TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Chris Brown]

To clarify, I probably have at least 30 different questions that I've answered in application forms, and the specific application questions for the VI (Fox Williams) I'm preparing for were:

1. why should we select you? what sets you apart from other candidates?
2. which of our core sectors appeals to you most?
3. impact of AI on the law.

So I therefore have quite a few personalised answers to questions such as "what's your proudest achievement" that I've given in written applications, that they wouldn't have read/heard before.

They've said that there are "three very different questions", which will "test your research into Fox Williams, your communication skills, and about you as an individual"

So the first part of that could be

"why do you want to work for us" or

"what sets us apart from our competitors"

and then the others could be anything, e.g., "tell us about a time when you have had to manage difficult people", "tell us about a person who inspires you", etc.

I think in this case it would probably be fine to use application form answers as the foundation to answers in a VI, but it would be better to provide more detail or expand on the points made. There is a post that @Andrei Radu made recently on the forum which I think answers this question, so I have quoted it below: 🙂​

I do not think there is any issue with having an interview answer that mirrors an application form answer. I actually have no idea why this has become such an almost universally accepted myth - I personally never saw an issue with using the same reasoning as in your application. In many cases partners will not even review your application in any level of depth before the interview, and if they do, they will not as a result form an expectation for you to come up with a different reasoning as to your motivations, or skill set, or to use different (and less directly applicable) examples if asked the same question merely for purposes of variation.

They will simply expect you to answer the question in the most accurate and convincing way you can. This might necessitate some changes to the application form answer, both because the communication format is different, and because you might want to have a more nuanced/detailed analysis in view of potential follow ups. However, the main themes and ideas should likely stay the same. If anything, it would likely look somewhat suspicious if your fundamental motivations, skills and most relevant experiences were to all of a sudden be very different from the ones mentioned in the application form.

 

[tc1999]

hi all, I am on the reserve list for a VS. Is this something I can put on my CV for legal admin and paralegal jobs I am applying to?

 

[Jessica Booker]

hi all, I am on the reserve list for a VS. Is this something I can put on my CV for legal admin and paralegal jobs I am applying to?

Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend doing this.

 

[tc1999]

Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend doing this.

Thanks for your reply, Jessica! Could I ask why?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks for your reply, Jessica! Could I ask why?

There are a few reasons.

1) it isn't something that can be verified, unlike completed employment or educational achievements.

2) there could be a question as to why you were only on the waitlist rather than securing the scheme outright.

3) there could be a concern that you might not be ready to start a legal admin/paralegal job if you had to take time off to attend the scheme.

 

[lawbear123]

to those who've given bristows first round interview, when do you think we'll hear back for second round?

 

[CX251]

Re attire for VS: would using a briefcase from Montblanc be a red flag?

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu i had two questions: 1. what are the benefits of a firm having a single management structure? 2. what are the differences between a firm’s corporate securities and corporate securities technology department? thank you!

For (1), I think it will probably consist in more efficient allocation of responsibility and decision-making. Complex and multi-layered management systems are known to produce a dilution of responsibility, where people in do not know who has ultimate ownership of what. This can lead to delays in resolving workstreams and thus to client dissatisfaction. More importantly, it can increase the likelihood of conflicts and thus have a negative impact on the firm's culture. Finally, a single management system should allow the firm to reduce the bureaucracy and to take important decisions more quickly, which is a substantial advantage in such a fast-moving field as commercial law.

For (2), I cannot give you a very clear answer unless you can provide more information. "Corporate securities" typically refers to securities in the sense of stocks and bonds, a line of work normally covered by a firms' capital markets departments. "Corporate securities technology" could refer to a tech companies-centered capital markets practice (as some firms further split practice area groups between different economic sectors), but the wording is also reminiscent of corporate security technology, which relates more to cybersecurity and other measures meant to protect a company's assets and data and to ensure compliance with regulations.

 

[trainee4u]

Re attire for VS: would using a briefcase from Montblanc be a red flag?

Don't see how it could be, it's a professional accessory that costs the same as a soon-to-be-ewaste iPhone. It's not like the defendant turning up to a fraud trial in a Lamborghini or something - you don't have to pretend to be from a disadvantaged background if you're not!

 

[CX251]

Don't see how it could be, it's a professional accessory that costs the same as a soon-to-be-ewaste iPhone. It's not like the defendant turning up to a fraud trial in a Lamborghini or something - you don't have to pretend to be from a disadvantaged background if you're not!

It's not about pretending to be from a disadvantaged background. My concern is that an expensive item would be offputting and create a bad impression. I know not to wear Ferragamo/Hermes ties or bold chalk stripe suits.

 

[Chris Brown]

Re attire for VS: would using a briefcase from Montblanc be a red flag?

It should be fine tbh. You can rock up to the VS with your Montblanc briefcase like:
​

 

[confusedbird]

anyone have any guidance or tips for the browne jacobson sjt and/or written questions in the end?
any tips would be really appreciated!!

 

[User5678]

anyone have any guidance or tips for the browne jacobson sjt and/or written questions in the end?
any tips would be really appreciated!!

Hi, for SJT - the same amber jack assessment like other firms. The pillars are different - client, firm, people - marked out of 10 each! Keep the firms core values of the firm and skills needed in a trainee in mind and answer accordingly. Be yourself and you will be fine

For written ques (2 ques - 500 words each) - don’t think you should worry too much as the written element is untimed and you can keep coming back to it. I took an hour or more to write them and still progressed so I do not think they take time into consideration!

You will only get ur feedback report once you finish the complete assessment including writing part.

Hope this helps!

 

[User5678]

It's not about pretending to be from a disadvantaged background. My concern is that an expensive item would be offputting and create a bad impression. I know not to wear Ferragamo/Hermes ties or bold chalk stripe suits.

I understand your concern! To be honest, if it’s not too bold like bold stripes on a suit or the brand name printed across the whole briefcase and if its just a small logo or/and the brand name written in a small font size, you would be absolutely fine (I believe it would also look smart, use it if you have it )

On that note, I have seen a lot of vac schemers wear very bold items while I was doing a placement year and still get a tc, I saw someone wearing a chanel sweater with a big broach and a bold Chanel necklace and she still managed to get a tc . I think they’ll look at your work and attitude and not clothes and bag!

 

[confusedbird]

Hi, for SJT - the same amber jack assessment like other firms. The pillars are different - client, firm, people - marked out of 10 each! Keep the firms core values of the firm and skills needed in a trainee in mind and answer accordingly. Be yourself and you will be fine

For written ques (2 ques - 500 words each) - don’t think you should worry too much as the written element is untimed and you can keep coming back to it. I took an hour or more to write them and still progressed so I do not think they take time into consideration!

You will only get ur feedback report once you finish the complete assessment including writing part.

Hope this helps!

That's helpful! Thank you so much!!

 

[trainee4u]

It's not about pretending to be from a disadvantaged background. My concern is that an expensive item would be offputting and create a bad impression. I know not to wear Ferragamo/Hermes ties or bold chalk stripe suits.

Right, but I'm saying the only reason to change your normal work accessories is because you don't want to give the impression that you come from a privileged background. However, law firms are not looking to hire only people from deprived backgrounds, but widely, on merit. They are not tossing away CVs that say 'Westminster School' on the basis that those people were given advantage by their parents.

Likewise, if you're a career switcher you might well own a nice wardrobe & handbags from your previous earnings, and it's not something to be embarrassed about: these are things lawyers buy for themselves out of their pay packets and use daily.

 

[emma.d]

Typically, how long do law firms take to give TC offers following a Spring VS? And how long do candidates usually have to accept these? Thanks!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Re attire for VS: would using a briefcase from Montblanc be a red flag?

No

 

[Miss Chocolate]

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker Hi! Please could I check the below with you? Thanks in advance for all your help!

1. I am starting a paralegal role in April. I have a couple of DTC applications which need to be submitted before the end of this month. One of them is with the firm I will be starting work at as a paralegal. At least for that firm, would it be all right to mention that I will be starting a role at the company and phrase it in a way to show my commitment to learning more about them? For other DTC applications, would mentioning this future role briefly in one of the 'application questions' be fine to do? Obviously, I wouldn't add it in the work experience section.

2. I was rejected by Withers after taking the online test for the VS. I am re-applying for their DTC. Should I restructure a lot of the application form? I am not sure why I was rejected and whether the decision was based largely on my test results or the written form. I am considering just sending in an edited version of the application form that I am personally happy with. If you have any recommendations about this, please do share them.

Thanks again

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Re attire for VS: would using a briefcase from Montblanc be a red flag?

Well, no. Honestly, present your authentic professional self as much as possible. I know people who have got offers with fairly unconventional personal styles. What's important though is that they were all comfortable in their presentation and being their authentic selves.