TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

Hey @AGRACHEL , SJTs will rarely focus on commercial awareness, but will try to test more of your competencies/how you react to different situations. That said, commercial awareness should still be a skill one constantly develops over a sustained period of time.

Hey @marisachr , good question. This is a tough one, particularly because competencies differ between firms and it is rather difficult to know which is the ‘right‘ answer. The truth is, often times there is no right answer. I’ve gone to several presentations by the providers of these SJTs which all say to trust your gut and intuition. Avoid spending too long on a question as this could make you run the risk of switching from the right answer, to the wrong one.

Hi @LawAspirer , this is a question which leads to many mixed perceptions. For example, I’ve completed SJTs at firms where the feedback report felt as though I did badly, but I ended up passing. Similarly, I’ve gotten reports back that were so positive I thought it was straight to the next stage - but subsequently I got a PFO. The point I’m trying to make is to not worry too much about how you perceive your results. You may have scored well on a key competency the firm looks for!

Hey there @floral.tcla ,

Unfortunately, there is no correct answer to this. What is considered right or wrong differs per question. I’d say to just always trust your instinct. It’s great you’re bearing the firm’s values in mind whilst answering. I’ve usually kept these in mind when answering every question, and the approach has served me well. Above all, prior to clicking on an answer, ensure that it sits well with you - and what you will genuinely do in that situation. There is usually no perfect answer in an SJT. However, there are usually answers that are evidently wrong from the start. This is where you can start cancelling them out mentally to focus on weighing more likely accurate answers. With regards your other specific question, a mentor once told me that there is a certain level of mindfulness a trainee needs to possess to ensure that they make the most of the learning and development opportunity. However, this should not come at the expense of speaking up and conveying your views on a discussion. In fact, it is very much needed as you were hired for your opinion - hired to add value. So, I recommend keeping both approaches in mind whilst responding.

Best of luck, and I’m sure you'll do great!

I wouldn’t worry too much about the numbers, to be honest. Firms have different metrics for how they assess things like this - sometimes they’re equally weighted, sometimes some categories are more weighted than others. Another thing is that there never really is a wrong answer in an SJT, some answers will just be more correct than others. Please do not worry too much about this, as I know it’s easy to dwell on such. Put it out your head, grab a nice hot cocoa, and go on with your day - this approach personally helped me when I was worried about applications that I’ve already sent. Or just do anything that excites you, really!

Is there any way (alongside practice tests) that one can prepare for an Amberjack test? I've never done one of these before so don't really know how to adequately prepare. Any tips would be appreciated!

Hey. The amberjacks usually comprise of SJTs, so I’ve quoted some past posts to help.

 

[Amma Usman]

Anyone have insights for Dentons video interview? Id appreciate anything!!

Hi there,

I’m unsure about Dentons, as I have never done it before, but I’ve come up with a list of frequent VI questions I’ve seen around.

1. Tell us about yourself and why you are interested in a career in law.
2. Why do you want to work at our firm specifically?
3. Describe a time you demonstrated resilience or overcame a challenge.
4. Tell us about a time you worked in a team. What was your role and what was the outcome?
5. Give an example of when you had to analyse a large amount of information and make a decision.
6. Tell us about a commercial news story that has caught your attention recently and why it is significant.
7. Describe a time you had to manage multiple deadlines. How did you prioritize?
8. Tell us about a time you received constructive criticism. How did you respond?
9. Why should we choose you over other candidates?
10. What do you think makes a great commercial lawyer?

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi, does anyone know how long it takes slaughters to get back with a decision after they contact your referee?

It depends on the recruitment timeline and various factors. I've bumped your question here as well in case anyone has been in the same situation before and has any insights. That said, it could change year on year for multiple reasons, such as the volume of applications, internal processes, and the specific stage of recruitment.

 

[Amma Usman]

I have a spring vacation scheme coming up, does anyone have advice on what I should be preparing in advance?

It seems like its heavily assessed, with group projects, a written task and another partner interview, but not sure what I should be focusing on in prep work!

You could prepare for soft things like boosting your commercial awareness as a lot of it may be relevant in the group exercise. For the partner interview, you should revisit your motivations for the firm. This may likely be asked as well as any changes/confirmations which flew following the scheme. If you are also told the topic of the written task, it’s worth reading on the area too. Lastly, a lot of it will be on the job so I’d say there’s not much to do in terms of prep, unless the firm has communicated some prior advance preparation materials beforehand.

Best of luck!

 

[Amma Usman]

Whats going on with WBD? Has anyone tried emailing? Its quite frustrating that they said we would hear back by the 7th of March and they still havent provided outcomes.

I totally get how frustrating this can be, especially when you're told to expect an update by a certain date. That said, try not to worry too much - it doesn’t necessarily mean a negative outcome. Just being in the process shows you're doing great, and sometimes these things take longer due to internal delays. In the meantime, it might help to focus on applying to other firms or just taking a well-earned break.

 

[Amma Usman]

Unpopular opinion, however, I genuinely prefer (and kinda enjoy) doing Amberjack. Every firm is different with their pillars & what they are looking for, however, I will try give some tips that help me.

One thing I think trips people up is inconsistency. I know you have probably read this a tonne of times but when you are answering the SJT type questions answer honestly with what you would do not what you think the firm is looking for. Adding to that though & it might contradict what I just said but look at what the firm’s values are. If they are super into teamwork then they will put more emphasis on those answers or if they are looking for you to work independently then they will be looking for more taking initiative based answers. It is about finding the balance.

A major thing though is if you say that you prioritise say attention to detail over time it takes you to get stuff done, there will be answers that might trip you up to look contradictory. Choose one & roll with it. I know you want to say you can do both, that’s what I tried to do at first but then your answers will look more like you are trying to answer what the firm wants rather than you as a person.

The main thing with the SJT parts is consistency basically.

Also, if a firm is super innovative they will be looking for people open to accept innovative ways of working - just something else to keep in mind.

Re the maths sections, my main advice would be have a pen & paper next to you. It sounds so simple but the maths q’s can be wordy so having a place you can really break it down will help.

Re the verbal sections, to me these seem to align a lot with WG style qs where you have a chunk of text & you need to read what it says without personal interpretation & external knowledge. When I’m doing these qs I put on my WG hat (which isn’t very good) & look at it from a more frank perspective. What exactly is the question & are those words/information provided?

I really hope this will help a little. I know these tests are a pain, however, once you have the right mindset & know what these tests are testing for then you will do well. I used to hate them & my scores this year haven’t been any lower then 7s in the pillars & high in numerical & verbal!!

Good luck!!

Loving the tips here!

 

[Overthinker123!]

I would still look to reschedule the interview over missing a day of the VS - firms are used to candidates rescheduling and if you explain to the interview firm you are rescheduling as you have a vacation scheme, they are likely to move you again.

Unless your vacation scheme is during the Easter holidays, I would wait at least a week until asking for when the formal documents would be sent, so I wouldn't chase up until Monday.

Okay, thank you! I will try to reschedule the interview again.

The vacation scheme is during the easter holidays, so would you still recommend waiting for Monday? For context, the starting date is the 14th of April.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Okay, thank you! I will try to reschedule the interview again.

The vacation scheme is during the easter holidays, so would you still recommend waiting for Monday? For context, the starting date is the 14th of April.

Given it is an Easter scheme, give it until tomorrow morning and then follow up as that will effectively be two weeks to get the documentation and do the necessary on-boarding.

 

[Overthinker123!]

Given it is an Easter scheme, give it until tomorrow morning and then follow up as that will effectively be two weeks to get the documentation and do the necessary on-boarding.

Thanks you, I’ll follow up in the afternoon if I haven’t received anything still.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks you, I’ll follow up in the afternoon if I haven’t received anything still.

I'd give them a call rather than email too.

 

[TheGeek12]

Hi everyone. I applied for PHirst (Paul Hastings) and SH. Has anyone heard back yet? I’m still waiting and I feel like this means that I may not have gotten them.

 

[Legalstudies]

Hi! Not heard anything yet but was wondering what the second stage was? the HireVue interview? Thank you in advance

Yh the interview I did it quite a while back and haven’t heard anything yet either

 

[g.cl.2020344]

SPB VAC SCHEME offer!!

 

[gazdgazd11]

SPB VAC SCHEME offer!!

Which office? Me too 🩷

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Which office? Me too 🩷

Huge congrats London! Hbu?

 

[gazdgazd11]

Huge congrats London! Hbu?

Me too! Hopefully ill see you!!! You can PM if you want, tbh maybe we met at the AC

 

[emma.d]

Anything from CRS CRED Academy?

 

[Chris Brown]

SPB VAC SCHEME offer!!

Which office? Me too 🩷

Huge congrats on getting SPB VS! That’s some GOATed stuff right there. 🐐​

 

[zonnonomo]

spb pfo post ac 🤑 can't believe i've managed to fail 8/8 ACs over two cycles

 

[Legallywhatever]

Hey. The amberjacks usually comprise of SJTs, so I’ve quoted some past posts to help.

Thanks for linking these, Amma!! Super helpful