Ask 3 future trainees (Magic & Silver Circle, International Elite) ANYTHING! *New TCLA Team Members*

[missw01]

Hi!
Is anyone able to give me some advice with regards to how to answer a question on what makes me unique? I’m finding it difficult to think about what they may be looking for with regards to this and how to find what makes me unique.

Thanks

 

[Naomi U]

Hi!
Is anyone able to give me some advice with regards to how to answer a question on what makes me unique? I’m finding it difficult to think about what they may be looking for with regards to this and how to find what makes me unique.

Thanks

Hiya!

I don't think there is a perfect answer that firm's who ask this question are looking for. The focus of this question is on you.
What are your biggest strengths/ best traits?
When have you been able to successfully rely on this strength/trait and how has it helped you overcome obstacles you have faced?

These are some of the questions I think I would focus on when trying to respond to this question. I think this is an easier and more introspective way to approach this question as it allows you to answer it honestly, rather than trying to objectively apply traits you think may be desirable to your own personality, which may not feel/ come accross as natural.

Hope this helps & best of luck ☺️

 

[Dheepa]

Hi!
Is anyone able to give me some advice with regards to how to answer a question on what makes me unique? I’m finding it difficult to think about what they may be looking for with regards to this and how to find what makes me unique.

Thanks

Hi Bailey,

I wouldn't overthink this question too much. The firm just wants to get a better idea of your personality and what makes you stand out from the crowd.

Do you have any particular hobbies/interests/passions that aren't quite as common? Is there a particular cause/activity that you've been pursuing and remained dedicated too for a long time? Alternatively, have you ever set a personal goal for yourself, how did you go about achieving it and what was the outcome from it?

As Naomi has already said, you could also approach it from a skills point of view of. What your strengths are and what standout experiences have you had that demonstrates those strengths?

Hope that gives you some ideas! ☺️

 

[aspiringm&alawyer]

Hiya,

It is definitely possible to get a vacation scheme in your third year and even after graduation. It may vary from firm to firm, but generally speaking I know many people who did vacation schemes and secured tcs in their final year and beyond, so I wouldn't worry too much on that element - there is no time limit, you will definitely be able to apply to a wide range of firms.

Paralegal work is a great idea as its a great way to gain experience working within the legal sector and in a similar capacity to a trainee. However, I do think that any other role, including those outside the legal sector, would be just as good as there is still a wide range of transferable skills and knowledge to be gained from almost any type of experience, volunteering or even through personal hobbies and skills.

All in all, as much as it can feel like there is such a rush ( trust me I was very guilty of that), I think its always important to remember that everyone has their own journey. Not getting a vacation scheme or tc in second year or even final year doesn't mean its all over and nor does it disadvantage you in anyway!

Hope this helps a bit & best of luck ❤️

Thank you so much, this does put my mind at ease. It does feel like a bit of a rush and the pandemic has not helped. Trying to stay positive has started to feel like a chore haha but the tcla family definitely helps!

 

[missw01]

Hi Bailey,

I wouldn't overthink this question too much. The firm just wants to get a better idea of your personality and what makes you stand out from the crowd.

Do you have any particular hobbies/interests/passions that aren't quite as common? Is there a particular cause/activity that you've been pursuing and remained dedicated too for a long time? Alternatively, have you ever set a personal goal for yourself, how did you go about achieving it and what was the outcome from it?

As Naomi has already said, you could also approach it from a skills point of view of. What your strengths are and what standout experiences have you had that demonstrates those strengths?

Hope that gives you some ideas! ☺️

Hiya!

I don't think there is a perfect answer that firm's who ask this question are looking for. The focus of this question is on you.
What are your biggest strengths/ best traits?
When have you been able to successfully rely on this strength/trait and how has it helped you overcome obstacles you have faced?

These are some of the questions I think I would focus on when trying to respond to this question. I think this is an easier and more introspective way to approach this question as it allows you to answer it honestly, rather than trying to objectively apply traits you think may be desirable to your own personality, which may not feel/ come accross as natural.

Hope this helps & best of luck ☺️

Thank you both!

 

[polant]

hi,
can anyone please advice how should i answer the Reed Smith "question what current issues do you think have an impact on the legal profession"?How many issues should i include?Is it wise to include the impact of covid 19 on legal profession ?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hello,

I hope all 3 of you are well.

I have a Reed Smith assessment centre next week and appreciate some help on the strength-based interview. I could not find anything on TCLA for Reed Smith strength-based interview so am asking here.

Have any done an assessment centre at Reed Smith as I would appreciate some advice on it. As to whether I would also get competency questions in the strength-based interview and should I use STAR in the interview for my answers in strength-based interviews. Thank you for your help.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello,

I hope all 3 of you are well.

I have a Reed Smith assessment centre next week and appreciate some help on the strength-based interview. I could not find anything on TCLA for Reed Smith strength-based interview so am asking here.

Have any done an assessment centre at Reed Smith as I would appreciate some advice on it. As to whether I would also get competency questions in the strength-based interview and should I use STAR in the interview for my answers in strength-based interviews. Thank you for your help.

Strengths based interviews are highly unlikely to use competency questions (if they do it isn’t really a strengths based assessment). They tend to be forward looking questions rather than backwards looking , and also more reflective questions about how you feel about situations that would highlight a particular strength rather than focusing purely on what you would do in situations (or if relying on past examples, what you did).

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hello,

I hope all 3 of you are well.

I have a Reed Smith assessment centre next week and appreciate some help on the strength-based interview. I could not find anything on TCLA for Reed Smith strength-based interview so am asking here.

Have any done an assessment centre at Reed Smith as I would appreciate some advice on it. As to whether I would also get competency questions in the strength-based interview and should I use STAR in the interview for my answers in strength-based interviews. Thank you for your help.

Hi Asil,

I've not personally done the Reed Smith AC (congrats on securing it, by the way!) so I can't give specific advice on it. In any event, though, I think the STAR/ CAR response is generally the approach I've favoured for single-competency questions. In case you've not seen it already, one of my recent articles covers STAR/ CAR in quite some depth: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....w-firm-interviews-monday-article-series.3286/

As Jess says, though, if it's strictly strength-based, this approach will be less-applicable.

 

[Alison C]

Hello,

I hope all 3 of you are well.

I have a Reed Smith assessment centre next week and appreciate some help on the strength-based interview. I could not find anything on TCLA for Reed Smith strength-based interview so am asking here.

Have any done an assessment centre at Reed Smith as I would appreciate some advice on it. As to whether I would also get competency questions in the strength-based interview and should I use STAR in the interview for my answers in strength-based interviews. Thank you for your help.

Hi Asil - I'm not one of 'you 3' but recently looked at the Bright Network unit on strengths. It's presented by EY and is handy. https://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/academy/module/learning-about-strengths/

Also, CAPP have some useful insights. https://www.strengthsprofile.com/. Plus, the Civil Service and GLD use them so you can find videos on Youtube.

Hope that helps.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Strengths based interviews are highly unlikely to use competency questions (if they do it isn’t really a strengths based assessment). They tend to be forward looking questions rather than backwards looking , and also more reflective questions about how you feel about situations that would highlight a particular strength rather than focusing purely on what you would do in situations (or if relying on past examples, what you did).

Hi Asil,

I've not personally done the Reed Smith AC (congrats on securing it, by the way!) so I can't give specific advice on it. In any event, though, I think the STAR/ CAR response is generally the approach I've favoured for single-competency questions. In case you've not seen it already, one of my recent articles covers STAR/ CAR in quite some depth: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....w-firm-interviews-monday-article-series.3286/

As Jess says, though, if it's strictly strength-based, this approach will be less-applicable.

Hi Asil - I'm not one of 'you 3' but recently looked at the Bright Network unit on strengths. It's presented by EY and is handy. https://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/academy/module/learning-about-strengths/


Also, CAPP have some useful insights. https://www.strengthsprofile.com/. Plus, the Civil Service and GLD use them so you can find videos on Youtube.

Hope that helps.

Thank you very much all of you I really appreciate it a lot.

Also Alison thank you for this I will check it out.

 

[Ole1999]

Hi guys, in an M&A case study where you have to advise the client on which of the two companies to buy, what is a good and comprehensive structure to adopt?

I was thinking of undertaking a SWOT analysis of each of the two companies and then weighing up and deciding which company is better to acquire. I also don’t know whether to solely consider the legal aspects of the deal or take a more holistic approach and evaluate the two companies as a whole?

Would like to know your thoughts and any useful links to threads that explain this in more detail. Thanks

 

[Naomi U]

Hiya!

Jacob's made a very helpful and thorough guide on case studies which I've linked below, but just to add, I think your SWOT analysis approach is a great idea. I would probably take a similar approach, assessing each company on issues I felt were most relevant to the client's needs and using these as sub-headings. Then I would conclude based on my assessment, weighing up the pros and cons to the client.

I think I would lead with legal issues e.g. concerns regarding financing, employment, IP issues, tax, competition, real estate etc. For each of these points, I think if time and your word count permits, there's no harm in considering the commercial implications of the legal issues e.g. you could consider the commercial implications of location(e.g. footfall) when discussing the legal implications of a rent and lease agreement etc.

Hope this makes sense!

Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies! *Monday Article Series*

Hi all, please see below the third of my Monday Article Series! This week is my definitive guide to case studies. It's a long one - you might want to go get a coffee and settle in! Introduction This week’s Monday Article will cover how to approach law firm case studies, one of the most...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Best of luck ☺️

 

[AR3]

Hi everyone!
I applied for a vacation scheme and was unsuccessful in getting through to the VI stage, but the grad recruitment team mentioned that they were impressed with my application, so recommended I consider making an application for their direct TC, as these applications do not close for a little while now.
It's the same application question for the TC app, so I was wondering if anyone would perhaps be able to read through my previous VS answer and offer any tips on where I might be going wrong, or where I could improve.
I'm really hoping to improve my application, as this is effectively a second chance, and I can appreciate I would normally have to wait until the next cycle to try again!
Thank you in advance

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hi everyone!
I applied for a vacation scheme and was unsuccessful in getting through to the VI stage, but the grad recruitment team mentioned that they were impressed with my application, so recommended I consider making an application for their direct TC, as these applications do not close for a little while now.
It's the same application question for the TC app, so I was wondering if anyone would perhaps be able to read through my previous VS answer and offer any tips on where I might be going wrong, or where I could improve.
I'm really hoping to improve my application, as this is effectively a second chance, and I can appreciate I would normally have to wait until the next cycle to try again!
Thank you in advance

Hi Abbie,

The TCLA Application Review service might be the best option for you as the team do it all the time and are real experts. @Jaysen or @Alice G might be best placed to advise further on this!

 

[AR3]

Hi Abbie,

The TCLA Application Review service might be the best option for you as the team do it all the time and are real experts. @Jaysen or @Alice G might be best placed to advise further on this!

Thanks Jacob! I've just submitted it via the application review service on the main page

 

[nicole88]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask regarding your own experiences with referencing pre-vac scheme or TC. In your experiences, do firms ask for references for all jobs listed on the app? Or do they check lets say employment history for the past 3 to 5 years? I am just concerned that I have listed an informal experience abroad I have almost no way to verify now (lost contact and have no documents).

Thanks.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask regarding your own experiences with referencing pre-vac scheme or TC. In your experiences, do firms ask for references for all jobs listed on the app? Or do they check lets say employment history for the past 3 to 5 years? I am just concerned that I have listed an informal experience abroad I have almost no way to verify now (lost contact and have no documents).

Thanks.

Clearly the posts today about this are making everyone super paranoid - the amount of PM’s and posts I have had today with pretty much this same question is almost scary.

It’s unlikely to be an issue. It’s all explainable why you can’t provide details. Unless this is your only job you have had, I highly doubt this is going to be an issue.

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask regarding your own experiences with referencing pre-vac scheme or TC. In your experiences, do firms ask for references for all jobs listed on the app? Or do they check lets say employment history for the past 3 to 5 years? I am just concerned that I have listed an informal experience abroad I have almost no way to verify now (lost contact and have no documents).

Thanks.

In my experience, I've only ever been asked for one academic reference and one non-academic reference. I've not been asked to provide references for anything else 🙂

 

[Naomi U]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask regarding your own experiences with referencing pre-vac scheme or TC. In your experiences, do firms ask for references for all jobs listed on the app? Or do they check lets say employment history for the past 3 to 5 years? I am just concerned that I have listed an informal experience abroad I have almost no way to verify now (lost contact and have no documents).

Thanks.

Hi Nicole ☺️

I'm with Jacob here- that's as much as I've done regarding references.