TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[abbiewhitlock03]

Shoosmiths PFO (at last!) - London office

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

This question may have been asked before, but how best do you go about structuring an answer to the question “introduce yourself/tell us about yourself” in an interview?

Hiya @M_m

This question is basically your elevator pitch. I would treat it as an opportunity to introduce yourself in a way that helps the interviewer get a sense of who you are beyond just your qualifications. It’s a chance to basically share a little about your background, education, and recent experience, while also mentioning any interests that might help you connect with your interviewer. Try to keep the answer more conversational, yet succinct. I'd recommend aiming for an answer that's around 1-2 minutes.

You'll want to basically cover the following:

1. Where you’re from
2. Your educational background
3. A very brief mention of any recent (legal or non-legal) work experience
4. Mention your hobbies or interests

For example, in my own case, I’d mention that I was born and raised outside Toronto, but lived, studied, and worked in Montreal and Chicago before moving to London to be with my partner. After moving here, I decided to study law and after graduating worked for UCL’s Faculty of Law and continued to do various legal volunteer roles. Finally, I’d round things off by saying that I love travel (having backpacked through 30+ countries), as well as art history and hiking. This usually never took more than 2 minutes for me to do and I think it allowed me to ensure my answer was easy for my interviewers to remember.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[simplyfaith]

I just say I'm a:

View attachment 6978


(Just kidding. Honest answer to follow...)

Hogan Lovells jumpscare

 

[Benjamin07]

Shoosmiths PFO (at last!) - London office

Did you get an email discussing the training contract aswell?

 

[nostalgicstar]

OK, writing this because I need some advice. I received PW interview which I'm doing on Monday. I've had so much other work and I've barely prepared for it. If I got it, it would already clash with another VS that I have. I feel like pulling out of the process. I know that sounds really silly but it's just so much work and I wonder whether it's worth it. Could someone advise me on what to do?

Also, one of my top choices is CRS and I haven't heard back from them at all, so if I get a PFO I will kick myself for not having done the PW interview, but at the same time I now only have two days to prepare.

When did they let you know, was this today?

 

[B97x]

Shoosmiths PFO (at last!) - London office

Sorry to hear this! Can I ask in your email did it say something along the lines of “hope you take confidence in knowing your application was strong”?

 

[congrades]

Sorry to hear this! Can I ask in your email did it say something along the lines of “hope you take confidence in knowing your application was strong”?

yeah i got the pfo with this same bit, not sure if it means anything positive especially when it comes to the training contract assessment centre (which I also applied to)

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Shoosmiths PFO finally

 

[abbiewhitlock03]

Did you get an email discussing the training contract aswell?

Yes I did! It's nice to know there's still a possibility of being invited to an assessment day later down the line.

Sorry to hear this! Can I ask in your email did it say something along the lines of “hope you take confidence in knowing your application was strong”?

Yep, mine said that. Must be in all the emails they send out

 

[B97x]

yeah i got the pfo with this same bit, not sure if it means anything positive especially when it comes to the training contract assessment centre (which I also applied to)

I agree I also applied to the TC, ugh sorry about your PFO good luck with the TC!

 

[trainee4u]

got both Ashurst & Shoosmiths PFOs.

 

[jojo23]

I'm pleased to announce that.....


✨️✨️✨️✨️shoosmiths still haven't contacted me✨️✨️✨️✨️

Treating me they same way i treated my essays

Shoosmiths vs!!!



That is what I would say if it didn't just receive a PFO 😅

2 more applications left to make it a full house😪

 

[congrades]

I agree I also applied to the TC, ugh sorry about your PFO good luck with the TC!

good luck to you too! hopefully it has no impact and the scheme is aimed at those with less legal experience or something

 

[jojo23]

Yes I did! It's nice to know there's still a possibility of being invited to an assessment day later down the line.

Yep, mine said that. Must be in all the emails they send out

Mine didn't say that🤣 i applied for the London office too

 

[avocadob]

Anyone heard back from Bird & bird?

 

[CG_101]

Slaughters VS!

 

[JR8]

Shoosmiths PFO finally

Same here! Do they send the same email to everyone saying "hope you take confidence from hearing your application was strong"?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

I’m a semi-recent postgraduate currently working as a paralegal and I am considering applying to Stephenson Harwood. Would it be better to apply for the placement scheme or apply to the direct tc?

I appreciate that the placement scheme may be more competitive, but I also know it’s the firm’s first-choice pool. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Hiya @Georgewashington (great name btw)

I'd definitely recommend applying for the direct training contract if you don't think you'll be able to draft a strong application before tonight's deadline. In my first year applying to the firm, I had no commercial legal experience but still progressed to the next stage for the direct training contract. Based on previous cycles, they’ve also had a decent intake through the direct training contract route. Given your current role as a paralegal, I think you have a good chance of getting through the initial application stage.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[JR8]

Sorry to hear this! Can I ask in your email did it say something along the lines of “hope you take confidence in knowing your application was strong”?

Mine did as well! For a moment I had some hope

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

This can be an issue. It isn’t always the case, and it will depend on the firm in question and also who you are working for as a paralegal. The more the firms are direct competitors, then the more this can be an issue.

I have seen enough paralegals do vacation schemes for it to be okay though. But have seen enough paralegals not get approval from either their current employer or the vacation scheme firm due to their “you can’t work for another employer at the same time” policies or because a conflict check has made it too risky.

The firm won’t do a conflict check until you start an onboarding process though, and so you can be progressed and then find out you cannot proceed. You’d also need to declare it to the firm you are paralegalling with too, which means they could also block it.

Hi Jessica, sorry I found this old message with the search function. As a paralegal, should I be worried about conflict checks for direct training contracts too? Obviously I would disclose this and then avoid acting for the conflicting client once I start my TC, but could it be a reason not to hire me at all? Thank you