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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Andrei Radu

Legendary Member
Staff member
Future Trainee
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 9, 2024
691
1,257
Any advice for telephone interviews please? What questions can I ask GR
I think for phone interviews I would advise you to keep your answers short and easy to understand, as you will simply have less time and a harder time communicating than in an actual interview. Because of the time constraints most of it will likely be focused on the usual competency/motivational questions, so prepare for them really well.

As for questions you can ask the graduate recruitment team, while I think it is generally best to try to link them with something discussed in the interview, I will list some that I think are fine bellow:
  • Are there any particular skills/attributes you are particularly looking for in a candidate? What is the most common quality trainees at the firm have?
  • What have you observed to be the most common difficulties that trainees at the firm deal with, and how does the firm support them in overcoming them?
  • What is the firm's training philosophy? Are people at the firm offered any training on non-legal matters?
  • How does the firm's seat/secondment allocation process work?
  • What does the firm do to foster its culture?
 
  • 🤝
Reactions: Chris Brown

Amakaa

Distinguished Member
Nov 20, 2023
67
174
I think for phone interviews I would advise you to keep your answers short and easy to understand, as you will simply have less time and a harder time communicating than in an actual interview. Because of the time constraints most of it will likely be focused on the usual competency/motivational questions, so prepare for them really well.

As for questions you can ask the graduate recruitment team, while I think it is generally best to try to link them with something discussed in the interview, I will list some that I think are fine bellow:
  • Are there any particular skills/attributes you are particularly looking for in a candidate? What is the most common quality trainees at the firm have?
  • What have you observed to be the most common difficulties that trainees at the firm deal with, and how does the firm support them in overcoming them?
  • What is the firm's training philosophy? Are people at the firm offered any training on non-legal matters?
  • How does the firm's seat/secondment allocation process work?
  • What does the firm do to foster its culture?
Thank you so much!
 
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Reactions: Andrei Radu

M_m

Distinguished Member
Premium Member
Jun 27, 2023
55
50
This might be a dumb question, but one of the OC application questions is “Please describe the top three extracurricular and/or work/volunteering experiences that have most significantly contributed to your skills development. Which skills have you developed through these experiences? And why do you believe that these skills are essential for a successful career at Osborne Clarke?”

What exactly counts as “skills”? In the sense, do resilience, adaptability, discipline, etc. count as skills?
 

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
596
1,970
This might be a dumb question, but one of the OC application questions is “Please describe the top three extracurricular and/or work/volunteering experiences that have most significantly contributed to your skills development. Which skills have you developed through these experiences? And why do you believe that these skills are essential for a successful career at Osborne Clarke?”

What exactly counts as “skills”? In the sense, do resilience, adaptability, discipline, etc. count as skills?
I would say these are more examples of your attributes and character.

Skills could be things like time management, multi-tasking, communication, organisation, teamwork and attention to detail etc.

For example if you worked in customer service you could mention how you developed communication and interpersonal skills.

If you held a position of responsibility in a uni society you could draw on teamwork and active listening skills.

You would also need to link these skills and show why you think they would be essential for a career at OC.
 

pepsicola96

Distinguished Member
Jul 11, 2024
52
92
have completed the NRF arctic shores and I am more perplexed than anything else.

I am anti-psychometric test in general, but at least with other tests I can kinda see where they're coming from. E.g watson glaser is objectively testing skills for a lawyer, SJT tests are testing how you respond in real situations you may be put it. This test felt like it was solely testing my reaction time. Having read the feedback report I don't think any of those conclusions are reasonable to make about a person based on this test.

Having said all that I actually think it went okay, just definitely the most odd one I've ever done.
 

xxx

Esteemed Member
  • Oct 26, 2024
    75
    77
    Hi! I was just wondering, when we are asked to give references to previous employers it would only be for ones with formal work experience? For example, a part-time jobs/ internships rather than let’s say a volunteering position or a society role/ mentorship scheme?

    Also, if I’m a tutor on a platform like tutorhunt, and I count as self-employed how would I go about providing a reference for my work?
     

    asplawyer100

    Distinguished Member
    Feb 13, 2024
    52
    49
    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.
    I’m wondering the same thing. I did the Mayer Brown job simulation a couple of weeks ago. I have seen that a fair few people on this forum have received AC invites as long as a week ago, so I’m guessing it’s likely a PFO for us.
     

    helterskelter

    New Member
    Dec 31, 2024
    1
    1
    Hi. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to prepare for the analytical interview portion of the Freshfields AC?

    I’ve been regularly reading the FT and Watson’s Daily but I’m struggling to find overarching trends so feel this puts me as a disadvantage. Is there any recommendations for a website that clearly articulates how each story affects the overarching industry.

    Thanks!
     
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    Reactions: noahsmiit01

    kokoprep

    Legendary Member
    Premium Member
  • Nov 18, 2023
    223
    186
    Hi. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to prepare for the analytical interview portion of the Freshfields AC?

    I’ve been regularly reading the FT and Watson’s Daily but I’m struggling to find overarching trends so feel this puts me as a disadvantage. Is there any recommendations for a website that clearly articulates how each story affects the overarching industry.

    Thanks!
    Is this for DTC
     

    bangarangbass39

    Legendary Member
    Sep 13, 2023
    240
    391
    For AG = Completed the Voice Interview on the 10th of Jan. Went much better than I expected but it is so up in the air. Been waiting since May last year for this one application so if I don’t make AC that’s so disappointing😭.

    For CMS = Completed the WG on the 18th of Oct. Honestly not to fussed. It’s at the bottom of my list. I only want to see what stages I need to improve on for other apps.

    For DAC = Completed the VI on the 3rd of Dec.

    I have heard nothing from Bates Wells - applied on the 10th of Oct; they are supposed to be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. The one I’m most nervous about because of the size of the firm and their communication style. There is very little I can assume reliably.


    Similar with Lewis Silkin who I applied to on the 23rd of Oct.
     

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