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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Emmakate18

New Member
Feb 4, 2025
2
1
Hi! I also applied for the spring vacation scheme at HSF, if I haven't heard anything from them is it safe to assume that it's a rejection? I know they've held a fair few AC's already.
I think they are still doing AC's im not sure? I had my invite 31st Dec but I wouldn't assume rejection as someone else on this forum got an invite 3 days before their HSF AC!
ok thank you, that's good to know. I'm currently studying abroad and will have to book a flight so I'm hoping for more than three days notice aha
 
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Ram Sabaratnam

Legendary Member
Staff member
Future Trainee
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 7, 2024
383
870
Hi @Ram Sabaratnam and @Andrei Radu

I trust you are well.

I am working on my upcoming VI and was wondering how you would answer the question 'Why should we hire you'?
Thank you in advance for your help.

Hiya @AS24

Great question! I'm sure @Andrei Radu and @Amma Usman could add more here, but I tend to approach this question much like I would "Why Me?" in a cover letter. I think the key is to make your response personal, specific, and relevant to the firm. I'd also try to incorporate vivid or compelling examples, ones which really demonstrate how your skills, experiences, and interests make you a great fit for the firm.

One way to approach this is by identifying your key strengths and connecting them to the firm’s "USPs". For instance, if the firm is known for work in certain practice areas or client sectors, mentioning your own experience with these sectors can be a real asset. I worked in a very research intensive university hospital for several years and gained a strong understanding of developments in life sciences as a result, and this was something I highlighted when applying to firms like Cooley and Goodwin.

Similarly, my experience of managing international development projects while living overseas allowed me to highlight not just an interest in international work but a genuine understanding of what can go wrong in project finance matters that occur in other countries. Alternatively, if a firm has very lean teams, think about the particular skills that would be in demand for trainees joining such firms, and any experiences you have which demonstrate those types of skills.

Overall, I think the strongest answers will be able to (1) identify certain aspects of the firm (e.g. practice areas, lean teams, nature of their work or clients) and (2) potentially identify certain skills you have that will be a real asset for a firm with those specific features.

Hope this helps and good luck with the video interview!
 

User24

Standard Member
Premium Member
Dec 7, 2023
5
4
HSF vac scheme offer but they’ve only given me 3 days to respond, including this weekend, and I have to notify S&M who I interviewed with to see if they can speed up my outcome - any advice?
Hi,

Congrats on the offer! That’s a really tight deadline—hope it all works out. Do you have any insights on the HSF AC or anything that helped you during the process?
 

l789

Legendary Member
Aug 19, 2020
168
237
I’ve just seen a post on LinkedIn about how “You should not be working retail or hospitality if you want a top graduate job” in relation to training contracts.

I’d be interested to see what people think of this and the benefits of retail. Considering it’s been all I’ve known since I was 16, and it’s nerve wracking to think I’m more experienced in retail than law, however gaining legal work experience in any capacity has been extremely tough- especially throughout university and summer holidays.
 
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Broadwater

Legendary Member
Oct 19, 2021
139
399
I’ve just seen a post on LinkedIn about how “You should not be working retail or hospitality if you want a top graduate job” in relation to training contracts.

I’d be interested to see what people think of this and the benefits of retail. Considering it’s been all I’ve known since I was 16, and it’s nerve wracking to think I’m more experienced in retail than law, however gaining legal work experience in any capacity has been extremely tough- especially throughout university and summer holidays.
The person posting was just engagement baiting. No further discussion needed
 

trainee4u

Legendary Member
Sep 7, 2023
143
339
Just did the Wombles SJT.

Very generic, lots of reused questions. No 'slider' questions, just choose the 'best' and 'worst' answers of four. One of the numerical questions had a minor error, another was quite ambiguous.

Scored:
  • verbal - excelled
  • numerical - excelled
  • grit - 4
  • applied intellect (social) - 3
  • creative - 7
  • digital mindset - 7
 
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Tclarocks123

Distinguished Member
Premium Member
Jun 8, 2024
58
105
The person posting was just engagement baiting. No further discussion needed
Agreed. Infact a partner at a US firm said to me once she prefers candidates with this exact experience because it shows they have grit and are willing to work hard. My experience is mostly corporate and they did not make me an offer. So please ignore this Linkedin post @l789
 

l789

Legendary Member
Aug 19, 2020
168
237
Agreed. Infact a partner at a US firm said to me once she prefers candidates with this exact experience because it shows they have grit and are willing to work hard. My experience is mostly corporate and they did not make me an offer. So please ignore this Linkedin post @l789
Thanks for the advice…. I do feel torn between giving up working retail and taking on unpaid voluntary or unpaid internship roles… which would mean I have no income to survive but a good opportunity to pad out my cv
 

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