TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Untilwinter]

I applied for the Ashurst vac scheme but was a minute late.
On the system, it says that my application was submitted at 12:01 pm, but the deadline for the app was 12 pm (not 12 am like most apps!).
I never quite finished answering one of the questions rushing through the app.
After submission, I received a confirmation email saying that they received my app and another email with the link to the psychometric assessment.
But it also said in the email "our closing date for all applications is 6 January 2023 at 12pm".
Then four days later, I received an email saying that they are going to screen apps until mid-Feb.

Did my application go through???? If not, can I still apply for the direct TC???

 

[EliteWhovian]

I applied for the Ashurst vac scheme but was a minute late.
On the system, it says that my application was submitted at 12:01 pm, but the deadline for the app was 12 pm (not 12 am like most apps!).
I never quite finished answering one of the questions rushing through the app.
After submission, I received a confirmation email saying that they received my app and another email with the link to the psychometric assessment.
But it also said in the email "our closing date for all applications is 6 January 2023 at 12pm".
Then four days later, I received an email saying that they are going to screen apps until mid-Feb.

Did my application go through???? If not, can I still apply for the direct TC???

I applied to a few vac schemes after the deadline and they went through as well. Hopefully they don't zoom into the exact amount of time we applied after the deadline?

 

[Tattyasha]

Did they give you any feedback or just the standard too many apps PFO we ain't giving you any.

Just the standard ‘Dear John’. Must do them in bulk. Dumped by mail-merge worse than being dumped by text. Brutal!

 

[E_3919]

I wonder whether anyone has any top VI tips?

I’m feeling a bit discouraged after doing 3 now and not passing any of them. I’m a lot more successful with firms that interview you face-to-face immediately!

I’ve read all the top tips I can find and common mistakes people make and am unsure what to do at this point?!

thanks!!

 

[jackismall]

Hey guys,

Just received an invitation to a VS with a firm (big favourite of mine). But, I have an upcoming AC for another 2-week VS which would have a 2-week overlap with the offer I have received.

Wondering what would be the best approach? I'm not sure whether to
- Call the firm before my AC, asking to be reconsidered for a direct TC
- Complete the AC and ask to be reconsidered if I receive a VS Offer
- Ask if I can complete the first week only if I receive the offer

Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Just the standard ‘Dear John’. Must do them in bulk. Dumped by mail-merge worse than being dumped by text. Brutal!

Ah I really hate it when they do this! I've had a rejection addressed to the wrong name before (not me), so unsure if they ever read my app!

 

[mdoeslaw]

I wonder whether anyone has any top VI tips?

I’m feeling a bit discouraged after doing 3 now and not passing any of them. I’m a lot more successful with firms that interview you face-to-face immediately!

I’ve read all the top tips I can find and common mistakes people make and am unsure what to do at this point?!

thanks!!

second this, would also love some advice from anyone that has had experience!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does anyone have any tips for how to practice negotiation exercises? Not sure how to prepare for it!

I don't think you can practice as such, as it generally needs other people to practice the negotiation with. The link provided above I think is really helpful/insightful though.

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

I wonder whether anyone has any top VI tips?

I’m feeling a bit discouraged after doing 3 now and not passing any of them. I’m a lot more successful with firms that interview you face-to-face immediately!

I’ve read all the top tips I can find and common mistakes people make and am unsure what to do at this point?!

thanks!!

second this, would also love some advice from anyone that has had experience!

So I've had 7 VIs in total over the past 2 cycles, passed 4, failed 1, waiting on 2. Advice would be to jot down your 1-3 main points on a post-it during your prep and put this next to the camera. Also, smile and seem personable! I think I've said some average things in VIs, but I think the way I come across (which is forced ofc, as I'm terrified of being on camera!) has helped me massively. Also, change the pitch of your voice to make a point - I think we do this naturally when speaking to people, but it can help you to be less monotone on a video!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I applied for the Ashurst vac scheme but was a minute late.
On the system, it says that my application was submitted at 12:01 pm, but the deadline for the app was 12 pm (not 12 am like most apps!).
I never quite finished answering one of the questions rushing through the app.
After submission, I received a confirmation email saying that they received my app and another email with the link to the psychometric assessment.
But it also said in the email "our closing date for all applications is 6 January 2023 at 12pm".
Then four days later, I received an email saying that they are going to screen apps until mid-Feb.

Did my application go through???? If not, can I still apply for the direct TC???

Your application went through.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hey guys,

Just received an invitation to a VS with a firm (big favourite of mine). But, I have an upcoming AC for another 2-week VS which would have a 2-week overlap with the offer I have received.

Wondering what would be the best approach? I'm not sure whether to
- Call the firm before my AC, asking to be reconsidered for a direct TC
- Complete the AC and ask to be reconsidered if I receive a VS Offer
- Ask if I can complete the first week only if I receive the offer

Any advice would be much appreciated

The other option is to renege on the first offer if your preference is for the latest firm.

A few firms let you only do part of a vacation scheme, but it is rare. Most firms will say it is either attend the full scheme or not attend at all. Some firms will convert you to a TC process instead - and obviously, you could request this with either firm. I'd go into any conversations with the firms with an open mind. They will typically have a set response to this (they get asked this all the time, and they will have a set process they will offer you), it will just be whether that meets your expectations or not.

I would probably do the AC and then deal with any necessary conversations you need to have from there. If it wasn't a "big favourite" choice, then I would say to speak to them ahead of your AC, but given this is clearly a firm you have a strong interest in, I would see how it goes first and then deal with the outcomes as needed.

 

[E_3919]

So I've had 7 VIs in total over the past 2 cycles, passed 4, failed 1, waiting on 2. Advice would be to jot down your 1-3 main points on a post-it during your prep and put this next to the camera. Also, smile and seem personable! I think I've said some average things in VIs, but I think the way I come across (which is forced ofc, as I'm terrified of being on camera!) has helped me massively. Also, change the pitch of your voice to make a point - I think we do this naturally when speaking to people, but it can help you to be less monotone on a video!

Thanks so much for your advice!

 

[E_3919]

I wonder whether anyone has any top VI tips?

I’m feeling a bit discouraged after doing 3 now and not passing any of them. I’m a lot more successful with firms that interview you face-to-face immediately!

I’ve read all the top tips I can find and common mistakes people make and am unsure what to do at this point?!

thanks!!

@Jessica Booker I wonder whether you have a take on this from a GR perspective - what things you look for / what makes you reject someone? Thanks so much!

 

[KBLAW]

Anyone heard from Weil post AC? Or any idea when they will get back?
Thanks

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker I wonder whether you have a take on this from a GR perspective - what things you look for / what makes you reject someone? Thanks so much!

It is no different to a face-to-face interview - it's the ability to clearly communicate your skill set/motivations/strengths in a persuasive, genuine and enthusiastic manner.

@AvniD has collated some great posts in the past, which are linked here:

• TCLA interview question bank - I'd place a special emphasis on practising strengths-based, commercial awareness and scenario-based Qs
• Avni's best tips
• 3 ways to improve speaking skills
• Insight from a community member

 

[kcr]

Anyone heard from Weil post AC? Or any idea when they will get back?
Thanks

Within the next week I believe

 

[N_16]

Mayer Brown PFO

 

[jnice]

Thank you so so much! If we’ve already done VI’s, should we still expect interviews during the AC? I’m kind of lost about what am AC entails.

if you’re invited to AC, the firm will most likely tell you about the format of the AC. You can also reach out to future trainee solicitors who have recently done the ac on LinkedIn for advice. Lastly there are pages on the tcla forum in which people who have completed ACs at different firms discuss their experiences. Try a quick search using the search tool above.

 

[sxw517]

Has anyone done an AC for Dechert for the summer vac scheme?

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Does anyone know what Fieldfisher's test entails- hopefully no video interview qs?

SJT and WG!