TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Abbas J]

Hi,

Anyone know the type of questions for Addleshaw Goddard's tests?

Is it just a WG or a more psychometric test? Anyone know the test provider?

 

[danturner]

How many of the 50 questions for the Trowers test did people manage to get through?

 

[Legalstalker]

Those who have applied to Mills & Reeve their Grad Rec have confirmed there are only 2 TC spaces for London 26...

Quite a small intake 😭

 

[legallybrunette8]

Those who have applied to Mills & Reeve their Grad Rec have confirmed there are only 2 TC spaces for London 26...

Quite a small intake 😭

oh its over... do you know about the vacation scheme spaces or for other regional offices?

 

[lonelycruise]

I actually do not know how it works at other firms, I have friends who were allowed to do other schemes and others who could not (from other firms), however Goodwin did not let me yes. I think it is understandable and I was fine with it because I like the firm so much but it is something to take into account.

I'm trying to understand the reasoning for it. Is it to prove your loyalty? I can't help but think that if a trainee's development and commercial training was as important as firms make it out to be, then attending additional VSs would be encouraged. I'm very keen to apply to Goodwin, so this isn't to criticise their policy, but I do find it a little odd.

 

[Sunshinepink]

Is the BCLP online assessment the WG test? Has anyone already taken it and how was it?

 

[Heartofglass]

Has anyone not get a Kirkland VI after application? Should I assume it wouldn't come anyway?

 

[Legalstalker]

oh its over... do you know about the vacation scheme spaces or for other regional offices?

Over before it even began 🤣

No clue only asked about London but I'd assume more than 2 as their website showcases a lot of Birmingham trainees and other regional offices.

 

[Pennine Valley]

I actually do not know how it works at other firms, I have friends who were allowed to do other schemes and others who could not (from other firms), however Goodwin did not let me yes. I think it is understandable and I was fine with it because I like the firm so much but it is something to take into account.

There is surely no way of enforcing this?

 

[Yesha.2]

Has anyone not get a Kirkland VI after application? Should I assume it wouldn't come anyway?

haven't heard back either but I think they've sent in quite a few VIs so I don't know what to make of it

 

[Sunshinepink]

BCLP PFO

was this post assessment and if so, how long did it take for you to get the PFO?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica! Appreciate some tips about the question "Choose one of our clients and explain a challenge they are currently facing. What could the organisation do to overcome this challenge and how could we assist? "

@axelbeugre - would you mind taking this question?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I'm trying to understand the reasoning for it. Is it to prove your loyalty? I can't help but think that if a trainee's development and commercial training was as important as firms make it out to be, then attending additional VSs would be encouraged. I'm very keen to apply to Goodwin, so this isn't to criticise their policy, but I do find it a little odd.

They are about to invest tens of thousands of pounds into your training and that’s before you have even joined the firm. They don’t want to risk spending that money and then you deciding to go and work for another firm you prefer because you have done a vacation scheme with them.

 

[Jessica Booker]

There is surely no way of enforcing this?

There would be nothing to stop them from potentially retracting the offer if they found out you’d breached a term in that offer.

Considering a trainee would need to complete onboarding processes and provide all their previous employment, its not completely unfeasible for the firm to find out you did a vacation scheme with a firm when your TC offer stated you couldn’t, even if you kept it quiet at the point of doing the vacation scheme.

Whether firms would do this is a completely different matter though.

 

[Amehta1]

@Jessica Booker im preparing for a HSF Ac and I attended the Linklaters Ac master class and they said one of the most important things you need to display is a solid reason of “why that firm”. How do I go about making my answer seem highly specialised and my motivations genuine? I’m afraid if I talk about a Practice area or their innovative practices then it is not personable enough.

 

[BNBlawyer]

Should I email grad rec for Bristows to know when they’ll give feedback or wait it out?

 

[lonelycruise]

They are about to invest tens of thousands of pounds into your training and that’s before you have even joined the firm. They don’t want to risk spending that money and then you deciding to go and work for another firm you prefer because you have done a vacation scheme with them.

I totally appreciate that, and it does makes sense. Though, at the vacation scheme stage they haven't invested a huge amount, even with an offer on the table. I'd understand it if they've already transferred a maintenance loan and you're trialling other firms mid-contract, but at so early a stage I can only see the benefits in allowing candidates to participate in additional schemes. I'm sure there's something I'm missing!

 

[icebear]

any news from HL?

 

[BM99]

any news from HL?

Wondering the same (Nope). I can't even get my WG score lol

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker im preparing for a HSF Ac and I attended the Linklaters Ac master class and they said one of the most important things you need to display is a solid reason of “why that firm”. How do I go about making my answer seem highly specialised and my motivations genuine? I’m afraid if I talk about a Practice area or their innovative practices then it is not personable enough.

To make it personal, attach it to your experiences. How do your personal experiences align with the specific innovative practice groups? Take your individuality and the firm’s individuality and find the common themes that connect the two - this should then be more tailored to the firm and also connected to you, which will make your answer unique compared to other candidates who may claim the same connection but apply that connection in a different way.