TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[SolicitorHopeful]

Did anyone attend King & Spalding's Open Day? Please could you PM me?

 

[Legalitaly]

Are any firms still accepting apps for vacation schemes? Preferably no boutique or smaller firms. Thank you!!

NRF

 

[Victor87]

Wishing everyone great news (or at least peace of mind by way of response) this week! You're all amazing! 🏆

 

[futuretrainee2024]

NRF

Thank you! Just checked and I think it has closed

 

[Legalitaly]

How long do you get to prepare for each question for the Stephenson Harwood VI? Also, can you take a break before doing it once you have done the online assessment? Thank you!

Yes, you get a break! And unlimited prep time

 

[ayiiii05]

Did anyone attend King & Spalding's Open Day? Please could you PM me?

Same here please! I would like to apply but I don't know much about the firm

 

[Legalitaly]

Thank you! Just checked and I think it has closed

Oh!! Sorry I just saw they’re ig stories and didn’t notice they were from yesterday!

 

[Sharon Wu]

Did anyone attend King & Spalding's Open Day? Please could you PM me?

I attended. What do you want to know?

I've sent you my notes

 

[Jessica Booker]

What's the etiquette on handshakes at assessment centres? Should we initiate handshakes with interviewers or assume not unless they do?

I would wait to see if the other person instigates it or not - it’s not really something that happens as much these days, especially post Covid and so you won’t be scrutinised if it’s something you don’t do.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know what a firm is looking for in questions about challenging experiences (i.e. describe a challenging experience and what you learned from it)?

Could this be mental health-related or does it have to be a 'substantial' challenge, as in something that happened at work or during studies?

It needs to be something that has been difficult/outside of your comfort zone but something you have learnt and grown from. It doesn’t need to come from work or your studies, it can come from life more generally.

Although some people do use health related matters to highlight challenges, you have to show the growth/learning from them. Sometimes it doesn’t work when it’s a personal matter like that as the circumstances just no longer exist (eg you get treated/recover), when you really need to show the development in yourself, not just the ability to deal with the challenge in the moment.

 

[Jessica Booker]

best Strengths to give as my personal strengths when asked in an interview mate? (don't say teamwork as they will ask that as a separate question)

Team work is quiet vague and something most people can claim and so that’s why it doesn’t necessarily hit well for this type of question.

But you need to pick your own strengths - try not to fit what you think they are going to want to hear. Using your self awareness identify the things that will really help you personally succeed at that firm.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks mate. Do I mention multiple or just one and develop that with an example?

I was gonna do public speaking for weakness. Would you say that is a good one to pick? Then waffle about how I am looking to improve

Depends how the question is framed. If they ask for one, focus on one. If they state strengths, then mentioning 2-4 is sufficient.

 

[Erspencer]

Hi,

Does anyone have an answer structure for when they are asked about commercial awareness in an interview question?

Hiya,
I don’t know if this is the perfect structure but it worked for me and I got a vac scheme offer this cycle.

I started off by stating the trend or idea that I wanted to discuss. I then mentioned any updates in the news or recent developments. I then discussed who it was going to effect and linked it to the firm.
So for example, for this firm one of their clients is Network Rail/trainline and the government recently published a proposal to create a standardised app for booking travel which would massively undermine the company. I then outlined the proposal and how it would affect the company and also how the firm could work with the company to mitigate the effect.

I think this example worked quite effectively as it was niche but spoke directly to the firms work and showed that I knew what was going on but also what was going on with the firm!
I hope that helps/makes sense !!

 

[jesslawapps]

Has anyone not heard from CRS or BM (summer) yet ?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Three offers back to back! What we like to see!

SKADDEN VS!!!

Skadden VS!

I'm shaking, Skadden VS OFFER 😭

Well done everyone!

 

[Jessica Booker]

And three Open day offers back to back as well! Loving the good news on a Monday!

Debevoise open day/AC !! 🥹

Debevoise open day 🥺🥺🥺omg

Debevoise open day -- heard at 9:40 today for those looking at timeframes.

 

[Amehta1]

@Jessica Booker if you get rejected for a spring or summer vacation scheme for one firm are you allowed to apply to that same firm in the next cycle for winter?

 

[FT_82]

Hiya,
I don’t know if this is the perfect structure but it worked for me and I got a vac scheme offer this cycle.

I started off by stating the trend or idea that I wanted to discuss. I then mentioned any updates in the news or recent developments. I then discussed who it was going to effect and linked it to the firm.
So for example, for this firm one of their clients is Network Rail/trainline and the government recently published a proposal to create a standardised app for booking travel which would massively undermine the company. I then outlined the proposal and how it would affect the company and also how the firm could work with the company to mitigate the effect.

I think this example worked quite effectively as it was niche but spoke directly to the firms work and showed that I knew what was going on but also what was going on with the firm!
I hope that helps/makes sense !!

Thank you so much! That is so helpful 😊

 

[aspiringm&alawyer]

Anyone that did the Mishcon VI, did you get a confirmation email after stating that your VI has been received or anything of the sort?

 

[s9111]

Still nothing from Latham for Summer VS. Can I assume a rejection? Feels like I've been forgotten!