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  1. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    To be safe, I would go with one day being the day the email was sent (even if it was late), and so if sent on the 6th, I would expect it would need to be completed by 23.59 on the 12th. It would probably not time out until 23.59 on the 13th - but I wouldn't risk it.
  2. TCLA Community Assistant

    Ask A Graduate Recruiter Anything!

    This is a bit of a marmite answer - some interviewers are perfectly fine with this, some find it slightly jarring. I know some people recommend it though, it is just my personal view that I don't think people need to do it.
  3. TCLA Community Assistant

    How much commercial awareness should we have at this stage?

    I don’t think you need specific knowledge of any of these topics, but you should be able to analysis such topics and form an opinion on all of them.
  4. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    Yes, this is suitable to include.
  5. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    Amazing news - congratulations!
  6. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    Unfortunately, it won't be as simple as yes or no on this. Is your matter urgent? If so, then call. If it is a general enquiry or you haven't been waiting too long (e.g. less than two weeks and you don't really need an answer before then) then I would try to be more patient.
  7. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    I very much doubt this - firms do not expect you to be immediately contactable, just give them a call back at the earliest opportunity.
  8. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    Taking a brief pause is very normal. You think 3 seconds is a long time but it is no time at all really and your interviewer won't really have noticed it was a pause. You can often buy yourself some additional few seconds by saying something like - "can i just have a moment to think about that".
  9. TCLA Community Assistant

    Is it appropriate to message a trainee on LinkedIn to ask for advice?

    People do this all the time. The interviewers won’t necessarily see it as a negative - it shows initiative to try and learn and prepare. It’s not like the trainee can give you the answers to the interview.
  10. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    If you have to pick two locations, it is not going to be an issue if you pick two (as every applicant will need to do this). I'd just make sure your first choice is the first one on the list.
  11. TCLA Community Assistant

    Ask A Graduate Recruiter Anything!

    Sometimes associates go with partners when they jump firms. So if a partner in your team goes to a US firm, you could find yourself eventually going to that team too (subject to any poaching talent clauses in the partners' contract). Then it is sometimes down to seeing people on the other end...
  12. TCLA Community Assistant

    Should I reassess my career?

    I'd stress there are many organisations/law firms that don't rely on testing - I am working with one at the moment, so know they are about. I'd encourage you to keep looking - I know there will be something out there for you.
  13. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    You can accept the VS as you haven't got a TC yet. It would only be if you had accepted the TC that you should withdraw from the interview process for this and any other roles. This happens all the time in recruitment and especially with vacation schemes. It is why so many firms run "hold"...
  14. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    Think it might be an applicant tracking system issue if it’s only a couple of days. Would be interesting if they use the same system and have moved the dates in a similar way.
  15. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    Most likely one of a few reasons: They don’t have the quality/variety of applications they want. That variety could be anything - an odd ratio of law vs non law, some key universities missing, diversity targets etc. If you have applied and haven’t heard back, it doesn’t mean your application...
  16. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    Earlier or later?
  17. TCLA Community Assistant

    HSF New Office

    Just because they have groups, doesn't mean there isn't logic to open an office if it is a market that could see growth, developments or regulation that meant they needed lawyers on the ground. There will be various locations in Asia that could also be argued for too though. There isn't really...
  18. TCLA Community Assistant

    HSF New Office

    I would look at its specialisms, whether by practice area or sector, and consider which of those areas might be growing particularly fast in certain geographical locations. I would consider more about where long term demand could pop up, whether there is any restrictions on working there (like...
  19. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    It is ok to repeat the themes but I would try to go into more detail or try to present it in a slightly different way than just repeating the exact detail of your written application.
  20. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

    It can be either way unfortunately - some will view it in isolation, and others will have your application form in front of them.
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