TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[jojo23]

Another day of nothing from SH and browne j?

Just received a brown j rejection

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Got rejected by Browne Jacobson post telephone interview, then an online test invite from Kingsley Napley 10 minutes later MANNN!!!

 

[CupOfTea17]

Also just got rejected from Browne Jacobson 😂

Just received a brown j rejection

 

[jojo23]

Also just got rejected from Browne Jacobson 😂

They made us wait this long🤣

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Is the Morgan Lewis SJT automatic?

Does anyone know the answer to this question?

 

[User5678]

They made us wait this long🤣

Same I got a pfo too. Really demotivated after this one because I thought the interview went really well! literally waited for a month for this outcome😂

Thanks to Kingsley napley for making me feel better by sending the next stage invite 10 mins after😂

 

[Kakaboo]

Does anyone know anywhere that does good courses etc to prepare you for a vacation scheme? I know apiring solicitors do them but my firm is not a partner firm TIA

 

[christina04]

have people on the Forsters SVS found out whether they've received a TC?

 

[EA95]

Does anyone think it’s a good idea to connect with and message legal recruiters on Linkedin to assist me in landing a job at firms the practice commercial law or in-house legal departments?

 

[Gr33n]

Man I swear the wait after a vac scheme to find out if you got the TC has to be the most nail-biting, anxiety-inducing, nerve-wracking period of anyone’s life

 

[tianna09]

Same I got a pfo too. Really demotivated after this one because I thought the interview went really well! literally waited for a month for this outcome😂

Thanks to Kingsley napley for making me feel better by sending the next stage invite 10 mins after😂

when did you apply to kingsley napley?

 

[trainee4u]

when did you apply to kingsley napley?

KN seem to have sent out test invites at 17:40 and PFOs at 17:50 yesterday.
I applied about 11:45pm on the last day and got a PFO.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hi guys,

I hope you’re all well!

I’m not posting much nowadays as life is hectic (same as everyone else tbh) and my mental health has taken a bit of a toll.

In terms of applications, I am waiting to hear back from Mayer Brown (pretty sure it’s a PFO as my SJT results weren’t great), Farrer & Co and HFW TC post apps. Need to do some more applications but I have PGDL exams coming up so I’m busy with revision.

In terms of work- I have a good job with decent salary, but we were recently hit with the bombshell that a lot of redundancies are coming as the organisation has to cut millions from the budget by 1 Jan 2026!!! So now that’s another worry.

Probably will sound like such an entitled brat saying this but I’ve had a look for any legal positions available and they either require 50 years of legal experience, or the money is terrible. I don’t mind taking a bit of a cut but the salaries being offered are abysmal and I need money to live and also pay for uni!! So I am thinking of looking for another non-legal position in the meantime, but I’m worried it would give a negative impression on my commitment to law when doing applications.

If there’s any advice anyone can give then I’ll really appreciate it, but I just wanted to get this off my chest 😭

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi guys,

I hope you’re all well!

I’m not posting much nowadays as life is hectic (same as everyone else tbh) and my mental health has taken a bit of a toll.

In terms of applications, I am waiting to hear back from Mayer Brown (pretty sure it’s a PFO as my SJT results weren’t great), Farrer & Co and HFW TC post apps. Need to do some more applications but I have PGDL exams coming up so I’m busy with revision.

In terms of work- I have a good job with decent salary, but we were recently hit with the bombshell that a lot of redundancies are coming as the organisation has to cut millions from the budget by 1 Jan 2026!!! So now that’s another worry.

Probably will sound like such an entitled brat saying this but I’ve had a look for any legal positions available and they either require 50 years of legal experience, or the money is terrible. I don’t mind taking a bit of a cut but the salaries being offered are abysmal and I need money to live and also pay for uni!! So I am thinking of looking for another non-legal position in the meantime, but I’m worried it would give a negative impression on my commitment to law when doing applications.

If there’s any advice anyone can give then I’ll really appreciate it, but I just wanted to get this off my chest 😭

Hi @SamiyaJ I am sorry to hear about your situation and I definitely understand how much of a toll rejections can have on mental health, particularly when happening at the same time as other difficult things in life.

As for your question, I do not think getting another non-legal position will have a negative impact on recruiters' view of your commitment to law. They know how competitive the job market is and that for various reasons people may not be able to enter the profession as early as they would like. At the same time, non-legal work experiences build many valuable transferable skills. In my vacation schemes I have met many candidates who had been working in other industries, some for periods extending over several years. As such, if the non-legal job you are considering is one that would be a much better fit for you at the moment, I would not worry about this being seen negatively when you are applying.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Man I swear the wait after a vac scheme to find out if you got the TC has to be the most nail-biting, anxiety-inducing, nerve-wracking period of anyone’s life

Very similar experience for me - I remember my heart skipping a beat every time I got a notification or a phone call. When I finally did get the call, my anxiety made me struggle so much to make the initial small talk that comes with it that the graduate recruiter just took mercy on me and told me the outcome directly. While I don't suppose this will help much, know that it is truly a universal experience 🥲

 

[Andrei Radu]

Does anyone think it’s a good idea to connect with and message legal recruiters on Linkedin to assist me in landing a job at firms the practice commercial law or in-house legal departments?

I think this could only be a good idea if:

1. This is a small firm/company so they do not advertise their openings on websites or other big platforms; or
2. You have some specific questions about the application process that are not answered on the firm's website.

Besides these situations, graduate recruiters are unlikely to do much to help you get the job, as the application processes firms set up are designed to be as fair and impartial as possible and graduate recruiters are bound to act in accordance with these norms.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone think it’s a good idea to connect with and message legal recruiters on Linkedin to assist me in landing a job at firms the practice commercial law or in-house legal departments?

It would be better to register with the recruitment agencies or apply directly to suitable vacancies if the recruiter works for a particular employer.

 

[User5678]

when did you apply to kingsley napley?

one hour before the applications closed on deadline day.

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/a...firms-to-cut-125m-trump-deals/5122997.article This is jokes to me idk lol

 

[gilo]

Long shot but did anyone make notes from white and case legal cheek event yesterday they would be happy to share with me - was hoping to attend but personal matter prevented last minute