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

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AvniD

Legendary Member
Future Trainee
Gold Member
Premium Member
Oct 25, 2021
1,124
2,094
has anyone got any advice for answering 'why you/what makes you stand out?' in an interview?
The best answers to this question are often those that are able to capture what makes you you. Most people who apply for TCs have decent grades, some work and volunteer experience, some internships and/or some university society experience. While these are things you do, they don't necessarily capture the essence of who you are.

You'll need to reflect on your personality and figure what those things are that you identify yourself with- it could be your creativity, resilience, ability to take initiative, ability to uplift your team members, enthusiasm, willingness to try new things etc.

Once you've figured out your USP, you now need to structure it within the context of the firm. Find those 2-3 qualities that most align with the firm's ethos and vision and then try your best to demonstrate this alignment in your answer.

A structure I'd recommend is to state you character trait/quality ➡️ talk about how you developed it and how you apply it in your life ➡️ link it with the firm's culture/vision/ethos/trainee characteristics to demonstrate your suitability to work at the firm.
 

AvniD

Legendary Member
Future Trainee
Gold Member
Premium Member
Oct 25, 2021
1,124
2,094
for questions like 'why this firm' and 'why do you want to be a lawyer' do I need to prepare different answers than the ones I have written in my cover letter? or is it alright that I expand on them?
I've always expanded on my answers but never been successful so I'm just wondering.

Any help would be greatly appreciated
If you cannot find things to talk about that you haven't mentioned in your applications, always expand on what you have already covered by adding more detail, providing more context and digging deeper into your motivations. This requires a lot of off-application reflection on the things that are driving you to try and make it in this career, but once you put this effort in, your answers will undoubtedly make a greater impact than they did before.
 

WillkieGemma

Legendary Member
Graduate Recruitment
Nov 4, 2021
175
393
I am in the very fortunate position of having been offered a VS yesterday and offered another VS today. However, the dates I have been offered for the VSs clash. I know one of the two firms is running multiple VSs this summer. Would it be rude to ask if they have space on the other dates so I can complete both VSs?
Not rude at all - we expect it!
 

SCN

Valued Member
Junior Lawyer
Feb 20, 2020
109
366
Me distracting grad rec whilst you email everyone with TC and VS offers:

Season 2 Dancing GIF by The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air


Anyone up for this? ;)
 

Law1099

Valued Member
Jan 18, 2021
117
268
for questions like 'why this firm' and 'why do you want to be a lawyer' do I need to prepare different answers than the ones I have written in my cover letter? or is it alright that I expand on them?
I've always expanded on my answers but never been successful so I'm just wondering.

Any help would be greatly appreciated:)
It honestly depends. Some interviews (especially ones by associates/partners) are cv blind interviews and therefore they generally will just listen to you without having anything in front of them. I have had interviews (but more with grad rec) where they are reading off your application. Even so, as long as you expand and don’t read it word for word - your answers aren’t going to change
 

oldafstudent

Active Member
Premium Member
Mar 4, 2022
10
4
Hey everyone, I have an assessment centre coming up with Farrer & Co and was wondering what I could expect? I see the written assessment is only 30 mins and was wondering what it might entail.

Thanks in advance!
 

NaimK

Valued Member
May 6, 2019
104
189
Got this email from Winston & Strawn in case anyone else was wondering where the firm disappeared to:

Good afternoon,



Thank you for completing the critical thinking test as part of the application process for our summer vacation scheme. Please accept our apologies for the delay in receiving your outcome and note that we are still in the process of reviewing a high number of candidates and aim to get back to you by the end of next week.



Wishing you a lovely weekend,



Graduate Recruitment
 
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