TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, this is just a general recruitment question not necessarily related to law firms.. if a company extends its application deadline (even more so on the original deadline day), is that a sign that they've received less applications than expected?

Not necessarily - it could be the reason, but it may be that the quality of applications is not strong enough or they are looking to improve the diversity of the candidate pool. It can also just be down to delays in the recruitment process which means there is no harm in keeping the application open longer.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Yep

if you are considering applying for a TC in that region, you could cover the personal reasons as to why you will move to the region longer term. But if it is just the view of doing the internship and then qualifying in the U.K., I wouldn’t cover the personal reasons (as they are short term).

 

[Jessica Booker]

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker when receiving an email for an interview they told me I would be asked commercial questions. However, I am not too sure what exactly this might entail apart from competitors to the firm and current issues that law firms are facing. What other commercial questions could I possibly be asked?

There are a number of different commercial awareness question in one section of our interview questions list:

Training Contract Interview Questions | 175 Practice Questions (2018)

We've produced these training contract interview questions to help you practice for interviews and assessment centres at law firms. Why? Well, we've arranged many mock interviews over the years and we see a substantial difference in performance after students have practiced real interview questions.

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[jenniferrrrrrr]

has dentons given pfo post VI?

 

[cattlawapps324]

The graduate recruitment team will get lots of questions from candidates post offer - this is not a problem at all. What is the question regarding?

Hi Jess,

I was going to ask if they inform candidates that they have secured a TC after each scheme or at the end of all three schemes. I was also going to ask if there is a higher chance of securing a TC if you do the earlier scheme (athough not sure if this is too direct).

thanks

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jess,

I was going to ask if they inform candidates that they have secured a TC after each scheme or at the end of all three schemes. I was also going to ask if there is a higher chance of securing a TC if you do the earlier scheme (athough not sure if this is too direct).

thanks

The first question is fine - I don’t think there is any point asking the second one because 1) there won’t be just because it happens in a certain order and 2) if they did say that everyone would just clamber to get into that scheme over others (and probably change the ratio anyway by doing so). Just ask for the scheme dates that work best for you.

 

[cattlawapps324]

The first question is fine - I don’t think there is any point asking the second one because 1) there won’t be just because it happens in a certain order and 2) if they did say that everyone would just clamber to get into that scheme over others (and probably change the ratio anyway by doing so). Just ask for the scheme dates that work best for you.

thanks - how does it work then if they have a specified number of trainees that they recruit every year and recrut across three vac schemes and a direct TC route? do you reckon they have a specific target number that they select from each scheme? and do they always stick to the trainee intake number rigidly even if they have many more candidates that meet the benchmark?

 

[Tintin06]

Is there anywhere to check firm’s VS conversion rates to TCs? Thank you for any help!

Law careers.net shows Vacation Scheme places and TC numbers. It's not a perfect conversion guide but it is useful.

 

[Jessica Booker]

thanks - how does it work then if they have a specified number of trainees that they recruit every year and recrut across three vac schemes and a direct TC route? do you reckon they have a specific target number that they select from each scheme? and do they always stick to the trainee intake number rigidly even if they have many more candidates that meet the benchmark?

How many training contracts does the firm offer?

 

[cattlawapps324]

How many training contracts does the firm offer?

33

 

[pb15]

Does anyone know when we’ll hear back from V&E post VI?

 

[LawAspirer]

Has anyone heard from Goodwin regarding the vacation schemes?

 

[Ghassen]

33

If you are talking about Macfarlanes because I did a vacation scheme with them last, I can help in this regard.

 

[Jessica Booker]

33

Then I don’t think there is much to worry about here.

To get to 33 trainees they will probably have to make around 42-55 offers (depending on their acceptance rate but no firm has a 100% acceptance rate, it typically is between 40-80%).

Some vac schemers are just not going to meet the benchmarks required. That’s probably going to be at least 25%.

Given that, the firm is highly unlikely to over offer or need to worry about how many people they offer within each scheme.

 

[Amy Lucy]

CRS VI!

Hi, do you know how I could prep for the CRS VI? Should i expect a lot of questions about the firm? Or should i focus more on commercial awareness or competency? Any advice will be super appreciated!

 

[cattlawapps324]

Then I don’t think there is much to worry about here.

To get to 33 trainees they will probably have to make around 42-55 offers (depending on their acceptance rate but no firm has a 100% acceptance rate, it typically is between 40-80%).

Some vac schemers are just not going to meet the benchmarks required. That’s probably going to be at least 25%.

Given that, the firm is highly unlikely to over offer or need to worry about how many people they offer within each scheme.

what do you mean highly unlikely to over offer? And i didn't even think about the fact that some people won't accept, so just thought they would literally make 33 offers lol

 

[VV]

How long does Jones Day typically take to respond after the video interview? For a decision on the AC?

 

[axelbeugre]

@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker when receiving an email for an interview they told me I would be asked commercial questions. However, I am not too sure what exactly this might entail apart from competitors to the firm and current issues that law firms are facing. What other commercial questions could I possibly be asked?

• They might ask you questions regarding your application answers and anything commercial you have mentioned there so definitely keep up with trends and events you have talked about.
• They might ask what kind of practice area you would create at the firm following the new trends in the business world?
• They might ask about what kind of businesses you would invest and why

I hope these are helpful!

 

[legallyells]

W&C summer VS PFO

 

[Petallove1]

Hi, do you know how I could prep for the CRS VI? Should i expect a lot of questions about the firm? Or should i focus more on commercial awareness or competency? Any advice will be super appreciated!

It’s 5 questions + mix of competency and questions about the firm