TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[laby201]

If I have an AC coming up with a firm I also had an AC with last year, do they keep records/remember you? Or would it be as if it was a fresh candidate?

Don’t know whether I’d be asked “why do you think you were unsuccessful last year” or something similar?

Any thoughts @Jessica Booker?

 

[lookingforaTC]

anything from Brabners?

 

[lawyergirl2903]

Hi guys, first message here! I have my w+c written exercise and interview next week and would appreciate any tips or recommendations for how to attempt these (esp the written interview because I'm really not sure what is expected for this). Thank you so much!

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Anyone who's completed the Mishcon AC? Please message 🥰

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you so much, this is really reassuring. I don’t have any CCJs but I have some defaults that happened during an extended period of illness. @Jessica Booker are you able to advise of the impact of this? I have since settled these defaults but am extremely anxious about their impact.

Highly unlikely to be an issue. You can have a low credit score and qualify. It would only be if you had legal action against you or you went for something like bankruptcy that it would be an issue.

Most people working in law firms have defaulted on some kind of payment at some point.

 

[Untilwinter]

Its only on major things like credit cards, student overdrafts etc. If you go over the limit or don't pay it on time then it could go on your credit report. Depnding on how serious it is and how long for. Defaults are when you don't pay back on a credit arrangement for more than 3months or have not set up an arrangement to pay back. They write off your debt to a collecting agency where then you'll have to set up an arrangement to pay back. It's isn't ideal but it happens in adverse situations for some people.

Firms access this through credit rating agencies like Equifax, Experian, Clear Score, who access your credit report from files made by various parties like your bank, etc. To see this they'll do a soft credit report to see what comes up. You can make a soft credit check too. It doesn't dock you points/affect your credit.

However, this (a soft credit check) does depend on the role. For solicitors, bankers, police officers, etc. they will do a soft credit check. For other roles I don't think so. Especially for internships I don't think they do. Essentially, the more serious and financial the role, the more likely a soft check on your credit report will take place.

If its missing spotify payments, netflix, etc then that isn't an issue, it won't show up lol.

Oh wow thank you for the detailed explanation. Makes much more sense. I was beginning to wonder if we have any privacy🤣

 

[Untilwinter]

Is this for summer vs?

I applied for sring. But then dechert does roll over people from previous schemes based on what ppl posted on this thread.
The email said they have now filled all vacation schemes for the 2024 recruitment cycle.
I would say its worth asking them directly

 

[yorkshirepud]

Hill Dickinson assessment invite! Was waiting forever for that one. Does anyone have any advice for an Amberjack assessment? It is my first time doing one and from what I have read on this forum, I should be wary of it

Hey, I did this on Sunday! How did you find it?

 

[yorkshirepud]

Hill Dickinson assessment invite!

I thought I was done with Amberjack🥲

Hello! I did this on Sunday - had never done an Amberjack. How did you find it?

 

[Legalstalker]

Hello! I did this on Sunday - had never done an Amberjack. How did you find it?

standard test questions but my feedback was questionable lol. VI I did pretty bad in.

Hope you found it better than me! Good luck

 

[LawBrah]

If anyone has any experience in obtaining annual leave from a full-time job who is strict about when they allow you to take it, please DM . I can't tell them it's for a VS but I also sort of need to give a reason to ask for the AL (or not?).

 

[bangarangbass39]

Highly unlikely to be an issue. You can have a low credit score and qualify. It would only be if you had legal action against you or you went for something like bankruptcy that it would be an issue.

Most people working in law firms have defaulted on some kind of payment at some point.

Just to be clear is an arrangement to pay the same? Especially if it’s paid off?

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

If anyone has any experience in obtaining annual leave from a full-time job who is strict about when they allow you to take it, please DM . I can't tell them it's for a VS but I also sort of need to give a reason to ask for the AL (or not?).

I had this exact problem and was something I was really stressed about, but it ended up being zero problem.

However, the important part is, you likely have to tell them it's for a vacation scheme. Check the terms of your contract, but it likely says (it had in mine) that you can't take any paid employment elsewhere while still employed at that company. Technically, a VS puts you in breach of that and you could get in trouble.

What I did (and I would advise doing) is emailing your line manager as early as you can to request the time off, making it clear it's for a VS. You don't have to go into too much detail but if you just say it's an opportunity you'd really appreciate etc, I'm sure it will be fine. If will depend from employer to employer but if you're in a legal environment, they will know obtaining a VS/TC is going to be the ultimate aim.

Just be transparent about it and that's the best option

 

[Jessica Booker]

Just to be clear is an arrangement to pay the same? Especially if it’s paid off?

If it’s a private arrangement with the company you owe money too, this is still okay too. You ar managing your debt through organising the arrangement.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I had this exact problem and was something I was really stressed about, but it ended up being zero problem.

However, the important part is, you likely have to tell them it's for a vacation scheme. Check the terms of your contract, but it likely says (it had in mine) that you can't take any paid employment elsewhere while still employed at that company. Technically, a VS puts you in breach of that and you could get in trouble.

What I did (and I would advise doing) is emailing your line manager as early as you can to request the time off, making it clear it's for a VS. You don't have to go into too much detail but if you just say it's an opportunity you'd really appreciate etc, I'm sure it will be fine. If will depend from employer to employer but if you're in a legal environment, they will know obtaining a VS/TC is going to be the ultimate aim.

Just be transparent about it and that's the best option

If they are in a legal environment or one with strong cross over into the industry (eg working in other regulated industries an accountancy firm or investment bank) it would also need to be declared for conflict of interest purposes.

 

[mp2000]

standard test questions but my feedback was questionable lol. VI I did pretty bad in.

Hope you found it better than me! Good luck

What were your scores if you don't mind me asking? I didn't do great either...

 

[mattyh23]

Someone please correct me if I’m wrong as I don’t know the approach to take on these questions, but when you’re focusing on who a firm’s competitors are, is there a “right answer”?

For example, if I’m looking at White & Case’s competitors, would Norton Rose Fulbright be one due to its strength in projects and energy like W&C? Or would it better to just go with Latham, Clifford Chance etc with the capital market focus?

I don’t want to try and be “too clever” for my own good if that makes sense and end up tripping myself up!

 

[holz567]

@Jessica Booker I’ve finally got a AC this cycle but it’s for a firm I had one for last year (don’t know if I’m suited to that firm or what haha).

Would they know this when they selected me for the AC? I don’t know if another member of the grad rec would have looked through my application?

I’m just wary of perhaps being asked why I didn’t get it last time out or if I should be prepared for those kind of questions?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Someone please correct me if I’m wrong as I don’t know the approach to take on these questions, but when you’re focusing on who a firm’s competitors are, is there a “right answer”?

For example, if I’m looking at White & Case’s competitors, would Norton Rose Fulbright be one due to its strength in projects and energy like W&C? Or would it better to just go with Latham, Clifford Chance etc with the capital market focus?

I don’t want to try and be “too clever” for my own good if that makes sense and end up tripping myself up!

There isn’t “a” right answer - there are multiple ways in which you can determine what a competitor is or how you would measure it, and so there could be lots of “right” answers.

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker I’ve finally got a AC this cycle but it’s for a firm I had one for last year (don’t know if I’m suited to that firm or what haha).

Would they know this when they selected me for the AC? I don’t know if another member of the grad rec would have looked through my application?

I’m just wary of perhaps being asked why I didn’t get it last time out or if I should be prepared for those kind of questions?

Possibly - it really depends whether they store than information beyond a certain time limit.

Rather than being prepared to talk about why you didn’t get the role last time (they will know this if they are aware) I would focus more on how you feel you have developed your skill set or motivations since your last AC.