TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[FCL25]

Anyone heard back from Shoosmiths yet?

 

[aphelion]

Is the dress code for a pre-VS social the same as always i.e. a suit or can you be a bit more relaxed?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is the dress code for a pre-VS social the same as always i.e. a suit or can you be a bit more relaxed?

Is it in the office or at an external venue? And is it anything interactive or just networking?

 

[aphelion]

Is it in the office or at an external venue? And is it anything interactive or just networking?

It's at their offices and it's a trainee panel + networking

 

[Jessica Booker]

It's at their offices and it's a trainee panel + networking

I’d probably edge towards being more like typical office attire then. I don’t think this has to be a full suit - a collared shirt/no tie with suit trousers will probably be sufficient for men, or a blouse with skirt/trousers for women.

Unless you got a sense the firm has a very informal dress code in the office during your recruitment process, this will probably be the safest option. But look at the instructions for the event carefully, as usually firms are pretty good at directing you on what the dress code is.

 

[CCLaw]

Anyone heard back from Shoosmiths yet?

I think they are letting everyone know about next steps by 6pm today

 

[aphelion]

I’d probably edge towards being more like typical office attire then. I don’t think this has to be a full suit - a collared shirt/no tie with suit trousers will probably be sufficient for men, or a blouse with skirt/trousers for women.

Unless you got a sense the firm has a very informal dress code in the office during your recruitment process, this will probably be the safest option. But look at the instructions for the event carefully, as usually firms are pretty good at directing you on what the dress code is.

Thank you!

 

[FCL25]

Shoosmiths PFO! However, this time with the following interesting caveat which I’m not so sure what to think of:

“However, we were impressed with your application, and you did score highly, so you have been placed on our reserve list. This means in the event that someone declines their place on the assessment day, you may be invited at relatively short notice to an assessment day in our Leeds office on Tuesday 8th July.”

Has anyone else received a PFO like this? I’m assuming it’s very unlikely someone declines their place since it’s only so few people who make it to that point 😂 the annoying thing is the lack of certainty…

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Shoosmiths PFO! However, this time with the following interesting caveat which I’m not so sure what to think of:

“However, we were impressed with your application, and you did score highly, so you have been placed on our reserve list. This means in the event that someone declines their place on the assessment day, you may be invited at relatively short notice to an assessment day in our Leeds office on Tuesday 8th July.”

Has anyone else received a PFO like this? I’m assuming it’s very unlikely someone declines their place since it’s only so few people who make it to that point 😂 the annoying thing is the lack of certainty…

Lots of vac schemes are in June though so if people are on vac schemes and get a definite TC offer they may withdraw from the Shoosmiths' process bearing in mind this AC is in July with potential decisions not being through until end of July/August. Hang on on there.

 

[jasonbourne]

Hi guys, has anyone received an email from Broadfields about their London vac scheme?

 

[Kakaboo]

Hi, I’m meant to be dropping forms off for my vacation scheme today. However, they haven’t given me a time. They aren’t answering emails so should I just turn up?

 

[ZNadeem]

Hi, I’m meant to be dropping forms off for my vacation scheme today. However, they haven’t given me a time. They aren’t answering emails so should I just turn up?

Hi! I would say if today is the agreed-upon date, it should be fine to drop the forms off at reception. Once you've done so, follow up with an email to the relevant graduate recruitment contact to confirm that you have delivered the forms.

 

[wz_13]

hi! anyone heard from samsung re paralegal position?

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

Shoosmiths AC! It involves a paired exercise, a group exercise, presentation and interview. I've never done a paired exercise, could anyone provide insights into what it's like? Since the interview is strengths-based, I'm assuming that the commercial awareness bit comes in during the presentation? Any advice at all would be appreciated!! 🙏 @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam

 

[User5678]

Howard Kennedy VI invite post Watson Glaser. If anyone has done this before please please dm me or reply to this thread

Would be very grateful for any tips!

Thanks very much!

 

[l789]

Hi everyone, I’m just feeling like poop. Can anyone give me som support or advice as to how to proceed.

I was recently rejected (after interview) from a very prestigious legal internship and have seen the offers go out on LinkedIn. So far I only have one week legal internship under my belt but I’m seeing other students with multiple spring weeks at investment banks and first year schemes and alongside one/two week work placements at city firms through social mobility schemes.

How on earth do I compete with that, when all I have to offer is probono experience and retail, and I’m seeing my peers with PE internships and a different internship each month of June July and August. Surely grad rec is going to take the candidate with a PE internship and multiple investment banking spring weeks and now a two week US firm work experience placement over someone with basic retail and probono experience.

Just feel like giving up and have no more willpower to send out applications when I’m going to look like nothing compared to these people.

I don’t understand how I could even stand a chance next to these people.

 

[ZNadeem]

Hi everyone, I’m just feeling like poop. Can anyone give me som support or advice as to how to proceed.

I was recently rejected (after interview) from a very prestigious legal internship and have seen the offers go out on LinkedIn. So far I only have one week legal internship under my belt but I’m seeing other students with multiple spring weeks at investment banks and first year schemes and alongside one/two week work placements at city firms through social mobility schemes.

How on earth do I compete with that, when all I have to offer is probono experience and retail, and I’m seeing my peers with PE internships and a different internship each month of June July and August. Surely grad rec is going to take the candidate with a PE internship and multiple investment banking spring weeks and now a two week US firm work experience placement over someone with basic retail and probono experience.

Just feel like giving up and have no more willpower to send out applications when I’m going to look like nothing compared to these people.

I don’t understand how I could even stand a chance next to these people.

I completely understand how disheartening this can feel, but as someone who has been in your shoes, let me assure you: comparison is the thief of motivation. I had similar doubts after a disappointing first application cycle, but I learned that what truly matters is not the quantity of your experiences, but how you present them.

Take a break from scrolling LinkedIn—this will help you avoid unnecessary comparisons and preserve your motivation. Instead, focus on crafting strong applications that highlight the skills and qualities you’ve gained through your unique experiences, whether they’re from retail, pro bono work, or anywhere else. Most future trainees I know secured vacation schemes and training contracts with just high school-level experiences and university society involvement. It's all about how you frame your narrative, so don't lose hope—you have a real chance to stand out.

It’s also worth remembering that the fact you reached the interview stage for such a prestigious internship is an achievement in itself. This means that grad recruitment saw something in your application and progressed you past the majority of candidates, which speaks volumes about the strength of your written application and experiences. Use this as proof that you’re on the right track and focus on refining your interview technique or gaining insights into what may have gone wrong.

It’s also worth noting that I personally had zero insight schemes or open days under my belt during my successful application cycle. Instead, I focused on writing strong, tailored applications that highlighted the value of my unique experiences. This approach proved to be key, as it’s not necessarily about having the "perfect" CV but about how you effectively present your skills and demonstrate your suitability for the firm.

 

[trainee4u]

Anyone know if this is good enough for SH's SJT?

Verbal High
Numerical Medium
Grit 7/9
Applied Intellect 4/9
Creative Force 6/9
Digital Mindset 9/9

Anyone got through with a 4?!?

 

[l789]

@Chris Brown hi Chris Brown; hope you are well! I can’t dm you but, are you able to DM, I’d really appreciate if I could talk to you about something- if you have the time

If not no worries and all boundaries respected!

 

[abbiewhitlock03]

Anyone know if this is good enough for SH's SJT?

Verbal High
Numerical Medium
Grit 7/9
Applied Intellect 4/9
Creative Force 6/9
Digital Mindset 9/9

Anyone got through with a 4?!?

I got a VS offer from SH with a 3 in Creative Force - defo still possible!