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

[WAL007]

Hi Guys, hope everyone is well.

I have a TC interview coming in and for it, I need to do a written exercise, a presentation and an interview. I am little bit worried about the written exercise as when I was speaking to future trainees and trainees solicitors, they said the written exercise will be a statement made like an exam type question and we will have 55 minutes to assess both sides of argument and draw own conclusion. Has anyone in this forum been exposed to this sort of written exercise and can you kindly provide tips as to how I can prepare for this? Also, it would be really helpful if anyone can please send a copy of a exercise that is similar to the one I have which I can then practice on?

Many thanks,

AT

 

[AvniD]

Hi Guys, hope everyone is well.

I have a TC interview coming in and for it, I need to do a written exercise, a presentation and an interview. I am little bit worried about the written exercise as when I was speaking to future trainees and trainees solicitors, they said the written exercise will be a statement made like an exam type question and we will have 55 minutes to assess both sides of argument and draw own conclusion. Has anyone in this forum been exposed to this sort of written exercise and can you kindly provide tips as to how I can prepare for this? Also, it would be really helpful if anyone can please send a copy of a exercise that is similar to the one I have which I can then practice on?

Many thanks,

AT

Hey @WAL007, I've never done an exercise like this before but the way I'd approach it is almost like an essay that's broken down into an intro stating what you're going to a argue, making 2-3 points that support your argument and explore any counterarguments within each point, and conclude with which side you think makes most sense. Maybe you can practice some essay Qs that you're currently doing at uni (if you're at uni) or by looking at some debates online to learn how you can hone the ability to argue both sides in a tight timeframe. I really hope this helps and wish you all the best! Let us know how you get on 💪

 

[GXA123]

Has anybody done or attended the welcome session for Shakespeare TC AC? I just want to know what the AC consists of, please PM if you did. Thanks in advance

 

[Jessica Booker]

In regards to Dentons application question Tell us about a challenge you have overcome that showcases your ambition and drive?

I know I have asked about this before and have received feedback and advice from this forum.

I wanted to know if these 2 examples show a challenge.

I was going to talk about mentoring high school students by helping them with their studies by 2 grades and the student was easily distracted.

My second example is durin g university I impoved my grades as I was not good at essays.

Wanted to ask would either of these examples be good answer for this question.

It’s really hard to say whether these examples show challenge. Ultimately it’s not the “example” itself that showcases this, it is more how you describe the actions you undertake to get through the example that will demonstrate challenge.

Therefore either example could be great examples to use - but it’s down to your experiences rather than the “title”.

For example, I was interviewing two people on the same day. Asked a very similar question to both candidates - one candidate talked about running a marathon while another talked about running a 5km charity run. Everyone assumes the marathon runner had the best example, because surely a marathon is more challenging that a 5km run, right? In reality the 5km run person had the much stronger answer - the marathon runner was a distance runner already, they loved running, they just upped their training a bit. While the 5km runner hated running, was very unfit, had bad eating habits, and had to persevere a lot to just be in a situation where they could complete the run.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

It’s really hard to say whether these examples show challenge. Ultimately it’s not the “example” itself that showcases this, it is more how you describe the actions you undertake to get through the example that will demonstrate challenge.

Therefore either example could be great examples to use - but it’s down to your experiences rather than the “title”.

For example, I was interviewing two people on the same day. Asked a very similar question to both candidates - one candidate talked about running a marathon while another talked about running a 5km charity run. Everyone assumes the marathon runner had the best example, because surely a marathon is more challenging that a 5km run, right? In reality the 5km run person had the much stronger answer - the marathon runner was a distance runner already, they loved running, they just upped their training a bit. While the 5km runner hated running, was very unfit, had bad eating habits, and had to persevere a lot to just be in a situation where they could complete the run.

Thank you very much for thids it is really helpful.

Also great example and agreed.

 

[kr253]

Also on the reserve list - seems a rather large one!

Anyone else been put on the reserve list for AC for Shoosmiths post VI, or have been in the past? Wondering if there is point still holding out hope

Despite my cynicism I have actually just been offered a place on the AC after being on the reserve list!

 

[H12345678]

Has anyone heard from DACB yet? Thought we would have heard back by now..

 

[Elinc21]

Has anyone heard from DACB yet? Thought we would have heard back by now..

I haven’t heard anything- I thought we were meant to hear at the start of June…

 

[AI]

Has anyone heard from DACB yet? Thought we would have heard back by now..

Same I haven’t heard back. I’m assuming if we don’t hear anything back by this week, then next week will be the responses.

 

[MP96]

Has anyone heard anything from BDB Pitmans? Applied for VS/TC back in January and haven’t heard anything since…

 

[Rachael.Elisa]

Has anyone heard anything from BDB Pitmans? Applied for VS/TC back in January and haven’t heard anything since…

I've not heard anything either!

 

[GS0W]

Anyone else got an AC for Shoosmiths Birmingham office?!

 

[OliverF77]

Despite my cynicism I have actually just been offered a place on the AC after being on the reserve list!

Congratulations, I hope it’s successful for you!! Can I ask which office this was in?

 

[kr253]

Congratulations, I hope it’s successful for you!! Can I ask which office this was in?

Thanks! It's for Solent

 

[kr253]

Has anyone heard anything from BDB Pitmans? Applied for VS/TC back in January and haven’t heard anything since…

I applied for direct TC and emailed today to ask when we'll hear back - apparently by the end of the month

 

[letmeintolaw]

has anyone had a WBD AC yet? Im so confused by the speed interviews

 

[Asil Ahmad]

This may sound like a stupid question. Is a public investment fund a PE company or a public M&A company. I was reading that Dentons advised Newcastle United to the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. I am thinking this is a M&A transaction and not a PE. Am I wrong here or am I correct that public funds are public companies.

 

[kr253]

has anyone had a WBD AC yet? Im so confused by the speed interviews

Yes I had mine yesterday - the speed interviews weren't as bad as I feared actually. It is what it says on the tin really - 5 mins and 1 main question per assessor. Did you have any specific questions about them?

 

[letmeintolaw]

Yes I had mine yesterday - the speed interviews weren't as bad as I feared actually. It is what it says on the tin really - 5 mins and 1 main question per assessor. Did you have any specific questions about them?

That is reassuring to hear thank you! Were the questions mostly strengths/competency based?

 

[Abii]

This may sound like a stupid question. Is a public investment fund a PE company or a public M&A company. I was reading that Dentons advised Newcastle United to the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. I am thinking this is a M&A transaction and not a PE. Am I wrong here or am I correct that public funds are public companies.

It's a sovereign wealth fund - so a state owned investment fund. This doesn't make it a public company, unless the public can buy/trade shares in it.

I'm not sure that a PE transaction and M&A transaction is really a clear distinction, surely a PE transaction is often a type of M&A transaction as the intention is to acquire? I'm by know means an expert or even knowledgable on this beyond the LPC modules so I'm sure others can give more insight!