TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[chark]

Does anyone know whether a cover letter is needed for Taylor Wessing's vac scheme app? The application portal says it is needed (skills + why you have applied for the scheme) while someone here says they don't look at it. The cover letter content seems to overlap with the motivational question on the form itself as well.

 

[m12]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back post arctic shores for NRF?

 

[Amma Usman]

Does anyone have any insight on whether to apply to the Bird & Bird Vacation Scheme or 25/26 TC? I'm a recent LLB graduate and would be able to complete the SQE in time for the TC start dates in either 2025 or 2026, but I don't have VS experience, so not sure whether it would be more advantageous still to apply to VS instead of the direct TC?

Thanks for your question @ghostyb

There are a number of angles to look at this from.

First, you would need to look at the firm‘s policies, to judge whether they recruit mainly from vacation schemes/direct TCs. @Ram Sabaratnam has made a very helpful post on this, which I have linked HERE. This would help determine whether a VS application would be the preferred approach. There is no point in applying for a direct TC when majority of candidates are recruited from a firm’s VS’.

You are also right in suggesting that some firms recruit candidates for direct TCs when they have more VS, or other legal work experience. This is not to say, however, that one wouldn’t be successful with a direct TC approach. I know a number of people who have succeeded this way.

 

[icebear]

A question in Michelmores' VS application is confusing me. It asks, "What do you think are the biggest challenges facing Michelmores clients at the moment?" but they work with clients in different sectors who all have different niche challenges, so should I pick up 1-2 sectors that I'm interested in and talk about their challenges or go more general and mention things like cyber security, ESG etc?

 

[Amma Usman]

I am trying to book my ac slot but theres only one slot left next tuesday. do i have to book it or should i wait maybe more slots will open? How does the booking process work?

Hey @Giorgos , I’d recommend booking if you are available for the Tuesday slot. However, if you are not available, then feel free to email graduate recruitment with an update on the scheduling issues and they’ll be able to find a work around that.

 

[Amma Usman]

if you go to a Latham open day, do you have to do the sjt and vi again when you apply for. a vac scheme after?

Hey @far , no need to take the test a second time

 

[Amma Usman]

Just got a Paul, Weiss open day invite

Well done on securing the open day @legal18 . Wishing you an amazing time, and make the most of it

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi there! I'm applying for a host of vac schemes, open days, training contracts etc as a non-law grad starting my conversion in January. I did a small vac scheme for a boutique firm over summer and I don't know whether its better to apply straight for training contracts or to vac schemes? Any advice would be amazing, thanks!!

Hey @LawLawLawLawLaw . As you already have some VS experience, I would say either approach is fine, but VS applications should be prioritized. You would need to look at the firm’s policy though, to see whether candidates are recruited from primarily VS’, or whether there’s evenly spread out recruitment from VS’ and TCs. @Ram Sabaratnam has made a thread on this, HERE. If applying for direct TCs, you would, however, need to strongly highlight the skills and tasks you carried out during your VS from last summer, as often times direct TC applicants will need to show strong legal work experience. This is why I strongly agree with @Andrei Radu ‘s point in that one should still apply for mostly vacation schemes.

 

[Amma Usman]

For VSs recruited on a rolling basis, when is realistically 'too late' before the final deadline for applications to be worth sending off?

Thinking about applying to Dechert WVS today (deadline 25th oct, rolling) but if its already a futile effort then I'll save it for spring.

Thanks

Hi @Crazy_f00 , some recruiters tend to say 2 weeks prior to the closing date is a safe mark. @Jessica Booker will have more thoughts on this.

 

[Amma Usman]

Sidley offer! First ever application wow- i’m in shock. Thanks everyone and the TCLA team for all the help!

@THE GOAT , huge congratulations! This is amazing news and I hope you celebrate well!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi, I have two questions.

1) I'm applying for the Weil Open Day and the first question is 'Please tell us why you are interested in attending an insight day at Weil. What do you think you will gain from it? How will this help you with your long term career goals?' would it be okay to talk about their M&A practice? Is this big for them?

2) I have an Open Day coming up and part of the day includes an 'Interactive Private Equity Workshop'. Could anyone recommend any resources/how to prepare for this because I really know nothing about private equity.

Thank you

Hey @emma.d , thanks for your questions!

1. Yes, Weil has a very big corporate practice and has several Chambers rankings for this - definitely worth including. As a general tip for open day applications, you should really touch on the last part of that question. Show less about what you know, and more of what you will love to know.

2. That sounds very exciting! I have made a thread on the basics of PE, which I have linked HERE. For a more detailed dive on PE, feel free to check out TCLA’s PE course linked at the end of that thread.

Hope this helps

 

[Amma Usman]

are we allowed to enquire about our results from the Hogan's WG test?

Hey @bangarangbass39 , I haven’t encountered the specifics of HL’s application process, but I presume there isn’t an issue with going ahead and inquiring. Most firms will be happy to share general information on your test outcome, whereas some may be more hesitant to go into specifics. Regardless, there’s never any harm in asking.

 

[Amma Usman]

What questions should I ask the partner at the end of a case study/scenario based interview?

Hey @Giorgos , you could always ask them their own thoughts about the case study. This shows initiative and curiosity - having an open mind to learn from their own experiences would do so much in building your own knowledge for years to come! You could also ask them more about their practice as this gives you another opportunity to learn more about the field.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi all, I made it to the Q/finals of the commercial awareness competition. I'd be grateful to get any tips from anyone who's participated before, to get a broad feel of what to expect.

Hey @TC Chaser . In my experience, the CA competitions test commercial awareness live. This means you’ll need to keep abreast of upcoming and current industry/global trends. For example, just a few days back, talks on a new employment rights bill have been on the rise.

Listening to the FT daily news briefing, reading Finimise, Watson Daily, etc, are great information builders on the topic of commercial awareness. I will also be posting short daily (excluding weekends) updates on the TCLA forum HERE.

Hope this helps, and feel free to post any more questions

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey @TC Chaser . In my experience, the CA competitions test commercial awareness live. This means you’ll need to keep abreast of upcoming and current industry/global trends. For example, just a few days back, talks on a new employment rights bill have been on the rise.

Listening to the FT daily news briefing, reading Finimise, Watson Daily, etc, are great information builders on the topic of commercial awareness. I will also be posting short daily (excluding weekends) updates on the TCLA forum HERE.

Hope this helps, and feel free to post any more questions

@TC Chaser , this is another great starting point - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....awareness-recommended-reading-start-here.697/

 

[Amma Usman]

I tried! I only sent around 12 messages this week but received no response. Trainees and associates are busy, so I understand!

Hey @AS24 , I completely understand the feeling of reaching out and never getting a response back. It’s totally understandable that lawyers are busy. One thing I did was to reach out to future trainees instead. They will likely have more time to get back to you and will be relatively newer in the firms application process.

 

[Amma Usman]

are you meant to also mention relevant skills under experience, or just what you did at various roles?

Hey @tarty23, @⁨Jessica Booker⁩ would have more thoughts on this, but generally I recommend mentioning the skills gained with demonstrated interest - however, this will be dependent on the firms policy as some firms set strict limits of about 50 words per experience. This means you’ll need to focus on responsibilities at the expense of skills and other extra points. You would otherwise cover them in the cover letter/application questions anyway, so nothing to worry about.

There’s also a way to cover a skill without explicitly stating it, whilst describing your experience. For example, “collaborated on a group project aimed at retaining young talent in banking”, naturally shows good teamwork.

 

[Apple]

"Given the firm's focus on cross-jurisdictional work, how does that impact your day-to-day work?"

Is this a reasonable question to ask at the end of an interview? I'm worried it might be a dumb question/provoke a very short response.

 

[Amma Usman]

"Given the firm's focus on cross-jurisdictional work, how does that impact your day-to-day work?"

Is this a reasonable question to ask at the end of an interview? I'm worried it might be a dumb question/provoke a very short response.

Hey @Apple !

Your question is definitely reasonable and shows that you're thinking about how the firm's work impacts employees on a practical level. However, to avoid the risk of a short or generic response, you could refine it slightly to invite a more thoughtful, detailed answer.

For example:

1. "Given the firm's focus on cross-jurisdictional work, how does that shape your day-to-day responsibilities, particularly in terms of collaboration with international teams or managing clients across different legal systems?"

2. "How do you find cross-jurisdictional work impacts the complexity or variety of your daily tasks, and what skills have you found most useful in navigating this aspect?"

This refinement can prompt a more engaging discussion, showing your interest in the firm's international scope and its practical implications.

 

[sammm10101]

For anyone else whose applied to Jones Day, did you sign off at the end of your cover letter? With only 300 words, it seems like a major waste, but I also want it to look proper...