TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[trainee4u]

Re attire for VS: would using a briefcase from Montblanc be a red flag?

Don't see how it could be, it's a professional accessory that costs the same as a soon-to-be-ewaste iPhone. It's not like the defendant turning up to a fraud trial in a Lamborghini or something - you don't have to pretend to be from a disadvantaged background if you're not!

 

[CX251]

Don't see how it could be, it's a professional accessory that costs the same as a soon-to-be-ewaste iPhone. It's not like the defendant turning up to a fraud trial in a Lamborghini or something - you don't have to pretend to be from a disadvantaged background if you're not!

It's not about pretending to be from a disadvantaged background. My concern is that an expensive item would be offputting and create a bad impression. I know not to wear Ferragamo/Hermes ties or bold chalk stripe suits.

 

[Chris Brown]

Re attire for VS: would using a briefcase from Montblanc be a red flag?

It should be fine tbh. You can rock up to the VS with your Montblanc briefcase like:
​

 

[confusedbird]

anyone have any guidance or tips for the browne jacobson sjt and/or written questions in the end?
any tips would be really appreciated!!

 

[User5678]

anyone have any guidance or tips for the browne jacobson sjt and/or written questions in the end?
any tips would be really appreciated!!

Hi, for SJT - the same amber jack assessment like other firms. The pillars are different - client, firm, people - marked out of 10 each! Keep the firms core values of the firm and skills needed in a trainee in mind and answer accordingly. Be yourself and you will be fine

For written ques (2 ques - 500 words each) - don’t think you should worry too much as the written element is untimed and you can keep coming back to it. I took an hour or more to write them and still progressed so I do not think they take time into consideration!

You will only get ur feedback report once you finish the complete assessment including writing part.

Hope this helps!

 

[User5678]

It's not about pretending to be from a disadvantaged background. My concern is that an expensive item would be offputting and create a bad impression. I know not to wear Ferragamo/Hermes ties or bold chalk stripe suits.

I understand your concern! To be honest, if it’s not too bold like bold stripes on a suit or the brand name printed across the whole briefcase and if its just a small logo or/and the brand name written in a small font size, you would be absolutely fine (I believe it would also look smart, use it if you have it )

On that note, I have seen a lot of vac schemers wear very bold items while I was doing a placement year and still get a tc, I saw someone wearing a chanel sweater with a big broach and a bold Chanel necklace and she still managed to get a tc . I think they’ll look at your work and attitude and not clothes and bag!

 

[confusedbird]

Hi, for SJT - the same amber jack assessment like other firms. The pillars are different - client, firm, people - marked out of 10 each! Keep the firms core values of the firm and skills needed in a trainee in mind and answer accordingly. Be yourself and you will be fine

For written ques (2 ques - 500 words each) - don’t think you should worry too much as the written element is untimed and you can keep coming back to it. I took an hour or more to write them and still progressed so I do not think they take time into consideration!

You will only get ur feedback report once you finish the complete assessment including writing part.

Hope this helps!

That's helpful! Thank you so much!!

 

[trainee4u]

It's not about pretending to be from a disadvantaged background. My concern is that an expensive item would be offputting and create a bad impression. I know not to wear Ferragamo/Hermes ties or bold chalk stripe suits.

Right, but I'm saying the only reason to change your normal work accessories is because you don't want to give the impression that you come from a privileged background. However, law firms are not looking to hire only people from deprived backgrounds, but widely, on merit. They are not tossing away CVs that say 'Westminster School' on the basis that those people were given advantage by their parents.

Likewise, if you're a career switcher you might well own a nice wardrobe & handbags from your previous earnings, and it's not something to be embarrassed about: these are things lawyers buy for themselves out of their pay packets and use daily.

 

[emma.d]

Typically, how long do law firms take to give TC offers following a Spring VS? And how long do candidates usually have to accept these? Thanks!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Re attire for VS: would using a briefcase from Montblanc be a red flag?

No

 

[Miss Chocolate]

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker Hi! Please could I check the below with you? Thanks in advance for all your help!

1. I am starting a paralegal role in April. I have a couple of DTC applications which need to be submitted before the end of this month. One of them is with the firm I will be starting work at as a paralegal. At least for that firm, would it be all right to mention that I will be starting a role at the company and phrase it in a way to show my commitment to learning more about them? For other DTC applications, would mentioning this future role briefly in one of the 'application questions' be fine to do? Obviously, I wouldn't add it in the work experience section.

2. I was rejected by Withers after taking the online test for the VS. I am re-applying for their DTC. Should I restructure a lot of the application form? I am not sure why I was rejected and whether the decision was based largely on my test results or the written form. I am considering just sending in an edited version of the application form that I am personally happy with. If you have any recommendations about this, please do share them.

Thanks again

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Re attire for VS: would using a briefcase from Montblanc be a red flag?

Well, no. Honestly, present your authentic professional self as much as possible. I know people who have got offers with fairly unconventional personal styles. What's important though is that they were all comfortable in their presentation and being their authentic selves.

 

[Miss Chocolate]

It should be fine tbh. You can rock up to the VS with your Montblanc briefcase like:
​

no stop i am crying 🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[Jessica Booker]

It's not about pretending to be from a disadvantaged background. My concern is that an expensive item would be offputting and create a bad impression. I know not to wear Ferragamo/Hermes ties or bold chalk stripe suits.

My example of the Birkin bag was very different where it was probably 15+ times the value of what a Montblanc briefcase would be. The Birkin bag person also made their bag the centre of attention a lot, which didn't go down well as it was seen as very show-off.

I don't think it will cause a bad impression to take it into work - they are generally subtle and its likely to be the case that most people won't even spot what it is. Those that do probably own one themselves and maybe also bring it into work.

As suggested elsewhere, it would be a similar value to an iPhone or an expensive laptop, so its not really an issue.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Typically, how long do law firms take to give TC offers following a Spring VS? And how long do candidates usually have to accept these? Thanks!

Can be anything offering immediately and giving a few weeks to make a decision on the offer all the way through to not making offers until the end of the summer or giving you to mid-September to accept.

This is a very legitimate question to ask the graduate recruitment/HR team as part of your vacation scheme (if they don't tell you) so you can manage your expectations and other recruitment processes accordingly.

 

[Legallywhatever]

For questions like 'what aspects of the solicitor role do you find most interesting', should a lot of the focus be on commercial-driven interests?

 

[STEM Student]

Sorry if I’m getting a bit annoying (just a bit anxious), have NRF given out summer vac scheme offers yet.

Also how do I gauge if I did well in my AC or not - it was my first ever one. Never done an hour long interview before in my life.

 

[Jessica Booker]

For questions like 'what aspects of the solicitor role do you find most interesting', should a lot of the focus be on commercial-driven interests?

It doesn't have to be - it can be any element that you think you will find interesting, but I would just make sure that the combination of the aspects you identify couldn't apply to lots of other careers/areas of law. But not everything has to be commercial.

 

[lawstudent272003]

Is anyone doing the OC Talent Programme in APRIL?

 

[berocca567]

If a 'cover letter' is just one question on an application form, alongside other standard questions (e.g. 'What's your proudest achievement'), do you still need to structure it with 'Dear Graduate Recruitment', and introduce yourself? It isnt as a document but just in an answer field