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

[Ameliaa]

Hey @Ameliaa,

You are very welcome! Let me know when you hear back 🏆

It's been over a week, and I have not yet heard back from the firm. I don't want to email them again incase they find me annoying/I leave a bad impression.

But I'm glad I informed them! I will just accept the consequences of my mistake and take it as a lesson for next time

 

[unserious candidate]

Hey - just wanted to offer my thoughts on this. Congrats on securing a TC!

I would simply say that even if you are contractually permitted to complete a VS, or multiple schemes, after signing a TC, I would think twice before doing so. Securing a VS is a remarkable achievement, however, many deeply diligent, intelligent and qualified candidates are unable to do so because of the very, very fierce competition. Clearly, many people are desperate to break into a firm via a VS.

I would consider politely declining a VS when holding a TC, to allow another deserving person a chance to enter the profession, as I, and am sure others on this forum have done. Hope all goes well!

Hey, thanks for your response.
Like I said I have no legal or corporate experience - so I am still trying to make a firm decision about a career in law, and also the type of firm I want to train at. I got a TC offer early in the process with a 1 week deadline to respond(which, btw, goes against the voluntary code) so would’ve been silly to decline it when I had no other offers to consider at the time.
I might do the vac schemes and decide law is not for me at all. I might do them and decide i much prefer one of my VS firms instead.
It’s a big decision and I don’t want to jump into it with limited visibility - so if I’m lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to visit some firms for a few weeks i’ll definitely take it.

Also the firm probably has a number of places to fill so if I reject an offer after a scheme - it will be offered to someone else anyway. doing multiple schemes doesn’t prevent ppl accessing the profession as I can only accept one TC at the end of the day.

 

[futuretraineecity]

My scheme starts next week and I’ve just had my supervisor and trainee buddy send me a joint email introducing themselves. I’m wondering whether it is fine to just respond or whether I should take further steps before the scheme now I’ve got their details?

 

[LongSufferingLawGrad]

Hey, thanks for your response.
Like I said I have no legal or corporate experience - so I am still trying to make a firm decision about a career in law, and also the type of firm I want to train at. I got a TC offer early in the process with a 1 week deadline to respond(which, btw, goes against the voluntary code) so would’ve been silly to decline it when I had no other offers to consider at the time.
I might do the vac schemes and decide law is not for me at all. I might do them and decide i much prefer one of my VS firms instead.
It’s a big decision and I don’t want to jump into it with limited visibility - so if I’m lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to visit some firms for a few weeks i’ll definitely take it.

Also the firm probably has a number of places to fill so if I reject an offer after a scheme - it will be offered to someone else anyway. doing multiple schemes doesn’t prevent ppl accessing the profession as I can only accept one TC at the end of the day.

Hey - you make a number of good points.

I hadn't considered that I was fortunate enough to come away from a VS knowing that the firm was right for me. Upon refection, it may be right to try and experience a few different firms via multiple VS', but it can be difficult to justify, on occasion, because of the significant competition to access a VS and gain some corporate experience.

Best of luck with the schemes!

 

[George Maxwell]

It's been over a week, and I have not yet heard back from the firm. I don't want to email them again incase they find me annoying/I leave a bad impression.

But I'm glad I informed them! I will just accept the consequences of my mistake and take it as a lesson for next time

Hey @Ameliaa,

That's unfortunate but I am really happy to hear that you have such a positive outlook on this. You have done all that you can now I think, so I would wait to hear back.

Please do reach out if something like this happens in the future, or if you have any other queries or questions!

My scheme starts next week and I’ve just had my supervisor and trainee buddy send me a joint email introducing themselves. I’m wondering whether it is fine to just respond or whether I should take further steps before the scheme now I’ve got their details?

Hey @ek125712,

Wow this is lovely! If I were in your position I would be really impressed by this.

If it were me, I would email back to thank them. I would also ask in the same email whether there is anything specific that you could do to best prepare for the scheme, and specifically for the tasks that they plan on setting you. Include the fact that you are keeping up to date with commercial affairs etc. but that you are keen to hit the ground running when you start!

Let me know how they respond and keep us updated about the scheme goes too! I really hope that it goes your way🤞

 

[BuddingLawyer1211]

If anyone has done a NRF vacation scheme, how is it assessed? Are there a little assessed tasks, or is the whole thing reliant on the interview at the end of the scheme?

 

[lawstudent321]

Did anyone who has secured a Vacation Scheme attend the AS 'HeadStart into Vacation Schemes'? I had a place but couldn't go so I was wondering if there was anything useful to take away from it. Any advice would be appreciated as I have my first VS starting in 2 weeks!

 

[AI]

Has anyone heard back from DAC Beachcroft after the VI?

 

[Bethany]

Does anyone have any thoughts / insights on Hogan Lovells as a firm?

Really great firm! For being a big city player, it’s not as ‘cut throat’ as people would assume. Everyone’s friendly, they offer great training, great partner approachability and the hours are not bad at all (obviously team dependant)

 

[Elinc21]

Has anyone heard back from DAC Beachcroft after the VI?

I haven’t heard anything yet!

 

[OliverF77]

Anyone else been put on the reserve list for AC for Shoosmiths post VI, or have been in the past? Wondering if there is point still holding out hope

 

[kr253]

Anyone else been put on the reserve list for AC for Shoosmiths post VI, or have been in the past? Wondering if there is point still holding out hope

I'm in the same position this year so can't offer any advice but can sympathise! Vaguely amusing that the email said I may be invited at short notice when it's already only a week away - how much shorter can it get..!

 

[chillblue]

Hi, i am new on here so hopefully posted in the right place. I have a vacation scheme for Gateleys soon and wonder if anyone has any tips having done one there or somewhere similar? thanks in advance

 

[lolamcd1]

If a paralegal role has the option to upload a cover letter (only a CV is compulsory) - is it necessary to write one? Sorry if an irrelevant question for this thread!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

If a paralegal role has the option to upload a cover letter (only a CV is compulsory) - is it necessary to write one? Sorry if an irrelevant question for this thread!

If it is through a recruiter then I would avoid it but if it is through a direct application you can if you want.

I usually don't do it and have received interviews both directly applying and through a recruiter.

I think writting a cover letter is a waste of time.

 

[futuretraineecity]

Is it standard to bring a laptop with you on your first day of a vac scheme?

 

[KLittle95]

I'm in the same position this year so can't offer any advice but can sympathise! Vaguely amusing that the email said I may be invited at short notice when it's already only a week away - how much shorter can it get..!

Anyone else been put on the reserve list for AC for Shoosmiths post VI, or have been in the past? Wondering if there is point still holding out hope

Also on the reserve list - seems a rather large one!

 

[LongSufferingLawGrad]

Is it standard to bring a laptop with you on your first day of a vac scheme?

Hey - you'll be given all the IT equipment you need, likely on the first day.

Took my Mac with me on the first day of VS with W&C, for example, which was unnecessary, as we were all given new, secure laptops with access to Firm IT infrastructure + headsets and a mouse.

Hope that helps!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it standard to bring a laptop with you on your first day of a vac scheme?

No - there is usually no need to do this unless you have been informed by the firm to do so.

 

[OliverF77]

I'm in the same position this year so can't offer any advice but can sympathise! Vaguely amusing that the email said I may be invited at short notice when it's already only a week away - how much shorter can it get..!

At this rate you’ll be given an hours notice lol