TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[trainee4u]

My honest opinion on VIs [please feel free to dispute this] is that they don't measure the actual substance of your answers to the same extent as your ability to manage your time well, think on the spot, structure your answers and perform under pressure. I see VIs not as a time to show off general interview answers, but to show I can craft clean, coherent and balanced answers under time pressure in an uncomfortable environment. When I made that switch, I instantly started passing. [2 rejections, switched my focus, 3 passes]

I was musing on this last night. I was watching a youtube streamer, who has about 1500 videos each about 30-120 minutes, and in his more recent videos (compared to the earliest) he has a nice desk microphone, a better camera, and his introduction style sounds more fluent and confident.

I accidentally clicked on an older video, and while the main stream (the game being streamed) is identical in quality, the difference in video and sound quality of his voice/inlaid video of himself is very noticeable, and makes a big difference to the overall quality of the stream.

I was thinking therefore that it's likely that if you have a nice camera and microphone, then it's going to create an immediate better impression than if you are using just whatever your laptop comes with.

 

[trainee4u]

Received Akin Spring VS PFO at 16:06.

 

[saj2002]

Does anyone have tips for the Penningtons Manches AC? I got an invite yesterday and it's my first one ever! Would appreciate anything

 

[zq522]

I've been waiting since the 28th but I know about people who heard back after two days so it varies

Glad to hear I’m not the only one waiting to hear back from 28th!

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

That's so true! One of my questions at the end of the interview was about how they've been losing a lot of revenue and profit etc... and how the firm has been downhill for a while and what their strategy is in that regard... (I may or may not have also said indirectly that I wanted a reason besides blaming it on them leaving Moscow [because the firm online says it's because of that, which honestly does not seem that convincing])... But hey, one down, 19 applications to go 😂

LOL must've hit too close to home. Check back in a couple of months and see if your interviewers still work at the firm.

 

[LawJourney101]

Are Hogan Lovells holding ACs yet for vacations schemes? Am I the only one who hasn't heard back? I did the WG/application at the deadline.

 

[future_traineesolicitor]

Why doesn't it make sense?
You can email them or do a Subject Access Request, but the latter can be a bit OTT perhaps?

I felt like I had a strong app and they ringed me few days ago saying there's another opening, saw that as a good sign but apparently i'm wrong worth emailing them to check tho just hoping they don't give the"extremely high volume of applications" bs. Thanks!

 

[applicant457]

should I just assume PFO for NRF post-VI? what is going on

 

[Woody Woodpecker]

Mishcon VI!

 

[tryingmybestlol]

Can anyone provide insight for K&L Gates interview? It's virtual but no clue what to expect!

Did you manage to find any info about this? Would love to hear it if you did and are willing to share!

 

[dannyp123]

Mishcon VI!

Congratualtions! Could I ask what time you received your VI invite? Im trying to figure out if theyre sending them out all in one go or in batches.

 

[Z48]

should I just assume PFO for NRF post-VI? what is going on

I got an AC invite like 10 mins ago, my VI was on the 4th

 

[tcla02]

They sent me an AC email 5 minutes ago, so no

omg congrats!!! when did u have your VI?

 

[BBsharkk]

Finally.... Akin PFO
Maybe they saw my rant and realised they needed to send out a formal rejection email 🤣

 

[jta227]

omg congrats!!! when did u have your VI?

Honestly don’t remember, I think 2 weeks ago?

 

[Amma Usman]

Thank you so much! That thread is exactly what I needed. Really appreciate your help Is there by any chance a similar list of firms without SJTs/VIs? Thank you so much

Hey. I’ve quoted your post on that thread. Hope you find it useful. The excel sheet one of our members also drafted which is on the thread as well, is helpful too.

 

[ashwright]

Hey. I’ve quoted your post on that thread. Hope you find it useful. The excel sheet one of our members also drafted which is on the thread as well, is helpful too.

Thank you so much!! You're an absolute legend! The excel sheet is also extremely helpful - tysm 🫶 🫶

 

[dannyp123]

Today at 12 ish if that helps? Unsure on the above but hopefully they send them out in waves.

Alright cheers. Looks like they all sent around noon, gonna stay positive its in waves though. Congratulations again and good luck with the VI!

 

[Chris Brown]

That's so true! One of my questions at the end of the interview was about how they've been losing a lot of revenue and profit etc... and how the firm has been downhill for a while and what their strategy is in that regard... Technically, online the firm blames it on them leaving Moscow, so I specifically said that, obviously leaving Russia played a role in this, but besides this what are the other reasons (because leaving Russia isn't that convincing, especially considering that they're technically a US-UK firm...) But hey, one down, 19 applications to go 😂

Is this why they asked on their application form for one of their 500 word questions “how do business generate and maintain a profit.” These guys were trying to get some ideas from us lmao. Icl it’s clever on their part. I hope they took some detailed notes. 😂​

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Amazing - thank you so much! I'll make sure to check them all out for next cycle

Mind that they'll have to offset that somehow- this is why famously D&P, S&M and JD all are known to care about strong academics