New Threads

Hi everyone,

I'm a little lost in regards to approaching one of TLT's vacation scheme questions. I'd be so grateful if you could give any tips in regards to responding to the following:

"Please choose an organisation that you admire in the current market. Why are they successful? What can TLT learn from this organisation?"
It seems a little random Could I literally pick any business out there? Like ASDA, or River Island lol? Or should I be thinking of other Law Firms?

They also ask "What recent work in one of our sectors interests you and why?" I've been trawling the website and I'm not finding any deals. I'm seeing more internal-facing announcments, eg awards the firm has won. Should I be going through their social media instead?

Sorry if these sound like basic questions, but I feel like I'm stumbling in the dark here :/

Thanks in advance!

I am a TC offer holder for 2025 but I am graduating in June. I am going to have a year out before starting SQE and I was wondering what is the best way to find well-paying paralegal work before completing the SQE?

Should I contact recruiters or focus on searching Linkedin jobs for paralegal roles that suit?

Hello!

I completed a VI for Eversheds recently for the Cambridge office around Dec and still haven’t heard back. Has anyone had any communication from them yet?

Hello! As an international student who studied high school + undergrad abroad (but LLM in London), I'm a bit confused about how to enter the 'UCAS tariff' and Baccalaureate total in the Apply4Law forms.

I know that some students find ways to calculate their UCAS total but I have no idea how to, plus no official document to back this up if needed - apart from my actual transcripts, which came in percentage form.

Would someone have any idea how to go about putting their high school and other grades on the application forms? Many thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm Gabby and I’m currently in my final year of my Geography degree at Durham University and am in the middle of applying for summer vacation schemes.

I think what I’m struggling with the most is developing my commercial awareness skills, I almost don’t really know where to start in terms of building this into my daily routine. I also get quite daunted by the fact that there are so many different sectors that law firms operate in, I don’t know how I am supposed to have such a breadth of knowledge about multiple industries. Is there any advice you have in terms of this?

Another thing I’m finding difficult is how to go about researching firms and then stand out in my applications about why I am applying to that firm. I know it is important to link the firm’s values back to yourself, but I still feel like my answers are quite generic e.g. I’m drawn to firm X because it is a leader in the energy sector, this is an area that through my Geography degree I have become extremely passionate about.

I. am. going. crazy.

Okay, so I did my LLB, first class from a low ranked uni. Gap year during the pandemic. Then, LLM from a top 10 uni, got a borderline merit/distinction. I graduated in July 2021 - it is now February 2023, and after many rejections, interviews, and being FIRED from one law firm, I am now unemployed.

Let me clarify: I graduated my LLM, struggled to find a legal job for about 9 months, (employers wanted more years of experience, the LPC for a paralegal role, you know the drill) took the first paralegal role I found from a low quality, unprofessional law firm, and (I guess they didn't like me - I genuinely put my ALL into doing my best) I was fired after about 5 months. That really impacted my confidence, took a while to get back into job applications, so its now been about 4 months, and I'm starting to get interviews again.

BUT HOW DO I EXPLAIN THE GAP?

The good thing is, I have been technically volunteering for a relatives company in an admin type role since graduation, but the reference would clearly be a relatives name...

These are my options

• Say I have been unemployed for 1 year and a half since graduating... struggling to find jobs...

• Say I got fired at my first job after graduation? That the firm wasn't professional? That I wasn't liked?

• Say I've been volunteering at a firm since graduation as I couldn't find a legal job, and don't mention it's a relative's company unless they ask.

Let me know what you think... My mental state has not been the best - I feel like I'm constantly needing to portray things in a positive way when theyre NOT positive. I HAVE had interviews since I got fired, but I was in such a stressed out state, I guess I didn't perform well. Or, I feel like the interviews going ok, everyone is smiling and nodding, and then I never hear back, and I dont know exactly what I'm doing wrong.

At this point I'm shocked at how I let myself get to this point, but at the same time I don't know what else I could've done, I honestly put my whole energy into it, and I was getting panic attacks just sitting down at my computer to do more applications. The rejections have tainted my confidence, and I almost feel like, even as I walk into an interview, I have already failed, like it says "looser" on my forehead.

Any thoughts???

Hi everyone! I got to the video interview stage for Willkie Farr, and was rejected afterwards. I know that they assess each stage individually so my rejection was entirely due to the video interview. What are some possible reasons why this could have happened? I'd like to think about them in advance of my next interview, and also this thread could be helpful for anyone who has a video interview coming up and wants to be aware of any potential pitfalls.

I'll start with some possible reasons I've considered - I'm not sure if these are things that recruitment would reject someone for but they seem like they could be a problem:

- Lack of eye contact with the camera / clearly reading from something offscreen
- Lack of clear structure in your answers, ie rambling
- Unprofessional presentation, eg clothes and background
- Lack of confidence in presenting your answers / awkwardness

Thanks in advance for anyone who helps me add to my list!

Hi everyone, I'm a penultimate year student who is currently receiving the decisions for my vacation scheme applications and so far all I've gotten is a few rejections. I did get to the second application stage for one firm (video interview), but they then rejected me too

I still have a number of firms yet to reply, but it did get me thinking about what happens if they reject me too. I know that in third year I can apply for direct TCs - is this more or less competitive than applying for vac schemes? As well as this, if I do vac schemes that year too and manage to convert one of them to a TC, will the firm still fund my SQE training which would start in the same year as the vac scheme? Or would it be too late as I'd get the TC offer too close to when the SQE starts?

Thanks in advance for any replies!

I have a Clyde & Co video assessment due on Sunday. However, Instructions from the Cappfinity preparation hub haven’t revealed much other than 2 practice assessments that were very easy and, thus, not an accurate reflection of what will come up. Any advice, past experiences &/or sources for practice would be greatly appreciated; thanks!

@Jessica Booker Is it possible to show interest in a particular niche area of a sector and be successful in an application without having any direct experience in that area? If so, how does one go about demonstrating this in an application answer without going into the topic in depth. Eg Hill Dickinson have one question asking why I’d be interested in applying for marine law seat with no other questions given in the application or am I best applying for another seat where I can demonstrate experience but not likely to stand out as anything different to offer as an applicant with CAB and law clinic pro bono experience if other applicants state the same. Thank you.

Hey all,

I'm currently a future trainee and I'm doing my LPC full-time, from last September through to June 2023. My TC starts in 2024 so I'm looking for some paralegal work to fill the time after my LPC.

When would be a sensible time to start looking for paralegal work to begin immediately after my LPC? I'm thinking March but I'm not sure if this is too early/late.

Thanks.

Hi All,

Hope 2023 is going well for everyone!

I am considering applying to Davis Polk as the process seems very straightforward (CV, Cover letter and breakdown of grades), however I'm slightly hesitant as I didn't graduate Law from a RG University/Oxbridge, I'm hoping my work background makes up for it.

What's the general consensus on Davis Polk's hiring background? is it majority Oxbridge/RG?

many thanks in advance!

There are some law firm Insight/Open Days I have been eyeing and it seems I won't be able to attend some of them when they take place as I won't be in the UK (I'm based internationally) over Easter. I was wondering if they hold any worth in Vacation Scheme or TC applications later? If they do, I can make arrangements to extend my stay in the UK over the Easter holiday.

Essentially, my question is whether HR considers applications with their firm's Insight/Open Day on the CV with more interest/attention during the review process?

Thank you in advance!

I'm applying for a first year scheme however unsure how to answer this question. I have two different topics I could discuss, one is fitness (which is something I'm really knowledgable about/could provide a personal perspective on). I am able to link this commercially too through talking about Peleton's recent collapse/integrate commercial awareness. However it feels quite unsophisticated and is not necessarily a distinct topic.

The second topic I could partially discuss is renewable energy - specifically nuclear fusion reactor. However, I am much less knowledgable/confident in my information about this (I have a stem background but not physics), don't necessarily have a method of critically discuss it. It is however quite relevant, and if asked about in an interview I would definitely struggle to answer it.

Does anyone have immediate 'yes' or 'no' to either of my options?

Hi

First time here.

I am comparing a full time online PGDL at ULaw v BPP. Is it correct that BBP's online classes are 'live' whereas ULaw's are pre-recorded and is one format better? I guess 'live' provides better structure but less flexibility?

I get the feeling there is no option for ULaw online students to attend the London campus except for visiting the library (with permission?) whereas BPP has some flexibility for attending occasionally in person a lecture or tutor meet?

They both provide physical materials as an optional extra cost....

BPP course is a bit shorter with zero breaks whereas ULaw I think has at least a 2 week break......

Any other major differences that can help me decide between them?

Many thanks

Hi, this is my first time posting, so I'm not quite sure if I'm doing it right.

I recently applied for the CMS academy vacation scheme and finished my Watson Glaser test two days ago. I wanted some insight on how long it takes for CMS to upload Watson Glaser test results or clarify if a candidate has passed on to the next stage of the recruitment process.

Thank you!

Hi everyone!

I want to take a moment to wish each and every member of our community a very happy new year! I hope 2023 is filled with good fortune, opportunities to learn and grow and success for each of you!

2022 came with its own set of unique highs and lows for everyone here on the forum. But what stood out to me most as TCLA's Community Manager was the incredible display of support and empathy within our community through these highs and lows. Our community is anchored by our ability to rise above the pressure of cut-throat competition and understand that our collective effort to uplift one another is not only rare but also what makes our community's members stand apart in a league of their own.

With this in mind, I'd like to open up this thread to our members to discuss their reflections from the past year and their resolutions for the year ahead. I know this may seem cliché but I find this to be a great way to celebrate how far you have come and hold yourself accountable to how much further you want to go.

To start us off, as I reflect on 2022, I can confidently say that it has been a year of life-changing interactions for me, right from the people in my cohort in my LLM to the people I met in person at TCLA's Junior Lawyer Community events. These interactions have helped shape my worldview and have enriched my perspective beyond anything I could convey in words. This also meant that 2022 was my busiest year yet as while studying full-time and working part-time, I made time for career events and webinars, my work as Student Rep for my cohort, and socialising and networking with the brilliant people I was surrounded with at my school, at work here at TCLA and my future law firm as well.

While one of my resolutions for 2023 will be to maintain the gusto with which I prioritise having these enriching interactions, I also want to balance this with a routine that allows me to have regular downtime as well. I experienced burnout a couple of times in 2022 because of how full my schedule was and I did not enjoy the impact this had on my mood and overall health. I want to learn from this and regularly do things that bring me joy, and this includes making time to paint, cook and be active. And alongside this, to ensure that I allow myself some time on weekends to enjoy the blissfulness of doing nothing (this is so, so underrated!) - dolce far niente, as the Italians rightly say!

What are your reflections on 2022 and resolutions for 2023?

Simmons & Simmons online assessment. Someone can give me any tip for it?

Hi all,

This is my second cycle so I am quite late to this accountability thread, but the best time to start is now.

I am currently a Paralegal in-house, looking to secure a Training Contract in private practice.

So far:

• I have managed to reach 2 assessment centers, and 1 interview for three different firms - Ashurst, Vinson Elkins, and Watson Farley & Williams.
• I have attended 1 open day and 1 insight scheme with Burges Salmon and Covington & Burling respectively.

My feedback for all was generally positive, letting myself down by one mark in a written assessment for Watson Farley and with Ashurst, I was a bit too focused on ESG but otherwise really positive. Trying not to let this dishearten me, but it's getting hard to stay positive. Vinson & Elkins' feedback was super disheartening as the recruiter gave me the feedback of another candidate and then when I asked, I was given a very generic response.

For the 2022-2023 recruitment cycle, I have:

1. Submitted 3 Summer Vac Scheme Applications - Akin Gump, Covington & Burling, Burges Salmon
2. Submitted 1 TC application - Kennedys

I have 4 goals over the next 7 days:

1. Submit White and Case Summer VS application
2. Submit BLCP Summer VS application
3. Submit Osborne Clarke VS Application
4. Research Hogan Lovells

Looking forward to seeing what the year brings!

Hello, all. Could someone please help me out with a commercial awareness question? I was preparing a news story for my interviews. I wanted to talk about Adam Neumann (the WeWork CEO) raising money for his new startup called "Flow" which is basically WeWork for the residential market. We all know how he misused VC money in WeWork's case but despite all this, he was able to raise money again. This is something I find interesting but, I don't understand how I can link this story to law firms. Could someone please point me in the right direction here? My views on this are that, if he is able to succeed with his new startup, this will be good for the deal market in general because more people would give a second chance to repeat entrepreneurs and obviously if deals and investments go up, it will benefit the corporate department of law firms. But, I still don't feel confident in the way that I've linked the story to law firms. Would appreciate any help.

Hi guys,

I've set myself the objective to increase my commercial awareness, what do you think of the process below? any comments welcome:

1- read a FT article, put it away
2- summarise the article out loud
3- try to be critical, look at the wider impacts
4- specifically try to relate article to law firms (highlight challenges faced by companies mentioned and how the firms could help them)

The above process would initially be done out loud, but then I plan on writing it all down and hopefully build a bank of articles I'll regularly read. Please let me know how my process could be improved! Thanks

Hi, I could really use some advice with this. I am working on a first year scheme application for a firm, and am currently filling out the Work Experience Section. I am currently a Brand Ambassador for another firm, should I mention this as work experience? I have also not got much legal work experience, however I have completed some Forage Work Experience Programmes with 3 other firms. Would it be odd to mention them? The firm I'm applying to has it's own Forage programme, however I don't think I have time to complete it before the deadline. Would it look strange if I haven't done the firms Forage?

I'm slightly confused about two questions on this application.
Provide an example of a change in society, the economy, or in a market sector which interests you and which you think could impact the legal sector. Discuss the impact it has had or could have. Max 350 words
Identify a current commercial issue which has attracted your attention recently. Why do you consider it to be significant? Who are the key stakeholders in this situation and what are the implications for those concerned? Max 400 words
I understand both individually (mostly) but they're vaguely similar and so I'm worried they're looking for something very specific. I'm not sure how narrow each is supposed to be I guess.
The way I've interpreted it the first is meant to be about a wider societal issue (eg death of the high street, inflation) opposed to a specific legal/commercial issue (eg OECD two-pillar tax reform) and then you pick out the legal issues arising from it (eg increased insolvency work, different taxes for digital services). However, I'm worried it might be looking more at the way law firms work as businesses (eg Brexit meaning businesses might want to move into EU jurisdictions so firms need to increase their EU presence).
The second question I'm just not sure how specific to get, I don't know whether to discuss a specific example or a general trend/issue (eg fall of FTX vs general decline of crypto)
Thanks for any help, I'm definitely overthinking it

I'm already due to attend a banking event in April and it will clash with the 1st year scheme at Freshfields. My dillemma is should I still apply and see if I get an offer from Freshfields, then decline? I don't want to be flagged out by denying an offer after receiving it? Is that a normal thing to deny an offer? But then again, if I did apply, I think it would be a good opportunity to get to know Freshfields' application process and get a go at their Watson Glaser assessment.

What would be the most sensible way?

Happy holidays,