TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[OreoShake]

I got in touch with Dechert and they said that they are close to the completion of application screening.
So, another PFO for me! Well time to boost my salary with a new job

Hey is this abouy summer?

 

[S87]

Hey is this abouy summer?

yes

 

[ellek]

when people talk about commercial questions in interviews, what does this actually mean?

 

[CC03]

That's great!! Congrats and good luck I applied on deadline day as well and I'm still waiting to hear May I ask if you applied for spring or summer?

Spring I’m sure they are still going through applications. I know W&C are extremely slow! Best of luck 😊

 

[Rob93]

when people talk about commercial questions in interviews, what does this actually mean?

Can mean a number of things. Very often it'll be similar to what you find on an app - talk about a commercial story/topic, explain your interest, maybe relate it to the firm - decent variety within this but the same kind of bones. Could also involve discussing your interest in one of the firm's practice areas or sector specialisms.

 

[LEL]

when people talk about commercial questions in interviews, what does this actually mean?

Generally questions which test your commercial knowledge. It can be things like discussing a business story, legal developments, challenges/opportunities for clients/the firm/a particular industry. Then a conversation can be sparked from your response.

I doubt you'd be asked about business technicalities (e.g. equity/debt/financing etc.) in an interview alone, but you will be asked in a case study/written exercise/group exercise. Others may have a different experience!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Which firm is generally regarded as better? (I appreciate that this might be down to personal preference). Macfarlanes or Ashurst?

If I was simplifying it down to very broad themes.

Purely by prestige, Macfarlanes. Considering it on an international perspective, Ashurst.

 

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

In light of all the frustrations that us applicants face, I think this article presents a time-efficient solution to the question of post-application feedback:

https://www.legalcheek.com/2022/02/graduate-recruiters-should-provide-tick-box-feedback/

View attachment 3849

I know this might be too much of an ask, but could @Jaysen perhaps leverage your network with graduate recruiters to get them to at least consider such initiatives? It would be extremely helpful!

I know there are former graduate recruiters such as @Jessica Booker, and current recruiters such as @Paul - Shearman & Sterling and @WillkieGemma on this forum. As a collective of current applicants, I think we would all appreciate your thoughts on such an initiative, and whether it would be feasible from the perspective of a recruiter.

Thank you very much in advance for your thoughts.

Nice idea, but incredibly time consuming to actually do. The article makes it sound easy, but for those of us who see it from the recruiters' side - it's not a very easy thing to do at all. I'm not aware of a single organisation in any sector that implements a model like this - that's very telling. And it isn't because recruiters can't be bothered!

Plus, in my experience, many candidates aren't rejected for a specific and discrete issue as the article suggests - you are being compared against everyone else who applies in that particular application round.

I try to do my best to produce informative articles/videos on how to improve an application that has been rejected, but I just can't see how it can be done on an individual level when we receive thousands of applications.

 

[GXA123]

is there a thread about Pinsent's SWOT analysis?

 

[Homer]

Has anyone heard anything from Latham post VI? they said they'd let us know within 2 weeks after the VI and its been over 3

 

[LawfulRust00]

Hey all, what would you say are the two biggest challenges facing key sectors within the legal industry (e.g technology, energy etc) at the moment?

Thanks in advance - trying to strengthen this area of my commercial awareness.

 

[B A]

Just got an invite to Dechert's video interview & written exercise (for the summer VS) - does anyone have any tips or experience with these that they would be willing to share?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Just got an invite to Dechert's video interview & written exercise (for the summer VS) - does anyone have any tips or experience with these that they would be willing to share?

When did you get the invite was it this morning if you don't mind me asking.

 

[Abii]

Hey all, what would you say are the two biggest challenges facing key sectors within the legal industry (e.g technology, energy etc) at the moment?

Thanks in advance - trying to strengthen this area of my commercial awareness.

Off the top of my head technology would be pending regulation, particularly big tech - also the UKs proposed changes to data protection post Brexit. A little more niche within tech would be anything AI based and how that could/should be regulated and controlled and liability.

Energy the move towards renewables and ESG concerns alongside currently with the consumer price rises imminent in the UK I can imagine they are concerned with their image and reputation (not that big oil and energy have the most favourable of public perceptions)

BNPL and the regulation and rise of those providers - currently not regulated but should they be especially as more and more companies move into it.

There's a whole host of other more specific things but honestly its anything thats been in the news in the last 6 months or so really - feels quite difficult to do when the UK news is dominated by politics, parties and daft comments!

 

[LawfulRust00]

Off the top of my head technology would be pending regulation, particularly big tech - also the UKs proposed changes to data protection post Brexit. A little more niche within tech would be anything AI based and how that could/should be regulated and controlled and liability.

Energy the move towards renewables and ESG concerns alongside currently with the consumer price rises imminent in the UK I can imagine they are concerned with their image and reputation (not that big oil and energy have the most favourable of public perceptions)

BNPL and the regulation and rise of those providers - currently not regulated but should they be especially as more and more companies move into it.

There's a whole host of other more specific things but honestly its anything thats been in the news in the last 6 months or so really - feels quite difficult to do when the UK news is dominated by politics, parties and daft comments!

Thanks for this, very useful!

 

[B A]

When did you get the invite was it this morning if you don't mind me asking.

Yes, this morning

 

[GXA123]

Yes, this morning

when did you apply please?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Yes, this morning

Good luck with VI

 

[antisocial applicant]

Last year I did a vac scheme was meant to get paid £175 but never got paid 😂

is that legal?

 

[fruiterloopers]

Anyone know if Slaughters have given out any summer vac scheme offers?

yup!