TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[ZK03]

I think they consider the test scores and application holistically, but there is no way to know if my scores or my written answers let me down. Or a combination of the both.

I am just waiting patiently to see an outlook notification.

 

[zq522]

Wondered if anyone has any advice regarding interviews and how to talk about experience.

I have four or five experiences that I can talk about, but I've already mentioned three of them in my application. Should I steer clear from mentioning these experiences and achievements that I mentioned in my application during the interview or treat the interview as an opportunity to explore them in greater detail?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

It depends if the interviewers would have read your application. I recently did an interview where the interviewers didnt have access to my application and there i was able to bring up examples of previous work and experiences I mentioned in the app. Might be worth finding that out.

Although generally I would say that if you've discussed experiences in one place its always good to try and bring up different exampels elsewhere as it gives different perspectives and shows your an interesting candidate with lots of stories!

 

[B101]

Wondered if anyone has any advice regarding interviews and how to talk about experience.

I have four or five experiences that I can talk about, but I've already mentioned three of them in my application. Should I steer clear from mentioning these experiences and achievements that I mentioned in my application during the interview or treat the interview as an opportunity to explore them in greater detail?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

I’ve always mentioned what I spoke about in my application but expanded a bit further and I’ve always managed to pass the interview stage doing this

 

[zonnonomo]

anyone done the SPB VI yet? are the questions competency/ motivational/ CA based?

 

[nourriahi]

BCLP rejection after assessment centre
I applied to the Spring Vacation Scheme.

Hey, so sorry to hear that hope you will have more luck on other occasions ! Do you mind me asking how much time it took them to get back to you ?

Thanks !!

 

[Ash4202]

paul weiss pfo

 

[EA95]

Surprising that linklaters only contacted 2 people on here. The fact that they were on 77% affirms my presumption that I am cooked though.

Same

 

[EA95]

paul weiss pfo

So sorry to hear about that

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it normal for a partner to search and add you on LinkedIn after an AC (the task they assessed me on was without seeing my application/CV etc), could you take it as a sign they liked you?

It’s very normal in the same way I often look at people’s LinkedIn profiles when I connect with them. I don’t think you can take it as any sign though unfortunately. It could just be curiosity.

 

[EA95]

I’m definitely cooked with Linklaters, mine is 66% and on hold, no tick either.

 

[EA95]

Expecting a PFO from Paul Weiss now as well

 

[Jessica Booker]

Would the same advice apply if you’ve been successful in obtaining a VS? There will be a final interview for a training contract so I wanted to understand if there was anything I didn’t do well on in the interview.

Yes - although I’d wait until your vacation scheme to ask for this and you can ask graduated recruitment directly while on the scheme. Again, they may not provide it - but there is no harm in asking.

 

[Katy12345]

It’s very normal in the same way I often look at people’s LinkedIn profiles when I connect with them. I don’t think you can take it as any sign though unfortunately. It could just be curiosity.

Yeah I was thinking that especially with them all going in blind! They did actually reach out to me and sent a really positive message though which was a surprise

 

[Jessica Booker]

Yeah I was thinking that especially with them all going in blind! They did actually reach out to me and sent a really positive message though which was a surprise

Ahhh even more so the case of it being curiosity then if it was a CV/application blind process (although shows the flaws of such blind processes at the same time).

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker

When applying for Direct TC's, do you think it is worth mentioning that I have an upcoming VS with a different firm?

Thank you in advance

Yes - you can either include this in your work experience section if you can add future dates, but with little to no description in the entry, or add it to a motivational question or an extra information section to show you have the opportunity coming up later in the year.

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Last Thursday. I selected the first summer slot as my top choice.

would be very grateful if you could please tell when you completed the VI as it has been over a month since I did mine

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do law firms typically base their written exercises based off their core practice areas?

Possibly, but a lot of written exercises are not practice area specific and are often more general commercial/business exercises.

 

[Jessica Booker]

When answering a "why this firm" question in 90 seconds, how many separate parts to the answer should there be?

I would aim for 2-3 points that you cover in detail/explain.

In the last 10-15 seconds of your answer you can alway say something briefly like “I am also interested in the firm’s X, Y and Z, but my 2/3 main reasons for applying are those I have outlined”.

 

[RSK]

anyone still waiting to hear back from latham post app/sjt for spring vac scheme. Genuinely don't know if I should just mark it as a PFO at this point on my tracker :/

 

[kuuks_]

Anyone else heard from Paul, Weiss yet?