early as you can to request the time off, making it clear it's for a VS. You don't have to go into too much detail but if you just say it's an opportunity you'd really appreciate etc, I'm sure it will be fine. If will depend from employer to employer but if you're in a legal environment, they will know obtaining a VS/TC is going to be the ultimate aim.

Just be transparent about it and that's the best option

I had the same clause in my employment contract for my previous paralegal role. So I contacted HR and asked whether I needed to disclose a vacation scheme. And they surprisingly said no! I guess this varies between companies/law firms but it's best to ask them about the policy before booking your AL.

 

[Arf1309]

Thank you so much! Have you received your contract for the VS yet?

Not yet! Also I asked them when the ACs would be and they said not until the end of this year...

I was under the impression that it would be this cycle for the 2026 intake but I guess not 😭

 

[cgv3005]

Not yet! Also I asked them when the ACs would be and they said not until the end of this year...

I was under the impression that it would be this cycle for the 2026 intake but I guess not 😭

Ah okay, I was beginning to wonder about the contract but it’s obviously an issue for everyone.

And oh! This is news to me too, I also assumed the AC would be for the 2026 intake 😨

 

[kmo20]

Any news post-AC for W&C?

 

[Seabright]

Boodle Hatfield interview!

If anyone has interviewed with Boodle before please pm me

When did you hear a response?

 

[NikkiT]

Has anyone else not heard from Cooley yet?

 

[Tonye]

Does anyone know what the vacation scheme conversion rate is for Pisent Mason's London office? I have tried checking online but the stats they show are for the English offices as a whole

 

[Aliceczernia]

Still nothing for SH Spring VC?