This threads and posts might be a useful read:
Converting your vacation scheme into a training contract - top tips in 2021
Hey all, A few people have asked about this so I thought we'd create a central thread for 2021. Anyone feel free to share your own top tips on converting a vacation scheme into a training contract. I'd recommend reading the following threads to kick us off...www.thecorporatelawacademy.com
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24
how many firms is everyone waiting on? im waiting on 3 and then that concludes my cycle! I'm waiting on two (planning on writing one more) and got one VS (with the great help of this forum!)
Generally, your conversion interview will focus more on your reflections on your vacation scheme (what you enjoyed, what was challegning, what was surprusing, how your interest in the firm has been reaffirmed or changed etc), and also how you may have generally developed as a candidate in the months since your vacation scheme interview. Be prepared to answer questions about where else you are applying and how those firms may differ to your VS firm both in terms of job opportunity and from a commercial awareness perspective.
It is less likely to be competency based as the feedback from your department is much more likely to cover the competencies they want to assess. It tends to be much more focus on career motivational questions and commercial awareness, but really tying both of those things to what you have learnt both from your scheme and also the other things you have done in recent months (e.g. how your studies are going, other vacation schemes you have done/have lined up, other recruitment processes you are involved in, new extracurriculars you are involved in).
To add to this: I’ll give you a whistle stop tour of some tips that were helpful for me during my scheme. I recently converted a VSThis threads and posts might be a useful read:
Converting your vacation scheme into a training contract - top tips in 2021
Hey all, A few people have asked about this so I thought we'd create a central thread for 2021. Anyone feel free to share your own top tips on converting a vacation scheme into a training contract. I'd recommend reading the following threads to kick us off...
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24
how many firms is everyone waiting on? im waiting on 3 and then that concludes my cycle! I'm waiting on two (planning on writing one more) and got one VS (with the great help of this forum!)
Generally, your conversion interview will focus more on your reflections on your vacation scheme (what you enjoyed, what was challegning, what was surprusing, how your interest in the firm has been reaffirmed or changed etc), and also how you may have generally developed as a candidate in the months since your vacation scheme interview. Be prepared to answer questions about where else you are applying and how those firms may differ to your VS firm both in terms of job opportunity and from a commercial awareness perspective.
It is less likely to be competency based as the feedback from your department is much more likely to cover the competencies they want to assess. It tends to be much more focus on career motivational questions and commercial awareness, but really tying both of those things to what you have learnt both from your scheme and also the other things you have done in recent months (e.g. how your studies are going, other vacation schemes you have done/have lined up, other recruitment processes you are involved in, new extracurriculars you are involved in).
First, carry around a notepad and pen around you can have conversations with people or anyone can say something potentially useful during the scheme so just write down their name and 1-3 useful pieces of advice that you gleaned from the conversation and then you’ll be able to augment it later to see if it can be utilised. Make a point of connecting with people outside of your supervisor and trainee buddy because everyone can give feedback on you. Don’t go overboard trying to meet everyone be strategic. For instance, on my scheme I figured out who were on the hiring committee and focused on them because I knew they would be in the wash up meeting at the end! Listen more than you speak. Can’t overstate that enough! Don’t be over enthusiastic! Be yourself, be interested. When your supervisor gives you work, remember they are your client, ask when they want the work by, how they want the work, the style, format etc., anything and ofc be inquisitive about how the work fits into the larger deal etc. Basics like grammar and spelling should be absolutely pinned down. If you run late with work because you’ll be doing other activities on the scheme, just let the person know give updates so they know how ur getting on with the work.
I am a firm believer in there is no such thing as a stupid question but there is such a thing as a lazy question. Whenever you need to ask a question to ur supervisor or trainee buddy or someone who has given you work, do some preliminary research beforehand. Then if you have a question go to the person and say I have this question and having done some research this is what I’ve arrived at but I just wanted to check that my understanding is right. This shows initiative, research skills and that you’re interested and keen.
Every firm is different in terms of final assessment/big interview. At my firm we had a 5 min presentation, followed by ques on the presentation, then that was followed by motivational/competency questions. Keep on top of commercial awareness, all the topical issues that are unfolding globally. Know your application and what you wrote in it. It is possible that one or both people conducting the interview will try to push you; don’t fold if you can substantiate your position they are testing to see if you are actually confident in the things you are saying.
In interview the question on why the firm, they’ll be wanting to see whether your position has changed mentally from what I term as: ‘I’m interested in a commercial law career and I’d like to explore this at the firm. Then you do your VS and they are wanting to see your position drastically change to I’m certain I want to be a commercial lawyer and I want to start my career at the firm’. The difference between those two positions is that you’ll have all your existing reasons but then you have acquired new interactions at the firm, work you’ve done that can better substantiate those reasons as well as having new experiences that add to the existing reasons so they want to see what you’ve gained from the VS so you have to go beyond what you said in your VS.
One question I got that initially threw me was: Some law firms are listing on the stock exchange can you discuss a few issues with that. This was something I had never encountered before as it’s not really impacting big firms, but I was able to tackle it well based on my knowledge about listing on the stock exchange and then extrapolate that into my knowledge of how firms operate, the duties lawyers owe to clients and professional regulatory bodies etc.
Good luck!
