TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amiyrerose]

Hey guys, anyone taken the video interview for Kennedy's SQE programme yet? if so, how did you find it?

 

[Amiyrerose]

Separately, anyone applying to the Farrer&Co training contract?

 

[Tiffanychan4]

Hey guys, anyone taken the video interview for Kennedy's SQE programme yet? if so, how did you find it?

Im also waiting to do mine soon haha

 

[Reem2024]

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)

 

[SamiyaJ]

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.

 

[pepsicola96]

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]

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]

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

 

[Star Light]

If I have not heard back from Mayer Brown after job simulation, is it a PFO or are they sending our invites staggered? I am a bit concerned because I realised I did not receive an email to confirm completion after the assessment.

 

[thelawnet]

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?!

 

[johnnysins]

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 🥲

 

[jacksollaf]

Anyone received a response for Baker Summer VC? In their email, they said they would send invites to online tests in jan.

no, they should send them out tomorrow 99.9999% sure; because I emailed them about it and they told that they will do their best to send them by 10th of January...

 

[jacksollaf]

Is anyone still waiting on HSF? If so have you emailed about any update?

I didn't email them but last year they send out AC around the third week of jan I think so could be hearing soon ... I didn't email because id rather extend my joy of anticipation of good news, instead of just asking and them saying you got PFOd. 😂 😂

 

[Legalstalker]

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?!

Some firms ask for proof of disability (to stop those benefiting from adjustments that they have not been granted) rightly so. How will you tackle this if asked by a firm?

I have been asked by many firms for proof of anything if I request an adjustment. Some ask some don’t.

Ashurst allow dispensation from their emotify test if you can provide proof.

I think it’s important to get yourself on the list if you haven’t got disabilities you suspect you may have so you can use this as evidence!

 

[Amiyrerose]

Im also waiting to do mine soon haha

I’m scared 😭 how are you feeling ?

 

[jta227]

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?!

Reaction time is also partly genetics anyways - some people of the same age will have worse than others with little potential for improval. Not sure if those margins are enough to make a difference in Arctic Shores but I'd guess yes. I really don't believe reaction time is very useful as a city law predictor anyways and moreso think they just want a method to cut candidates down, but then again I'm not their GR and Arctic Shores claims their research is sound.

Regarding ASD, I remember hearing of a candidate that was exempt from the face part of Arctic Shores because of Autism, can't remember which firm though. Always worth asking them (lack of diagnosis might be an issue? they might not ask for proof at test stage but if you get a TC they might). Gowling's didn't have a face section IIRC, NRF has quite a few more sections than Gowling.

Btw for Gowling I got 4/4 in everything and one 2/4 but didn't get a VI, NRF I got notably worse than that and got through.

 

[LawLawLawLawLaw]

does anyone have any advice on SJT and online tests? i feel like i fall down everytime i get to this stage - i practice them but dont seem to get any where!!

 

[UNKNOWN803]

Is anyone still waiting on HSF? If so have you emailed about any update?

Just got PFO'd post test, so no news is good news

 

[wqueens8]

for a personal statement or cover letter, is it recommended to use subheadings?

 

[thelawnet]

Regarding ASD, I remember hearing of a candidate that was exempt from the face part of Arctic Shores because of Autism, can't remember which firm though. Always worth asking them (lack of diagnosis might be an issue? they might not ask for proof at test stage but if you get a TC they might). Gowling's didn't have a face section IIRC, NRF has quite a few more sections than Gowling.

Btw for Gowling I got 4/4 in everything and one 2/4 but didn't get a VI, NRF I got notably worse than that and got through.

Hmm,
Gowling told me

Assessment length
5 tasks, ~5-10 mins each

NRF have told me

Assessment length
4 tasks, ~5-10 mins each

AIR for Gowling I got:
* curve/straight + odd/even reaction time game
* arrows reaction time game
* place and rotate the shapes so that they resemble the previous shape rotated 90 degrees
* fit the tetris pieces
* face recognition
* safe cracking
* maths reactions: pop the bubbles that sum to -42, etc.

that seems to be more than 5 tasks, but IDK.