TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Jessica Booker

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This may have been asked already but... I have an in-person AC interview coming up and I believe that there will be (at a minimum) two fee-earners interviewing me. When one of them asks me a question, and I have to respond, should I look at both interviewers back-and-forth when responding? Or should I only focus on the person that’s asked me?

Alternatively, does it depend on the question/who is writing notes on my answers lol💀

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman
You should ensure you are getting eye contact with both interviewers - it does not matter who is taking notes.
 
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Jessica Booker

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@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, I submitted my application and interview experiences in the middle of the week, and I assume the forms were not closed as I was able to complete them. The email said the gift cards would be issued by 31 Jan - if I didn't get them, does that mean what I submitted was not valid?
You should email [email protected] with this query and someone from the team will be able to follow up on this.
 
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jta227

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Nov 10, 2024
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As part of an AC, I've been asked to put together a 10 minute presentation on a current social, political or economic issue currently impacting the UK economy and how that issue impacts commercial law firms (picking out specific sectors affected, what opportunities/challenges there are for law firms in relation to the issue, how it will impact clients etc).

Does anyone have any advice on how to go about picking a topic/issue to present on? Very aware that 10 minutes isn't actually a lot of time to go into much depth on anything so not sure how to go about picking a topic that's not too narrow!

I’d try something unlikely to be picked by several people that would make me stand out positively (but is still a good point), and if there is time for questions after then also try not to pick something super niche and relevant to your assessors’ practice areas unless you are super confident and can withstand a grilling on the topic (was advice from NRF open day, if you don’t know your assessors then ignore the 2nd point)
 
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futuretrainee!

Star Member
Apr 7, 2024
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Just did the PW SJT:

Top for verbal, middle for numerical but mixed feelings about the pillars-7,7,6,1 lmao. 1 being applied intellect 💀Never scored so low for empathy/collaboration in other tests so feeling like I’ve bombed this one 😭 On the plus side, the scores are much better compared to the Reed Smith one I did a few weeks back… feeling argh!

If Paul from Paul, Weiss is watching from a distance.. I promise you I’m very friendly, collaborative and have a heart!! 😂😭
Reed Smith was something else - I got 3 for applied intellect and I am a Christian 😭
 

Jessica Booker

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Hi! Does anybody know which the fourth pillar of the SJT for PW is (aside from numerical, verbal reasoning and applied intellect)?
The pillars are not the elements of the exercise like the numerical and verbal reasoning. The pillars are more the competencies that are being assessed and are as follows:

IMG_0040.png
 

wqueens8

Star Member
Jun 28, 2024
49
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What do the numbers mean!? Is high in one good? Is equalising all of them better? Is a 9 and a 1 better than a 6 and a 3? Why is amberjack so vague on what anything means 😞
I have no real information, but from what I've seen on here higher is better of course, but I suspect there might be a benchmark of a certain level in each section, this might vary with firms though I'm not sure. I also think it is one of those tests where it's impossible to score very highly in all sections. The highest I've seen here was like 9, 8, 5, 6 or something, never seen all of them high high. So if that's true I guess some amount of equalisation is better?

This is entirely speculation though lol, so don't read too much into it
 

Kakaboo

Distinguished Member
Dec 5, 2024
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I’ve done a cappfinity assessment and my highest was growth mindset and personal responsibility and my lowest was relationship manager. Is this any good? Also does this mean I did ok on the WG style questions? Sorry I just really love this firm!
 

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