TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam! Any tips for the Cooley AC? ☺️

Hiya @James Wakefield

The Cooley assessment centre was quite a full-on day when I did it, and if the structure remains the same, you can expect a packed schedule. This schedule included (1) a group exercise; (2) lunch and chats with people at the firm; and (3) two separate interviews, one with an associate and another with a partner.

In my cycle, the morning involved a group exercise. We were expected to successfully pass this stage to proceed to the interviews in the afternoon. The group exercise had a strong commercial focus, so it’s worth taking some time to think about the kinds of issues that often arise in commercial exercises involving investment decisions, M&A considerations, and other types of similar business challenges. Beyond commercial awareness, the usual group exercise rules apply - try to show your ability to work effectively with others. There’s also a presentation element, where clarity, a client-focused approach, and time management all play a big role. There weren’t any written exercises when I did it, so I don't think you'll have to worry about that here.

Between the group exercise and the interviews, you'll have lunch and a chance to chat with trainees, associates, and the wonderful training principal, Claire Temple. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you genuinely have about the firm, but also to get to know people in a more informal, relaxed setting. You might feel a bit nervous during this time, since some candidates will be unsuccessful at this stage and will need to leave. But just focus on doing your best and engaging with people you meet.

If you make it through to the interviews, you’ll have one with an associate and another with a partner. I wasn’t asked any commercial questions in these, but I found that some of the motivational questions gave me an opportunity to weave in my commercial awareness (where relevant). If you can, it’s definitely worth preparing for competency-based and motivational questions in advance. I also received quite a few curveball questions (e.g. “If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?”). If you get one of these, don't panic. Just think of these as an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to think on your feet and give a sense of your personality.

Hope this helps! And good luck with the AC!

 

[Chris Brown]

Hiya @James Wakefield

The Cooley assessment centre was quite a full-on day when I did it, and if the structure remains the same, you can expect a packed schedule. This schedule included (1) a group exercise; (2) lunch and chats with people at the firm; and (3) two separate interviews, one with an associate and another with a partner.

In my cycle, the morning involved a group exercise. We were expected to successfully pass this stage to proceed to the interviews in the afternoon. The group exercise had a strong commercial focus, so it’s worth taking some time to think about the kinds of issues that often arise in commercial exercises involving investment decisions, M&A considerations, and other types of similar business challenges. Beyond commercial awareness, the usual group exercise rules apply - try to show your ability to work effectively with others. There’s also a presentation element, where clarity, a client-focused approach, and time management all play a big role. There weren’t any written exercises when I did it, so I don't think you'll have to worry about that here.

Between the group exercise and the interviews, you'll have lunch and a chance to chat with trainees, associates, and the wonderful training principal, Claire Temple. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you genuinely have about the firm, but also to get to know people in a more informal, relaxed setting. You might feel a bit nervous during this time, since some candidates will be unsuccessful at this stage and will need to leave. But just focus on doing your best and engaging with people you meet.

If you make it through to the interviews, you’ll have one with an associate and another with a partner. I wasn’t asked any commercial questions in these, but I found that some of the motivational questions gave me an opportunity to weave in my commercial awareness (where relevant). If you can, it’s definitely worth preparing for competency-based and motivational questions in advance. I also received quite a few curveball questions (e.g. “If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?”). If you get one of these, don't panic. Just think of these as an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to think on your feet and give a sense of your personality.

Hope this helps! And good luck with the AC!

“If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?” is a crazy question what the hell. 😂😂

I didn’t realise these kinds of questions would be asked in interviews. It looks like I need to spend some time on figuring out which fruit I want to be. I’m thinking maybe an apple. 🍏​

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

“If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?” is a crazy question what the hell. 😭😭​

"A grape, because I'd want to be part of a bunch"

 

[BBsharkk]

I really don’t understand firms who leave you as though you never applied!! I applied to GD 1st Sept- the day they opened and did their first year insight scheme!! I haven’t heard anything and emailed them and they responded two weeks ago saying they are still looking at applications which is lowkey insulting because I’ve seen people get VS offers on LinkedIn!!! Sorry for the rant lol

I know many here would probably disagree, but my experience for the past 2 cycles so far tells me that this is very much a US firm thing.
And now thinking about it it kinda makes sense as well: many of these firms offer the highest salaries in the City; combine this with their very successful advertising for the past few years and a waning economy, these US firms are receiving more and more applications every year. However, their grad recruitment teams only have around 2-5 members which means it doesn't take deep analysis to know that it's almost logistically impossible to read through every single application, at least not to the exact same level of scrutiny anyway.

 

[Amma Usman]

Does anyone have any advice for written exercise prep? I just had a feedback call post an AC that I was rejected from and they said I lost the offer in the written exercise, so I really wanna work on that aspect for any future ACs

Hey,

I struggled with them too, but when I started paying close attention to the below, my responses got better. I’ve also included some more general prep tips. These are some of the feedback I got from firms during the process;

• Use of proper formalities. Who are you addressing? Have you used proper signatories? Good sign offs? Tone matters too based on the recipient.
• If a client, you don’t need to define basic things they know about their industry such as ESG, ROI, or similar stuff, for example.
• Look at the questions you are being asked first, before reading all the necessary materials. This ensures time maximisation. You focus mainly on what you need to address for that particular task. Be careful here, because some things overlap and may thus be useful. But, keeping this in mind certainly helps.
• Spelling mistakes - probably obvious, but certainly helps checking.
• Headings - helps make your work easier to read.
• Resources - there are freely available written exercises online, which helped me. TCLA’s written exercises also really did (I promise I’m not being biased haha) !

Best of luck, I know you will do great!

 

[yasmars]

Hiya @James Wakefield

The Cooley assessment centre was quite a full-on day when I did it, and if the structure remains the same, you can expect a packed schedule. This schedule included (1) a group exercise; (2) lunch and chats with people at the firm; and (3) two separate interviews, one with an associate and another with a partner.

In my cycle, the morning involved a group exercise. We were expected to successfully pass this stage to proceed to the interviews in the afternoon. The group exercise had a strong commercial focus, so it’s worth taking some time to think about the kinds of issues that often arise in commercial exercises involving investment decisions, M&A considerations, and other types of similar business challenges. Beyond commercial awareness, the usual group exercise rules apply - try to show your ability to work effectively with others. There’s also a presentation element, where clarity, a client-focused approach, and time management all play a big role. There weren’t any written exercises when I did it, so I don't think you'll have to worry about that here.

Between the group exercise and the interviews, you'll have lunch and a chance to chat with trainees, associates, and the wonderful training principal, Claire Temple. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you genuinely have about the firm, but also to get to know people in a more informal, relaxed setting. You might feel a bit nervous during this time, since some candidates will be unsuccessful at this stage and will need to leave. But just focus on doing your best and engaging with people you meet.

If you make it through to the interviews, you’ll have one with an associate and another with a partner. I wasn’t asked any commercial questions in these, but I found that some of the motivational questions gave me an opportunity to weave in my commercial awareness (where relevant). If you can, it’s definitely worth preparing for competency-based and motivational questions in advance. I also received quite a few curveball questions (e.g. “If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?”). If you get one of these, don't panic. Just think of these as an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to think on your feet and give a sense of your personality.

Hope this helps! And good luck with the AC!

How awkward is that having to leave an AC half way through due to being unsuccessful

 

[James Wakefield]

How awkward is that having to leave an AC half way through due to being unsuccessful

I guess the good side is it reminds you why you’re there. I find you’re sometimes lured into a false sense of calmness/security at ACs when you actually need to be on your best game all the time.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

How awkward is that having to leave an AC half way through due to being unsuccessful

It’s really not that awkward. I think the firm handles it very tactfully. I only mention it because it’s easy to let the possibility of not getting through to weigh on you during your lunch chats, but I’d really encourage you to make the most of that part of the day. For anyone doing the assessment centre, try to stay present and enjoy the conversations

 

[Amma Usman]

“If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?” is a crazy question what the hell. 😂😂

I didn’t realise these kinds of questions would be asked in interviews. It looks like I need to spend some time on figuring out which fruit I want to be. I’m thinking maybe an apple. 🍏​

This actually made me burst out laughing on the train haha! Well I guess you could always name any fruit and link that to how they could make so many different kinds of food/drink, and hence….versatility….which is a key trainee competency 🤣

 

[👩🎓]

Evening all, does anyone have any top tips on how to perform well during virtual interviews or how to prepare for them?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Amma Usman]

@Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu Received a VS offer! Any advice on what to do prior to this to prep for the VS?

This is amazing news, congratulations! I’ve included some tips below;

• Speak with members of the firm, including future trainees, trainees, lawyers, etc, to get to know more about the firm and their experiences.
• Schedule coffee chats with people working in departments you’d like to learn more about.
• Ask thoughtful questions. Growing up, we always heard “there’s no such thing as a silly question”. The truth is, some questions can be answered by oneself through a quick research on the firm’s website/other sources. Ask questions you wouldn’t otherwise get yourself, as you now have the opportunity to be surrounded by the lawyers working on these deals.
• Learn more about the wider industry and how the practice area you’re working in fits within it. Ask any resultant questions that pop up. Similarly, you may also want to know and ask how the work you are doing as an intern fits within it.
• Above all, just be yourself and enjoy the process, because firms want to hire people at the end of the day. They already saw potential in you to get to that stage, so make the most of the learning opportunity, and you’’ll be fine.

Best of luck, I know you’ll do great!

 

[legallycece]

Hogan Lovells PFO post watson glaser 😶

Sorry to hear this ! Do you mind sharing how long they took to get back to you please ?

 

[Amma Usman]

Evening all, does anyone have any top tips on how to perform well during virtual interviews or how to prepare for them?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve included Andrei’s really great guide here - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....tency-interview-preparation.9380/#post-201181

 

[missTCLA]

if youve been asked a question youre unsure of the answer / throws you off / do not know how to respond to it, what is the best way to go about this ? also, does choosing whether you want to do a spring scheme / summer scheme makes a difference in the firm accepting/rejecting you, or no? thanks in advance

 

[ashwright]

“If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?” is a crazy question what the hell. 😂😂

I didn’t realise these kinds of questions would be asked in interviews. It looks like I need to spend some time on figuring out which fruit I want to be. I’m thinking maybe an apple. 🍏​

This is a very difficult question which I have given much serious thought to. After some deep self-reflection during a meditative retreat to the Himalayas, this is my conclusion:

I would like to be a tomato.
Tomatoes are adaptable - they can be used in everything from soup to pizza.
Tomatoes are hard-workers - they don't mind being grilled (in the oven/at an interview).
Tomatoes know how to have fun - see: Bloody Mary.

...never thought I'd have a fruit-related identity crisis but here I am 🤣

 

[Chris Brown]

This is a very difficult question which I have given much serious thought to. After some deep self-reflection during a meditative retreat to the Himalayas, this is my conclusion:

I would like to be a tomato.
Tomatoes are adaptable - they can be used in everything from soup to pizza.
Tomatoes are hard-workers - they don't mind being grilled (in the oven/at an interview).
Tomatoes know how to have fun - see: Bloody Mary.

...never thought I'd have a fruit-related identity crisis but here I am 🤣

I have a controversial question. Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? It appears it’s technically both at the same time (botanically and culinarily). It therefore seems tomatoes are very versatile and adaptable. I would also like to be a tomato. 🥲🥲​

 

[allenpopi]

has anyone heard back after goodwin interview? (pfo or offer)

 

[ashwright]

I have a controversial question. Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? It appears it’s technically both at the same time (botanically and culinarily). It therefore seems tomatoes are very versatile and adaptable. 🥲🥲​

This is a brilliant observation. My meditative retreat was clearly too short - I need to reflect a great deal more. I completely agree with you on the duality of tomatoes – I might even add that this shows that tomatoes transcend artificial categorisation, much like how modern lawyers wear multiple hats, as legal minds but also commercial minds etc.
Thank you for adding your thoughts to this highly fruitful discussion 🤣

 

[Mace2121]

In a recent assessment centre, I was asked about the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the firm. I'm curious to know how others would have responded to this question as I think the response that I have was vague and broad.

 

[👩🎓]

I’ve included Andrei’s really great guide here - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....tency-interview-preparation.9380/#post-201181

Thank you so much