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

[Kubed]

Do the Travers recruitment team really not review all the apps Asil Ahmad? Where did you hear that if you don't mind me asking

For what it's worth, there was speculation last year on the forum that they don't review all apps. But that's all it was, speculation - based on the wording of an email the grad rec team had sent out. I'm under the impression that they do review all apps but only send out rejections in bulk at the end, which would make sense given how long they take to get back to people and the fact they don't have assessments to filter people out.

 

[aspiringlawyer123_]

Does anyone know the main differences between Goodwin & Cooley’s strengths?

 

[Adrian_S]

Through to interview at V&E? Huge congrats!

thank you, friend! nervous af but going in like…

 

[mol3026]

Does anyone know if the BBC Level 7 Graduate Legal Apprenticeship is running this year? Can't find anything about applying, only the advert from last year.

 

[Abii]

Does anyone know if the BBC Level 7 Graduate Legal Apprenticeship is running this year? Can't find anything about applying, only the advert from last year.

Previously the legal trainee programme which was a traditional training contract hired every other year.

 

[mol3026]

Previously the legal trainee programme which was a traditional training contract hired every other year.

Ah I see probably the same then! Thank you

 

[Frankiette]

Got an AC invite for Taylor Wessing on Wednesday! Its my first AC so if anyone had any tips/advice I'd really appreciate it

hey I have an AC with them coming up, do you have any tips from your experience ?? Hope it went well

 

[Jooooopp7]

has anyone heard post AC from TW??

 

[Embo]

Does anyone who’s had their in-person interview and presentation with V&E have any tips? I’ve only ever had one interview before and I’m super nervous

 

[Homer]

Does anyone who’s had their in-person interview and presentation with V&E have any tips? I’ve only ever had one interview before and I’m super nervous

would also be very interested in hearing any tips for the interview.

 

[Han.louise]

Hey all, has anyone received an offer for OC's Bristol office VS? I know people who have had post-AC rejections but haven't heard of any acceptances thus far

I received an offer yesterday via email

 

[LawfulRust00]

If you make an error in a pre-employment screening form for a VS but swiftly reach out to the provider to rectify this, is this fine ie are providers generally flexible and understanding about this?

The provider is performing the checks on behalf of the firm.

 

[Rob93]

If you make an error in a pre-employment screening form for a VS but swiftly reach out to the provider to rectify this, is this fine ie are providers generally flexible and understanding about this?

The provider is performing the checks on behalf of the firm.

This shouldn't be a huge deal - I've had screeners simply be unable to verify things (as an international man of mystery) and they've either dropped or just asked me to sign something attesting that it's true

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

If you make an error in a pre-employment screening form for a VS but swiftly reach out to the provider to rectify this, is this fine ie are providers generally flexible and understanding about this?

The provider is performing the checks on behalf of the firm.

This is not an issue - mistakes happen.

If the mistake is made on your application and the details you send the the reference check company, they will probably want to understand why this mistake was made twice. The severity of the mistake (eg presenting a week’s) work experience as a year’s may cause more problems in these instances though.

 

[AvniD]

Guys what do you usually ask to an associate of a firm where you want to apply to? I have the opportunity to have a chat tomorrow.

I don't mean to give you generic advice but I would just chat about something from the naturally flow of the conversation. You can begin by asking them what a typical day looks like for them, what attracted them to the firm, what their biggest challenges of working as a lawyer are, what makes the look forward to working at the firm- the list really is endless- and take it from there. if you have any specific questions that you think an Associate would be best placed to answer, you could go for them too.

 

[AvniD]

If anyone’s done the Vinson & Elkins interview and feels like they could help me out, I’d be grateful to chat. Never had an interview before and feel a bit nervous about what I’m getting myself into. Any help appreciated.

Haven't done a V&E interview before but linking some of TCLA's posts to help you prep for interviews/ACs more generally.

• George's AC tips
• Avni's AC tips
• Prepping for article interviews
• James' AC prep insight

Let me know if this was useful. Wishing you the best!

 

[letmeintolaw]

Does anyone know the dates for the womble BD vacation scheme?? Would be super helpful

 

[George Maxwell]

There's a really great podcast episode on Spotify with BrightNetwork and Chris Stoakes (author of 'All You Need to Know About the City') called 'Thinking Commercially' where he breakdowns blockchain, NFTs and their implications on the legal sphere. The podcast is great on the whole to improve knowledge and stay up to date! I'll link it below:

Episode 13 - balancing the UK economy, NFTs, China's property market & the pub

Thinking Commercially · Episode

open.spotify.com

Hope it's helpful!

I will give this a listen! Thanks for the recommendation @sami.rehman

 

[George Maxwell]

When it is the right moment to ask about salary? When I applied to Sky, I did not check on glassdoor (stupid me) thinking that it was an international company so..pays well. The reviews are miserable, can I ask the HR? I do not want to sound like a money chaser but I have a mortgage, I live in London and need to travel a lot so the travel expenses are likely to balloon.

Hey @S87,

Yes! I think that this is absolutely a fair question. The only thing that I would suggest is that you prepare for this to be thrown back at you (i.e., "What salary are you expecting?" or "What would you like to be paid?"). It is always worth having an idea I think just in case you are asked this in an interview.

Hope that helps

 

[Rob93]

When it is the right moment to ask about salary? When I applied to Sky, I did not check on glassdoor (stupid me) thinking that it was an international company so..pays well. The reviews are miserable, can I ask the HR? I do not want to sound like a money chaser but I have a mortgage, I live in London and need to travel a lot so the travel expenses are likely to balloon.

Not unreasonable to bring it up at interview - I had one interview recently where salary came up in the first 5 minutes and we called it a day cause their budget was a massive lowball compared to what was on the table for other roles I was in process for - it was good to not waste anyone's time.

When discussing salary, going off of what George has raised above, do try very hard to get a range from the recruiter before playing your hand. If they won't give you a range, pitch high - higher than what you'd actually be willing to accept for - and let them negotiate you down a bit. Do not give your own range, because the offer will often come in at or near the bottom end and your hands are a bit tied because they already know it's a figure you're prepared to accept.

That said, especially early career I think it's worth prioritising better roles over high pay.