TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[AspiringTrainee]

How many times have you checked your emails today? Yes.

I know the pain - you just want to hear something!

 

[littlecat]

Has anyone been rejected by Bristows post VI yet??

Yep! Got through to the partners reviewing my VI and then rejected, alas.

 

[Jessica Booker]

In light of this, would you advise against citing your desire to positively impact society as a motivation to become a solicitor in application forms and interviews?

I see it enough to know it can work.

However, when it does work, it typically has balance with other aspects of their application and/or an understanding that this isn’t always the case. More successful candidates explain also what they mean by positively impacting society (which in itself is a very broad/vague statement).

Many times when it is just this broad statement it just comes across a slightly naive. It sounds brutal, but as a corporate lawyer you will not always be doing a lot of “good” for society as a whole - in fact you could be doing the complete opposite to protect shareholders interests and profits.

I know at one firm, when candidates did cite it in their application they used to be grilled on their views on how they would feel about working for a major tobacco company or an oil giant, or working on a dam project that might lead to the local environment being flooded and the local people being displaced.

Remember how people define “positively impacting society” is going to be different to person to person.

 

[GOI983]

Well done guys! Is this for direct TC?

Thanks! It is for a vacation scheme in conjunction with a training contract for 2024

 

[allthingslegaltech]

Just had my vac scheme interview with links and it was agony lol

 

[M991]

Does anyone have any experience with Vantage where the 'work experience' section has gone missing? I filled out all the sections for it yesterday and ready to submit today, but looking at my app now, there's no work experience section?

The same thing happened to a few months ago, so I reached out to Vantage (as the law firm would have to reached out to Vantage on your behalf to get it fixed) and they "withdrew" my application, so I could resubmit it.

 

[User274302]

The same thing happened to a few months ago, so I reached out to Vantage (as the law firm would have to reached out to Vantage on your behalf to get it fixed) and they "withdrew" my application, so I could resubmit it.

Thanks. How did you get in contact with Vantage? I haven't submitted it yet thankfully, but would be good to check with them if they can fix it so I can submit sooner rather than later.

 

[skmx]

Summer internship offer from DLA Piper after AC an hour ago!

Congratulations!! What office is this for?

 

[Commerciallaw]

I see it enough to know it can work.

However, when it does work, it typically has balance with other aspects of their application and/or an understanding that this isn’t always the case. More successful candidates explain also what they mean by positively impacting society (which in itself is a very broad/vague statement).

Many times when it is just this broad statement it just comes across a slightly naive. It sounds brutal, but as a corporate lawyer you will not always be doing a lot of “good” for society as a whole - in fact you could be doing the complete opposite to protect shareholders interests and profits.

I know at one firm, when candidates did cite it in their application they used to be grilled on their views on how they would feel about working for a major tobacco company or an oil giant, or working on a dam project that might lead to the local environment being flooded and the local people being displaced.

Remember how people define “positively impacting society” is going to be different to person to person.

In response to this, what would one say to avoid sounding like a heartless individual (when they ask how we would feel when working with a major tobacco company for example)?

Could these be fine?

(1) the economy is heavily reliant on the progression of the private sector;​

(2)lawyers can support that whilst also nudging their clients to be more attentive to responding to various environmental/ social risks and be involved within the transformation of businesses​

(3) the basis of law is that everyone should have legal representation​

​

 

[rose0904]

How do you differentiate between the questions 'why this firm' and 'what makes this firm stand out'? I find that my answers to the second are largely the things I'd say for the first so it's hard to make them different answers

 

[BM99]

Hi for people who hold TC offers for Clifford Chance, may I ask are there any time requirements in terms of accepting the offer?

 

[CorporateLaw101]

Just had my vac scheme interview with links and it was agony lol

Were you the guy that said you received AC about a week ago? Or was that someone else.. trying to see whether more than 1 person has heard from links for summer VAC on this forum at all lol

 

[gigglingsquid]

Does anyone have any advice for an AC with Sidley?

 

[M991]

Thanks. How did you get in contact with Vantage? I haven't submitted it yet thankfully, but would be good to check with them if they can fix it so I can submit sooner rather than later.

[email protected]

 

[LEL]

How do you differentiate between the questions 'why this firm' and 'what makes this firm stand out'? I find that my answers to the second are largely the things I'd say for the first so it's hard to make them different answers

For 'why this firm', it's why you want to train there. What is it about the firm that you particularly like or value or appreciate, and how does that confirm that you want to work there? It can be reason A, reason B and reason C.

For 'what makes this firm stand out', you have to know whether it's from your perspective or from a client perspective. There's no harm in asking this in an interview (I have done and they clarified for me). This is usually comparative. From a client view, identify some things that would be important for the client e.g. business strategies, expertise etc, which would normally make them more likely to instruct this firm, other another firm.

For you, you can mention that the firm stand out because it has a feature which another firm doesn't have, and this strengthens your motivation to want to work there. For e.g. Freshfields has an 8-seat training structure, which means I would have a broader, varied training and that is why the firm stands out to me, compared to others.

Let me know if you would like further clarification!

 

[Parsorandini]

has anyone else not heard back from b&b post vi? expecting PFO now

Have you heard back yet? I'm expecting the worst now too

 

[Commerciallaw]

PFO from HSF post-AC. defo expected it...any who we move

 

[rose0904]

For 'why this firm', it's why you want to train there. What is it about the firm that you particularly like or value or appreciate, and how does that confirm that you want to work there? It can be reason A, reason B and reason C.

For 'what makes this firm stand out', you have to know whether it's from your perspective or from a client perspective. There's no harm in asking this in an interview (I have done and they clarified for me). This is usually comparative. From a client view, identify some things that would be important for the client e.g. business strategies, expertise etc, which would normally make them more likely to instruct this firm, other another firm.

For you, you can mention that the firm stand out because it has a feature which another firm doesn't have, and this strengthens your motivation to want to work there. For e.g. Freshfields has an 8-seat training structure, which means I would have a broader, varied training and that is why the firm stands out to me, compared to others.

Let me know if you would like further clarification!

Thank you so much, that makes a lot of sense!

 

[hf77777]

How long do mofo take to reply after round 2 interview

A few weeks I think, they are still at the beginning of stage 2 interviews

 

[anon123456789]

PFO from HSF post-AC. defo expected it...any who we move

Sorry to hear this! The experience will make you 10x stronger in experience for the next one though, you've got this 🤞