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

[elizabethjo123]

If HSF ask you to outline your responsibilities for work experience, should you list your skills as well? Or literally just an explanation of what you did?

 

[Kubed]

If HSF ask you to outline your responsibilities for work experience, should you list your skills as well? Or literally just an explanation of what you did?

In my mind, 'responsibilities' and 'what you did' are interlinked. The responsibility bit is what you were accountable for completing and the 'what you did' bit are the actions you actually took. So for example, your responsibility might have been to make X sales per month and you went about this by doing A, B and C. The responsibility or your actions are often not the most important thing, rather the transferrable skills that you learnt. I'm not sure of the word count of the HSF app this year, but generally if you have word count available, you should try to outline any skills learnt.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Clyde & Co’s application form asks if I’ve completed their Virtual Experience Programme. Is it a massive no no if I haven’t? Should I do that before I submit the application?

Honestly I’m working crazy hours so just making time for applications is all I can manage. I really don’t have time for more work outside of work (and I have some degree of legal work experience).

No, it's not necessary to complete it. I think it really depends on how much experience you have in the sector and also how much connection you have to the firm in question too.

 

[Veep9]

Someone like Jessica would have better authority over this but I definitely would not say that you have to do these. Its more if people want to build their understanding of the firm and what sort of work law firms do in general. With your work and other experiences I'm sure you have enough to back up your reasons for applying So I definitely wouldn't stress that you can't rush through it as then its not even that beneficial to you either!

No, it's not necessary to complete it. I think it really depends on how much experience you have in the sector and also how much connection you have to the firm in question too.

Thank you!

 

[elizabethjo123]

In my mind, 'responsibilities' and 'what you did' are interlinked. The responsibility bit is what you were accountable for completing and the 'what you did' bit are the actions you actually took. So for example, your responsibility might have been to make X sales per month and you went about this by doing A, B and C. The responsibility or your actions are often not the most important thing, rather the transferrable skills that you learnt. I'm not sure of the word count of the HSF app this year, but generally if you have word count available, you should try to outline any skills learnt.

Thank you, I was just slightly confused as one of the questions also asks what skills, qualities and attributes you’d bring to the role so I don’t want to repeat myself

 

[John Travoni]

Has anyone heard back from Dechert post application for the winter VC?
On their FAQs, it says that they aim to get back to candidates within 10 business days but I still haven’t heard back.

 

[DaN_97_]

Just heard back from A&O

Anyone else heard from A&O winter vac scheme yet?

Just heard back yesterday about the outcome of my SJT assessment - I took the test on the 29th September

 

[John Travoni]

Just heard back from A&O

Just heard back yesterday about the outcome of my SJT assessment - I took the test on the 29th September

Oh wow, congrats.
But that was a v quick turnaround,

 

[PirateShip]

Wondering about CMS's question: "What qualities does a future facing, well-rounded lawyer require to be successful?"

Would you try and weave into the answer how you have the qualities which you mention? The word limit is really tight at only 200 words.

 

[hopefullawyer101]

Can anyone advise me how things would change in a case study if you were acting for the seller. Would the case study be more likely requiring you to decide between possible buyers and then explain pros and cons of why you had chosen one and not the other? Rather than advising on a sale to a specific buyer?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Wondering about CMS's question: "What qualities does a future facing, well-rounded lawyer require to be successful?"

Would you try and weave into the answer how you have the qualities which you mention? The word limit is really tight at only 200 words.

No need to weave in your qualities - just focus on the skills you think you would need. The "future-facing" bit is the key to this question - try to avoid picking things that lawyers have needed for decades to be successful.

 

[PirateShip]

No need to weave in your qualities - just focus on the skills you think you would need. The "future-facing" bit is the key to this question - try to avoid picking things that lawyers have needed for decades to be successful.

Thanks, Jessica!

 

[elizabethjo123]

Thank you, I was just slightly confused as one of the questions also asks what skills, qualities and attributes you’d bring to the role so I don’t want to repeat myself

@Jessica Booker could you help me on this? In the question where it asks me what skills/ qualities/ attributes I would bring to the role, I've linked it to previous work experience/ co-curriculars at university. Does this mean I should avoid re-listing these skills in the work experience section if all it asks for are my responsibilities?

Also, is it okay to put in university activities in work experience, e.g. if you were part of the pro bono society or on the exec committee of a political society?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker could you help me on this? In the question where it asks me what skills/ qualities/ attributes I would bring to the role, I've linked it to previous work experience/ co-curriculars at university. Does this mean I should avoid re-listing these skills in the work experience section if all it asks for are my responsibilities?

Also, is it okay to put in university activities in work experience, e.g. if you were part of the pro bono society or on the exec committee of a political society?

I’d generally advise to avoid repetition in an application. In work experience sections, you generally don’t have to talk about your skills (unless you think it is something that isn’t obvious from your description), unless the form explicitly asks you to do this.

Extra curriculars should not be included in work experience sections. There are some exceptions, like working in a student law clinic or volunteering in a student call centre, but generally most student society stuff should just be kept to your extra curriculars.

 

[elizabethjo123]

I’d generally advise to avoid repetition in an application. In work experience sections, you generally don’t have to talk about your skills (unless you think it is something that isn’t obvious from your description), unless the form explicitly asks you to do this.

Extra curriculars should not be included in work experience sections. There are some exceptions, like working in a student law clinic or volunteering in a student call centre, but generally most student society stuff should just be kept to your extra curriculars.

Thank you so much, that's really helpful

 

[OB]

Just emailed A&O as I still haven't heard if I passed the SJT (took it on 10th Sept) - wish me luck lol

 

[OB]

Just got a WG invite for Bird & Bird Spring Vac

 

[John Travoni]

Has anyone completed a VI for Dechert before? If so, could you pls pm me and give me any advice as to what it consists of and how I can prepare 😊😊

 

[SamTam99]

Has anyone completed a VI for Dechert before? If so, could you pls pm me and give me any advice as to what it consists of and how I can prepare 😊😊

Yes, PM me

 

[Lumree]

Just got a WG invite for Bird & Bird Spring Vac

Same! Congrats