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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

shana

Active Member
  • Sep 22, 2024
    13
    35
    I need advice, please.

    I've just received a Linklaters AC invite for the winter vac scheme. The problem is that around 10 pm last night, I had to go to the hospital for a severe dog bite injury on my right hand. It's expected to heal around the day of the AC, but this has drastically affected my ability to prepare, as I'm right-handed.

    Do I ask for additional time and adjustments? Should I request HR to postpone my interview and assessment day? I'm not sure if that's even possible, given the typically shorter time frame to get everything sorted for the winter vac scheme. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
    @F a v o u r Hope you're okay! Congrats on the AC invite.

    Jessica has already responded, but could I just ask you when you completed all your online assessments? I'm just so anxious to hear from Linklaters and want to see when I could expect a reply. :)
     

    F a v o u r

    Distinguished Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
  • Aug 4, 2021
    61
    95
    @F a v o u r Hope you're okay! Congrats on the AC invite.

    Jessica has already responded, but could I just ask you when you completed all your online assessments? I'm just so anxious to hear from Linklaters and want to see when I could expect a reply. :)
    Hi, I completed the Capp assessment on the 4th Oct and the WG on the 5th. Hopefully you'll hear back soon.:)🤞
     
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    Andrei Radu

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 9, 2024
    691
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    Hi guys, do any of you have any insights on how detrimental being cut off during a VI is?
    @Jessica Booker might be able to tell you more about this, but I'd say that while it obviously isn't ideal (as it can show you have some difficulty with managing time under pressure) it is also definitely not a deal-braker for conversion chances. In one of my VIs I got cut off at the end and was still progressed to the next stage.

    How detrimental the impact is I think will mostly depend on the overall cogency of the rest of your answer. If you are cut off just as you are finishing a concluding sentence after articulating a clear and structured response, I would expect the impact to be minimal. However, if you are cut off after panicking midway and not managing to finish the explanation of your main points, it might matter more.
     

    Andrei Radu

    Legendary Member
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    Sep 9, 2024
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    Anyone done a White & Case VS VI - any tips? pls dm me :)
    Hi @sjr22! I recently discussed the same topic, you might find this post useful:
    Hey @m12 and @Walon290! While I don't have any details from this year, I did their VI last year. Based on my general VI experience as applied to the specific W&C VI, these would be my tips:
    • Prepare really well for the big 3 (Why commercial law, Why W&C, Why me) and a few of the other very common questions (such as about a new story you have been following and its impact on the firm). These will form the basis for the questions.
    • Also, prepare for variations of the big 3 - instead of just 'Why W&C' and 'Why commercial law' independently, you could be asked both questions at the same time - 'Tell us about why do you want to be a commercial solicitor at W&C'.
    • Try to get to a point where you can, on the spot, answer both the independent questions and the broader combinations of questions in 1 minute, 1.5 minute, and 2 minute timeframes. Then record yourself and assess your performance. The more you do this, the more will you improve your flexibility to answer different variations of questions in varying timeframes.
    • Prepare for some less common/curveball type of questions. There's no way of predicting what more unique questions W&C may go for this year, but in the past they have had at least one question that was slightly unusual. The best you can prepare for that is by improving your ability to think of the spot and flexibility in how you can refer to your experiences.
    • Do not overcommit when you first start answering a question. This was by far the biggest issue for me last year. I would try to be structured and signpost, so I would start my answer by saying 'I will give you three/four reasons why ...'. However, midway through articulating my answer I would realise I did not have enough time to comprehensively state what I indented to. Thus, I would have to sacrifice either on the quality of my explanations or just not talk through everything I said I would, neither of which is a good look. As such, when in doubt, go for less rather than more. Your purpose should not be to blow away the recruiters, but to simply communicate good substantive points in a clear, concise, and composed manner.
     
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    nodustollens

    Star Member
    Oct 9, 2024
    34
    83
    @Jessica Booker might be able to tell you more about this, but I'd say that while it obviously isn't ideal (as it can show you have some difficulty with managing time under pressure) it is also definitely not a deal-braker for conversion chances. In one of my VIs I got cut off at the end and was still progressed to the next stage.

    How detrimental the impact is I think will mostly depend on the overall cogency of the rest of your answer. If you are cut off just as you are finishing a concluding sentence after articulating a clear and structured response, I would expect the impact to be minimal. However, if you are cut off after panicking midway and not managing to finish the explanation of your main points, it might matter more.
    Thank you! It was me rounding up a point and i got cut off near the end of my sentence.
    I managed to address most of what the question was asking besides one minor point, do you think that’s a big deal?
     

    Andrei Radu

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 9, 2024
    691
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    I have a question- CMS have an insight day for "Non-law undergraduates and graduates studying in England, Wales or NI". I am a non-law graduate, however I have also completed the PGDL. Does this disqualify me from the insight day or could I still apply? (or should I be emailing early careers for clarification). Thanks!
    The PGDL is a postgraduate course, so I would expect this does not disqualify you. However, it's never a bad idea to just make sure by contacting the graduate recruitment team, so if you have the time you should consider doing that.
     
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