TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

Any general advice for preparing for an AC? It'll be my first one ever. Also, is it acceptable to reach out to current trainees on LinkedIn for tips?

Very well done on your first AC! Huge congrats on getting to this stage.

I completely understand the nerves, especially being your first. I remember my first too. One thing that helped me, which you have rightly suggested, is to reach out to future/current trainees on LinkedIn. I personally recommend reaching out to future trainees more, as they will likely be earlier on in the process and have fresher insights on the firm’s latest process (this might have changed to when current trainees did it). Another thing is that there is the tendency future trainees will be more likely to respond.

In terms of general tips to succeed here:

• Stay calm (easier said than done), but take a moment before answering your questions. You want to avoid falling into the trap of answering too quickly as (1) you end up speaking too fast, making it less likely to understand what one is saying, and (2) you may not even end up conveying your answers as well as you intended/prepared for.
• In line with the above, this may sound interesting for sure, but prepare..dont over-prepare. This is especially relevant a day or two prior to the AC. Over-preparing could make you more anxious. My best ACs were those which I took a moment for self-care the day before. Trust that you have done very well to get to this stage. Look at it this way…the AC is simply a chance for you to expand on the written application.
• Know your main motivations.. why the firm, why commercial law, why you. You will likely be probed on these, so have solid answers. Have answers that aren’t easily accessible online. Have answers which not every applicant can mention. How to do this? Research research research… and specificity! And linking back to your own self and life experiences!
• Ask thoughtful questions at the end. Anything you always wanted to know that isn’t accessible online? You will have lawyers working at the forefront of these deals in front fo you. Would be a great opportunity to ask away.

Best of luck. I know you’ll smash it!

 

[future_traineesolicitor]

Anyone received PFO from W&C post VI? They have been ghosting me for almost two months......

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Has anyone heard back from Fox Williams? I saw that last year people heard back end of Feb.

 

[doodllaw29]

anyone know when Wedlake Bell post-interview news comes out?

 

[BBsharkk]

FINALLY the Latham PFO!! 🎉

Went to their AC last year and encouraged me to reapply as "I was so close". ☺️

 

[ysr567]

Has anyone heard from Brown Rudnick, Harbottle & Lewis or DAC Beachcroft yet

 

[MR10]

I did

whats the next stage after application form

 

[lolasparks]

anyone applied to brabners

Yes not heard back yet, I think within the next two weeks probably

 

[Amma Usman]

Similar questions have been asked before but if an interview is not CV-blind, and I am asked to introduce myself at the beginning, what details should I be looking to cover? Normally, I'd talk about my educational background etc but I don't want to just repeat what the interviewers already know.

Very very good question. It always came up for me. At the start of my interview journey, I never really knew what to say. How much info did they want? How professional did I need to be? Could I just say… HELLO MY NAME IS AMMA AND I LIKE RICE! Hahaha definitely not, but the below approach definitely helped me;

The trick is to treat it like a little story about you, who you are, what drives you, and why you’re sitting in that chair. It’s all about hitting the right balance between being personal and professional.

A structure that works really well is splitting it into three parts. Start with the present, where you are now and what you’re doing. This gives them the context they need without diving into too much detail yet.

Then, move into the past, this is where you can talk about what’s shaped you. For me, I always loved charity work and social mobility, so I often mentioned my work in that sphere. It’s a huge part of who I am at my core, and it tied into everything I was doing. I’d say something like, “My passion for social mobility and charity work really influenced my journey, from leading initiatives at university to helping others access opportunities they didn’t think were possible.” This adds a personal touch and shows what drives you beyond just academics or professional ambitions.

Finally, end with the future, tie everything to the role or firm. This is where you can connect the dots between your background and what they’re looking for. You could say, “That’s why I’m so excited about this opportunity, it feels like the perfect way to combine my passion for making an impact with my interest in (X specific area of law or the firm’s ethos).” Finish on a confident, enthusiastic note.

The main thing is to keep it concise, two minutes max, but hit those unique points that make you stand out. For me, charity work was always a must-mention because it’s such a big part of who I am, and I think it’s good to highlight something similar for yourself. Show them what you’re passionate about and how that aligns with the role. If you can do that while keeping it genuine, you’ll smash it.

Hey there,

This is a really good question to be honest. I always wondered what it was they wanted to hear. I wondered what was appropriate and what was unnecessary given time constraints. The key is to keep it short and simple, covering your main background (educational, professional, extracurricular). For someone like me that is really chatty, having a mental framework of what I needed to cover was helpful. Though, I didn’t follow this verbatim, so as to not appear robotic. This applies to any question asked in an interview. You should have carefully prepared beforehand, but also be presently prepared during the interview to go outside the scope of your preparations. Sometimes new ideas and stuff to mention about yourself and experiences actually come up during the interview itself.

Simply, this particular intro question to who you are, should cover…

• Past you.
• Present you.
• Future you.

This is not a must-follow approach/one-size fits all. But, it has personally helped me give a direct and all-rounded intro of myself in professional circumstances. I think the “future you“ aspect is especially important, as it helps you talk about how the firm can play a part in that, given your goal to become a commercial lawyer long-term.

I have quoted a post I made on this exact topic. Hope you find it helpful in structuring your answers.

 

[efm99]

Bit random but if an interview was scheduled for an hour (including questions at the end) and it was 45 minutes including questions is this usually a bad sign?

 

[Wompycapy]

Did Latham just sent out another round of PFOs today?

 

[tryingmybestlol]

Bit random but if an interview was scheduled for an hour (including questions at the end) and it was 45 minutes including questions is this usually a bad sign?

I don't have a lot of experience in this area so pls feel free to disregard my comment lol, but I once had an interview with similar timelines as you and in this case I was unsuccessful and one of the reasons they listed was that I didn't develop my answers enough. That being said, if you feel you fully explored the questions they asked you I personally don't think it being shorter is an issue, can mean you were clear and succinct in your answers too.

 

[AlegalA]

Hey guys, I have my first ever VS coming up in two weeks, and I'm not really sure how to go about asking ppl to go for coffees and stuff? I know it's an important part of standing out and making sure ppl get to know you, but I have a one week VS and I don't actually know when I'm gonna have free time/ how the VS is laid out, so not really sure how to go about this?
I don't want to ask someone for a coffee chat and then have to cancel last minute as the firm had something planned at that moment. Should I just wait till the scheme starts? I really like this firm and would really really like to get a TC with them.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Similar questions have been asked before but if an interview is not CV-blind, and I am asked to introduce myself at the beginning, what details should I be looking to cover? Normally, I'd talk about my educational background etc but I don't want to just repeat what the interviewers already know.

Think of it like an elevator pitch - its around 60 second for you to present who you are. You want to focus on no more than three themes and to ensure what you connect to those themes are the most interesting/memorable aspects of you.

Try not to describe your whole journey or everything you do - focus on the most interesting aspects that fewer people would say. For instance rather than saying "I am a law student" you can reference law but be more unique/specific "I have really enjoyed my tort module in my law degree"

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey guys, I have my first ever VS coming up in two weeks, and I'm not really sure how to go about asking ppl to go for coffees and stuff? I know it's an important part of standing out and making sure ppl get to know you, but I have a one week VS and I don't actually know when I'm gonna have free time/ how the VS is laid out, so not really sure how to go about this?
I don't want to ask someone for a coffee chat and then have to cancel last minute as the firm had something planned at that moment. Should I just wait till the scheme starts? I really like this firm and would really really like to get a TC with them.

Definitely wait until the scheme starts and you know what your schedule is.

I’d also stress that coffee chats are not that important, especially in a week long scheme. They are a good way to utilise time and network at the start/end of the day/lunch time but should not be done when you could be doing work instead.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Bit random but if an interview was scheduled for an hour (including questions at the end) and it was 45 minutes including questions is this usually a bad sign?

No - not necessarily.

Firms tend to put the maximum time in because it’s much easier to get time back than it is to reschedule because you ran out of time.

 

[Wompycapy]

Following my previous post (thank you to those who replied btw), is there anyone in the same boat as me that's still waiting for an update? I swear Latham is just edging us at this point 💀

 

[James Wakefield]

Bit random but if an interview was scheduled for an hour (including questions at the end) and it was 45 minutes including questions is this usually a bad sign?

I did a VS last year and my AC interview was 30 minutes, and was scheduled for 50. I thought I definitely hadn’t got it but then I did! Think the partner was relieved to actually have a break. So you can’t read into this too much.

 

[AlegalA]

Definitely wait until the scheme starts and you know what your schedule is.

I’d also stress that coffee chats are not that important, especially in a week long scheme. They are a good way to utilise time and network at the start/end of the day/lunch time but should not be done when you could be doing work instead.

Thank you so much for your answer. I've also read that successful TC offer holders often go out of their way to knock on people's doors/ go up to people to speak to them (not during lunch but during working hours) to make themselves known. Is this actually typical and recommended? Or should I just get on with work and focus on socialising during lunch/break or events?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Can any1 suggest good questions to ask at an AC in the interview, ive got some in mind relating to the firm itself but are there any good ones which are bit more general or specific to the interviewers I can ask?