Your thoughts required (again!)

[Karin]

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I agree with the point raised by @Camilla in that most of TCLA's content is there to assist people who are on their TC journey. Many of those answering questions and providing content are doing so from their own successful experience, so, TCLA rewards are less important.

It is definitely going to be hard to identify and implement a system that cannot be manipulated in some form. I don't think I necessarily have a good idea at the moment, outside of bespoke, commissioned work. This, of course, requires a manual intervention which I presume what the system is looking to steer away from. But, this ensures quality and stops any potential manipulation.

I guess as you have moderators anyway, you could potentially have them "flag" the posts which seem to be only for the sake of getting TCLA rewards. I know what you mean with TCLA wanting to steer away from manual intervention though, but it may be necessary as the community grows

 

[Karin]

Just to add from a technical standpoint - I am speaking to a more 'specialist' developer tonight who works with this forum software, so I should have a better idea of what will be feasible to implement. As @D said, we ideally want this to be a 100% automatic system, so we don't have to rely on manual changes/updates to be made.

Feel free to keep your suggestions coming though as they sound great so far. We can then just work out what we can practically do.

Otherwise, we'll also be thinking about how to best reward you guys for the credits you have accumulated already!

As I was going to react to this. I think adding "exciting" reacting would be such a good idea, all credit-based rewards aside

 

[FutureCity]

Thanks for all the comments so far.

What is the best way for us to recognise valuable content? I think my concern at the moment is that rewarding on the current points based system it could just encourage people to respond to anything rather than providing quality content.

I think one method would be your contribution is deemed as valuable if two or more applicants give it a useful, like, or agree reaction.

 

[Adam Gilchrist]

This isn't directly related to changing the credits/rewards system, but a more general thought for improving the forum.

Could we perhaps think about updating which threads are stickied @Jaysen? There are a couple which should be stickied because they cover issues that are constantly, constantly asked (firms recruiting solely/mostly from VS, firms recruiting on a rolling or non-rolling basis, firms that place particular emphasis on modular marks, open day tips).

I understand that if this forum is like others, there are only a select number of threads that can be stickied per subforum.
However, there are some old megathreads that can quite fairly be un-stickied in my opinion. Both of the hearing back from law firms 2018 & 2019 threads can by now surely be unstickied, since they are not really of further usage. I know theoretically, they have tips, but for the most part are just "has anyone heard back from X? Rejected by Y. AC from Z etc etc", so aren't really relevant now.

 

[ZH]

Just to add to this, we're looking into upgrading the TCLA forum very soon. When we do, it's likely that we'll start the TCLA Credits system from scratch, while implementing a proper ongoing system to reward users' contributions. At the moment, credits are awarded for everything from receiving ratings on your post to someone viewing your profile (with a cap).

Before the reset, we'll be rewarding users for the TCLA Credits they've accrued so far, so the points you have accrued to date won't be ignored. Input from anyone would be greatly appreciated!

Some ideas for rewards:

- Access to a one month free trial of premium
- Access to a six month subscription of TCLA Premium
- One free mock interview
- A one to one office hour booking
- An application or CV review
- Amazon Gift Cards
- A feature in our newsletter
- Customised username/badge styling

Edit: To say thank you for your help, we'll give one person who shares their thoughts in this thread a £5 Amazon Gift card

I like the idea of nominating other members every once in a while - I think TCLA is unique and different from other forums - there is more of a community feeling and willingness to help others!

On the rewards, I previously won a free TCLA premium subscription (before TC) and as a current Trainee I still enjoy using the content, though not as much!

Having a range of reward options could potentially fix the different stages TCLAers are at and what they would find most useful. So prob levels of rewards: top (free trial, mock interview), second (amazon gift voucher), third (badge styling) - as an example.

With anything that has a reward at the end, there will be some useful content and other not so useful but measuring with the number of ratings of informative/useful could be a good start although winner/like is probably the most used - maybe this is a positive thing to differentiate the usefulness of the content shared.

 

[Lumree]

Just to add, I think rewards for TC holders and current trainees that take advantage of TCLA’s resources would be useful too.

It could be access to specific courses like ‘managing your Training Contract’ or perhaps a call with Jess or Jaysen for those coming to the end of their TC and looking for NQ advice. I’m sure there’s more but that’s just a few! I expect there’ll be more in the future too.

 

[Jaysen]

Could we perhaps think about updating which threads are stickied @Jaysen? There are a couple which should be stickied because they cover issues that are constantly, constantly asked (firms recruiting solely/mostly from VS, firms recruiting on a rolling or non-rolling basis, firms that place particular emphasis on modular marks, open day tips).
.

Definitely - we have a lot of work to do in the forums as a lot of the content is outdated/could be better structured. We'll be fixing this (along with adding a number of big changes to the forums) very soon!

If anyone has any other suggestions for how to improve the forum, please let us know below. I know there are plenty of things that need improving, so feel free to be as critical as possible - your voice will definitely be heard.

 

[Jaysen]

Hi all,

As somebody that is not a TC holder, I see the following ideas proposed as a fantastic idea. With education being expensive and especially with uncertainty around jobs in the current market, free trials of premium/applications reviews and mock interviews will be both incredibly helpful and useful to people.

Perhaps for another potential reward you could also contribute some credits to a charity instead of choosing for example, an Amazon gift card. When a certain threshold of overall credits has been given, money could be sent over to that charity. (I understand there may be some logistics behind that, which I appreciate) – however, with what is happening in the world at the moment with the pandemic, and of course what has tragically happened in Lebanon – Personally I think it would be nice to be able have the opportunity to help where possible. (This is just an early thought and appreciate this may be harder to accomplish) but thought I’d throw it out there - that’s not to say this would be for everyone, but I think having an option would be great.

Apologies this is only the ‘rewards’ themselves Jessica, I will sit down and have a think about the recognising point you raise.

I think this is overall a great idea from TCLA and will continue to bring the community even closer.

Hey James,

Thank you for your contribution to this thread. Just to let you know you've been selected to win the £5 Amazon Gift Card for your feedback. Will PM you!

 

[Lumree]

Another note, if the rewards will be based off the current rating system, what do you think about including an extra layer to the ‘disagree’ and ‘unhelpful’ reactions? I know in the past I’ve accidentally clicked ‘disagree’ without realising, affecting someone’s rating for a brief second.

It could be good to have a text box to give feedback on why something was unhelpful/disagreed with. That could help clarify what content is and isn’t appreciated.

 

[Daniel Boden]

Another note, if the rewards will be based off the current rating system, what do you think about including an extra layer to the ‘disagree’ and ‘unhelpful’ reactions? I know in the past I’ve accidentally clicked ‘disagree’ without realising, affecting someone’s rating for a brief second.

It could be good to have a text box to give feedback on why something was unhelpful/disagreed with. That could help clarify what content is and isn’t appreciated.

Yeah think this is a great idea! Also think something like this should be used for all ratings tbh. An explanation as to why you rate a post a certain way, be it 'commercial awareness insights' 'application insights' etc. would be really helpful I think

 

[Jaysen]

Another note, if the rewards will be based off the current rating system, what do you think about including an extra layer to the ‘disagree’ and ‘unhelpful’ reactions? I know in the past I’ve accidentally clicked ‘disagree’ without realising, affecting someone’s rating for a brief second.

It could be good to have a text box to give feedback on why something was unhelpful/disagreed with. That could help clarify what content is and isn’t appreciated.

That's a really good point, I've seen plenty of people who have accidentally clicked 'disagree' and I know that isn't nice for the recipient! I think this is definitely something we can introduce.

 

[Jaysen]

One thing we are also planning to introduce (which @Jessica Booker previously suggested) is a database that indicates the stage of a firm in terms of releasing interview invitations etc.

This might be something we'll build into the forum or we can just make this an ongoing Google Document. Hopefully, this will negate the need to frequently ask if anyone has heard back from a particular firm!

 

[Daniel Boden]

One thing we are also planning to introduce (which @Jessica Booker previously suggested) is a database that indicates the stage of a firm in terms of releasing interview invitations etc.

This might be something we'll build into the forum or we can just make this an ongoing Google Document. Hopefully, this will negate the need to frequently ask if anyone has heard back from a particular firm!

I think this would be brilliant! I reckon at least 80% of messages in the 'hearing back from firms' thread are 'anyone heard from x'

 

[NMD]

You could also look at partnering with law firms to do some rewards such as “one to one sessions with recruiters”. I know at my university they did awards sponsored by law firms which gave you a good connection to them and something to put onto applications. This obviously depends on TCLA’s connections with recruiters and firms alike!

 

[Jessica Booker]

I think this would be brilliant! I reckon at least 80% of messages in the 'hearing back from firms' thread are 'anyone heard from x'

we are also thinking of trying to get the answers directly from firms where we can so it isn’t necessarily speculated.

Having seen the posts over the past few weeks, I think this would be even more needed, so something we will look to set up for the new season/cycle.

 

[tractor12]

we are also thinking of trying to get the answers directly from firms where we can so it isn’t necessarily speculated.

Having seen the posts over the past few weeks, I think this would be even more needed, so something we will look to set up for the new season/cycle.

That would be fantastic if firms are willing to cooperate! Do you think they would?

 

[tractor12]

You could also look at partnering with law firms to do some rewards such as “one to one sessions with recruiters”. I know at my university they did awards sponsored by law firms which gave you a good connection to them and something to put onto applications. This obviously depends on TCLA’s connections with recruiters and firms alike!

That would be a great reward if possible

 

[Jessica Booker]

That would be fantastic if firms are willing to cooperate! Do you think they would?

I think if we approach it in a sense of saying, if you answer this question it might help you not have to respond to several emails each day asking you to answer that question, they might.

 

[Daniel Boden]

Hi @Jessica Booker and @Jaysen,

Hope you're all well. Thought just came to me but I just wondered if there was any news re the credit system/credit system rewards etc.?

Best,
Dan

 

[Jaysen]

Hi @Jessica Booker and @Jaysen,

Hope you're all well. Thought just came to me but I just wondered if there was any news re the credit system/credit system rewards etc.?

Best,
Dan

Still working on it! It's quite a long process to implement changes to the forums (a few more months), but it's next in line after some changes coming today.