TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Innocent]

I can’t believe I’m writing this but I managed to convert my 2nd VS into a TC offer! In addition, I converted both of my DTC ACs into TC offers, meaning I now hold 4 US firm TC offers! 😅

At the beginning of this application cycle, I did not think I had what it takes to secure a single TC, mainly because I come from a lower socio-economic, working-class background. 🥲

To anybody who comes from a background like mine, I hope me sharing my journey over these past 6-7 months on the forum, has inspired and encouraged you to chase your dreams! 😅

I will be posting a breakdown of my entire cycle as well as some useful tips I learned along the way shortly. I now have the very difficult decision to make of choosing which TC offer to accept. 🫠

Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the support and guidance, I appreciate you! I also want to thank @Amma Usman, @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam for their insights! 🐐​

Hi Chris, congratulations. I find your story really inspiring. How do I DM you to learn how you approached the cycle that's coming to an end? Mine was a failure.

 

[Jaysen]

I can’t believe I’m writing this but I managed to convert my 2nd VS into a TC offer! In addition, I converted both of my DTC ACs into TC offers, meaning I now hold 4 US firm TC offers! 😅

At the beginning of this application cycle, I did not think I had what it takes to secure a single TC, mainly because I come from a lower socio-economic, working-class background. 🥲

To anybody who comes from a background like mine, I hope me sharing my journey over these past 6-7 months on the forum, has inspired and encouraged you to chase your dreams! 😅

I will be posting a breakdown of my entire cycle as well as some useful tips I learned along the way shortly. I now have the very difficult decision to make of choosing which TC offer to accept. 🫠

Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the support and guidance, I appreciate you! I also want to thank @Amma Usman, @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam for their insights! 🐐​

This is amazing. Well done you!

 

[Jaysen]

I had the news a little while back now but I am so happy to share that I've secured a training contract! ✨ For so long, this felt so far out of reach for me. I'm not embarrassed to say it's taken me 7 cycles of applications to get here. I really hope that sharing this gives other members out there some hope to keep going and keep chasing their dreams. Big thanks for all the support on this forum and to everyone who has answered all my silly questions! The journey to securing a TC can be a very lonely one but I've really appreciated how friendly so many of the TCLA members have been to me.

 

[Jaysen]

I have a bit of a dilemma here guys, I have received an assessment as part of the DTC for a firm, and it includes a video interview. I am normally horrible with all types of assessments, but the video assessment is something I feel I’m extremely rubbish at. Can anyone give me pointers in how to succeed at them?

With video interviews, I find the best way to get better is to practise. Ideally, you want to get as many reps in as you can of answering questions under timed conditions, until the countdown/question type doesn't really phase you.

Have you tried our video interview simulator?

@Amma Usman has just added about 100 new questions & tips to this.

 

[VC]

Hi, do firms call you for rejections after a VC or do they send out an email?

 

[legallyblonde7542]

Hi, do firms call you for rejections after a VC or do they send out an email?

Usually email

 

[trainee4u]

I've also been sent the invite! It's delivered by a platform called 'Saville Assessment Oasys' and if you go on their website they do have a couple of practice questions- not many but it gives you a feel for them

I received some feedback from this - apparently I scored 99th percentile, and beyond the time limit, which is 3 minutes for 4 questions, there is actually a speed score - I scored 8/10.

This implies that beyond getting all the questions correct, which I must assume I did, it's also a good idea to answer the questions quickly.

 

[trainee4u]

I got feedback from a firm on my interview performance, which I found helpful - it was essentially two key points: for the "use your experience" type of question it is essential to be specific and use STAR. Talking too generally is a fail.

Secondly for most of the other questions it was necessary to be much more analytical.

For example, the question was "how does a law firm make money?".

I said a law firm makes money by billing out time and needs to ensure that its lawyers have work, that there's traditionally a 3x billing approach, that law firms are businesses with a sales function driven by partners.

This is fine, but needed more thought - e.g., the specific firm traditionally dealt with landed gentry but identifies new opportunities in the market with international clients, tech entrepreneurs, etc opening up new offices, etc. and then the relationships between those offices. Also things like relationships between departments - private wealth work can lead to employment and IP work from the same client. Similarly there are lots of costs for a firm that don't generate revenue, e.g., HR, providing perks to lawyers, offering free lunches to get people into the office, but they are necessary expenditure.

Similarly "how would you approach dealing with 100 documents to review in 2 hours given that no-one can help you" - bad answer: "I'd just do it". Better answer - look at the structure of the document, are they all the same apart from key clauses? Are there tables of contents, can you use things like ctrl+f to help expedite the process; you'd use AI but how?

Also "a client complains" - weak answer: apologise, make it right. Better answer: check first. Client is often wrong.

"You've finished a task but then get told it needs to be redone due to a client request and also have lots of other deadlines. Weak answer: "Just do it, i love work me". Better answer: identify how you actually prioritise and respond to changing priorities.

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

@Jaysen and Team

What TCLA newsletters/emails are there please? I want to make sure I am subscribed to all going into the 25/26 application cycle, and I think I am unsubscribed from some.

 

[zdzd]

I got feedback from a firm on my interview performance, which I found helpful - it was essentially two key points: for the "use your experience" type of question it is essential to be specific and use STAR. Talking too generally is a fail.

Secondly for most of the other questions it was necessary to be much more analytical.

For example, the question was "how does a law firm make money?".

I said a law firm makes money by billing out time and needs to ensure that its lawyers have work, that there's traditionally a 3x billing approach, that law firms are businesses with a sales function driven by partners.

This is fine, but needed more thought - e.g., the specific firm traditionally dealt with landed gentry but identifies new opportunities in the market with international clients, tech entrepreneurs, etc opening up new offices, etc. and then the relationships between those offices. Also things like relationships between departments - private wealth work can lead to employment and IP work from the same client. Similarly there are lots of costs for a firm that don't generate revenue, e.g., HR, providing perks to lawyers, offering free lunches to get people into the office, but they are necessary expenditure.

Similarly "how would you approach dealing with 100 documents to review in 2 hours given that no-one can help you" - bad answer: "I'd just do it". Better answer - look at the structure of the document, are they all the same apart from key clauses? Are there tables of contents, can you use things like ctrl+f to help expedite the process; you'd use AI but how?

Also "a client complains" - weak answer: apologise, make it right. Better answer: check first. Client is often wrong.

"You've finished a task but then get told it needs to be redone due to a client request and also have lots of other deadlines. Weak answer: "Just do it, i love work me". Better answer: identify how you actually prioritise and respond to changing priorities.

This is brilliant and will be extremely useful (have an AC coming up so will definitely prepare for these questions!). Thanks so much for sharing

 

[thelawstudent]

Anyone recieved get ahead offers via email?

 

[EA95]

With video interviews, I find the best way to get better is to practise. Ideally, you want to get as many reps in as you can of answering questions under timed conditions, until the countdown/question type doesn't really phase you.

Have you tried our video interview simulator?

@Amma Usman has just added about 100 new questions & tips to this.

Thanks Jaysen, will look into that now.

 

[rapunzel]

Hi, do firms call you for rejections after a VC or do they send out an email?

I received a call

 

[tclauser1234567890]

Anyone recieved get ahead offers via email?

Got an offer Thursday evening