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

[Jessica Booker]

No, I didn't hear back yet

Ok - from what you had posted earlier it sounded like you were suggesting the firm had confirmed to you that it was. No worries on the confusion though - we’ve had multiple posters confirm it isn’t needed now.

 

[11_v_2887]

Hello! I am planning to apply for my first vac schemes for Winter / Spring / Summer 2021/2022 (applied to one direct TC and was rejected pre-VI). I was wondering if anyone has advice for how to gain more commercial law experience to boost my vac scheme applications?

My background: I just graduated from a non-law degree with very good results from a very good uni, and I am working in pre-IPO due diligence for the NY stock exchange. I have previous experience in political risk and NGO work, as well as numerous academic research positions and experiences. Sadly not much experience in commercial law. I am a native speaker of Russian, so I am particularly keen on firms that work heavily on cases relating to former Soviet region.

Any advice on how to get more commercial legal experience would be very welcome!

Thank you in advance!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello! I am planning to apply for my first vac schemes for Winter / Spring / Summer 2021/2022 (applied to one direct TC and was rejected pre-VI). I was wondering if anyone has advice for how to gain more commercial law experience to boost my vac scheme applications?

My background: I just graduated from a non-law degree with very good results from a very good uni, and I am working in pre-IPO due diligence for the NY stock exchange. I have previous experience in political risk and NGO work, as well as numerous academic research positions and experiences. Sadly not much experience in commercial law. I am a native speaker of Russian, so I am particularly keen on firms that work heavily on cases relating to former Soviet region.

Any advice on how to get more commercial legal experience would be very welcome!

Thank you in advance!

Open days and attending career events would be a good start.

You may also want to do one or two of the virtual work experience programmes on platforms with Forage to ensure you can show proactiveness in pursuing commercial law.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Open days and attending career events would be a good start.

You may also want to do one or two of the virtual work experience programmes on platforms with Forage to ensure you can show proactiveness in pursuing commercial law.

Is there a website that consolidates all the dates of events like Open days and other events? I did read about such a website on this forum but I can't find it anymore.

Thanks.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is there a website that consolidates all the dates of events like Open days and other events? I did read about such a website on this forum but I can't find it anymore.

Thanks.

I don’t think so unfortunately. As firms pay for advertising with different suppliers, you won’t find a comprehensive list on even the large legal websites like Legal Cheek or Lawcareers.net.

I know we try to consolidate a lot of this information as best as we can, but it’s a bit too early for us to do this for the upcoming cycle. Most firms won’t confirm their events and open days for another month or so.

 

[Jaysen]

Hey everyone,

I hope you’ll all join in me wishing @Jessica Booker a happy two years at TCLA. No doubt many of you can see the level of commitment she puts into supporting you guys. TCLA wouldn’t be what it is without her!

 

[A M]

Congratulations and thank you @Jessica Booker for your two years non stop service and commitment to this platform. Hope it continues life long.

 

[ALM_3]

Definitely not too late - I don’t think any firm has closed application for winter schemes yet and many haven’t even opened applications for winter schemes yet.

As mentioned below, if you secure a VS there is typically a conversion assessment process off the back of it, which means it doesn’t matter if the scheme itself starts after TC deadlines. As you’ll probably only be able to complete one winter scheme though, you may want to make a mixture of direct TC and some VS apps.

Great, I understand now. Thank you!

 

[SS1]

Happy TCLA birthday @Jessica Booker !! and thank you for always having a wise advice in every corner of the forum in times of desperation - you are a true star!🌠

 

[tt_xo]

So I am filling out a vacation scheme application but the wording of their questions is a bit funny. If they ask what interests me in working in this role/team, am I right to assume that they are asking what interests me in the role of a trainee? The second question is what excites you about the opportunity of an apprenticeship (I double checked this was the vacation scheme application), so I thought this question was trying to get me to talk about the vacation scheme in particular but I am unsure.

 

[Rob93]

So I am filling out a vacation scheme application but the wording of their questions is a bit funny. If they ask what interests me in working in this role/team, am I right to assume that they are asking what interests me in the role of a trainee? The second question is what excites you about the opportunity of an apprenticeship (I double checked this was the vacation scheme application), so I thought this question was trying to get me to talk about the vacation scheme in particular but I am unsure.

For the first one, I think you want to focus on what it is they do at that firm in particular that interests you. Talk about their practice areas, what you're keen on, why you're keen on it, evidencing interest based on previous experiences where possible.

 

[Jessica Booker]

So I am filling out a vacation scheme application but the wording of their questions is a bit funny. If they ask what interests me in working in this role/team, am I right to assume that they are asking what interests me in the role of a trainee? The second question is what excites you about the opportunity of an apprenticeship (I double checked this was the vacation scheme application), so I thought this question was trying to get me to talk about the vacation scheme in particular but I am unsure.

Might want to contact the firm in question. It sounds like an error in the application, but it may mean you are completing an apprenticeship application (due to the firm’s error) rather than a vac scheme one.

 

[Donuttime]

Mishcons question is what interests you about working in this role/team

1. are they asking why I want to work in a specific team/ practice area at Mishcon?
2. is the question basically asking why I want to be a commercial lawyer?

 

[SLKEJRWOI97]

Sidley opens their Winter apps (alongside others) on October 1st.

Thanks Celestie. Do you happen to remember what the questions were for last year?

Many thanks,

SK

 

[justanotherlawstudent]

For the work experience section on applications, is it better to write in prose or bullet points?

 

[Jessica Booker]

For the work experience section on applications, is it better to write in prose or bullet points?

Prose unless the application form allows you to format in bullets.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

For the extra curriculum and position of responsibility, questions is it better to talk about them briefly like a few lines or does using STAR or CAR make your application stronger what are your thoughts on this @Jessica Booker

 

[Jessica Booker]

For the extra curriculum and position of responsibility, questions is it better to talk about them briefly like a few lines or does using STAR or CAR make your application stronger what are your thoughts on this @Jessica Booker

STAR/CAR only works for competency questions, where you are trying to identify a specific example that demonstrates a particular skill within an experience.

Your answers will becoming far too lengthy if you try to use STAR/CAR to describe a whole extra curricular.

My advice is to focus on your impact in the role. What did you achieve in the role/position.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

STAR/CAR only works for competency questions, where you are trying to identify a specific example that demonstrates a particular skill within an experience.also is bullet point good to use in these types of questions or sentences.

Your answers will becoming far too lengthy if you try to use STAR/CAR to describe a whole extra curricular.

My advice is to focus on your impact in the role. What did you achieve in the role/position.

Thank you very much for this and is bullet points good to use in these types of questions or is sentences like in paragraphs better.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you very much for this and is bullet points good to use in these types of questions or is sentences like in paragraphs better.

I’d go with prose unless you can format the answer with bullet points (eg you can format the text as you write it in the application)

Like you can format this text in the our forums.