TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[trainee4u]

Hi @Jessica Booker (or others with experience of graduate recruitment)

I wonder how I should handle this situation?

I have two VS offers as shown in this calendar:




I have accepted firm A's four-day VS, which is their only route to a TC. I have now also received a VS offer from firm B, which lasts for 10 days (2 full weeks). Firm B has a direct TC route, and I guess that they take about half the candidates from each route.

I need to be pragmatic in that I want a TC, and I'd like to be open to getting one from either or both of firm A and firm B, so if I were to rescind my previous acceptance to firm A, then I could only get an offer from firm B.

Therefore I want to email firm B, and ask them if I can attend for only the first week and (at their option) the last day of the VS. However, I'm not really sure how this will come across; e.g., is it a good idea for me to mention either or both of these points in an initial email asking to attend for 5 or 6 days of the VS:

1) that firm A does not have a direct TC intake, only via VS
2) that if I'm not able to attend for part of firm B's VS, that I'd like to attend firm B's direct TC assessment centre.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

A few others and I received SVS offers yesterday

Ah well, congrats to you!

 

[law_junkie]

PFO from Stephenson Harwood — I’m a bit confused, as the subject line says "Your Amberjack assessment," but I never received any assessment from them.

 

[tc1999]

Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice. Ideally, I’m aiming to train at a leading City corporate law firm. I believe I have the potential to succeed, but I’m also aware of how competitive and uncertain the process can be. Should I continue to pursue this goal, or consider accepting a training contract at a smaller firm but in the top 100?

 

[fairbourne]

Does anyone know when we might hear back from SH re their SVS? Thank you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica. Booker, can I privately message you to ask a personal question?

I am happy to respond to any messages via private message that may contain personal, sensitive or confidential information. These topics include:

• Mitigating or extenuating circumstances
• Anything relating to a job offer
• Advice relating to personal circumstances that may impact a recruitment process or your time with an employer
• Reasonable adjustments
• Concerns around misconduct, whether that is relating to you, another TCLA member, fellow employees, your employer, or an organisation you have recently applied for a job with.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker (or others with experience of graduate recruitment)

I wonder how I should handle this situation?

I have two VS offers as shown in this calendar:

View attachment 7127


I have accepted firm A's four-day VS, which is their only route to a TC. I have now also received a VS offer from firm B, which lasts for 10 days (2 full weeks). Firm B has a direct TC route, and I guess that they take about half the candidates from each route.

I need to be pragmatic in that I want a TC, and I'd like to be open to getting one from either or both of firm A and firm B, so if I were to rescind my previous acceptance to firm A, then I could only get an offer from firm B.

Therefore I want to email firm B, and ask them if I can attend for only the first week and (at their option) the last day of the VS. However, I'm not really sure how this will come across; e.g., is it a good idea for me to mention either or both of these points in an initial email asking to attend for 5 or 6 days of the VS:

1) that firm A does not have a direct TC intake, only via VS
2) that if I'm not able to attend for part of firm B's VS, that I'd like to attend firm B's direct TC assessment centre.

Don’t rely on email. Call firm B rather than emailing them. This is something you need to discuss not correspond over.

Attending the first week may be a possibility, but many firms will not allow this, especially if there are key assessments or activities in the second part of the scheme.

You can ask, but be prepared for the firm to say no. Attending the last day is highly unlikely, as they will need to turn off all your access and then reinstate it for one day, so really if you do ask to attend part of the scheme I would go in with the suggestion of the first week only.

So I would call them, explain you have already accepted a VS that clashes with the second week that does not have a direct TC process. Ask whether you can attend the first week only and if this is not possible whether you can be transferred to a direct TC recruitment process instead.

If the firm’s answer is no to either option, and firm B is your preferred firm, then think about reneging on firm A.

 

[Chris Brown]

I still can’t believe I am writing this. I am happy to finally be able to share that I received a TC offer post Spring VS!! 😅

Thank you to each and every single one of you on this forum for being so kind and supportive throughout this cycle. 🥲​

 

[Jessica Booker]

I still can’t believe I am writing this. I am happy to finally be able to share that I received a TC offer post Spring VS!! 😅

Thank you to each and every single one of you on this forum for being so kind and supportive throughout this cycle. 🥲​

Congratulations! That is amazing news.

 

[User5678]

I have received an online test invite for Howard Kennedy an hour back for whoever is still waiting

On that note, I really suck at Watson Glaser tests especially when the timed element comes in. I can still pass it when it’s untimed because I take my time to think and answer. I have done practice tests but any tips on how to do better and pass this would be much appreciated!

Thank you

 

[Alturistic whale]

I still can’t believe I am writing this. I am happy to finally be able to share that I received a TC offer post Spring VS!! 😅

Thank you to each and every single one of you on this forum for being so kind and supportive throughout this cycle. 🥲​

Huge congratulations Breezy! You've got to return to TCLA as a community assistant or some sort because your posts have been so helpful and you're a valued member!! Don't forget TCLA just yet!

 

[Sallyywww]

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for sharing all the advice so far! I just wanted to ask if anyone has any tips or insights for a CC interview? I’ve been trying to search but haven’t found much info shared about it. Any help would be really appreciated!

 

[l789]

I still can’t believe I am writing this. I am happy to finally be able to share that I received a TC offer post Spring VS!! 😅

Thank you to each and every single one of you on this forum for being so kind and supportive throughout this cycle. 🥲​

So happy for you, your journey is one to remember for sure!

Congratulations KING!

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Hi everyone and especially @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu

Do you think it takes a different skillset or approach to convert a vacation scheme with fewer TC places? I have experience doing a vacation scheme where a majority of candidates were offered TCs, and having thought about the feedback, I'm pretty clear on what I should've done differently on this scheme to convert. But now I have a vacation scheme coming up where not many candidates will get offered a TC. I guess my worry is that different considerations may apply. In my previous scheme, it felt like coffee chats etc had very little impact, you didn't have to "stand out" or to introduce yourself to loads of people. But if only 20-25% of a VS cohort is getting a TC, not doing anything "bad" surely can't be enough to secure one. Or am I wrong and really most people in a vac scheme cohort will show at least some red flags, and being "good enough" is usually good enough?

 

[legallycece]

SH Summer VS ! Phone call yesterday - thanks for all the support on here !

 

[l789]

I have an upcoming interview with a US law firm, they haven’t said if it’s competency or motivational, is it ok to email (grad rec said if I had any questions to email ) and ask if it will be a competency based interview or have any case studies. The only information given to me, was the time of the interview.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I have an upcoming interview with a US law firm, they haven’t said if it’s competency or motivational, is it ok to email (grad rec said if I had any questions to email ) and ask if it will be a competency based interview or have any case studies. The only information given to me, was the time of the interview.

What kind of role is this for?

 

[l789]

What kind of role is this for?

Work experience scheme with the opportunity to convert to a VC/TC.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Work experience scheme with the opportunity to convert to a VC/TC.

Yes - it would make sense to see if the firm’s recruitment team can provide you with any more details of what to expect.

 

[l789]

Yes - it would make sense to see if the firm’s recruitment team can provide you with any more details of what to expect.

Thank you!