TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I have a question regarding background screening at a law firm. They asked me for employment history for a few previous years but I did not mention one job.

This was my first job and it only lasted two weeks after which I was dismissed at a small regional law firm. Can they find this job as nothing related to me is mentioned anywhere regarding that firm. I am worried how this may impact my offer. @Jessica Booker

You should really disclose it, especially as it might have to be raised in conflicts checks anyway.

From an onboarding process they can only go off the information you give them, but if something comes up where they find out you didn’t disclose this as part of the onboarding processes when you were explicitly asked to provide all employment details, you could be dismissed/the job offer retracted, not because of the original job but because it will be seen that you have lied.

 

[Kaye4444]

You should really disclose it, especially as it might have to be raised in conflicts checks anyway.

From an onboarding process they can only go off the information you give them, but if something comes up where they find out you didn’t disclose this as part of the onboarding processes when you were explicitly asked to provide all employment details, you could be dismissed/the job offer retracted, not because of the original job but because it will be seen that you have lied.

It has been a month since I filled in all the onboarding forms. I had to fill in two as the role is a secondment at another company through out the contract.

Isn't it too late for me to tell them? they have not even contacted me back since then, only asked me for some extra info regarding addresses etc. plus I have one other previous employment but it was not in the UK so they said I can provide an academic reference as my second reference. However, the company where the secondment is they asked for ten years previous employment. I filled the forms two and a half weeks ago for them but they haven't gotten back since.

 

[Aaj03]

Can anyone who has done a Baker McKenzie AC pm me please?

 

[jasonbourne]

Hey guys, I have a feedback call tomorrow. Anything in particular I should look to mention aside from questions relating to how I could improve and my weaknesses etc? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I want to make a good final impression on the grad rec since I'm planning on applying to the firm's vac scheme in the next cycle (and potentially TC in this cycle).

 

[T_Law]

Can anyone who has done a Baker McKenzie AC pm me please?

Hey, congrats! When did you do your vid interview, and when did you hear back?

 

[chanse2108]

During a vac scheme, is it ok to ask for a deadline extension for work assigned by a senior associate who is not my supervisor? I am doing a vac scheme now and the deadline for a piece of work is due tomorrow but I think I might need more time. What should I do? Will not submitting tomorrow look bad? @Jessica Booker

 

[imdeded]

During a vac scheme, is it ok to ask for a deadline extension for work assigned by a senior associate who is not my supervisor? I am doing a vac scheme now and the deadline for a piece of work is due tomorrow but I think I might need more time. What should I do? Will not submitting tomorrow look bad? @Jessica Booker

Ask for an extension ASAP if you really don't think you'll be able to get it finished by then - submitting something rushed and unfinished on time is IMO worse than communicating early and delaying but delivering an excellent piece of work (though sometimes you do just have to send things through even if your perfectionism says otherwise, so you need to strike a balance). Otherwise you'll end up wasting both the associate's time and yours! I'd caveat this by saying that it does depend on when they set you the work and how urgently they need it.

Ultimately in my experience the negative feedback I've received was never about being penalised for asking for extensions, but always about the quality of work I submitted and how well I communicated any issues that arose. Next time, try to underpromise and overdeliver!

 

[Aaj03]

Hey, congrats! When did you do your vid interview, and when did you hear back?

Hi, last week Monday (for the TC)

 

[hopefulforatc]

People who started preparing beforehand for an application cycle, what did you guys specifically do? and was it useful? As i have started preparing for the next cycle.

 

[legal18]

SH replied... there is still hope

Many thanks for your email and your interest in Stephenson Harwood. We are currently screening applications and will look to update candidates very soon. Thank you for your patience.

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

People who started preparing beforehand for an application cycle, what did you guys specifically do? and was it useful? As i have started preparing for the next cycle.

I personally would try to find a part-time job or an internship to showcase new skills. I’d refine my applications to avoid making the same mistakes. I’d also pick a few firms I want to apply to and research their relevant USPs. I think the main thing is to write exceptional applications - so spend time understanding what grad rec looks for in apps and how you can showcase yourself in apps.

 

[hopefulforatc]

I personally would try to find a part-time job or an internship to showcase new skills. I’d refine my applications to avoid making the same mistakes. I’d also pick a few firms I want to apply to and research their relevant USPs. I think the main thing is to write exceptional applications - so spend time understanding what grad rec looks for in apps and how you can showcase yourself in apps.

Thank you! that sounds good. I am doing the same hopefully it works out this time.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

During a vac scheme, is it ok to ask for a deadline extension for work assigned by a senior associate who is not my supervisor? I am doing a vac scheme now and the deadline for a piece of work is due tomorrow but I think I might need more time. What should I do? Will not submitting tomorrow look bad? @Jessica Booker

The below advice is spot on - you need to ask ASAP, but I would ask IF you can have an extension rather than asking for one (language is important in this context).

 

[chanse2108]

Thanks, I will ask about the extension. I also made a few mistakes (some of them were careless) in my proofreading task and research work. Does this mean I will not get a TC? @Jessica Booker @imdeded

 

[tanamontana]

If anyone recently did an AC / Interview for Clifford Chance Middle east vacation scheme please dm me )

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thanks, I will ask about the extension. I also made a few mistakes (some of them were careless) in my proofreading task and research work. Does this mean I will not get a TC? @Jessica Booker @imdeded

It’s really difficult to advise on this as it will depend on the nature of the mistakes.

But mistakes are likely to happen in a vacation scheme and no one is perfect and so they are likely to happen. It’s more about either the severity of the mistake/the implications of the mistake being made or how you learn from that mistake if you have the opportunity to do something similar again.

 

[Sened]

Can anyone who has done a Baker McKenzie AC pm me please?

Hey may I ask is this for the TC or VS?

 

[Aaj03]

Hey may I ask is this for the TC or VS?

This is for the TC

 

[Elizabeth12]

Anyone heard anything from Stephenson Harwood ?

 

[confusedstudent]

Got rejected from a final-stage AC at a an MC firm and feeling so dejected now I have no more applications pending and I don't really want to make any more since it's so late in the cycle and I'm really crushed by the last rejection as I worked so hard on the AC.