-
Join Premium →Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training ContractNow half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
-
Register on Zoom →How to Secure a Vacation Scheme (Ropes & Gray)1 Dec 2025 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)In this interactive session, Maya Shah, Senior Early Careers Specialist at Ropes & Gray, will walk you through every stage of the firm's application process.
-
Register on Zoom →How to Stand Out in Law Firm Interviews (Willkie)3 Dec 2025 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)Willkie’s new graduate recruiter and two trainees will break down what the firm looks for at the interview stage, common pitfalls to avoid, and how you can demonstrate confidence, clarity, and genuine motivation throughout an assessment centre.
Search results
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I don't think they would look at their LinkedIn profile as this is not something that can be done consistently and just takes too much time. People literally just watch the video interview and at best may refer back to your application rather than seeking out other external information.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,427
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA General Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I would send an email that says something along the lines of (and you'll word it better than me): Thank you for your email. I have noticed in your emails you refer to me as XXXXX. During my time at the firm, I would like to be referred to as XXXXXXXXXXXXXX as your shortened version is not...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #640
- Forum: General Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I personally wouldn't consider trainee intake size as something that would directly mean someone is a competitor or not, even if you took it as a "competitor for talent". I think it really relates to competing for clients. However, if a firm has a specific international growth strategy, that...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,425
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
If its a month, definitely contact them and ask when you will hear back. Typically PFOs are done via email although some firms do call.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,423
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
There will be a minimum standard that candidates will have to meet and therefore there will be a pass/fail basis. But typically there is some kind of loose ranking that may impact the borderline candidates. That is where the fine margins can come in, with the people that just miss out compared...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,421
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
(P)GDL Cold feet- was SQE right instead?
I'll come back to this more thoroughly later, but as an international student, one of the major advantages of the PGDL is that you are likely to get the right to work in the UK for two years after you graduate. The shorter SQE courses won't give you that where they are not a recognised...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #3
- Forum: General Discussion
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I am really sorry to hear about your circumstances. However, this is not really something to highlight to graduate recruitment. At best, I would see if they can move your interviews to a later date if you feel you cannot give the interviews your full attention next week. Edit - Just read @FS...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #1,813
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
You can ask, but the firm knows there is a good chance you won’t take it up if you secure TCs this summer as you are unlikely to be their first choice of firm if you are going to otherwise turn them down. If you are not eligible for the schemes this could also be an obstacle too. I’d generally...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,406
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
By motivations, I meant more what BM had asked you rather than what you presented. It might be the case that their motivational questions are much lighter for a vacation scheme rather than a TC. I don't think the suggestion that you would turn down 2 VS to accept their TC really works logically...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,404
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
You can ask, and the worst that can happen is they say no and that you'll just have to turn down the VS offer as that is the best they can offer you. You could renege one of your other offers too of course.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,401
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I can't say this is the case for BM or not, but different standards might be applied for VS and TC recruitment. For instance, having the best performance in a VS process may not equate to it being the best for TC or they could even be looking at different criteria for a TC. I don't think there...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,400
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
This is amazing news - congratulations! What I must stress is that not finishing an exercise isn't necessarily messing it up. It can be quite common not to complete the exercise - they are typically designed so a good proportion of people won't finish them. They will be much more interested in...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,397
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Would really echo this point. @DTS - my view for the awards/prizes/scholarships questions is that they don't have to be academic. They could be something like the Aspiring Solicitors Commercial Awareness competition, or a photography/art prize, even an "employee of the month" award. They...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,388
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Its been like this for a couple of years now - I think it is a really clever form. Makes people focus on what's important!- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,360
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
My view is that they would have only offered you the first couple of slots if they really wanted you to come in sooner. Maybe the later slot is still quite early in their process? I think you have to do what is right for you. Therefore if you feel you need the time to prep, then go for the...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #1,806
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
To add to @AvniD 's great advice, my one tip for this type of question is to think about why companies instruct lawyer rather than just use their own in-house teams. This can often give you some insight into where commercial lawyers provided "added value" which in turn may help to identify their...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #1,795
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
It’s not unknown, but I would say it is rare. They typically will just close applications earlier if needed.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,335
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
That information can still be considered. For instance, if you have had a borderline performance in an exercise or competency, they may look back at earlier stages to see if there is evidence elsewhere that supports the decision (which ever way it goes). For instance, I had many instances where...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,318
- Forum: Applications Discussion
-
TCLA General Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
The solicitor will need to have a connection to your firm really and be able to clearly speak to your supervisor(s) and yourself to understand the nature of the work. Does the firm you will be working for have any "best-friend" firms that could sign it off for you, or do they have any lawyers in...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #637
- Forum: General Discussion
-
TCLA General Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
There are so many types of rankings though - for C&P there are eleven categories for Banking and Finance alone. And then individual lawyers are also ranked, so you could find yourself in a team working with an "eminent practitioner" but the firm's overall category is lower. I guess my question...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #632
- Forum: General Discussion