Long post ahead, but I am begging for some help (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE 😢😢😢😢😢 ):
Hi all, long time lurker with a predicament here- would be grateful for any help! (
@Jessica Booker would really love your input, along with anyone else with similar experiences).
I have 2 vacation schemes this year. One was supposed to be mid-end May (firm A), and the other mid-end June (firm B). The firm for my first vac, A, has had issues with arrangements, so has postponed my scheme to June, which overlaps with my second scheme (B). They know my availability is limited for June and have offered me a week-long scheme in July (as opposed to the standard two weeks), after both their vacs in June finish.
I will be having a call with firm A next week to get further detail, but would this arrangement lower my chances of securing a TC, given that all the other vac schemers will have completed their schemes and final interviews before me, and that my scheme will be a week shorter than everyone else's?
Also, firm B (one of my top choices, although I also love firm A) has alternative dates which I have availability for, but I feel that it is both unfair on them (as I have already confirmed my availability more than once) and will reflect badly on me if I ask them if there are still spaces for the other vacation scheme, given that I'd be trying to make time for another firm.
I also have 2 assessment centres upcoming for other firms, and if I am successful, those dates would overlap with firm B's alternative dates.
So, I would love any advice on:
1. Should I be worried about accepting the week-long alternative scheme from firm A? This will not clash with any other dates, but concern is purely for the chances of a TC.
2. What questions should I look to clarify with firm A? I already have some in mind, but perhaps anything that someone with hindsight/more experience can suggest?
3. Am I correct in thinking that asking firm B to shift my vac to accommodate for firm A would put me in an unfavourable position with firm B? Although I can ask if firm B have availability for the earlier vac without mentioning the reason, I am not sure whether this is wise, especially if grad rec at firm B finds this out and thinks I am withholding this information to accommodate firm A. I am also hesitant to take this risk given how much I like firm B.
4. Any other advice?
Will be eternally grateful to anyone who can offer any sort of insight & ease my worries!!