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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

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axelbeugre

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@Jessica Booker If a firm has no minimum grade requirements, will those with a high-performing track record be seen more favourable during the application process than somebody with less impressive grades?
This will definitely be a favoured factor but it will not be the only factor that will determine who gets invited for an interview or not.
 

axelbeugre

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Hi everyone. I have accepted a vac scheme at a firm that only recruits trainees through its vac schemes. As I am currently working full-time, I have limited annual leave days which means that I cannot complete any more vac schemes alongside the one I have accepted. When should I let the other firms I have applied to (all of which do take trainees through the direct TC route) know about my situation to see if I can convert my vac scheme application into a direct TC one. I’m not sure whether to let them know now or further along/at the end of the assessment process. I would appreciate any help on this! @Jessica Booker
I would say that it is important for you to let them know now so that you can understand which one to do or what steps to take. Further down the line might be too late in my opinion as the competition is high so they might just accept you not joining the firm for the vacation scheme without giving you the possibility to convert. Email them now stressing a strong interest in the firm and I am sure it will be fine. I have done this with a firm last year closer to the date just because I received my training contract after the spring scheme and I was not able to do the vacation scheme at the other firm during the summer and they were very open. Ideally though, I would have asked before.
 
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axelbeugre

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Hi @Jessica Booker, what is the correct way to mention upcoming vac schemes in interviews? Is it something I can mention as it may make me look more impressive? Or does it not do much to worth mentioning?
You can mention it but I would only do so if you are asked, I personally would not go above and beyond to mention it as it might come off the wrong way. I did share it last year with a firm but they asked me about it and I think that contributed to me appearing more appealing to them but I did say it only because they bluntly asked.
 
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axelbeugre

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Do firms generally call you if you’ve reached the interview stage or do they email?
They usually email and they call to give you a positive answer, this has been my experience so far. But I know that a couple of firms do call to offer interviews so it is firm dependent I would say.
 
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