TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Andrei Radu]

Hey guys, just wanna reach out for some advice. I had a TI with a firm today, and the next stage is a two-day AC. Unfortunately, the first day of AC clashes with my interview with SM, but the first day is just an unassessed insight day to prepare us for the next day, so I might be able to miss it. I don’t know the outcome of today’s TI yet, but should I reschedule my SM interview just in case?

If I do reschedule, should I mention it’s due to another AC or give a different reason? Thanks

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman

I think it might make sense to just send an email to SM asking whether you could reschedule for a later day. I would advise you not to mention the reason or that if you to to keep it vague (something like 'personal circumstances' perhaps?) as just mentioning another possible AC is not sufficiently impressive to justify the potential perception of the firm as having a lower interest in them (particularly since SM seems to me to be a firm that really cares about recruiting people that are sold on its model). If you do that, I do not see any downside with your SM. If you do not do it, there exists a possibility that you only hear back with the TI outcome too late for SM to be able to reschedule.

 

[floral.tcla]

hi, a bit random but I have a university dinner with alumni tomorrow (with v high-ranked people eg partners at mc/sc firms, barristers, future trainees). how can I best prepare? I've already retraced their linkedin profiles and chatgpt'd some questions to ask them, but I find it hard to make good conversation with people/being personable/what the etiquette normally is for these things? thanks

 

[yuk0n]

hi, a bit random but I have a university dinner with alumni tomorrow (with v high-ranked people eg partners at mc/sc firms, barristers, future trainees). how can I best prepare? I've already retraced their linkedin profiles and chatgpt'd some questions to ask them, but I find it hard to make good conversation with people/being personable/what the etiquette normally is for these things? thanks

I have been to a bunch of these sorts of events- honestly the best thing to do is simply be normal and polite. If you have something you want to ask about then you should lead the convo towards that but I wouldn't shoehorn in a random careers question for the sake of it because that is going to come across as unnatural and a bit odd; you need to note that before they're a law firm partner etc. they're a person. Ask about their work for sure and try to take an interest, but I definitely wouldn't say something like "yeah I've preed your linkedin in advance of this dinner and know you did XYZ" because that's a bit scary lol💀
There are some little etiquette bits to keep in mind (handshakes, particularly for older people) but otherwise I'd say there's really nothing to be nervous about try your best to enjoy it!

 

[A worried graduate]

What stage were you at?

Post VI

The VI was a nightmare

 

[A worried graduate]

From the people i have talked to I can see that they are taking a holistic approach.

Holistic in what sense?

 

[rapunzel]

This might be the case but I already know a few with offers as well.

Oh rlly idk then! 😭 mixed messages

 

[mulan0]

What do group exercises at AC’s tend to entail? Is it negotiation exercises as that’s all I’ve heard so far and how would they work? Secondly how is best to prepare? Any help is appreciated

 

[trainee4u]

What do group exercises at AC’s tend to entail? Is it negotiation exercises as that’s all I’ve heard so far and how would they work? Secondly how is best to prepare? Any help is appreciated

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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Tricky trying to get the motivation to write any applications after several post interview PFOs and getting ghosted by every other firm... do not have the energy for this, why does even trying to write an application reduce me to tears atm? I am sorry to hear you are feeling this way. Just know...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[mulan0]

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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Tricky trying to get the motivation to write any applications after several post interview PFOs and getting ghosted by every other firm... do not have the energy for this, why does even trying to write an application reduce me to tears atm? I am sorry to hear you are feeling this way. Just know...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Yes thankyou so much!!

 

[loe]

Has anyone done the VI for Stephenson Harwood in the past?

 

[sc13]

Silly question but if you say over call that you likely cannot participate in the VS anymore due to other commitments and clashing dates and they agree to invite you to a direct TC assessment centre will I get an email saying I was accepted onto the VS?

 

[Overthinker123!]

I think it might make sense to just send an email to SM asking whether you could reschedule for a later day. I would advise you not to mention the reason or that if you to to keep it vague (something like 'personal circumstances' perhaps?) as just mentioning another possible AC is not sufficiently impressive to justify the potential perception of the firm as having a lower interest in them (particularly since SM seems to me to be a firm that really cares about recruiting people that are sold on its model). If you do that, I do not see any downside with your SM. If you do not do it, there exists a possibility that you only hear back with the TI outcome too late for SM to be able to reschedule.

Hi there,

I would personally wait to hear back from the telephone interview before carrying out any next steps/rescheduling. Another thing is that I do not recommend missing the first day of the AC despite it being unassessed. I’m sure it will do very well on preparing you for the next day, in terms of even little things such as successfully navigating tech for the following assessment day.

I have tagged the rest of the team for additional insights - @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu

Thank you, I really appreciate the insights! I’l reschedule just in case I’m lucky and can attend the AC. I’ll tell them about an exam I have on the same day, which has genuinely just come up recently. Thanks again

 

[floral.tcla]

I have been to a bunch of these sorts of events- honestly the best thing to do is simply be normal and polite. If you have something you want to ask about then you should lead the convo towards that but I wouldn't shoehorn in a random careers question for the sake of it because that is going to come across as unnatural and a bit odd; you need to note that before they're a law firm partner etc. they're a person. Ask about their work for sure and try to take an interest, but I definitely wouldn't say something like "yeah I've preed your linkedin in advance of this dinner and know you did XYZ" because that's a bit scary lol💀
There are some little etiquette bits to keep in mind (handshakes, particularly for older people) but otherwise I'd say there's really nothing to be nervous about try your best to enjoy it!

Thank you ahh thanks for the heads up - j was going to do a few of those things because I thought it would show I’m keen but that makes a lot more sense!!!

 

[ayiiii05]

What's a good strategy to secure a VS? Two years of applying and just rejection after rejection, I've gotten past the application stage twice, I'm definitely doing something wrong.

 

[OrangeCherry1800]

Does anyone know when we will hear back from OC post AC?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Does anyone know when we will hear back from OC post AC?

Maybe next week? I think their last London one was yesterday?

 

[gazdgazd11]

What's a good strategy to secure a VS? Two years of applying and just rejection after rejection, I've gotten past the application stage twice, I'm definitely doing something wrong.

Hey, this used to be me. I will be honest, TCLA premium resources helped me More than anything. You get access to successful apps and courses on how to write them and More. I swear im not sponsored! I know not everyone can afford it but if you can, I recommend getting it for one month and going through their courses and successful applications database. This really changed the game for me. I used to barely get past the app stage, whilst this year I got 3 ACs and had multiple VIs/second stage tests. Good luck!

PS. However, there are many free resources.
I think the biggest thing is to REALLY research the firm (I know this sounds generic) and to master your answers to basic questions like why law etc.

 

[A worried graduate]

Hey, this used to be me. I will be honest, TCLA premium resources helped me More than anything. You get access to successful apps and courses on how to write them and More. I swear im not sponsored! I know not everyone can afford it but if you can, I recommend getting it for one month and going through their courses and successful applications database. This really changed the game for me. I used to barely get past the app stage, whilst this year I got 3 ACs and had multiple VIs/second stage tests. Good luck!

PS. However, there are many free resources.
I think the biggest thing is to REALLY research the firm (I know this sounds generic) and to master your answers to basic questions like why law etc.

What’s on the premium resources?

 

[marisachr]

Just got an email from WFW Grac Rec after being rejected from the video interview asking me if I want a feedback call on my performance? Is this normal?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Hope we all get some good news we can enjoy over the weekend!