TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[bibss]

Still waiting for Sidley to communicate me the outcome of my interview (guaranteed it’s a PFO as they have given out many offers and the scheme starts in less than 3 weeks). It’s been 2 weeks now since my interview and have sent an email yesterday with no response. I find it really disrespectful tbh as I have taken the time to apply and attend the interview, while working full time. To top it up, they rescheduled my interview to a different day at very short notice - another a sign of disrespect. This just confirms to me the negative vibe I got from them. I was expecting a better treatment from such a top firm, and I am quite disappointed ☹️

(Apologies for the rant)

Update on this: I actually called them last Thursday to try and get an update on this since the scheme starts in 2 weeks (lol). The member of the graduate recruitment I had been dealing with has left the firm, and they are still waiting on the partner's feedback. I am in disbelief tbh

 

[pfoapplicant]

On the Baker McKenzie application form, candidates are asked to "outline details/responsibilities if required" of "work experience or career events" they have attended. Given that I've not attended any open days, there's more than enough space for me to write about careers events that I've attended whilst briefly mentioning one or two things that I've learnt from them - do you think it's likely that the firm would be okay with me going into that level of detail, or - conversely - do you think that I should discuss these career events a lot more concisely (even if it means that quite a lot of the word count doesn't get utilised)?

@Jessica Booker

 

[GOI983]

Would anyone be able to kindly let me know what the best recruitment agencies are for entry-level paralegal roles at silver circle, MC, or US firms? And how I would go about reaching out to some of them to apply for these roles if they have open vacancies?

Thanks in advance

 

[bibss]

Would anyone be able to kindly let me know what the best recruitment agencies are for entry-level paralegal roles at silver circle, MC, or US firms? And how I would go about reaching out to some of them to apply for these roles if they have open vacancies?

Thanks in advance

Good luck dealing with them... They are useless most of the time and will ignore you until you have gained some paralegal experience first. However, I had a good experience with DA Solutions/Law Support Group. Nick was really helpful and helped me secure a role in a few weeks. They may be able to get you a very short-term role (like a 2-week position) and you can then use that experience to secure a better role. Ryder Reid were alright too, although they failed to communicate the result of a final interview to me and had to find out the negative outcome by seeing the ad reposted online.

I would suggest sending messages to recruiters on LinkedIn highlighting your background/skills and what type of role you are looking for, location, area of law etc. This is how I was put in contact with the Law Support Group and secured my first role. I wish I had known/done it sooner as it would have saved me wasting so much time!

 

[GOI983]

Good luck dealing with them... They are useless most of the time and will ignore you until you have gained some paralegal experience first. However, I had a good experience with DA Solutions/Law Support Group. Nick was really helpful and helped me secure a role in a few weeks. They may be able to get you a very short-term role (like a 2-week position) and you can then use that experience to secure a better role. Ryder Reid were alright too, although they failed to communicate the result of a final interview to me and had to find out the negative outcome by seeing the ad reposted online.

I would suggest sending messages to recruiters on LinkedIn highlighting your background/skills and what type of role you are looking for, location, area of law etc. This is how I was put in contact with the Law Support Group and secured my first role. I wish I had it sooner as it would have saved me wasting so much time!

Thanks for taking the time to write this, I will definitely attempt to take your advice on board

 

[stone’sthrow]

Does anyone potentially have notes from the Ashurst in Action Global Loans session (held Friday)?

Thank you vm in advance

 

[Pal22]

Hi everyone

Does anyone know how to tackle this question for the Allen & Overy vacation scheme application, 'Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer at A&O and what do you think are the key skills and qualities required for success?'.

Not sure if this is a why commercial law question or why A&O especially because the word count is only 250.

Thanks!

@Jessica Booker

 

[Phoebe123451]

Hii, I have my Stephenson Harwood vac scheme interview this week. What type of questions were you asked? Any tips?

Hi - replied to you via personal message!

 

[strugglinglawstudent99]

I went to an international school overseas which didn't conduct any secondary school or equivalent exams (GCSE, etc.) - so I just don't have any age 14-16 exam grades to use for application forms. Can I just put that in the "additional information" section under education? Might it prejudice my application?

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Is Mayer Brown’s test timed at all? And if there is no time limit, does anyone know if the time is taken into account, e.g. would I be penalised if I took a break partway through? (Winter flu is very much a thing at the moment!)

 

[BeGrateful.101]

Has anyone previously attended an Eversheds Insight Evening? Not sure what to expect! Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[N_16]

Is Mayer Brown’s test timed at all? And if there is no time limit, does anyone know if the time is taken into account, e.g. would I be penalised if I took a break partway through? (Winter flu is very much a thing at the moment!)

Hey, I took it last week - not sure if the SJT part is timed but I know the verbal reasoning part is. However, between each section you can take a break (I think they time each section rather than the whole thing) and when you begin the test, it does mention taking breaks so I think this should be fine!

 

[aspiringlawyerr]

Good luck dealing with them... They are useless most of the time and will ignore you until you have gained some paralegal experience first. However, I had a good experience with DA Solutions/Law Support Group. Nick was really helpful and helped me secure a role in a few weeks. They may be able to get you a very short-term role (like a 2-week position) and you can then use that experience to secure a better role. Ryder Reid were alright too, although they failed to communicate the result of a final interview to me and had to find out the negative outcome by seeing the ad reposted online.

I would suggest sending messages to recruiters on LinkedIn highlighting your background/skills and what type of role you are looking for, location, area of law etc. This is how I was put in contact with the Law Support Group and secured my first role. I wish I had it sooner as it would have saved me wasting so much time!

This is so helpful! Did you find most roles wanted you to have completed the LPC? Thanks

 

[bibss]

This is so helpful! Did you find most roles wanted you to have completed the LPC? Thanks

Yes, I found the majority of roles required the LPC or previous experience. I didn’t have any of them, so it was quite a challenging and frustrating experience. If you feel brave enough, it may be even better to write a post on LinkedIn to say you are looking for a role etc.

 

[traineedreamer]

Yes, I found the majority of roles required the LPC or previous experience. I didn’t have any of them, so it was quite a challenging and frustrating experience. If you feel brave enough, it may be even better to write a post on LinkedIn to say you are looking for a role etc.

I've had the same experience with these recruiters. Even with prior Paralegal experience, it's more in public/regulatory law than straight commercial law so I always find it hard getting put forward for roles that I'm definitely qualified for!

 

[BeGrateful.101]

I don't know about you guys but I honestly feel so lost and demotivated. :/ don't know where I am heading. I have few more applications to draft this cycle but duno where to start and on the edge of giving up

 

[di]

Did anyone get through to the Taylor Wessing online games assessment but still hasn't got the link to complete the test? I'm kind of panicking

Yes, I received an email saying I've passed the app stage and that I would be sent an email with instructions and link to the test on Friday (25 November) but haven't been sent anything. I will just email them tomorrow to ask.

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Hey, I took it last week - not sure if the SJT part is timed but I know the verbal reasoning part is. However, between each section you can take a break (I think they time each section rather than the whole thing) and when you begin the test, it does mention taking breaks so I think this should be fine!

Thank you! Is the time limit fairly tight?

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Yes, I received an email saying I've passed the app stage and that I would be sent an email with instructions and link to the test on Friday (25 November) but haven't been sent anything. I will just email them tomorrow to ask.

Hi, if you don't mind me asking, when did you apply to TW? I still haven't heard anything post-app

 

[F12M34L]

Is it okay to mention Baker McKenzie as Bakers or BM in the app? (this is only to avoid going over the word limit)

I was thinking to write something like this;

I am applying to Baker McKenzie ('Bakers') because ....(x)