TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[legally.brown]

If a test is not timed and I took an hour and 30 minutes to complete it, would that be an issue? Not sure if grad rec can see how long I took?

I had technical difficulties.. Any insights would be appreciated

 

[vstchunter]

Anyone heard about linklaters winter vac scheme?

 

[legally.brown]

If a test is not timed and I took an hour and 30 minutes to complete it, would that be an issue? Not sure if grad rec can see how long I took?

I had technical difficulties.. Any insights would be appreciated

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu do you have any thoughts?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu do you have any thoughts?

I would check the language used to describe the test when it was sent to you.

If it says unlimited time, then the test could still be assessing a time to complete element on some level.

If it says the test is untimed, then there should be no reference to time in how the assessment is assessed/valued.

 

[legally.brown]

I would check the language used to describe the test when it was sent to you.

If it says unlimited time, then the test could still be assessing a time to complete element on some level.

If it says the test is untimed, then there should be no reference to time in how the assessment is assessed/valued.

It says, "The test is not timed,but we suggest setting aside 45 minutes to complete it."

 

[Jessica Booker]

It says, "The test is not timed,but we suggest setting aside 45 minutes to complete it."

I wouldn't worry about it then as it is not a timed assessment. If it was, they would have to say that you have an unlimited amount of time.

They just give you the 45 minutes suggestion to ensure people don't under estimate how long it would typically take.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey guys, I wanted to ask how I should go about answering a 'Tell me about yourself' question.

I'm not sure if there is a specific format for answering this when it comes to legal applications, or how else I should go about it

Think of it like an elevator pitch - its around 60 second for you to present who you are. You want to focus on no more than three themes and to ensure what you connect to those themes are the most interesting/memorable aspects of you.

Try not to describe your whole journey or everything you do - focus on the most interesting aspects that fewer people would say. For instance rather than saying "I am a law student" you can reference law but be more unique/specific "I have really enjoyed my tort module in my law degree"

 

[KBanana]

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker
Hello! I am writing my answer to a 'why do you want to train at this firm' question. One of the things I discuss is the firm's strength in banking and finance, and to show why this is important to me, I want to discuss my experience sitting in this practice area during a VS I completed last year. Do you recommend that I write which law firm it was or not? Thank you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker
Hello! I am writing my answer to a 'why do you want to train at this firm' question. One of the things I discuss is the firm's strength in banking and finance, and to show why this is important to me, I want to discuss my experience sitting in this practice area during a VS I completed last year. Do you recommend that I write which law firm it was or not? Thank you!

Yes - it is fine to reference other firm's names when detailing work experience. Sometimes avoiding naming them can look a little odd and the lack of specific detail can be a little frustrating for your reader as they then have to look at your work experience entries and try to work out which firm you are alluding to.

 

[legally.brown]

I wouldn't worry about it then as it is not a timed assessment. If it was, they would have to say that you have an unlimited amount of time.

They just give you the 45 minutes suggestion to ensure people don't under estimate how long it would typically take.

Thanks Jessica

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Can someone please confirm the below:

(1) Is the test for Addleshaw Goddard automatic?

(2) What is the test? WG?

​

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Does anyone have any insight please into the application process for a TC at Pinsent Masons? In particular, regarding the online blended assessment. Is it timed etc?

​

 

[BillSikes]

just wanted to really echo this, been to HSF a couple of times and they have a similar question. And the answers that seemed to make most of an impression on the grad rec were the ones that people were just very clearly passionate about. They mentioned a couple of times that one of their trainees wrote about Taylor Swift.

Of course writing about Taylor Swift got them through with the demographic that make up HR departments lol.

 

[Tintin06]

Hi everyone, just a quick question about 'best friends' network. Say, for example, Macfarlanes regularly collaborates with Latham in the US. Is it that Macfarlanes is limited to working with Latham in the US or can they chose any firm they want to partner with based on the type of work?

It's a 'good friends' network with Macfarlanes, 'best friends' is Slaughter and May. They can choose any firm they want - this is the advantage over having an office there. Plus it's an acknowledgement, I think, of the other firms' expertise e.g. Slaughter and May has worked with Paul, Weiss. Source: I tried saying 'best friends' network to a Macfarlanes Partner.

 

[EK_27]

NRF PFO post Artic Shores

 

[LawyerUpPal]

Hey was it just one question for the video interview?

Yes.

 

[SamiyaJ]

NRF PFO too. The PFO says:

“We are sorry to inform you that after successfully completing our Arctic Shores assessment, we have carefully reviewed your application and will not be progressing you to a video interview.”

Probably overthinking it but what does it mean? Is it likely that I did well in the assessment but bombed the application?!

I applied to NRF before and the rejection was worded differently.

 

[Tintin06]

NRF PFO too. The PFO says:

“We are sorry to inform you that after successfully completing our Arctic Shores assessment, we have carefully reviewed your application and will not be progressing you to a video interview.”

Probably overthinking it but what does it mean? Is it likely that I did well in the assessment but bombed the application?!

I applied to NRF before and the rejection was worded differently.

You can ask for that information. if they don't give it to you, Subject Access Request might help.

 

[flamingphilosopherdragon]

NRF PFO too. The PFO says:

“We are sorry to inform you that after successfully completing our Arctic Shores assessment, we have carefully reviewed your application and will not be progressing you to a video interview.”

Probably overthinking it but what does it mean? Is it likely that I did well in the assessment but bombed the application?!

I applied to NRF before and the rejection was worded differently.

I got the same rejection!

The first para thanks us for completing the assessment, and the second says we successfully completed the test.

Based on this, my reading of it is that we passed the benchmark for the assessment, but were not progressed through to interview based on the written application.

 

[Bread]

Has anyone received confirmation for the Hogan Lovells non-law open day? No app required, they just said they'd be allocating places on a first-come first-served basis and was wondering whether anyone has received confirmation