TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Zaakir]

I did the WVS AC and was offered yesterday or this morning for the written test. There were maybe half a dozen people doing the test with me this morning. I suspect they may have finished Assessment Centres for the Winter Vac Scheme now. The scheme starts in less than two weeks so it'd be tricky to turn things around now. I'm happy to help anyone with W&C.

half a dozen? I did mine on my own with Anna lol

 

[sm99]

so sorry to hear 🥲 would it be possible to know how long did it take for u to get a reply after the VI?

It took 2 and a bit weeks

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

Has anyone heard back from Akin post test?

 

[S87]

So, DLA closed their internship applications, oh well!

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

So, DLA closed their internship applications, oh well!

For London?

 

[S87]

For London?

Yes

 

[S87]

For London?

Also their direct tc

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

Also their direct tc

I see, thank you!

 

[M0M007]

W&C WVS offer! Can’t believe it!

 

[Jessica Booker]

So from what I heard, you need to behave like a serial killer in the pre recorded ones 😭 stare into the camera, smiling and you have to make yourself seem real enthusiastic! It’s so uncomfortable but apparently it works like a charm. I’d also recommend recording your interviews. So afterwards, you can listen back and give yourself feedback. If you’ve got a vac scheme then you’ll have no issues getting past this stage in the future, just takes a bit of practice. Best of luck!!

This is definitely not how to succeed in video interviews - take it from someone who has reviewed thousands of them!

Think of it more like a conversation over coffee. Say it was one of those opportunities where a trainee/lawyer you wanted to connect with on LinkedIn actually offered to meet you for a coffee - how would you want to come across in that way, except you’ll be doing most of the talking rather than them.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks so much!!! Do you have any advice regarding dress code?

Smart casual - avoid t-shirts/hoodies (seeing they will only see your shoulders/neck). No suit and tie needed.

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre Hi both, I hope you are well. At the Simmons AC I was told that we would hear an outcome by 20th Nov. I see that some people on the forum have received WVS invites post AC, and some unfortunately have rejected PFO post AC.
I don’t want to seem pushy but I would need to know soon as I work full time and the scheme is in less than 2 weeks.

How would you handle this?

Give them a call tomorrow afternoon/Thursday morning and explain you are keen to understand the outcome as you are working full time and would need to request time off if you are successful. They will understand this and it won’t seem pushy, especially if it’s more than 24 hours after they said they would come back to youz

 

[hannahfl]

Give them a call tomorrow afternoon/Thursday morning and explain you are keen to understand the outcome as you are working full time and would need to request time off if you are successful. They will understand this and it won’t seem pushy, especially if it’s more than 24 hours after they said they would come back to youz

Thank you so much, I will follow your advice

 

[Jessica Booker]

How do firms actually weigh the WG? Is it the case that if you dont meet the "benchmark" you are just automatically disqualified, or is your score looked at in conjunction with your written application?

Unfortunately this can be either approach really depending on the firm. In some cases it is also both (minimum cut off and then scores above this weighed up against other information in your application).

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @axelbeugre I was wondering how you would approach a question that asks what improvement you would make to a firm and why?

Focus your answer on the “why” rather than getting stuck on the detail itself.

Why you have identified the area as one for improvement?
Why you think this is important?
Why you think this area will improve them firm?

You can then get into a bit of detail as to how they might achieve this (or at least be prepared to explain this as a follow up question).

 

[flower]

anyone heard back for Latham's grad rec open day?

 

[Tintin06]

Has anyone heard back from Akin post test?

Not yet, but it's for a summer scheme, so I don't expect anything until the new year.

 

[AlCapone]

I know its an age old debate. But I've just graduated university with a first in English literature, a two week internship at a boutique firm and little to no other legal experience. My CV is decent in terms of leadership roles and other extra curricular achievements. Should I apply for direct TCs or VSs??? Ideally I would prefer to go for TCs having missed the boat for WVSs because I had to wait 5 months for my uni results. Do I need more legal experience to get a look in for direct TCs? @Jessica Booker would love some help and sorry if you get this question all the time!

 

[mfuturetrainee]

atp i really hope W&C drop a pfo by the end of this week so i can move on🥲🥲

 

[Abgaal]

Has anyone ever requested WG results from CMS?

Just got an email saying I didn’t meet their benchmark which is odd cus I think I’m quite good at the test and have passed it multiple times before…

That literally happened to me yesterday and I was actually fairly shocked about the outcome. I have practiced them serval times - I think they increased they're benchmark this year maybe lol