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

[Asil Ahmad]

Received this also

Am hoping we both get an interview soon.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you very much I really found this deal interesting as am a big football fan.

Just be mindful that you need to show your interest in a variety of matters/clients/sectors. Sometimes when people focus on something they are interested in that aligns with their personal interests, there can just be a question as to how interested in you will be on the matters you don't have an affiliation with. Therefore try to focus on why the legal work is interesting rather than just the topic.

 

[SOAS22]

Anyone heard from Russell Cooke post-app?

 

[RachelLouise22]

For those in work - can you get unpaid leave for vac schemes? How have you found asking for this any tips etc

I’ve had to use my annual leave for my scheme, for three weeks my tax is about to go through the roof. I also now have two days off until December so that’s fun

 

[Abii]

I’ve had to use my annual leave for my scheme, for three weeks my tax is about to go through the roof. I also now have two days off until December so that’s fun

Yes I probably should have caveated my answer to say the only reason I got unpaid leave is all my annual leave had been used up due to LPC exams, who needs an actual break anyway. If I had annual leave allowance left I would have been expected to use that.

 

[nonlawht]

Travers Smith final interview! Got the holding email yesterday and was convinced it would be followed by a rejection, and then got the call a few hours later!! They haven’t given any details about what to expect, so if anyone could please provide any tips I would really appreciate it

 

[NaimK]

Say you fail the GDL and hence don’t meet the conditions of your TC offer, are you likely to have to pay back your maintenance grant and fees 😅😅

That username to post correlation

 

[Frankiette]

any tips/advice for Taylor Wessing's AC? How was the AC?

Hey I have an AC coming up do you have any tips??

 

[Frankiette]

Taylor Wessing summer vac scheme!!

Hey I have an AC coming up do you have any tips??

 

[Frankiette]

TAYLOR WESSING AC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🥰🥰🥰

Hey I have an AC coming up do you have any tips??

 

[NMA]

Hi! Since this is my first vac scheme in the summer, I'm not really sure if there is a best way to sort out accommodation. It's in London, and the firm told me I could try living in hotels near the office or contact London universities to live in their halls during the scheme. All options are very very spenny and I know it's because it's London, but for anyone who's done previous vac schemes and didn't live in London, is there a specific accommodation near Barbican/where all the firms are that you would recommend? Or do most people just bite the bullet and live a bit further away and commute every day by bus/tube?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Just be mindful that you need to show your interest in a variety of matters/clients/sectors. Sometimes when people focus on something they are interested in that aligns with their personal interests, there can just be a question as to how interested in you will be on the matters you don't have an affiliation with. Therefore try to focus on why the legal work is interesting rather than just the topic.

Yes I know.

I agree with this as having an interest in different sectors is important. Yes I know I am focusing on the legal aspect and its impact on the law firm.

 

[TC fiend]

Hi! Since this is my first vac scheme in the summer, I'm not really sure if there is a best way to sort out accommodation. It's in London, and the firm told me I could try living in hotels near the office or contact London universities to live in their halls during the scheme. All options are very very spenny and I know it's because it's London, but for anyone who's done previous vac schemes and didn't live in London, is there a specific accommodation near Barbican/where all the firms are that you would recommend? Or do most people just bite the bullet and live a bit further away and commute every day by bus/tube?

Maybe if you know who else is going to be on the vac scheme you could try going splitsies on an AirBnB? Alternatively look in Facebook groups, there will be plenty of people going home for the summer putting their rooms up for a discounted price.

 

[LawfulRust00]

Hi! Since this is my first vac scheme in the summer, I'm not really sure if there is a best way to sort out accommodation. It's in London, and the firm told me I could try living in hotels near the office or contact London universities to live in their halls during the scheme. All options are very very spenny and I know it's because it's London, but for anyone who's done previous vac schemes and didn't live in London, is there a specific accommodation near Barbican/where all the firms are that you would recommend? Or do most people just bite the bullet and live a bit further away and commute every day by bus/tube?

You could try a budget hotel such as Travel Lodge, and see whether they’d do a deal for a slightly longer stay than their average customer.

 

[j.s.cox]

Hi! Since this is my first vac scheme in the summer, I'm not really sure if there is a best way to sort out accommodation. It's in London, and the firm told me I could try living in hotels near the office or contact London universities to live in their halls during the scheme. All options are very very spenny and I know it's because it's London, but for anyone who's done previous vac schemes and didn't live in London, is there a specific accommodation near Barbican/where all the firms are that you would recommend? Or do most people just bite the bullet and live a bit further away and commute every day by bus/tube?

Having lived in London my whole life, I would recommend looking at accomodation that is further out, but has good transport links. It will be way less expensive and allow you to get into the office fairly quickly. Travel will cost you, but you may be able to get your firm to reimburse you for travel. Also getting a weekly travelcard will cut down on expenses and allow you some freedom with buses/tubes/other public transport.

 

[Lawyered]

If this job isn’t your career but the vac scheme could potentially get you a TC which would then start your career I don’t see the harm in asking for the days off at your new job I was in a similar situation last year and I told my employer and they were fine with it. They would prefer someone to take them off and be honest than to call in sick for example

don’t be sad my inbox is always open congratulations on the VS xx

You have annual leave so use it! The only thing I would caveat in this situation is to check your current employment contract - can you work elsewhere i.e. can you do a vac scheme or will you have to ask for permission. It’s not unusual to have a clause either in your employment contact or t&c’s to say you cannot have paid employment elsewhere or you cannot do so without written permission.

Have you considered asking the firm to interview you for a direct TC instead (if they offer that route)?

I am literally in an identical situation.
Received a vac scheme offer for summer which I was able to negotiate prior to accepting my role which will start end of March.
I then received another vac scheme offer for April.
The new job starting in March is really good so I don't want to ask them for more time off already. I called the firm and explained that I want to accept the vac scheme for Spring, but only closer to signing my contract date will I be able to mention this to my new job employer. I then asked it, as a worst case scenario, I can't obtain the vac scheme, whether I can postpone it to next year. The recruitment team was exceptionally kind and understanding and said that they will allow it.
I think it's up to you what you feel comfortable with doing though!

Thank you very much for sharing your experiences I will try to ask my employer, but it won't be easy, unfortunately I live abroad and the general culture, in my experience, in consulting here, is that people don't take annual leave outside december or august (I know, not fair: if you have annual leave then you should be able to use it whenever you'd like... not that easy though here..). For most people in my sector and workplace, asking for holidays straight away outside those periods and in the mid. of a project will look bad... and I am afraid it may unconsciously affect my performance reviews. I guess I'll have to rely on my senior manager's empathy.

In the meantime, I will contact grad. recruitment in order to explain my situation and ask for alternative solutions in case I would not manage to get time off work for the VS.
Thank you very much again for your replies

 

[Ambs123]

PFO from MDR - OVER THIS CYCLE.

 

[time2work]

Hi there, congratulations! Can I ask how long they took to come back to you post-AC?

Hiya, thank you! Yes of course. I had my AC on the 22nd and received an offer this Monday (28th).

 

[21wajsz]

I just finished an AC with one firm yesterday for a summer vac scheme but the dates coincide with TWO of my other summer vac schemes. Although I really liked the firm from yesterday (over the other one) and I felt it went quite well, I believe that the experience I'll gain over the other two schemes and the likelihood of converting between the two is better for my chances! The firm for yesterday informed me it'll get back in approximately two weeks and they do have a direct TC route!

Should I email them if I could be considered for the direct TC route now or after if I get offered the summer scheme as if they reject me, it won't entirely matter? If so, how should I approach this and when (the sooner or better or after they've done all their remaining ACs next week to improve my chances?

(I've already accepted the two other schemes and signed the written agreement as I was offered those a long time before I was invited to this AC!)

Any help is appreciated and @Jessica Booker as a recruiter, which option is best practice for the candidate?

 

[Hele25]

Mishcon PFO post VI really upset with this one.