TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[legal18]

I'm so confused about SH - does anyone want to take one for the team and ask them wtf is going on... I would but I sent an email recently

 

[Zaina]

I'm so confused about SH - does anyone want to take one for the team and ask them wtf is going on... I would but I sent an email recently

I’m so confused so people have gotten a next stage assessment and that deadline is for June 5 so does that mean everyone else who didn’t get this basically got rejected?

 

[PlscanIhaveaTC]

Sorry I just read this comment now and that is absolutely pathetic and I feel discriminatory feedback in terms of not acknowledging that for some of us- myself included, retail jobs are the only reason I’m able to get through and fund university.

It’s not like everyone has the privilege of connections and being able to do a months internship at US law firms in Dubai- which I see A LOT of.

I felt really angry and disheartened to read this, sentiments of classism coming through despite law firms constantly pushing “DEI” - makes you wonder.

Sorry to hear about your experience, I know you will get there.

Thank you for this! It’s so relieved to know I’m not the only one.

Exactly - I didn’t feel it was constructive feedback at all. I’ve been trying for two years now to move into a professional services role and although I’ve reached interview stage multiple times, my feedback is consistently that they went with another candidate with more experience. It’s honestly so tiring.

It’s also really disheartening when graduate recruitment push the narrative that you don’t need any experience and to showcase your transferable skills to then receive that feedback.

Thank you for your kind words, I’m rooting for you too. And to anyone else out there who has had a similar experience, don’t give up!

 

[Thatcorporatelawyer]

has anyone heard back from the BUILD programme with Shearman?? (I applied in May and haven't heard anything yet)

Same, have you heard back yet?

 

[EzeLaylor]

Same, have you heard back yet?

So some have heard back already - well, I’ll wait for the pfo.

 

[jplaw1010]

@Jessica Booker Are exam deferrals for personal extenuating circumstances looked down upon by grad rec on an application form and would you include this in the 'resit' section?

 

[jade6760]

How long do you get to prepare for each question for the Stephenson Harwood VI? Also, can you take a break before doing it once you have done the online assessment? Thank you!

you can take however long you want though, there's no limit of time I think (as long as you submit it before the deadline)

 

[EzeLaylor]

BUILD @ Shearman PFO

 

[AS24]

BUILD @ Shearman PFO

Same with feedback which included my not up to standard academic value..most of the BUILD candidates are Cambridge/Oxford..I am sorry but not sorry!

 

[bangarangbass39]

Same with feedback which included my not up to standard academic value..most of the BUILD candidates are Cambridge/Oxford..I am not sorry but not sorry!

Is that what the feedback really said? If you don't mind clarifying was it a level grades, University grades or the University you attended?

 

[EzeLaylor]

Same with feedback which included my not up to standard academic value..most of the BUILD candidates are Cambridge/Oxford..I am not sorry but not sorry!

I thought the feedback was generic. Mine said:

"We understand that this news may be disappointing, and we wish we could provide individual feedback. However, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to do so. Nonetheless, we encourage you to reflect on the following aspects:
1. Your academic history and achievements.
2. Your work experiences and how they align with your career goals.
3. Your motivation for pursuing a career in law."

As someone with only A/A*s at A-level, and good degree classification/legal work experience, I think it was just a generic note they sent to everyone ...

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Does anyone know where I can find information on how best to go about looking for paralegal work whilst waiting to start SQE/securing TC?

Would appreciate any tips please, thank you! @Jessica Booker

 

[Future$trainee]

Has anyone that has applied to Lester Aldridge heard back?

 

[lawstudent15]

Hi everyone! I have a question regarding working hours on vacation schemes. Is it generally expected for vac schemers to stay late (or is this the exception)? I appreciate that this may be firm specific, but I have an upcoming vac scheme at a large international firm and am curious! Can you make late evening plans with friends (e.g. 7/8 pm) or would this be a bad idea?

 

[Deleted member 17013]

Hi everyone! I have a question regarding working hours on vacation schemes. Is it generally expected for vac schemers to stay late (or is this the exception)? I appreciate that this may be firm specific, but I have an upcoming vac scheme at a large international firm and am curious! Can you make late evening plans with friends (e.g. 7/8 pm) or would this be a bad idea?

The vast majority of firms won't want vac schemers staying late. It's exhausting trying to put your best foot forward for 1/2/3 weeks and no one wants you burning out.

Do bear in mind though that there will be some socials which you will be expected to go to. I'd therefore wait to make plans until after you've found out your schedule.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi everyone! I have a question regarding working hours on vacation schemes. Is it generally expected for vac schemers to stay late (or is this the exception)? I appreciate that this may be firm specific, but I have an upcoming vac scheme at a large international firm and am curious! Can you make late evening plans with friends (e.g. 7/8 pm) or would this be a bad idea?

Most likely fairly standard hours - most supervisors will be pushing you out the door at 5.30-6.00pm. There can be occasions where vacation scheme students stay later, and there will be social events that will be in the evenings, but generally I would expect vacation scheme students to not be in the office after 6.00pm, maybe 6.30pm at a push.

 

[LawyerUpPal]

For those fortunate to have a June SH VS, has Grad rec reached out beyond the first email to give us instructions?

 

[chihuahuacherub]

@Jessica Booker Hope you're well! Do you have any advice about negotiating a TC offer? I'm in the privileged position to have received an offer from a firm I really love but it has a later start date than a (potential) TC offer from firms I'm doing vacation schemes for this summer. Would the fact I have other schemes in the pipeline give me much leverage in negotiations, or is that unlikely unless I have an actual TC offer from those firms?

Also, would it be perceived improper to request an extension to a decision or would that immediately look like they're not my priority?

Finally, if a Firm were to request I do no other schemes upon acceptance of that TC, is there any way they could find out if I did it anyway? I know conflicts check can be an issue but I was thinking that maybe a VS wouldn't be captured by those inquiries.

So sorry for all the questions!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Are exam deferrals for personal extenuating circumstances looked down upon by grad rec on an application form and would you include this in the 'resit' section?

No - this would not be an issue. You don’t have to include this in a resit section as they are not resits. However, if you feel it maybe better to explain a delayed sitting or graduation, you could reference it elsewhere, like an additional information section or reference it on your CV.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Hope you're well! Do you have any advice about negotiating a TC offer? I'm in the privileged position to have received an offer from a firm I really love but it has a later start date than a (potential) TC offer from firms I'm doing vacation schemes for this summer. Would the fact I have other schemes in the pipeline give me much leverage in negotiations, or is that unlikely unless I have an actual TC offer from those firms?

Also, would it be perceived improper to request an extension to a decision or would that immediately look like they're not my priority?

Finally, if a Firm were to request I do no other schemes upon acceptance of that TC, is there any way they could find out if I did it anyway? I know conflicts check can be an issue but I was thinking that maybe a VS wouldn't be captured by those inquiries.

So sorry for all the questions!

It is unlikely to be something you can negotiate, but you can state your want to join earlier if an opportunity presents itself.

Firms will have headcount to work towards and it maybe that the earlier intakes are full. If they are, there is no negotiation - you’d just have to wait.

But by stating an interest to start earlier, the firm can consider you if there are earlier vacancies whether that be at the point of asking or later down the line if someone was to renege/fail to complete law school etc.

I think you have to pick your battle though here - either choose the extension request or ask whether you can be brought forward. I suspect if you ask for both, the firm is going to understand their opportunity is not a priority for you.

The firm would find out eventually that you did other vacation schemes. That wouldn’t be through conflict checks but through your onboarding process as a trainee as you would have to declare all forms of employment, including previous vacation schemes. I don’t think the reference check people would pick this up as something that went against the T&Cs of the offer, and even if they did, I doubt they would care because you are starting with them, not another firm by that point.