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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Jessica Booker

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Graduate Recruitment
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Aug 1, 2019
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After one purely motivational question, Addleshaw Goddard has the additional question: "Use this space to tell us about any mitigating circumstances that you might have or any other information about you that might be relevant to your application.". Besides mitigating circumstances, is it common/does it make sense to use this section as a "Why me?" section, for example detailing skills and positions of responsibility? Or should I simply leave it blank if I don't have any mitigating circumstances? (If I had to guess, I would assume that it was intended to be only about information akin to mitigating circumstances, but I can't be sure.)
If the application form has “why me” and —a “extra curricular” section it is important of not just use this question as an opportunity to carry over details that could have been included elsewhere. Generally, I would only recommend adding any details in this section that you feel are important context to your application but that you don’t have the ability to provide elsewhere (eg you have not been asked the question/given the opportunity to explain).
 

Jessica Booker

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Graduate Recruitment
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Aug 1, 2019
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For writing a memo, if I'm trying to address multiple separate topics is it appropriate to use numbered bullet points in the executive summary to summarise each key topic. Also, when addressing each topic in depth is it appropriate to use numbered points again, or should I be writing in full prose?

Sorry for what is probably a dumb question, but I've looked online and I'm struggling to see a consistent approach that I can be confident in going into my AC.
I’d stress there is not a consistent approach to this.

You will need to weigh up presenting the information in the clearest, most structured and concise way, and there could be many different approaches that achieve that.
 

Tintin06

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Oct 23, 2019
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Tsitsipas10S

Star Member
Aug 29, 2024
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If anyone could help with this, I'd be very grateful - if one SC firm recruits solely from its vacation scheme, and another has 50-100% from direct applications (and the rest through the vacation scheme), would my chances be higher of being offered a TC after a vacation scheme from the firm that recruits solely through its vacation scheme?

They have a similar number of TCs on offer.

Thanks! :)
 

Jessica Booker

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TCLA Moderator
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Graduate Recruitment
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Aug 1, 2019
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For career changers/older applicants with more experience. How far back are you going with work experience? Is the past five years sufficient or do I go further back!?
You can use your discretion with this as to what you think is appropriate but generally I would provide as many entries as possible even if it is going back some time.

For instance, I probably wouldn’t list all my part time jobs separately I did from 14-21 but I would list out the ski season I worked at the age of 18 because it was a full time role and for a period of time I was out of education.
 
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l789

Legendary Member
Aug 19, 2020
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You can use your discretion with this as to what you think is appropriate but generally I would provide as many entries as possible even if it is going back some time.

For instance, I probably wouldn’t list all my part time jobs separately I did from 14-21 but I would list out the ski season I worked at the age of 18 because it was a full time role and for a period of time I was out of education.
Is 10 or more work experience entries too much. Idk if graduate recruitment would become a bit restless with reading so many 200 - 250word entries. On top of their application questions ?
 

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