TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[sarg1234]

Has anybody else heard from Goodwin?

 

[Bread]

you're so right. Is it true that the interview is more conversational? If so that's brilliant. I thought it would be technicals...

No idea, I just saw someone on the forum mention this!

 

[Anon Lawyer]

I am sorry if you don’t mind me asking which office did you apply to?

I applied to the Birmingham office

 

[Joshyf10]

Has anybody else heard from Goodwin?

No

 

[Chris Brown]

you're so right. Is it true that the interview is more conversational? If so that's brilliant. I thought it would be technicals...

Yeah I’d say it’s more conversational but they did have some questions prepared in advance. They seemed more interested in what I had to say and asked me a few follow up questions.​

 

[Chris Brown]

OK, writing this because I need some advice. I received PW interview which I'm doing on Monday. I've had so much other work and I've barely prepared for it. If I got it, it would already clash with another VS that I have. I feel like pulling out of the process. I know that sounds really silly but it's just so much work and I wonder whether it's worth it. Could someone advise me on what to do?

Also, one of my top choices is CRS and I haven't heard back from them at all, so if I get a PFO I will kick myself for not having done the PW interview, but at the same time I now only have two days to prepare.

I would say do the Paul, Weiss interview and if you are successful with them and CRS, then make the decision about which VS offer you want to accept (if dates clash). It’s better to have two potential options alongside the VS offer you have atm! Best of luck for the Paul, Weiss interview! 🙂🙂​

 

[onedayj]

Hi @onedayj - I try to meet all interviewees before their interview (sometimes my schedule makes this difficult) and I do tell everyone in person that they should hear from us in the next week (meaning five working days post-interview) - sometimes there is a delay. The very latest interviewees will hear from us is Monday 10 March.

thanks
Gemma

Thanks for confirming Gemma!

 

[letsdothis]

Anyone heard from HL post-AC this week?

 

[B97x]

Shoosmiths PFO finally!

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Shoosmiths PFO finally!

Is that for the Birmingham office?

 

[B97x]

Is that for the Birmingham office?

Nope it was for the Leeds office and I got the email at 16:09 to be exact

 

[vr36]

Anything from W&C- Post AC?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

This question may have been asked before, but how best do you go about structuring an answer to the question “introduce yourself/tell us about yourself” in an interview?

I just say I'm a:




(Just kidding. Honest answer to follow...)

 

[simplyfaith]

EXCLUSIVE Gen Z lawyers require ‘handholding’, says firm

Quiet part out loud

www.rollonfriday.com

Top US firm says GenZ lawyers require 'more handholding' at work - Legal Cheek

Suggestion appeared in a job ad for Gibson Dunn

www.legalcheek.com

Guys, what are your thoughts on this? (Not trying to stir things up here, I genuinely want to hear thoughts from everyone with a current or future stake in these firms so please keep it friendly hehe)

Some young people jump on the bandwagon of complaint because they want an easy life. To them, I have little sympathy. They make it difficult for everyone else to form a coherent argument. The bandwagon itself is very much real, though. Under-trained and over-worked in a broken economy prioritising the wrong metrics.

If we're genuinely considering advanced civilizational pursuits such as AI and space travel, we need to at least get the basics right! We'd look pretty silly, otherwise.

 

[abbiewhitlock03]

Shoosmiths PFO (at last!) - London office

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

This question may have been asked before, but how best do you go about structuring an answer to the question “introduce yourself/tell us about yourself” in an interview?

Hiya @M_m

This question is basically your elevator pitch. I would treat it as an opportunity to introduce yourself in a way that helps the interviewer get a sense of who you are beyond just your qualifications. It’s a chance to basically share a little about your background, education, and recent experience, while also mentioning any interests that might help you connect with your interviewer. Try to keep the answer more conversational, yet succinct. I'd recommend aiming for an answer that's around 1-2 minutes.

You'll want to basically cover the following:

1. Where you’re from
2. Your educational background
3. A very brief mention of any recent (legal or non-legal) work experience
4. Mention your hobbies or interests

For example, in my own case, I’d mention that I was born and raised outside Toronto, but lived, studied, and worked in Montreal and Chicago before moving to London to be with my partner. After moving here, I decided to study law and after graduating worked for UCL’s Faculty of Law and continued to do various legal volunteer roles. Finally, I’d round things off by saying that I love travel (having backpacked through 30+ countries), as well as art history and hiking. This usually never took more than 2 minutes for me to do and I think it allowed me to ensure my answer was easy for my interviewers to remember.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[simplyfaith]

I just say I'm a:

View attachment 6978


(Just kidding. Honest answer to follow...)

Hogan Lovells jumpscare

 

[Benjamin07]

Shoosmiths PFO (at last!) - London office

Did you get an email discussing the training contract aswell?

 

[nostalgicstar]

OK, writing this because I need some advice. I received PW interview which I'm doing on Monday. I've had so much other work and I've barely prepared for it. If I got it, it would already clash with another VS that I have. I feel like pulling out of the process. I know that sounds really silly but it's just so much work and I wonder whether it's worth it. Could someone advise me on what to do?

Also, one of my top choices is CRS and I haven't heard back from them at all, so if I get a PFO I will kick myself for not having done the PW interview, but at the same time I now only have two days to prepare.

When did they let you know, was this today?

 

[B97x]

Shoosmiths PFO (at last!) - London office

Sorry to hear this! Can I ask in your email did it say something along the lines of “hope you take confidence in knowing your application was strong”?