TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[sofffff123]

Does anyone have any advice for a non law graduate this year for vac scheme applications. I don’t have much legal experience as have only recently decided to pursue law. I have a week at a reputable firm and other non legal experience from working alongside uni. I want to know how to utilize my summer to put me in the best place for vac scheme applications this September. Any advice?

 

[lawstudent2003]

Hi everyone, just looking for some advice - I am currently on a vac scheme and really enjoying my time with the firm and department i'm sat in so far. However, when I come home I feel so anxious all night to the point I cannot eat or sleep and I can't figure out why. Everyone at the firm is super friendly and approachable, and nothing has happened to make me feel anxious. Has anyone had similar before? I would appreciate any advice as I'm really enjoying the scheme and this is tainting my experience. Thanks

 

[FM302989]

Hi everyone, just looking for some advice - I am currently on a vac scheme and really enjoying my time with the firm and department i'm sat in so far. However, when I come home I feel so anxious all night to the point I cannot eat or sleep and I can't figure out why. Everyone at the firm is super friendly and approachable, and nothing has happened to make me feel anxious. Has anyone had similar before? I would appreciate any advice as I'm really enjoying the scheme and this is tainting my experience. Thanks

You're anxious because you care and want to work hard to convert it into a TC. Relax, you've done well to get that far!

Have self confidence and faith in your abilities and it will more than likely come across to the staff who are supervising you

 

[Deleted member 31343]

Hi everyone, just looking for some advice - I am currently on a vac scheme and really enjoying my time with the firm and department i'm sat in so far. However, when I come home I feel so anxious all night to the point I cannot eat or sleep and I can't figure out why. Everyone at the firm is super friendly and approachable, and nothing has happened to make me feel anxious. Has anyone had similar before? I would appreciate any advice as I'm really enjoying the scheme and this is tainting my experience. Thanks

i second what @FM302989 said!!

I felt like this on my vac scheme, I'd have a great day in the office then go home overthink, work myself up that i wasn't doing enough or that i was doing too much. cared soo much about converting that at times i forgot to enjoy it. I struggled to sleep every night as i felt that i was wasting time by not working on the assessments that were set by grad rec.

Don't think about the possible TC at the end just think about the experience you're gaining in the moment! ask all those questions you won't be able to by researching.

Good luck

 

[hannah04]

Hi everyone, just looking for some advice - I am currently on a vac scheme and really enjoying my time with the firm and department i'm sat in so far. However, when I come home I feel so anxious all night to the point I cannot eat or sleep and I can't figure out why. Everyone at the firm is super friendly and approachable, and nothing has happened to make me feel anxious. Has anyone had similar before? I would appreciate any advice as I'm really enjoying the scheme and this is tainting my experience. Thanks

Definitely normal, but also there's no reason to worry - its just an indication that you really like the firm and are therefore very eager to put your best foot forward. However, it will serve you far better to not ruminate over everything you did or could have done differently that day and ensure you get proper rest!

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Is anyone else just extremely nervous about not being able to convert their vac scheme into a TC? I am going to start preparing but also there's just so much uncertainty :/

 

[hannahfl]

Has anyone done a VS at NRF?

 

[tosin4774]

Could someone please share interview questions they have encountered at Gibson Dunn?

 

[Nine]

Anyone heard back from SH?

 

[zq522]

Anyone heard back from SH?

Yes just got my PFO - that ends my first cycle!

 

[legal18]

Yes just got my PFO - that ends my first cycle!

awww if you don’t mind me asking when did they exactly email and did you apply for the June or July SVS or both? I’m so confused by them because I’ve still heard nothing just want to know so I can make plans now

 

[Carrington Lane]

Hi Jessica, I want to ask that if I get a training contract commencing in 2027, but I will graduate in 2025 and finish my SQE in 2026, can I ask the firm to move my start date to 2026? If not, what can I do in the year waiting for my TC?

 

[tosin4774]

Are you also doing the second stage interviews this Thursday? I am preparing for competency questions like 'tell me a time when you managed conflict in a team/overcame a challenge' and the usual 'why Gibson/why commercial law?'

Can you please provide details about the application form for Gibson Dunn and the interview, including the questions asked?

Also are there questions asked in the application form?

 

[tosin4774]

Hey @taliagibson, first of all congratulations for obtaining a first round with Gibson Dunn, this is such an amazing achievement!
In terms of tips, I would recommend:

• Knowing your application inside and out: the first round was mainly motivations-based and getting to know you as a person so they will ask questions on the things you have mentioned in your application.
• Have a clear reasons as to why you are interested in the firm and in commercial law. With this try to distinguish yourself from the masses and be as professional but also as personal as possible. For instance, I went in-depth as to why I wanted to be a commercial lawyer ever since I was helping my mother with her small business and the difficulty of that, linking it back to an experience I had at an EU organisation. I think these kind of answers allow graduate recruitment to not only see you as a candidate but to see you as an interesting person.
• Be yourself. As the first interview is with graduate recruitment, it is quintessential to be yourself and be as enthusiastic as you can be. I laughed all throughout my interview and it made it very chill and engaging not only for me but for graduate recruitment.

Good luck with it and I am sure you'll smash it!

Hi @axelbeugre what does the application process for Gibson Dunn involve?

 

[BillSikes]

What are the paralegal opportunities like with flex legal? Do the big firms (say the firms listed on legal cheek) recruit through them?

 

[LegalLordLox]

What are the paralegal opportunities like with flex legal? Do the big firms (say the firms listed on legal cheek) recruit through them?

Flex legal offer a lot of short term paralegal vacancies.

There’s a process to go through with flex. There are some amazing clients they work with.

I think the main difference between Flex and LOD is that flex allow you to work for the client permanently if the client wants to… whereas LOD will keep you tied in with them which is stipulated within the employment contract.

 

[zq522]

awww if you don’t mind me asking when did they exactly email and did you apply for the June or July SVS or both? I’m so confused by them because I’ve still heard nothing just want to know so I can make plans now

They emailed me 10 minutes before my post and I applied for the July Vac Scheme in Dubai - to be honest I scored low on the amberjack test so understand why I got a PFO

 

[ovechkinjessie]

They emailed me 10 minutes before my post and I applied for the July Vac Scheme in Dubai - to be honest I scored low on the amberjack test so understand why I got a PFO

Hey, no worries if you don't feel comfortable sharing. I wanted to reach out to ask how you worked out that you scored low on the amberjack test? I didn't score at all in the applied intellect category, I think I did well on 2 categories and scored a 3/9 on digital mindset which I think is below average. I haven't heard yet either and clutching at straws trying to figure out whether I should still be holding out. If you'd be happy to share why you think you scored low I'd appreciate it, but no worries if you don't. Thanks so much.

 

[hannah04]

Hi Jessica, I want to ask that if I get a training contract commencing in 2027, but I will graduate in 2025 and finish my SQE in 2026, can I ask the firm to move my start date to 2026? If not, what can I do in the year waiting for my TC?

Not Jessica, but I know friends who have, once receiving their TC offer, asked whether they could commence a year earlier. The firm might not be able to accommodate this but I don't think there is any harm in asking!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica, I want to ask that if I get a training contract commencing in 2027, but I will graduate in 2025 and finish my SQE in 2026, can I ask the firm to move my start date to 2026? If not, what can I do in the year waiting for my TC?

You can ask but generally given firms recruit in advance, they most likely will have a full 2026 intake and therefore will not be able to bring your start date forward. There is no harm in asking though, as sometimes people renege offers or fail law school, meaning spaces occasionally come up.

In addition, sometimes some firms will increase their trainee intake numbers too. Stating an interest to start earlier may lead to an opportunity to do so, due to these potential changes.

Most qualified lawyers will tell you to go and do whatever you want in your time out and enjoy it. Many see it as one of the last opportunities where the the opportunity cost of doing something is lower than it will be in the future. Trying to take a gap year from work isn’t always easy and even when it does happen, sacrificing a qualified lawyer’s salary at that point in life can always be difficult. Most would encourage you to do anything you want, whether that travel, volunteering, taking up a new hobby or working in a different sector or profession before going into law.