TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[mattyh23]

I was just asked in an interview a time I dealt with conflict in a team - what sort of conflict are they looking for?

I said where I disagreed with another team member over an idea about a small business I run. I mentioned how I convinced them why my strategy was better and why and trying to resolve this amicably was the reason for success. Is that a weak answer? @Jessica Booker

 

[holz567]

This is more for future reference as I've completed my interview now but I was asked as a two point question "why commercial law and specifically why this firm?"

As I didn't want to ramble on and give 3 points for each, I cut it down to 2 for each point. Should I have just given all three? I was worried about speaking for too long, or will it not really have made too much of a difference?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you Jessica, I've been worrying about it

I know it will really depend, but what are the main things interviewers will look for when determining an outcome? Is it confidence? Quality of answers? Or is it often just how you compare to other candidates?

It will be down to the quality of your answers, but in part that is how you deliver them too.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I was just asked in an interview a time I dealt with conflict in a team - what sort of conflict are they looking for?

I said where I disagreed with another team member over an idea about a small business I run. I mentioned how I convinced them why my strategy was better and why and trying to resolve this amicably was the reason for success. Is that a weak answer? @Jessica Booker

Doesn’t sounds like it - sounds like you answered the question.

 

[Jessica Booker]

This is more for future reference as I've completed my interview now but I was asked as a two point question "why commercial law and specifically why this firm?"

As I didn't want to ramble on and give 3 points for each, I cut it down to 2 for each point. Should I have just given all three? I was worried about speaking for too long, or will it not really have made too much of a difference?

Two points for each is fine. There are set numbers for these things.

 

[amy2002]

It will be down to the quality of your answers, but in part that is how you deliver them too.

When you say delivery, is that more in terms of confidence or structure? I feel nerves always get in the way of my ACs and feel that impacts my delivery. Does that harm my chances?

 

[Givemeatcplease]

I had an interview today, and I feel as if I completely blew it.

I prepared as best as I could but my nerves got in the way, I stumbled through answers, quite a few "umms" and I tacked on "why this would be relevant as a trainee" to the end of each answer. How much will nerves factor into any decision? I didn't feel as if my answers were even particularly bad, just nerves got in the way and it looked like I lacked confidence.

Any thoughts @Jessica Booker?

 

[trainingcontractplz]

Anyone heard back from TW who did their AC earlier this month?

 

[watsonglazeddonut]

@Jessica Booker if I need to discuss a "recent legal update" for an upcoming AC, could this "legal update" include litigation (eg. one of the firm's client's ongoing litigation) or am I restricted to legislative / regulatory changes?

 

[ohnoselim]

nope :/ I have heard some people on the forum say that they were 'ghosted' by the firm. Unfortunately, I am assuming that, as I have not heard back yet, I have most likely been rejected.

they should just get back to people
especially after having to do that long yacht question 😭

 

[pineappleonpizza1]

Is anyone stilling waiting for W/C post VI. It’s been 6 weeks for me I’m assuming pfo now .

 

[Sharon Wu]

Does anyone have notes from Mayer Brown's Open Day in December 2023? If so I would be grateful if you could PM me and share.

 

[JacobRichardson]

Any news from Paul Hastings?

 

[ohnoselim]

Anyone heard back from Browne Jacobson post-test?

 

[Aussielawyer]

Guys have I been ghosted by S&B?? Completed the interview last Monday. People have gotten there offers but I have received nothing. I need closure!!!!

 

[Pheebs22]

Hi all,

I’m reflecting on my performance post AC and am unable to get a specific question out of my mind.

I was asked what problems are our clients facing, and I just completely blanked. I’d prepared the question and if asked afterwards, I could do it no problem but here I just want “unmm” for about 10 seconds and then said “high interest rates would impact clients as it’s more expensive to borrow money, which means less willingness to do deals”.

That was it. We moved on and the rest of the interview was fine but am I right to consider it as good as done at that?

Feel so upset and like I’ve blown it on that one question. Any thoughts @Jessica Booker and if it’s a dealbreaker?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all,

I’m reflecting on my performance post AC and am unable to get a specific question out of my mind.

I was asked what problems are our clients facing, and I just completely blanked. I’d prepared the question and if asked afterwards, I could do it no problem but here I just want “unmm” for about 10 seconds and then said “high interest rates would impact clients as it’s more expensive to borrow money, which means less willingness to do deals”.

That was it. We moved on and the rest of the interview was fine but am I right to consider it as good as done at that?

Feel so upset and like I’ve blown it on that one question. Any thoughts @Jessica Booker and if it’s a dealbreaker?

It’s one answer to one question, possibly in one of multiple assessments.

Candidates tend to fixate on the things they think went wrong and then over analyse it, and even misinterpret what the interaction was.

This issue seems to be a common theme in the forums at the moment and I sense other posts are then contributing to others questioning what happened in their interview. I don’t think this is helpful to anyone.

My advice for this whole process is focus on what you can control rather than what you cannot. You cannot control something that has already happened, but what you can control is how you move forward from it or learn from the situation. The best way to do this is to think about what you do differently if presented with that question again, rather than worrying what as interview may or may not have thought (which you have no control over).

 

[PFOenthusiast]

No I’m waiting on this too. Which offices did you select as preferences?

Hopefully they're still processing all the applications then. I went with Bristol and London - what about you?

 

[sm99]

Is the test for Browne Jacobson automatic?

 

[mp2000]

Thank you. My application was October and test and VI November so this gives me faint hope!

Did you send your application off for the spring VS deadline? I'm wondering if lots of people who applied specifically for summer have received VIs...