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

[TCLA Community Assistant]

In light of this, if you’re applying for a TC, would you advise mentioning you already hold a training contract offer somewhere else?

Edit to add context: I’m planning to apply to a firm that I’ve recently discovered that I feel is better aligned with my interest than my current TC firm. I plan to add upcoming vacation schemes (because the seats I’ve chosen align with the firms specialist areas) but I don’t know whether to mention my TC offer as there’s no real experience I’ll be gaining.

This is slightly different - a vacation scheme is no commitment while a training contract is.

It is also slightly different if you have accepted your TC offer. If you have accepted, you are ultimately saying you will renege on them, which then puts question as to whether you would also renege on the firm you are applying to if you got an even better offer.

I think it is fine to mention it briefly in an extra information type section if you have received the offer and have an extended deadline to accept it, but I wouldn’t mention it if you have either accepted it or would need to accept it before the recruitment process with the firm you are applying to concludes.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does this solely apply to VS offers? I have managed to get a legal summer internship with a tech company that won’t start until June. Would this also be good to include briefly somewhere in applications? Thanks

It would also apply to any future internships.

 

[Zubin]

Anyone heard back from Samsung Graduate Paralegal role??

Hi there, this was after the interview and assessment centre I assume? I got one of the 3 spaces, and I know someone else who got one too. Was your AC in January? I heard back the next week.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

It would also apply to any future internships.

Sorry I want to ask something related to this @Jessica Booker what is your view on writing about a document review paralegal in work experience section. Should I include that in the work experience section of applications. I review documents on Relativity and hard copy documents. What do law firms think of this if I include it in the work experience section.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Sorry I want to ask something related to this @Jessica Booker what is your view on writing about a document review paralegal in work experience section. Should I include that in the work experience section of applications. I review documents on Relativity and hard copy documents. What do law firms think of this if I include it in the work experience section.

This type of work experience should be included too. I am not sure why you wouldn’t include this. It will show a range of transferable skills and some knowledge.

In the vast majority of cases any work experience should be included in an application.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

This type of work experience should be included too. I am not sure why you wouldn’t include this.

Thank you and I asked I did not know whether it is valuable experience as it is reviewing documents for a law firm client case.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thank you and I asked I did not know whether it is valuable experience as it is reviewing documents for a law firm client case.

I think people have to switch their thinking on things like this. You need to think about why it is valuable (and assume it is valuable because it is) rather than assuming it won’t be of interest.

Any work experience will build transferable skills and show your ability to work.

Therefore it is better than nothing or having a gap in your CV.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I think people have to switch their thinking on things like this. You need to think about why it is valuable (and assume it is valuable because it is) rather than assuming it won’t be of interest.

Any work experience will build transferable skills and show your ability to work.

Therefore it is better than nothing or having a gap in your CV.

Thank you very much for this and I agree with the bit about transferable skills as every role has transferable skills.

 

[_chloe]

Hiya, I did CRS video interview last week. I applied for London at the end of november.

Hey, I hope yours went well! Do you have any advice for the video interview? Were there any oddball questions? Thanks

 

[YUKI1201]

Anyone have any advice for the Hogan Lovells AC specifically? Specfically what to expect from the case study (I'm unsure if it's any different from other firms' case studies as it seems to be merged with the competency/motivational interview) and the situational interview, if possible!

honestly no need to worry about the case study, it was very informal (~10min) and so far among the easier/more conversational ones I've done at various firms.

 

[NMA]

If anyone on here is on the 20th June S&M scheme and wants to split the price for accommodation/airbnb for the 3 weeks, pm me

 

[h1]

Hi there, this was after the interview and assessment centre I assume? I got one of the 3 spaces, and I know someone else who got one too. Was your AC in January? I heard back the next week.

Congrats!! My interview was last month and still under consideration but no AC invite as of yet. Thanks for letting me know though!

 

[MH]

Has anyone heard from BCLP?? I completed my tests on the 1st December assume PFO?

I've not heard for ages either

 

[MH]

Interested to hear people's thoughts on this particular question:

What do you think clients value most when it comes to making a choice about a legal service provider and why do you think that?

I'm unsure whether to approach this quetion from the angle of what clients look for before they make a choice of a legal firm - i.e. price, prestige etc, or to discuss the traits which clients desire in a legal service provider - i.e. professionalism, efficiency, communication etc etc

 

[GXA123]

I've not heard for ages either

I’ve done my test in jan been invited to first stage interview and AC and rejected as well. I guess email them!

 

[TCApp2021]

I've not heard for ages either

Is this for direct TC?

 

[MH]

I’ve done my test in jan been invited to first stage interview and AC and rejected as well. I guess email them!

I have, twice! They've just said I should hear back soon

 

[LS_1998]

Has anyone heard anything from Forsters post app?

I know someone who had an AC yesterday! Idk when she found out though

 

[tt_xo]

Bit of an odd question, but in your experience on vac schemes do you guys get free lunch provided by the firm or do you go out into the city to buy lunch?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Bit of an odd question, but in your experience on vac schemes do you guys get free lunch provided by the firm or do you go out into the city to buy lunch?

Unlikely to get a free lunch. The only way this typically happens is if every employee gets a free lunch allowance from their own canteen.

On occasion, individual people like your supervisor might buy you lunch though. In addition, it’s not unknown for graduate recruitment to put on talks at lunchtimes and provide a lunch with it.