TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

trainee4u

Legendary Member
Sep 7, 2023
265
585
Define ‘people skills’ then?

I asked ChatGPT about your reply:

The reply "Define 'people skills' then?" doesn’t demonstrate great people skills. While it raises a relevant question about clarifying the term, its tone might come across as abrupt or dismissive, depending on the context.
Good people skills involve effective communication, empathy, and the ability to maintain a positive interaction—even in a debate. A more thoughtful reply might look like this:
"That's an interesting point. Could you elaborate on what specific traits or behaviors you mean by 'people skills'? It'd be helpful to have a clearer definition."
This approach fosters collaboration and shows a willingness to engage constructively while asking for clarification. If you're writing on a forum, tone and wording can make all the difference in building rapport and demonstrating people skills. Would you like help crafting a reply?


I don't particularly agree with its analysis in that my perspective would be that the definition of "people skills" is easily accessible via Google, and it would ultimately demonstrate better people skills to go away and read that and then perhaps come back with a more specific reply that demonstrates that you have done research, which is more respectful of other people, who don't then need to answer questions that have textbook answers.

There are different issues that could be at play.

* It's definitely understandable that if you have been a member of this forum for three years that you might be getting frustrated at the recruitment process, and it's understandable that you would express that
* We know that some people might be very good at law but perhaps struggle with people skills, and there might be specific roles where those people would thrive.
* However it appears to me that your responses lack the necessary self-reflection that will help you to achieve your goals.

This is not intended as a personal attack on you or anything: I understand that I, personally, have not got a TC, and likewise do not *deserve* a TC, because I have failed personally to achieve and put in the work at all the necessary stages to achieve that goal.

I can also see perhaps that my skills might work better in different areas than others, giving me a better chance following certain routes to get a TC than others, and ultimately my perspective is that this a *me* problem, in that I am selling something (myself) and just need to find a buyer. If I'm not marketable, my question is why. And so far I've found answers about where I can improve. And that's motivating for me because I can see the necessary steps to do that, including for example attempting to mask a tendency to apply in ways abruptly or defensively.

The problem from my perspective (and I assume other forum readers) is that your posts appear not to demonstrate the process of analysis and reflection that I would personally want to follow before making conclusions such as those that you have made.

OTOH this is only a forum on the internet and it's valid to make lighthearted posts or those not intended entirely seriously, so to the extent that I or you are letting off steam then it might be best to withdraw from subsequent discussions rather than attempt to defend a perhaps ill-considered or lighthearted first post.
 
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BobThebIlly

Distinguished Member
Premium Member
Dec 6, 2024
71
110
Typically, no, it doesn't at all.

1. it's not a legally binding obligation
2. it's subject to meeting the "minimum criteria", which they will never disclose.

I have ticked the box, and not been offered an interview.

While it certainly appears to imply that you have an increased chance of an interview, whether this is the case, in the absence of any statutory oversight, FOI, etc. nobody can be sure.
Thanks for letting me know!

I also ticked the box for SH's VS and haven't heard anything back. It's a shame they don't offer more information on how the scheme works within their recruitment process :(

Good luck though! I hope we both hear some good news :)
 

User5678

Legendary Member
Aug 16, 2024
292
400
Has anyone had an interview end very quickly? The interview was scheduled for an hour but only lasted for about 30 minutes which was a bit disheartening
Don’t think too much into it. They mostly have a set number of questions they need to ask. Most of my interviews have lasted less than the scheduled time they mention and I’ve gotten through many of them.
 
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aphelion

Distinguished Member
Premium Member
Apr 4, 2023
60
252
Has anyone had an interview end very quickly? The interview was scheduled for an hour but only lasted for about 30 minutes which was a bit disheartening
At one of my ACs there were four of us and I was the first one out of the interview by a mile - I'd say by 15 mins or so - and I got a VS offer. Don't overthink it - especially if you talk fast like I do!!!
 
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broalabear

Standard Member
  • Mar 5, 2025
    8
    32
    Hiya @broalabear


    Just wanted to add to what @Amma Usman has already said. Hoping this makes sense as an explanation for what you should try to do during the assumption section of the WG. Good news is that you're right that this proposed assumption is assumed by the main claim.

    An assumption is a statement that the writer/speaker takes for granted in order for another claim to make sense. It’s not stated directly, but it’s essential for the logic of the main claim to hold up. If the proposed assumption turned out to be false, then the main claim/argument would either collapse or at least become much weaker.

    One useful way to test whether a statement is an assumption is to imagine what would happen if that proposed assumption were false. I call this the 'negation test'. Ask yourself: if this proposed assumption were false, would the main claim/argument still work? If the answer is no (e.g. if the main claim/argument falls apart), then the proposed assumption IS assumed. If the main statement/argument still works fine, then it’s probably not an assumption.

    Let’s take the example you've provided here:

    1. Main claim: "For humankind to survive, it must colonise other planets."

    2. Proposed assumption: "There will be a time when the Earth can no longer sustain human life."
    Now try negating the proposed assumption. Imagine that the Earth will always be able to sustain humankind. If that were true, then would we need to colonise other planets to survive (remember, this is what's being claimed in (1))? Doesn't look like it. Thus, the main claim is significantly weakened/no longer makes sense if we don't accept the proposed assumption.

    This method works well in general: take the proposed assumption you're testing, imagine it's false, and see what happens to the main argument/claim. If the whole thing unravels, you've found an assumption. If the argument/claim still stands, then the proposed assumption is very likely not an assumed.

    Let me know if you’d like to more examples or if this doesn't make sense.
    This makes perfect sense and is very helpful - Thank you so very much!

    koala hug GIF
     

    User5678

    Legendary Member
    Aug 16, 2024
    292
    400
    I was looking at the Payne Hicks Beach DTC app and they say on the app that ac’s would be conducted on 8 9 10 April. Considering the deadline is tomorrow midnight, isn’t that too soon for them to be able to get back to us?

    Anyone heard from them already? I’m just trying to figure if it would make sense for me to submit my app today and if they are non rolling?

    Thanks!
     

    User5678

    Legendary Member
    Aug 16, 2024
    292
    400
    Hi, just a quick question, I was looking at the PMC DTC app, they are not asking to upload a CV nor are they asking for any work experience or grades? There are only a few questions to answer. Their portal is a bit weird.

    Was this the the same for you all?

    Thank you :)
     

    broalabear

    Standard Member
  • Mar 5, 2025
    8
    32
    Okay got another Watson Glaser Q, this time a deduction.

    Q: All Real Estate assets are either very large or located in central areas, but not both. While no apartment is untrendy, all trendy RE assets are very large.

    D: Trendy real estate assets are either located in non-central areas or are small.

    The answer says that the conclusion follows, but I'm confused.

    The first part makes sense, [RE Assets = Very Large or Centrally Located, and, since all Trendy Assets = large, Trendy RE Assets have to be non-central]. But the second part makes no sense to me. We know that all trendy RE assets are very large, therefore, they cannot be small?
    I mean, logically, yes the Trendy RE Assets have to either be in non-central areas or they have to be small. But when the question quite literally states that all trendy RE assets are very large, then they obviously can't be small, can they?
     
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    trainee4u

    Legendary Member
    Sep 7, 2023
    265
    585
    Okay got another Watson Glaser Q, this time a deduction.

    Q: All Real Estate assets are either very large or located in central areas, but not both. While no apartment is untrendy, all trendy RE assets are very large.

    D: Trendy real estate assets are either located in non-central areas or are small.

    The answer says that the conclusion follows, but I'm confused.

    The first part makes sense, [RE Assets = Very Large or Centrally Located, and, since all Trendy Assets = large, Trendy RE Assets have to be non-central]. But the second part makes no sense to me. We know that all trendy RE assets are very large, therefore, they cannot be small?
    I mean, logically, yes the Trendy RE Assets have to either be in non-central areas or they have to be small. But when the question quite literally states that all trendy RE assets are very large, then they obviously can't be small, can they?


    The key is the word OR.

    For example:

    enter javascript:alert("hello") into your browser URL. It will pop up "hello"

    then try

    javascript:true&&alert("hello")

    this also pops up hello

    now what happens if you try

    javascript:true||alert("hello")

    NOTHING!

    The && operator means "and". To evaluate the result of true AND <something> you need to carry out the <something>

    The || operator means "or".

    So if you evaluate the expression true OR <something>

    then given that the left hand side of that expression is true, it doesn't even bother continuing to the right hand side, and the alert("hello") is not executed, because there's no point.

    It's exactly the same here.

    ["trendy real-estate assets are located in non-central areas" (true)] OR ["i saw mommy kissing santa claus" (false)] = true

    The left hand side of the OR is true, and therefore the right-hand side is irrelevant and the statement overall is true, and the deduction follows. (You could reverse the order of course, it makes no difference: the full logic table is
    true OR false
    false OR true
    true OR true
    while only false OR false results in the deduction not following.)
     
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    missTCLA

    Active Member
    Oct 30, 2024
    13
    8
    If anyone has insights on this, Id really appreciate it. I have a video interview with Dentons, and i don't know whether it is timed or untimed. It says " Once you start the video interview you will need to complete all the questions in one sitting. The interview consists of 5 questions, which you record your own answers to in a two-minute time frame." - Does this mean I will be able to see the questions then record whenever I am ready? Or does this mean I see the question and have a few seconds to think about it and will record automatically ? Ive seen different things about this and I'm confused... if anyone got any info on this, id appreciate it as the deadline is v close...
     

    Amma Usman

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 7, 2024
    969
    1,188
    Has anyone had an interview end very quickly? The interview was scheduled for an hour but only lasted for about 30 minutes which was a bit disheartening
    It doesn’t necessarily need to be a cause for concern. It could just mean that you answered their questions well, and they didn’t feel the need for follow-ups or further clarification. Sometimes, interviewers get what they need quicker than expected!
     

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