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

[Adrian_S]

It's tough... the cringest thing is seeing yourself not as you would in a mirror but the way the camera sees you, and like if you lean your head one way then it leans the other way on the screen 🤣 I think the trick is to really relax and know that it will seem cringe. The video interviews where I was successful were honestly some of the ones where I was more relaxed and had some 'ums' and some 'ers' as opposed to those where I was almost over-prepared and probably came across as somewhat robotic!

The best Video Interviews will be the ones I do after I get extensive cosmetic surgery and look fab

 

[James Carrabino]

Yes guys I agree - and my apologies I seem to have confused scenario-based questions with situational questions

Absolutely love to see self-reflection like this 😍 I have certainly had to correct myself on many an occasion after hearing from another user

 

[James Carrabino]

Ahhh same !!! Driving me crazy...I thought firms usually get back to you within a week or two max

I had to wait over 7 weeks once before finding out I passed an AC!

 

[James Carrabino]

Did anyone apply to Arnold Porter and shed a light on them?

Excellent regulatory firm, one of the major US players in life sciences, tech and white collar I think. Very small trainee intake if I recall (like two people)

 

[S87]

Excellent regulatory firm, one of the major US players in life sciences, tech and white collar I think. Very small trainee intake if I recall (like two people)

I was interested but then the low intake made me say no!

 

[James Carrabino]

PFO from Pinsent Masons London post-GMA. Absolutely gutted I got my application checked and amended by future trainees too, but I think I really let myself down in the GMA.

I'm in the penultimate year of my law degree (this is my first cycle applying) and so far I've only progressed to 1 AC out of 9 firms that I applied to, and realistically speaking, don't think I'll be getting any vac scheme offers this time round. Does anyone have any tips on re-applying for vac schemes in final year?

The thought of having to attend webinars, networking events and open days all over again in autumn and chasing deadlines again for applications whilst juggling everything else is already killing me. Aside from working on feedback you've received off the back of rejections, what else is helpful in bouncing back after a round of rejections?

Hi @jo I know that it is tough to face the prospect of applying again as at one point I thought I might have to face this prospect as well, before I got a TC offer at the end of the cycle (so there is still hope for you)!

Even when I was gearing up to apply all over again, I put the drudgery out of my mind and focused on everything I had learnt from my application cycle. I asked myself what worked in the applications that passed the app stage and how they differed from my other application forms. I asked myself which firms I liked most after going through the research process. I also looked at what days the new application cycle opened for various firms so that I could apply as early as possible and to as many firms as possible in a clear and structured way.

When I ultimately received two TC offers by the end of my first cycle, I was of course relieved. But I had also come around to not being too upset by the prospect of applying again. This was my career and my life that I was investing in, and investing more hours now in getting myself to the right firm could never be something that I would regret! The process is a drag, but you will get there eventually - I am certain of it! if you apply again, I am confident that you will feel much more experienced as a candidate and this will help you in approaching the process

 

[James Carrabino]

Who does everyone think is the dark horse of law firms? The diamond in the rough that doesn’t get enough credit and attention from the forum. I’ll start:

Northridge.

This is a cool question - I honestly have no idea which firm I would say! Maybe you want to start a thread about it 😊

 

[Jessica Booker]

The emails are generally listed on the interviewers' firm profiles. If they aren't, you can email grad rec explaining that you would like to thank your interviewers and if they could kindly share the relevant email addresses.

Wishing you the best 😇

I would instead ask Grad Rec to forward the email on to thank the interviewers rather than asking for the emails, as otherwise you are asking Grad Rec to deal with multiple emails (to ask for permission to share the details with you to each interviewer, then the email back to you), instead of just forwarding it.

This is the most appropriate way of dealing with it if you haven’t been given your interviewers’ email details.

 

[gilo]

any thoughts on how best to start a video interview, and the types of points worth making. Is it best to focus on why the work at the firm is appealing or go into things like pro bono ect

 

[parsleyperson]

does anyone know if PwC's video interview deadline means sunday 23:59 or 00:00? 😭

 

[starbright]

I would instead ask Grad Rec to forward the email on to thank the interviewers rather than asking for the emails, as otherwise you are asking Grad Rec to deal with multiple emails (to ask for permission to share the details with you to each interviewer, then the email back to you), instead of just forwarding it.

This is the most appropriate way of dealing with it if you haven’t been given your interviewers’ email details.

That makes a lot of sense - thanks so much Jessica!

 

[GOI983]

any thoughts on how best to start a video interview, and the types of points worth making. Is it best to focus on why the work at the firm is appealing or go into things like pro bono ect

I think it is best to stick with explaining the core things surrounding the work the firm does that interests you, given the short response times you will likely have. Moreover, pro-bono, work culture, and secondment opportunities etc. are always good supplementary points to mention, once you have established your main ones relating to the work you will be doing and why that interests you specifically

 

[futuretraineecity]

I think this may have been asked already, but if we are given the names of our interviewers prior to the interview, what should we be doing with this information?

 

[aspiringlawyer22]

Is Linklaters normally this brutal with ghosting? 😂 I think last year I got a PFO pretty quickly but I’m not sure if that was an exceptional year

 

[GXA123]

Is Linklaters normally this brutal with ghosting? 😂 I think last year I got a PFO pretty quickly but I’m not sure if that was an exceptional year

nobody received any rejections yet so I AM SCARED

 

[legalgemma]

I think this may have been asked already, but if we are given the names of our interviewers prior to the interview, what should we be doing with this information?

Research them through the firm's website / LinkedIn to make sure you are aware of their practice areas and specialities! Either have specific questions to do with that area or at the very least have a solid understanding of what it is so that if they ask anything to do with it, you can make some kind of conversation. It's a massive advantage having their names ahead of time so definitely make use of it - see if you can find any commonground interests you have with them too that may come up in the interview

 

[S87]

I was interested but then the low intake made me say no!

@James Carrabino dont be sad! This is also a numbers game! You need to place your bets strategically!

 

[Jessica Booker]

any thoughts on how best to start a video interview, and the types of points worth making. Is it best to focus on why the work at the firm is appealing or go into things like pro bono ect

It really will depend on the questions. You just need to focus on answering them and they will direct you to what you should discuss.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I think this may have been asked already, but if we are given the names of our interviewers prior to the interview, what should we be doing with this information?

My personal view on this is nothing - but not everyone will agree with me on this.

Your interview is about you, not about your interviewers.

 

[S87]

This is a cool question - I honestly have no idea which firm I would say! Maybe you want to start a thread about it 😊

I would say CRS is not appreciated enough and regretted not applying to