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

[ofm]

If an interview is CV-blind, does that mean your interviewers have your cover letter or have nothing at all (i.e. no CV but have your cover letter, or no CV and no cover letter)? Thank you!

 

[AspiringTrainee]

If an interview is CV-blind, does that mean your interviewers have your cover letter or have nothing at all (i.e. no CV but have your cover letter, or no CV and no cover letter)? Thank you!

Generally speaking, CV-blind will mean the interviewers will have no information about you apart from your name.

 

[Lilz]

There is no one approach to this unfortunately.

How it typically works is a scoring system by competencies/strengths, and that each exercise will have multiple competencies/strengths.

Sometimes there is cross over and competencies will be assessed more than one across exercises in the recruitment process.

Sometimes you will need to have a minimum score in each competency to pass the assessment centre (that doesn’t necessarily mean you are offered though).

Sometimes you will need to have a minimum score in each exercise (that doesn’t mean you are offered though).

Sometimes the highest scoring candidates overall are those who are offered. In other instances, you Just have to meet a minimum benchmark and then other factors are weighed up.

Ah okay that makes sense!!! Thankyou very much Jessica!

 

[Han.louise]

Has anyone done an AC final interview?

 

[theag]

Did anyone else have their AC today with DWF?

Hi, how did it go? Do you have any tips, I have mine soon

 

[cr.02]

Does anyone know how the second Osborne Clarke assessment centre usually goes with the group project and panel interview?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Is it weird that I have not received a rejection from Akin Gump or received an interview invite since doing Watson Glaser in January like 21st January. Should I email them about the application update or wait for a while.

 

[lawcurious]

anybody hear back from DLA dubai yet?

 

[M&Amakesmyday]

I'm really in a bit of a tight spot right now and I'm a little worried. I got offered a vacation scheme with one firm that ends on a Tuesday and there's another vacation scheme I want that begins that same week, but Monday. There's basically an overlap of two days. I really want to attend both schemes but that would mean missing the Monday and Tuesday of the first firm's scheme.

Long story short: is there any way a firm would be willing to allow me to miss the last two days of their scheme because it overlaps with another scheme? Or will I have to reject one firm?

 

[bibss]

I have secured a paralegal interview with an elite US firm, despite having no prior paralegal experience. I’m worried I won’t get it exactly because I don’t have experience (it has already happened to me once…). I think this is a major problem for me because it prevents me from coming across as a confident candidate.

Does anyone have any advice on how to ‘sell myself’ better? Especially on how I can walk into the interview feeling confident instead of worthless?

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their advice

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I'm really in a bit of a tight spot right now and I'm a little worried. I got offered a vacation scheme with one firm that ends on a Tuesday and there's another vacation scheme I want that begins that same week, but Monday. There's basically an overlap of two days. I really want to attend both schemes but that would mean missing the Monday and Tuesday of the first firm's scheme.

Long story short: is there any way a firm would be willing to allow me to miss the last two days of their scheme because it overlaps with another scheme? Or will I have to reject one firm?

This happens a lot each cycle so although it is frustrating, it is something a lot of candidates have to deal with.

You’ll need to speak with either or both firms to see if there is any flexibility with their scheme dates. For instance, can they offer you alternative dates or could they move the start/end date?

If neither firm can, then you will have to decline/renege an offer of one of the two firms, but when you do, see if there are any alternatives available. For instance, can you be considered for a direct TC opportunity instead?

 

[M&Amakesmyday]

This happens a lot each cycle so although it is frustrating, it is something a lot of candidates have to deal with.

You’ll need to speak with either or both firms to see if there is any flexibility with their scheme dates. For instance, can they offer you alternative dates or could they move the start/end date?

If neither firm can, then you will have to decline/renege an offer of one of the two firms, but when you do, see if there are any alternatives available. For instance, can you be considered for a direct TC opportunity instead?

Thanks so much for the quick response and for your help! That's really helpful - I didn't think about the direct TC route. I'm going to email them both and ask.

 

[Law1099]

How likely are firms able to give you your choice of a scheme? They asked my preference and I gave them, but I can only do one of the schemes.

 

[John Travoni]

anybody hear back from DLA dubai yet?

I think it’ll be a couple of weeks till we hear back. The deadline was only yesterday midnight

 

[lawcurious]

I think it’ll be a couple of weeks till we hear back. The deadline was only yesterday midnight

oh what? last i checked the deadline was 4th of feb and a few people did TI's in the last couple of weeks. maybe they extended it!

edit: just checked and the website still says the deadline is 4th of feb - am i getting something wrong here?

 

[Rob93]

I have secured a paralegal interview with an elite US firm, despite having no prior paralegal experience. I’m worried I won’t get it exactly because I don’t have experience (it has already happened to me once…). I think this is a major problem for me because it prevents me from coming across as a confident candidate.

Does anyone have any advice on how to ‘sell myself’ better? Especially on how I can walk into the interview feeling confident instead of worthless?

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their advice

Everyone starts somewhere. I've known a few people who went to paralegal at big international/US firms with no prior experience and absolutely killed it. If they've invited you to interview, they're not too fussed about experience levels - they've seen your CV. They'll want to see a willingness to learn and evidence that you can come up to speed quickly (these were key focuses in my recent US firm paralegal interview, even with my relatively hefty prior experience in-house and in general corporate roles). If you can show that, you'll be stood in good stead.

 

[User1726]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica! Had a small question I couldn't find an answer to - are you allowed to do a Vacation Scheme if you have already accepted a training contract elsewhere?

 

[Rob93]

I have secured a paralegal interview with an elite US firm, despite having no prior paralegal experience. I’m worried I won’t get it exactly because I don’t have experience (it has already happened to me once…). I think this is a major problem for me because it prevents me from coming across as a confident candidate.

Does anyone have any advice on how to ‘sell myself’ better? Especially on how I can walk into the interview feeling confident instead of worthless?

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their advice

Also, critically, remember that not getting a particular role doesn't really reflect on you - I loved a few jobs i interviewed for in the past couple months, interviews went great, recruiters reported great feedback, but they didn't pan out. These things happen - I ended up with multiple offers the day I was offered my current job, which turned out to be perfect for my career trajectory. Don't sweat it too much.

 

[Miki3999]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica! Had a small question I couldn't find an answer to - are you allowed to do a Vacation Scheme if you have already accepted a training contract elsewhere?

I know a guy from uni who has a TC at CC but is still going to attend a VS with Freshfields, so it's possible

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thanks so much for the quick response and for your help! That's really helpful - I didn't think about the direct TC route. I'm going to email them both and ask.

Call them rather than email - a conversation over the phone will be far better for things like this.