TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Jessica Booker]

Hi any help here would be appreciated. I have been offered a place on the direct TC assessment day for my favourite firm, however it overlaps with another VAC scheme which I have accepted. Obviously attending both would be my preference - but how fatal would missing a day of a VAC scheme to attend another firm's assessment day be for the firm at which I have a VAC scheme? The scheme is a week long and there are no other dates available for the AC.

The first thing is you have to check with your vac scheme firm that you can miss a day. Some firms will say no, while others are accommodating.

However, if it is a week long, I personally don’t think it is a good idea to miss one day. It’s slightly different if it was 3-4 weeks, but because it is so short, I think it could have a big impact on your scheme.

I would instead ask again whether the TC firm can provide alternative interview dates. This is by far the better option here and if you explain you are on a vacation scheme they may just have more flexibility than they are currently suggesting.

 

[confusedlawstudent]

Hey guys, I have an upcoming vac scheme and this may be a silly question but - a lot of people have advised that on the VS, i should try get coffee with as many people as possible to network and hear about their journey. My question is how do i approach someone and ask them if they want to have coffee? I am quite socially awkward so going up to someone i don't know and who is more senior to me is very daunting so any tips on how to ask this and go about it the right way would be great! Also, when I am having the coffee with them, what should i talk about/ask about? i don't want to seem all like corporate law obsessed, and i much prefer getting to know people personally rather than just having superficial questions so what is the right thing to talk about? I'd be generally interested in hearing about why they became a solicitor, their journey etc. but idk if i need to show i'm interested in more than just the basic stuff. idk maybe i'm overthinking it but any help is much appreciated!! thanks )

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey guys, I have an upcoming vac scheme and this may be a silly question but - a lot of people have advised that on the VS, i should try get coffee with as many people as possible to network and hear about their journey. My question is how do i approach someone and ask them if they want to have coffee? I am quite socially awkward so going up to someone i don't know and who is more senior to me is very daunting so any tips on how to ask this and go about it the right way would be great! Also, when I am having the coffee with them, what should i talk about/ask about? i don't want to seem all like corporate law obsessed, and i much prefer getting to know people personally rather than just having superficial questions so what is the right thing to talk about? I'd be generally interested in hearing about why they became a solicitor, their journey etc. but idk if i need to show i'm interested in more than just the basic stuff. idk maybe i'm overthinking it but any help is much appreciated!! thanks )

“As many people as possible” is not the right approach here.

Firstly, you should only do this if you have the time first of all - I have seen too many vac schemers spend too much time away from their department meeting up with people and not impressing their department/people they are working with.

Secondly, there needs to be a purpose or reason for meeting the individuals you choose to meet with. Meeting with anyone/everyone is not appropriate. Only meet with people if you are not going to have direct experience in their department, if they work in an area that particularly interests you etc. If you don’t know what you would talk to them about, there is no reason to meet with them.

I would try to find a more deeper reason for connecting with the individual than just to hear about their experiences. Why are you choosing them to meet with rather than another person on the firm? That will ensure your reasoning for meeting them is more tailored and that you have meaningful questions to ask them.

In terms of asking them, I wouldn’t over think it - just keep it brief and polite but explain your reasoning for meeting them and what you would hope to get out of the coffee meeting. You can also explain your availability too so they can consider this against their own commitments

 

[sunnyd]

Has anyone ever applied to the Law Society Diversity Access Scheme? Does anyone know what the interview is like?

 

[confusedlawstudent]

“As many people as possible” is not the right approach here.

Firstly, you should only do this if you have the time first of all - I have seen too many vac schemers spend too much time away from their department meeting up with people and not impressing their department/people they are working with.

Secondly, there needs to be a purpose or reason for meeting the individuals you choose to meet with. Meeting with anyone/everyone is not appropriate. Only meet with people if you are not going to have direct experience in their department, if they work in an area that particularly interests you etc. If you don’t know what you would talk to them about, there is no reason to meet with them.

I would try to find a more deeper reason for connecting with the individual than just to hear about their experiences. Why are you choosing them to meet with rather than another person on the firm? That will ensure your reasoning for meeting them is more tailored and that you have meaningful questions to ask them.

In terms of asking them, I wouldn’t over think it - just keep it brief and polite but explain your reasoning for meeting them and what you would hope to get out of the coffee meeting. You can also explain your availability too so they can consider this against their own commitments

That's great advice thank you! Would it be appropriate to send a Teams message/email to someone in a department I am interested in and asking them if they are free for a quick chat? Or is it better to ask them in person? Also, how do i approach them if i'm not working in the same department as them and have never come into contact with them? Is it not a good idea to ask someone for a chat if i've never met them before? Should i stick to just asking the people I have already met if i can chat to them about their experience?

 

[laurabeaumont]

“As many people as possible” is not the right approach here.

Firstly, you should only do this if you have the time first of all - I have seen too many vac schemers spend too much time away from their department meeting up with people and not impressing their department/people they are working with.

Secondly, there needs to be a purpose or reason for meeting the individuals you choose to meet with. Meeting with anyone/everyone is not appropriate. Only meet with people if you are not going to have direct experience in their department, if they work in an area that particularly interests you etc. If you don’t know what you would talk to them about, there is no reason to meet with them.

I would try to find a more deeper reason for connecting with the individual than just to hear about their experiences. Why are you choosing them to meet with rather than another person on the firm? That will ensure your reasoning for meeting them is more tailored and that you have meaningful questions to ask them.

In terms of asking them, I wouldn’t over think it - just keep it brief and polite but explain your reasoning for meeting them and what you would hope to get out of the coffee meeting. You can also explain your availability too so they can consider this against their own commitments

Just to add to this:

It is also important to have an appreciation for how busy each person/lawyer may be. Most will be very willing to talk to you about their work/practice area/the firm but you never know if they are currently going through a busy deal or period currently, particularly senior associates and partners.

So, if you have a specific question to ask someone and it can be adequately answered in an email, do. Equally, do not ask open-ended questions via email that might take a while to articulate on paper (and where a quick conversation over Zoom or in person might suffice).

Just something to keep in mind.

Hope this helps!

Laura

 

[Jessica Booker]

That's great advice thank you! Would it be appropriate to send a Teams message/email to someone in a department I am interested in and asking them if they are free for a quick chat? Or is it better to ask them in person? Also, how do i approach them if i'm not working in the same department as them and have never come into contact with them? Is it not a good idea to ask someone for a chat if i've never met them before? Should i stick to just asking the people I have already met if i can chat to them about their experience?

Yes, this is an appropriate approach if you don’t have the chance to bump into them/cross paths in the office.

You can just contact them as you have suggested. You don’t have to be working directly with them.

You are introducing yourself - it’s very normal to have not met someone before asking them to meet!

 

[confusedlawstudent]

Is it a good idea to connect on linkedin with my fellow vac schemers before the vac scheme?

 

[confusedlawstudent]

Is there anyone who has done an in-person Eversheds Sutherland vacation scheme who I could arrange a call with? I am absolutely sick to my stomach with nerves and I think it would really help to talk to someone who has done it so I at least know what to expect.

 

[Law Student]

Hi, I need help.

I have a vacation scheme coming up but on the last day of the VS, I have an assessment centre with another firm for a TC.

Which should I skip? The assessment centre or the last day of the VS. If I skip one day of the VS, should I tell them why?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Is there anyone who has done an in-person Eversheds Sutherland vacation scheme who I could arrange a call with? I am absolutely sick to my stomach with nerves and I think it would really help to talk to someone who has done it so I at least know what to expect.

I am a paralegal there and know a few people who have done VS at Eversheds. Do you have any in particular questions.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, I need help.

I have a vacation scheme coming up but on the last day of the VS, I have an assessment centre with another firm for a TC.

Which should I skip? The assessment centre or the last day of the VS. If I skip one day of the VS, should I tell them why?

You will need approval from your vacation scheme firm to skip the last day. If you are going to miss a day you have to tell them why, and lying isn’t a good look in this industry.

 

[abcdefg123]

Anyone have any advice for how to get over a bad vacation scheme? I feel like I messed up every assessed component, and it was my dream firm so I'm quite down about it

 

[laurabeaumont]

Hi, I need help.

I have a vacation scheme coming up but on the last day of the VS, I have an assessment centre with another firm for a TC.

Which should I skip? The assessment centre or the last day of the VS. If I skip one day of the VS, should I tell them why?

Hey @Law Student,

Have you tried contacting the firm you will have the AC with and asking if you could change the date of the AC? It may not be an option but it is worth trying. I have found graduate recruitment was quite understanding in general in relation to other interviews/deadlines/VS. As @Jessica Booker said, however, do not lie to the firm you are currently completing the vacation scheme with!

Hope that helps

Laura

 

[Anabelle4567]

Hi, Does anybody know if Mischon pay Summer Vacation Scheme participants?
Also - has anybody who applied through Aspiring Solicitors heard from Harbottle & Lewis ?

 

[Raynz]

Hi, Does anybody know if Mischon pay Summer Vacation Scheme participants?
Also - has anybody who applied through Aspiring Solicitors heard from Harbottle & Lewis ?

Not heard from Harbottle after applying through AS. Was wondering if I should reach out to AS to ask for an update.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

For law firms that have a 400 word or 500 word cover letter and it says to address your cover letter to Graduate Recruitment if you don't put Yours Sincerely is it bad because you are out of words. Also if you don't put dear GR. Is that going to look bad.

 

[FM302989]

For law firms that have a 400 word or 500 word cover letter and it says to address your cover letter to Graduate Recruitment if you don't put Yours Sincerely is it bad because you are out of words. Also if you don't put dear GR. Is that going to look bad.

If it's 'Dear Graduate Recruitment', then it surely isn't 'Yours sincerely' as you can't be sincere to someone whose name you don't know. 'Yours faithfully' maybe? Are you sure there isn't a named contact you can find? Lawcareers.net?

And it sounds like 4/5 words to add these so I'm sure you can find space to cut words from the body of your letter to add them. Presentation will be assessed just as much as the content

 

[laubedusixjuin]

For law firms that have a 400 word or 500 word cover letter and it says to address your cover letter to Graduate Recruitment if you don't put Yours Sincerely is it bad because you are out of words. Also if you don't put dear GR. Is that going to look bad.

If they tell you explicitly to address the letter to Graduate Recruitment and you don't address the letter to Graduate Recruitment, it will look like you can't read or follow instructions

 

[Jessica Booker]

For law firms that have a 400 word or 500 word cover letter and it says to address your cover letter to Graduate Recruitment if you don't put Yours Sincerely is it bad because you are out of words. Also if you don't put dear GR. Is that going to look bad.

If they are explicitly asking for a cover letter, I would put an appropriate introduction and sign off - that only needs to be 7 words and I suspect you could say something more concisely elsewhere.