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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

confusedbird

Star Member
Nov 8, 2024
26
55
Hi, for SJT - the same amber jack assessment like other firms. The pillars are different - client, firm, people - marked out of 10 each! Keep the firms core values of the firm and skills needed in a trainee in mind and answer accordingly. Be yourself and you will be fine :)

For written ques (2 ques - 500 words each) - don’t think you should worry too much as the written element is untimed and you can keep coming back to it. I took an hour or more to write them and still progressed so I do not think they take time into consideration! :)

You will only get ur feedback report once you finish the complete assessment including writing part.

Hope this helps!
That's helpful! Thank you so much!!
 

trainee4u

Legendary Member
Sep 7, 2023
240
512
It's not about pretending to be from a disadvantaged background. My concern is that an expensive item would be offputting and create a bad impression. I know not to wear Ferragamo/Hermes ties or bold chalk stripe suits.

Right, but I'm saying the only reason to change your normal work accessories is because you don't want to give the impression that you come from a privileged background. However, law firms are not looking to hire only people from deprived backgrounds, but widely, on merit. They are not tossing away CVs that say 'Westminster School' on the basis that those people were given advantage by their parents.

Likewise, if you're a career switcher you might well own a nice wardrobe & handbags from your previous earnings, and it's not something to be embarrassed about: these are things lawyers buy for themselves out of their pay packets and use daily.
 

Miss Chocolate

Legendary Member
Nov 27, 2023
280
378
@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker Hi! Please could I check the below with you? Thanks in advance for all your help!

1. I am starting a paralegal role in April. I have a couple of DTC applications which need to be submitted before the end of this month. One of them is with the firm I will be starting work at as a paralegal. At least for that firm, would it be all right to mention that I will be starting a role at the company and phrase it in a way to show my commitment to learning more about them? For other DTC applications, would mentioning this future role briefly in one of the 'application questions' be fine to do? Obviously, I wouldn't add it in the work experience section.

2. I was rejected by Withers after taking the online test for the VS. I am re-applying for their DTC. Should I restructure a lot of the application form? I am not sure why I was rejected and whether the decision was based largely on my test results or the written form. I am considering just sending in an edited version of the application form that I am personally happy with. If you have any recommendations about this, please do share them.

Thanks again :)
 

Miss Chocolate

Legendary Member
Nov 27, 2023
280
378
Re attire for VS: would using a briefcase from Montblanc be a red flag?
Well, no. Honestly, present your authentic professional self as much as possible. I know people who have got offers with fairly unconventional personal styles. What's important though is that they were all comfortable in their presentation and being their authentic selves. :)
 

Miss Chocolate

Legendary Member
Nov 27, 2023
280
378
It should be fine tbh. You can rock up to the VS with your Montblanc briefcase like:
Season 2 Lawyer GIF by Martin
no stop i am crying 🤣🤣🤣🤣
 
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Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,300
21,373
It's not about pretending to be from a disadvantaged background. My concern is that an expensive item would be offputting and create a bad impression. I know not to wear Ferragamo/Hermes ties or bold chalk stripe suits.
My example of the Birkin bag was very different where it was probably 15+ times the value of what a Montblanc briefcase would be. The Birkin bag person also made their bag the centre of attention a lot, which didn't go down well as it was seen as very show-off.

I don't think it will cause a bad impression to take it into work - they are generally subtle and its likely to be the case that most people won't even spot what it is. Those that do probably own one themselves and maybe also bring it into work.

As suggested elsewhere, it would be a similar value to an iPhone or an expensive laptop, so its not really an issue.
 
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Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,300
21,373
Typically, how long do law firms take to give TC offers following a Spring VS? And how long do candidates usually have to accept these? Thanks!
Can be anything offering immediately and giving a few weeks to make a decision on the offer all the way through to not making offers until the end of the summer or giving you to mid-September to accept.

This is a very legitimate question to ask the graduate recruitment/HR team as part of your vacation scheme (if they don't tell you) so you can manage your expectations and other recruitment processes accordingly.
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,300
21,373
For questions like 'what aspects of the solicitor role do you find most interesting', should a lot of the focus be on commercial-driven interests?
It doesn't have to be - it can be any element that you think you will find interesting, but I would just make sure that the combination of the aspects you identify couldn't apply to lots of other careers/areas of law. But not everything has to be commercial.
 

berocca567

Standard Member
Jan 11, 2025
9
8
If a 'cover letter' is just one question on an application form, alongside other standard questions (e.g. 'What's your proudest achievement'), do you still need to structure it with 'Dear Graduate Recruitment', and introduce yourself? It isnt as a document but just in an answer field
 
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JR8

Standard Member
Oct 26, 2024
8
2
Just gave the Browne Jacobson telephone interview! :)
Think it went alright🤞🏻

For anyone waiting, my interviewer said that their ac is on 23rd April and they’re gonna get back to applicants on the week commencing 7 April (post TI)! (This is for vac scheme I’m not sure about DTC).
Good luck!!!
I received the feedback report on 20th Feb but nothing since then. When did you receive the email asking you to book the phone call?
 

BobThebIlly

Distinguished Member
Premium Member
Dec 6, 2024
68
101
I probably sound like a broken record but has anyone heard back from Paul Hastings at all re the SVS (‘Phirst Steps’)? The deadline passed around 3 weeks ago. Not sure whether to assume PFO yet. They said they’d get back to successful candidates in March and April. 🥲​
I'm also concerned about this bc I haven't heard anything either. What a shame :(
 
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