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Search results

  1. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    Wait until the end of this week or even Monday and ask if there is an update on timescales (rather than an outcome). Firms can have all the best intentions of having a certain timeframe to go back to candidates by and then something comes along and slows it down. All it takes is for someone to...
  2. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    Exactly this!!
  3. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    It is not only firm dependent, but candidate dependent too. A gap of a month or so is probably ignored, but a gap of three or more months is more likely to gain attention (if it’s available information in the process), especially if you have less evidence of work experience on your application...
  4. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    There is some truth to this in some instances, so I don’t think you can say it’s “incorrect”. Like most aspects of recruitment it’s completely subjective and down to personal preferences. However, I have seen negative outcomes when a candidate has said at interview that they are not working...
  5. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    You’ll most likely get a quicker response if you call, so it depends how long you are willing to wait for an answer. I would call first and if you don’t get to speak to someone, then email.
  6. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    Amazing news! Congratulations!!! Posts like this make my day ❤️
  7. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    It doesn’t mean they would never hire you - it will all be forgotten about by the time you qualified. It is more the challenge if you apply to them in search for a TC after you turned them down for a VS - that’s the only time it gets tricky.
  8. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    Not “blacklisted” but the firm is going to know that they aren’t your first choice, so isn’t necessarily going to go out of their way to accommodate you. If they allow you to reapply (consider that some firms don’t allow you to reapply in the same recruitment cycle), then they are just likely to...
  9. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    Yes, you can follow up even if it’s just to get confirmation of the scheme dates.
  10. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    If you have commitments and the summer scheme works better for you, then you should state this to the firm. However, if it’s just that you may be busy over the spring period, then just wait for the firm to come back to you and if you are shortlisted then speak to them about the opportunity to...
  11. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

    Then I would take the approach of it covering why law, why the firm, and why you (doesn’t have to be in that order), in a similar way to what you would do with a cover letter, but with none of the formalities of a letter.
  12. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    No - you can just say you now have commitments for Spring - if you want to disclose more than that, then you can. It may impact your chances of securing a spot, but there isn't much you can do about this - you can only be considered for summer given your circumstances.
  13. TCLA Community Assistant

    Assessment Centre preparation for someone that has no knowledge of law?

    When is your first interview or assessment centre?
  14. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    I would just send a brief email asking if your application can move to the summer. I think when you are waiting to hear back and you definitely can't do the scheme you originally asked for, it is better to follow up earlier rather than waiting.
  15. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    Go with the firm you most want to work for. People will say you need to consider the chances of converting to a TC too, and that is something to consider in cases where it’s difficult for you to distinguish a preference between the two. A vacation scheme is an open door to be considered...
  16. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

    I don’t think that’s the case. There will be more law students than non law, so that why it might seem like more of them are getting offers.
  17. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    Retrospective grants I have never heard of. Retrospective fees I have, and in those instances I would say it is less than 10% of firms, but those firms are disproportionately representated by the very top of the legal market (e.g. highest salaries/largest maintenance grants). Some firms offer a...
  18. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    What is the specific wording of the question?
  19. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    Most firms will have a coffee machine or kitchen if they don’t have a canteen. You can always say to the person you are inviting whether they want to stay in the office or pop outside for a coffee. I’d say there is absolutely no expectation for you to pay for a coffee if you agree to go to a...
  20. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

    It’s difficult to guide on a question like this because it is very dependent on your journey to this point. For some people, it may be that securing a TC hasn’t been a priority until now. For the next person, it maybe that their journey hasn’t taken them in a direct route to where they are now -...

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