TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

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Hana ♥

Esteemed Member
Jan 7, 2023
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Hi all,
Hope this cycle is going well for everyone.
I am wondering whether Law Firms are taking slower steps or being lazy in processing applications this cycle. I have loads of applications pending in the first stage for firms applying on a rolling basis. Compared to last cycle end of the year, I had many interviews and tests to take or rejections.
Is anyone noticing the same ?
(This makes me feel less motivated to keep applying as I am not hearing outcomes)
I feel exactly the same. I have exams, and I'm also checking my emails every day. Sometimes I don't feel like doing anything because I'm waiting for something - anything. It's really stressful.

I also noticed that firms like Latham have had their deadline much earlier this year compared to last year (I think the deadline was the first week of January last year).
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
14,439
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Hi all,
Hope this cycle is going well for everyone.
I am wondering whether Law Firms are taking slower steps or being lazy in processing applications this cycle. I have loads of applications pending in the first stage for firms applying on a rolling basis. Compared to last cycle end of the year, I had many interviews and tests to take or rejections.
Is anyone noticing the same ?
(This makes me feel less motivated to keep applying as I am not hearing outcomes)
These things tend to come in waves and trends.

Sometimes firms feels like they have to push their processes earlier to compete with other firms, only to find out that approach starts to harm them in other ways (eg if you complete earlier you may just have higher renege/drop out rates, or end up rejecting good applicants who are just a bit more “green” to recruitment processes).

It might be that they are monitoring things more closely too. It’s much more common to look at things like your diversity of hires during a live recruiting process now rather than just waiting for the cycle to complete and doing it retrospectively. If the diversity of candidates is not there, they might be doing more attraction work to try and get those diverse applicants into their pipeline.
 

wz_13

Distinguished Member
Jan 3, 2023
71
25
was hoping on some professional input into how to display working at my fathers law firm as a legal assistant on my cv/ application work experience sections. He is the sole practitioner and my responsibilities are limited to mostly admin and a little research, but is this still worth including? And in terms of presenting it, should I include that its my fathers firm or is the elaboration only necessary at interview/ further stages? = any insight would be much appreciated!
 

Ghassen

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Oct 24, 2022
246
289
These things tend to come in waves and trends.

Sometimes firms feels like they have to push their processes earlier to compete with other firms, only to find out that approach starts to harm them in other ways (eg if you complete earlier you may just have higher renege/drop out rates, or end up rejecting good applicants who are just a bit more “green” to recruitment processes).

It might be that they are monitoring things more closely too. It’s much more common to look at things like your diversity of hires during a live recruiting process now rather than just waiting for the cycle to complete and doing it retrospectively. If the diversity of candidates is not there, they might be doing more attraction work to try and get those diverse applicants into their pipeline.
Fair explanation.
Thanks Jessica for your insight.
 

Njaliwe Ungwe

Distinguished Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Dec 15, 2020
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These things tend to come in waves and trends.

Sometimes firms feels like they have to push their processes earlier to compete with other firms, only to find out that approach starts to harm them in other ways (eg if you complete earlier you may just have higher renege/drop out rates, or end up rejecting good applicants who are just a bit more “green” to recruitment processes).

It might be that they are monitoring things more closely too. It’s much more common to look at things like your diversity of hires during a live recruiting process now rather than just waiting for the cycle to complete and doing it retrospectively. If the diversity of candidates is not there, they might be doing more attraction work to try and get those diverse applicants into their pipeline.
Sorry, what do you mean by ‘a bit more “green”’?
 

axelbeugre

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Junior Lawyer
Sep 14, 2023
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Does anyone know if it’s too late to apply for Simmons & Simmons? I’ve seen people already receiving offers for SVS since it’s rolling. On their “Kickstart Your Career” page, it says applications are now closed, but on their “Graduate Opportunities” page, I can still access the form.
If it specifically says that they are closed on the website, I would not bother applying (also confirmed by the fact that there are people with offers already). I would email them to confirm this and see, rather than wasting time on it (even though I know it is quite short).
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
14,439
20,119
Sorry, what do you mean by ‘a bit more “green”’?
It means being a bit new to the process. For instance, the earlier in the cycle you do your interviews, the more likely you are to come across candidates who have never interviewed before, while later in the cycle it maybe that more candidate have had practice through being interviewed with other firms.
 
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Njaliwe Ungwe

Distinguished Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Dec 15, 2020
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60
It means being a bit new to the process. For instance, the earlier in the cycle you do your interviews, the more likely you are to come across candidates who have never interviewed before, while later in the cycle it maybe that more candidate have had practice through being interviewed with other firms.
Oh, that’s interesting! Thanks for the insight
 

attempting law

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Sep 13, 2023
22
94
hi yeah that sounds like a good idea, the firm's website says this - "Eligibility is penultimate year law undergrad or final year non-law undergrad ONLY – for 2026 Training Contract Start" and they only hire for TCs through a VS
Im confused about why they say this then too:
If you have completed the GDL/LPC prior to securing a Training Contract offer with the firm, you will not be required to have taken any compulsory electives as chosen by the firm. If you have secured a place on the GDL/LPC and are yet to commence, we will provide sponsorship of your fees. If you are part way through the GDL/LPC, we are able to reimburse you on a pro-rata basis from your offer date. Unfortunately, we are unable to reimburse your fees in retrospect.

How would someone be part way through the GDL if they were final year law undergrad?
 

nya

Esteemed Member
Premium Member
  • Jan 31, 2023
    92
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    These things tend to come in waves and trends.

    Sometimes firms feels like they have to push their processes earlier to compete with other firms, only to find out that approach starts to harm them in other ways (eg if you complete earlier you may just have higher renege/drop out rates, or end up rejecting good applicants who are just a bit more “green” to recruitment processes).

    It might be that they are monitoring things more closely too. It’s much more common to look at things like your diversity of hires during a live recruiting process now rather than just waiting for the cycle to complete and doing it retrospectively. If the diversity of candidates is not there, they might be doing more attraction work to try and get those diverse applicants into their pipeline.
    I am really curious as to how law firms approach diversity. In all the applications I've completed, I was asked to disclose things like race, my sex, religion etc, but firms will typically state at the top of the application form that these factors are not taken into account when making recruitment choices. To what extent is this true?
     
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    MrHubertLouis

    Distinguished Member
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    Premium Member
    Aug 5, 2021
    63
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    during the winter scheme grad rec said that some early offers were made because they were from the first year scheme. since the deadline is 31 december for the summer scheme, i think it's not too late. I applied a few days before the winter deadline and half of my AC got on the scheme!
    Thank you! And many thanks to @axelbeugre as well! I just saw they posted on Instagram their Bristol VS is still open so I’m gonna email them about the London one. Worst case scenario, is it possible to do a VS in Bristol and then get a TC in London if I make it that far?
     
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    Abbas J

    Star Member
    Mar 30, 2023
    42
    39
    Hi,

    does anyone roughly know how strict Kirkland are with the initial app? Do they give a lot of the applicants the VI?

    trying to gauge how long I should spend on the app on whether if they will give me a VI with a lesser quality app if that makes sense.
     
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