TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

HLL

Esteemed Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Mar 26, 2021
97
264
reed smith vi said there's unlimited prep time before answering each question, but all questions must be completed in one sitting once the vi process is started? does it mean i can take a break between each question if i don't close the window? appreciate any insights on what it's really like. tia!
 

CG_101

Distinguished Member
Nov 20, 2024
55
59
Question on repeating information!!

So Travers has the following questions on their application form:
"Please provide details of your main extra-curricular activities and leisure interests.
Please provide details of any positions of responsibility that you have held and your key achievements."

Is it OK to repeat the things I talk about here in the general 'work experience' section?
I did it for Dechert and Skadden and was fine, but then I also did it for Jones Day and was not so fine lol.
 

xxx

Distinguished Member
  • Oct 26, 2024
    65
    36
    reed smith vi said there's unlimited prep time before answering each question, but all questions must be completed in one sitting once the vi process is started? does it mean i can take a break between each question if i don't close the window? appreciate any insights on what it's really like. tia!
    Yes most likely!! (But check if they record how long it takes you to do it because I saw that some firms do that on here)
     
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    SamiyaJ

    Legendary Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Apr 16, 2024
    175
    455
    reed smith vi said there's unlimited prep time before answering each question, but all questions must be completed in one sitting once the vi process is started? does it mean i can take a break between each question if i don't close the window? appreciate any insights on what it's really like. tia!
    Yup, unlimited time between each question! So they show you the question and when you’re ready to answer, you press record.
     
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    pepsicola96

    Star Member
    Jul 11, 2024
    49
    92
    quick q, does anyone know how many offices/in how many countries freshfields has? I've briefly mentioned it as 33 because that's what legal cheek says, but now i've seen 28 reported on a different website, and i checked FF website, and counted their offices and got 30, but that included Manchester, which Idk if it counts as an office, or if there's others like that etc 😭

    it's not that important so I might just remove it, unless anyone knows for sure.
     

    Chill_solicitor

    Star Member
    Dec 26, 2024
    37
    27
    quick q, does anyone know how many offices/in how many countries freshfields has? I've briefly mentioned it as 33 because that's what legal cheek says, but now i've seen 28 reported on a different website, and i checked FF website, and counted their offices and got 30, but that included Manchester, which Idk if it counts as an office, or if there's others like that etc 😭

    it's not that important so I might just remove it, unless anyone knows for sure.
    You could just say ‘a plethora or offices…’ or like ‘with over 20 offices…’
     

    murm

    Distinguished Member
    Nov 18, 2023
    56
    77
    Hi @Andrei Radu and all,

    I have a pre recorded VI with a US firm. I'm not too worried about the questions themselves but I have a tendency to speak in a monotone voice when I am nervous during video interviews. For some this may be perceived as a lack of enthusiasm and confidence.

    Will this be marked against me if my answers are still clear, concise and well structured? Basically I'm trying to find out what the criteria is for a video interview? If anyone has any insights I would appreciate it.

    Thanks
    I think firms differ.
    White & Case for example, grad rec said they purely listen to the content of your answer. She said she often listens to it as a podcast not even looking at the screen. But then others I know they want you to make direct eye contract with camera etc. I would just say if possible, try to use hand gestures and emphasise words. No harm in trying to make it more dramatic i guess.
    You could just say ‘a plethora or offices…’ or like ‘with over 20 offices…’
    I think its better to be specific. Plethora can be copy and pasted between every law firm. I dont know the answr sorry. but do try find it if you want to mention it
     
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    trainee4u

    Valued Member
    Sep 7, 2023
    110
    251
    Anyone done the NRF Arctic Shores? Same as Gowling's?
    My feedback from Gowling was:

    "How you understand others": 4/4 - I always do well on emotion recognition games
    "How you respond to change" 1/4 - I'm sure this is from reacting too slowly or wrongly in the press x/y type games
    "How you attend to tasks & decisions" 1/4 - I'm not sure what this relates to specifically
    "How you approach challenges" 3/4 - I think this is spending too long on the game at the end.
    "How you identify patterns & rules" 4/4 - I will have performed very well on the maths stuff

    So my concern is that research proves that reaction times decline with age and I'm 40+.

    NRF have asked "If you have require any reasonable adjustments please do let us know as soon as possible and we can look at what adjustments cant be made."

    I'm slightly confused by this because they say on their form that "We’re positive about employing disabled people and are an accredited Disability Confident Employer. As a Disability Confident organisation we offer interviews to disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for our roles."

    On that basis I therefore disclosed that I have ASD (although I don't have a formal diagnosis, I would likely get one), so I'm a bit confused now about this, in that I've already disclosed a disability so there's some second-guessing perhaps on whether I should request an adjustment. In addition, I don't think that the people at Arctic Shores have considered that their games are age discriminatory specifically, and it says on the Arctic Shores page only that any of the following may warrant an adjustment and/or additional time:

    "▶ ADHD ▶ Autism ▶ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ▶ Dyscalculia ▶ Dysgraphia ▶ Dyslexia ▶ Dyspraxia ▶ Epilepsy ▶ Mental Health Issue ▶ Multiple Sclerosis ▶ Physical Disability"

    but age is not listed there.

    I'm very much in doubt that it would be a good idea to email NRF and say "hey, your testing discriminates on the basis of age, which is illegal", even though it's obvious that it does. So maybe I just email and say "I'd like more time for the split-second games on the basis of ASD meaning I have slower reactions" [even though this is probably scientifically much less certain than the age issue, lol]? Anyone with experience dealing with this?!
     
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    johnnysins

    Star Member
    Aug 7, 2024
    26
    49
    I thought the invites were for Spring
    I am pretty sure they are for spring, CIP for my Weil application I received the invite a week after everyone else and I am pretty sure it was because I applied stating I was okay with both spring and summer and they pushed my application to Summer. The same should be for Goodwin since especially since I applied 14 minutes before the deadline closed - or so shall I convince myself to cope 🥲
     

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