2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[TCLA Community Assistant]

If you have an interview or assessment centre, one of your questions to the HR/Graduate recruitment team is always...

When should I expect to hear back in regards to a decision?

Helps manage your expectations and then you know when to chase up!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I can't remember exactly like I thought they said two weeks

Then give them until the end of this week, and possibly contact them on Monday if you haven’t heard back by then.

 

[Jaysen]

Hey everyone,

You may have seen this in our newsletter today. Next week, I'm going to be on a panel discussing the mental health concerns for aspiring lawyers/how law firms can set up trainees for the long term.

Most of the top law firms are going to be in attendance, and I really want to make sure I'm relaying any concerns you guys have about beginning your training contract. I'm also hoping this is a chance for law firms to evaluate the steps they can take to support you, particularly in the field of mental health - a topic close to my heart.

Whether you're an aspiring lawyer, a future trainee or an associate, it would really help me if you could complete this survey. It should take about 5 minutes and it's completely anonymous. I'll read every answer and try my best to capture it all during the panel.

PS: While it's a panel focused on law firms, I'm hoping to get a recording so anyone who is interested can watch.

Thank you!

 

[E1998]

Then give them until the end of this week, and possibly contact them on Monday if you haven’t heard back by then.

Thank you very much

 

[Jammo58]

Didn't think Orrick did WG... that's partly why I applied to them lol. Is that new this year?

It's the first year that they're doing vac schemes so I imagine they've changed other things too. I know that they used to just have a open day which was part of the TC process but now that has gone I think.

 

[Nnu]

I got a VI too and think I applied for direct

likewise!

 

[Staples]

Aaaand today’s Bates Wells PFO (post-app) marks the end of my first VS application cycle. 21 apps, 17 outright rejections at the first stage, one VS offer.

It’s been a brutal, humbling experience although I’m hugely grateful for the one offer I did land from one of my target firms. I’ve also learnt an awful lot (from TCLA and elsewhere) on how to write decent applications - my first 10 apps went absolutely nowhere and looking back at them I’m definitely not surprised.

Now for some direct TC apps, I guess... onwards and upwards!

 

[Tangle]

Is it worth applying for direct TCs with no legal work experience?

 

[JayC]

Is two weeks today having not back from an interview worth chasing?

Debevoise?

 

[Staples]

Is it worth applying for direct TCs with no legal work experience?

It seems to depend on the firm. To my understanding, attitudes towards applicants with no legal work experience vary from “thank u, next” to “if you show that you know what the role’s about and have other types of experience, why not”

 

[manifestingaTC]

has anyone not heard from White and case for vs? almost def a rejection but just curious

I’m thinking that too! but they’ve been sending out rejections too so maybe they’re just busy.

 

[YJ]

If you have an interview or assessment centre, one of your questions to the HR/Graduate recruitment team is always...

When should I expect to hear back in regards to a decision?

Helps manage your expectations and then you know when to chase up!

I always worry about asking this because I think sometimes it seems like I just want the process to be rushed

 

[gg332dd]

I got a VI too and think I applied for direct

I'm honestly really confused.. the email said:

"Thank you for your application for the position of Trainee Solicitor"

..but as others said, the description says the VS forms part of the assessment process.

I hope it's a direct TC because I'm too embarrassed to ask what I applied for lol

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I always worry about asking this because I think sometimes it seems like I just want the process to be rushed

No issue with asking this at all.

If you said “can you tell me the outcome by next week” then you’ll be perceived as being pushy, but just politely asking for approximate timeframes is in no way an issue whatsoever. If anything firms will appreciate you asking now rather than chasing up too early!

 

[Daniel Boden]

I always worry about asking this because I think sometimes it seems like I just want the process to be rushed

Don't worry it'll never be an issue asking that question and is completely reasonable

 

[E1998]

Debevoise?

nah, S&W

 

[konanslan]

How deadly is a typo during/right before the vacation scheme lol? I was sending the firm some documents and misspelt 'scheme' as 'schene' in the subject line. (it's like my spell-check OCD was gone after finishing the written applications)

 

[gg332dd]

How deadly is a typo during/right before the vacation scheme lol? I was sending the firm some documents and misspelt 'scheme' as 'schene' in the subject line. (it's like my spell-check OCD was gone after finishing the written applications)

I think the occasional typo is fine in emails, I'm sure GR have done their share of these.

 

[Daniel Boden]

How deadly is a typo during/right before the vacation scheme lol? I was sending the firm some documents and misspelt 'scheme' as 'schene' in the subject line. (it's like my spell-check OCD was gone after finishing the written applications)

Don't worry about it

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

K&E
its been 4 weeks
:| ndmviousdfnvodsfnvoidsfn

The only thing I can think of is that the team deal with the TC as well and around now is seat rotation time and they are busy with that??