TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[Jessica Booker]

for the HSF app where it says 'introduce us to a topic you know about and why it interests you' what kind of thing would I include here, it sounds stupid but I've forgotten all my interests lol

Literally can be anything - seen breeds of dog, martial arts, wine tasting, specific charities, a type of architecture at a point in history, poetry, psychology, horticulture. Just pick something you get a bit buzzy about.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

for the HSF app where it says 'introduce us to a topic you know about and why it interests you' what kind of thing would I include here, it sounds stupid but I've forgotten all my interests lol

I talked about the American owners of Manchester United lack of investment in the club.

 

[LEL]

If I have completed work experience at a different top city law firm than the one I am applying to should I state the name of the firm on a cover letter? I am worried this might make it seem like I have a greater interest in the other firm. Or is this standard practice? Thanks!

It's fine to mention it if it relates to your work experience.

 

[Jessica Booker]

If I have completed work experience at a different top city law firm than the one I am applying to should I state the name of the firm on a cover letter? I am worried this might make it seem like I have a greater interest in the other firm. Or is this standard practice? Thanks!

Definitely include names - it can come across as purposely vague if you don’t name your employers.

 

[PM2021]

Hey, does anyone know how much time does Travers Smith take to get back on Winter Vacation Scheme Applications? They have mentioned that they review on a rolling basis.

 

[MizM]

When describing responsibilities during prior work experience, is it okay to also intertwine skills gained from these experiences?

I know some firms specifically state that they only want factual descriptions (what I would assume to mean without the inclusion of my perception on what skills have been gained) but, where a firm simply asks for 'more detail on responsibilities', should I stick to the facts or should I intertwine skills into it?

Thank you!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hey, does anyone know how much time does Travers Smith take to get back on Winter Vacation Scheme Applications? They have mentioned that they review on a rolling basis.

They take so long and from the experience of the last yr don't expect an outcome on your application anytime soon.

 

[hopefullawyer101]

I am currently constructing my plan for my 'interesting topic' for HSF's application and I am planning to discuss FGM. As this question is about the topic and your own interest in it, would it be going outside the brief to relate it back to HSF?

More specifically, can I raise it as something I would like to act as an activist for within the firm/ suggest the UK office get involved via Pro Bono? The New York office already supports a gender violence charity and the firm has a strong record for advancing women in the workplace through gender pay gap reviews etc. I don't know if this is just going a bit too far or missing the point?

 

[S87]

I am currently constructing my plan for my 'interesting topic' for HSF's application and I am planning to discuss FGM. As this question is about the topic and your own interest in it, would it be going outside the brief to relate it back to HSF?

More specifically, can I raise it as something I would like to act as an activist for within the firm/ suggest the UK office get involved via Pro Bono? The New York office already supports a gender violence charity and the firm has a strong record for advancing women in the workplace through gender pay gap reviews etc. I don't know if this is just going a bit too far or missing the point?

Personal opinion: you do not need to relate it back to HSF. I have attended a bunch of events where the GR stated "write about something that you like" I know someone who wrote about mountain climbing and her favourite techniques. They do not want to see your knowledge about the firm or any specific about the corporate world. The question is a chance to show your drafting skills and your personality.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I am currently constructing my plan for my 'interesting topic' for HSF's application and I am planning to discuss FGM. As this question is about the topic and your own interest in it, would it be going outside the brief to relate it back to HSF?

More specifically, can I raise it as something I would like to act as an activist for within the firm/ suggest the UK office get involved via Pro Bono? The New York office already supports a gender violence charity and the firm has a strong record for advancing women in the workplace through gender pay gap reviews etc. I don't know if this is just going a bit too far or missing the point?

There is no need to relate it back to HSF, no matter what the topic is. If there is some form of direct link, then that’s fine, but you don’t have to force the link in for the sake of it.

 

[ZaraB]

Hey, does anyone know how much time does Travers Smith take to get back on Winter Vacation Scheme Applications? They have mentioned that they review on a rolling basis.

Looking at some posts from previous years I noticed that applicants were interviewed in November for the Winter Scheme.

 

[LL]

Received an invite for the Simmons & Simmons written exercise and vid interview. Would love to hear about other people's experience if anyone has done it.

 

[Veep9]

Received an invite for the Simmons & Simmons written exercise and vid interview. Would love to hear about other people's experience if anyone has done it.

I found both quite straightforward, especially after the horror of those tests. You don’t get much time for the writing test so keep an eye on the timer (but I didn’t think the amount of material was unreasonable). For the video interview, prepare the usual motivation and situational judgment questions. Good luck!

 

[John Travoni]

Has anyone portal for A&O for the winter VC changed ? Someone said that theirs had changed

 

[Dheepa]

Does the ashurst personal statement have to be addressed to anyone like in a cover letter?

In previous years, they've mentioned it should be addressed to the head of GR a Mr. Nick Wong. I'd email GR to double check just in case.

 

[Dheepa]

How long were peoples Slaughter & May cover letters? (word count wise)

I'd aim for about 750 words max. My successful app with them was about 600 words long. At events, GR always say that the CL is more an oppurtunity for you to highlight anything you feel your CV alone doesn't do justice to.

 

[PM2021]

Hey, so if a firm asks to describe the nature of work in 150 words, how should I go about it? Bullet point is better or is paragraph better? Can someone give me a hypothetical example? or any websites/pages where I can get to know more about how to write work experience?

 

[Dheepa]

If in an interview, you are asked how would you respond to a fellow trainee being rude to support staff, how would one approach that?

My initial reaction is to chat to the trainee, and politely explain that their actions are impacting others, and perhaps if they reconsider what they say. Though I'm not sure if it's more multi-dimensional than that?

Any perspective would be appreciated.

I think you're on the right track here but my gut instinct would be to actually just ask the trainee and the support staff in question what happened first. You don't want to talk to someone about what they should/should not have done before having all the information.

 

[Dheepa]

Hey, so if a firm asks to describe the nature of work in 150 words, how should I go about it? Bullet point is better or is paragraph better? Can someone give me a hypothetical example? or any websites/pages where I can get to know more about how to write work experience?

I would still aim to write in full prose/a paragraph. Just try to keep it as concise as possible and only focus on highlighting the biggest projects/responsibilities you took on. There are some much longer examples on this thread but hopefully it gives you some ideas!

 

[PM2021]

I would still aim to write in full prose/a paragraph. Just try to keep it as concise as possible and only focus on highlighting the biggest projects/responsibilities you took on. There are some much longer examples on this thread but hopefully it gives you some ideas!

Yes this was helpful, thanks a lot!