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

[ar2r]

LINKS PFO as well

sorry to hear this. is this for Spring or Summer if you don't mind me asking?

 

[TCG]

Anyone know when its expected to hear back from Pinsent Masons?

I am waiting as well..

 

[RkRk0681]

Does anyone have tips for AC negotiation exercises? Any guidance would be much appreciated

 

[ssolicitorz]

sorry to hear this. is this for Spring or Summer if you don't mind me asking?

Direct TC!

 

[John Doe]

@George Maxwell @James Carrabino I am tabbing both of you because you two have been great moderators for the forum! I thought my chances for this recruitment cycle were getting quite grim until I recently received an online test invite from a firm that has taken a while to get back to me (to put it diplomatically 😂)

Given the slight chance of me making my way into the AC, I thought it'd be prudent if I start to ramp up my AC preparation as well. Can you recommend/refer to me any forum post or TCLA course that can help on this? As a way to give me a head start?

Thank you all so much. I can't say enough how much I already appreciated the work that y'all have been doing!

 

[James Carrabino]

@George Maxwell @James Carrabino I am tabbing both of you because you two have been great moderators for the forum! I thought my chances for this recruitment cycle were getting quite grim until I recently received an online test invite from a firm that has taken a while to get back to me (to put it diplomatically 😂)

Given the slight chance of me making my way into the AC, I thought it'd be prudent if I start to ramp up my AC preparation as well. Can you recommend/refer to me any forum post or TCLA course that can help on this? As a way to give me a head start?

Thank you all so much. I can't say enough how much I already appreciated the work that y'all have been doing!

Hi @John Doe,

Thank you so much for the kind words and congratulations on your progression with the firm 😊

I have written a post here on how to prepare for an AC to a point that should make you feel ready.

Also check out two great resources by @AvniD: Avni’s break down of ACs and Avni's thoughts on preparing for ACs!

I would also recommend perusing Preparing for ACs and interviews in general (compiled list included) and more specifically preparing for article interviews!

I have also written some advice on how to deal with nerves in advance of an AC here!

Do reach out if you have any further questions

 

[LawfulRed]

Anyone heard anything from Travers yet?

 

[tkwillbealawyer]

I heard back Friday 6pm-ish by e-mail. Deffo check your junk, apply4law account, etc and then contact them ASAP because slots are on the 28th and 1st March. I booked mine straight away before anyone else did so I don't know how many slots are left. Good luck for your AC!!

PFO for me unfortunately (( Heard back around 2pm today. Hopefully the feedback is helpful as Farrer is a very similar format! Good luck for your interview!!

 

[James Carrabino]

Has anyone ever seen/heard of associates switching practice areas after they're qualified? Probably more so within the same field e.g. M&A to capital markets, as opposed to a drastic change like M&A to arbitration. Do you qualify as a solicitor generally, or as a solicitor in a specific practice area? I feel like the idea of staying in one area for the rest of my career is daunting, what if I don't like it anymore lol

I know of associates who made a move from international arbitration to white collar crime, for example. Often if you are in a firm's 'Disputes' team or one of the corporate teams then your practice may be quite broad to start off with so there is room to specialise in different areas throughout your junior years.

On one vac scheme I met a senior lawyer whose practice was split between two quite different departments (I wish I could remember what they were!) so I guess that is the epitome of keeping one's options open although I'm not sure how many people get the opportunity to do that 🤣

 

[awd1998]

Anyone know when its expected to hear back from Pinsent Masons?

Waiting as well, the last firm from this cycle I am waiting to here back from so just want to here soon so I can make an informed decision about which VS's to participate in. They did say the end of the month so hopefully this week or worst case scenario next Monday

 

[S87]

I know of associates who made a move from international arbitration to white collar crime, for example. Often if you are in a firm's 'Disputes' team or one of the corporate teams then your practice may be quite broad to start off with so there is room to specialise in different areas throughout your junior years.

On one vac scheme I met a senior lawyer whose practice was split between two quite different departments (I wish I could remember what they were!) so I guess that is the epitome of keeping one's options open although I'm not sure how many people get the opportunity to do that 🤣

Well well white collar and arbitration require similar skills although the structures are quite different. But that would be a dream of mine! Send positive vibes guys!

 

[refy]

Slaughters PFO post interview!

 

[Laurenbt2110]

Slaughters PFO post interview!

So sorry to hear this, can i ask when your interview was? and was it by email or phone call?

 

[James Carrabino]

How should I handle feeling burnt out from this cycle? I have an AC coming up and I feel like I’m not doing enough work for it but I feel super exhausted and anxious all the time!!

Just don't worry too much about your preparation - when the AC comes I know you will be in the zone and you are probably more than well prepared enough already The feeling that 'I am not doing enough' can be the most draining sensation ever and really leave you with burnout - I've had it too.

I have written a preparation checklist of sorts here - I found that I could diminish my anxiety by having such a checklist which would make me content about putting down tools after I completed it!

 

[James Carrabino]

if in an interview when they ask "introduce yourself to me in 60s" i was wondering what kind of things would one include? should it be more personal (i.e personal attributes, hobbites, etc) or more achievement/career based (awards, career interests/achievements, etc)?

I think a bit of both - what defines you, in your mind? For me, I would definitely mention some of my academic interests, my background growing up, a key hobby of mine (playing piano) and my professional aspirations!

 

[John Travoni]

Anyone heard anything from Travers yet?

I still think it’s gonna be a good week or two before we hear from Travers. Their GR make it clear on their insta live that candidates should expect to hear back between the end of Feb - mid March.

 

[WillF]

Bit of a weird one!

I have an AC that asks for 'scanned' copies of various things, including my A Level Certificates (which i have not actually collected). I don't think i am able to collect them myself before the AC, but my mum has offered to and send me photos of them (we dont have a way of scanning them at home) - my question is: are the photos okay, when they ask for scanned copies?

@Jessica Booker any help would be massively appreciated!

 

[James Carrabino]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but just to check: how do you know who a firm's competitors are? Is it simply common sense, i.e. looking at other firms who have a presence in the same areas / similar revenue / etc? Or is there more to it?

You can look at firms with high band rankings in similar areas - but yeah there's nothing in particular to it

 

[macala russell]

I attended their AC last month for VS, by two interviews it means a general interview + SJT interview at the AC, each taking around 1h. There weren't any written assessments.

how did you find the interview. Did one involve a case study?

 

[aspiringlawyer123_]

Bit of a weird one!

I have an AC that asks for 'scanned' copies of various things, including my A Level Certificates (which i have not actually collected). I don't think i am able to collect them myself before the AC, but my mum has offered to and send me photos of them (we dont have a way of scanning them at home) - my question is: are the photos okay, when they ask for scanned copies?

@Jessica Booker any help would be massively appreciated!

You can buy apps which do a “scan” like microsoft lens - a clear photo should be fine! I have never scanned when asked for a scan. Honestly just use microsoft lens!!