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

[Lastseasonwonder]

Stephenson Harwood:

1. Tell us about a time you have exceeded expectations in your work and/or study. (250)

• What challenges did you experience?
• How did you respond to those challenges?
• What was the outcome?

2. Tell us about responsibilities you have taken on outside of work and/or study. (250)

• Outline your personal achievements
• What motivated you to achieve this?
• How have you worked effectively with others?

3. Describe how you came to the decision to apply to Stephenson Harwood. (250)

• What sources did you use to research the firm?
• What is it about our work that appeals to you?
• What do you think the firm can offer you?

4. Are there any other particular matters which you wish to mention? (250)

• Are there any reasonable adjustments that you would like the firm to make during the selection process?
• If you are changing careers, you may wish to tell us about your decision?
• If you have taken a gap year, you may wish to tell us about what you did?
• Do you have any additional information that you have not included elsewhere in the form that the interviewer should be aware of?

HSF (I applied for Winter but I assume they are the same):

1. Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you. (We are looking for structure and succinctness in your answer. Your answer does not need to be related to law or HSF and it is a chance for us to find out more about you and your interests) (Up to 300 words)

2. Why are you interested in pursuing a career at Herbert Smith Freehills? (Up to 300 words)

3. What skills, qualities and attributes would you bring to the role? (Up to 300 words)

Thanks for this, @OB. For SH, are the bullet points part of the app questions or are they just things you yourself jotted down?

 

[anxiouslawyer]

I’d try to ensure there is some kind of connection to the events and the firm you are applying to, even if just that the firms do similar work. If you have the word count you could briefly talk about either what you learnt or how the events have shaped your career motivation.

Would it be expected that you name the different firms' events that you went to? I'm also not sure if this is an appropriate place to talk about the virtual vac schemes I completed via The Forage.

 

[Simba281]

Hey! One of Hogan Lovells’ Qs asks about open days and events you’ve attended in the legal sector but I haven’t attended any as I’ve been working full time for the past 2 years- would it be ok to leave this question blank?

 

[ScrappyDoo]

Hey everyone! How long does it take for Linklaters to provide the CAPPS report?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Would it be expected that you name the different firms' events that you went to? I'm also not sure if this is an appropriate place to talk about the virtual vac schemes I completed via The Forage.

Yes - they will want specific details, either the name of the firm and the type of event, or even when it happened (even if it is just something like “autumn 2020”.

It is usually a good place to include virtual vacation schemes or e-learning platforms too.

 

[LEL]

Hey! One of Hogan Lovells’ Qs asks about open days and events you’ve attended in the legal sector but I haven’t attended any as I’ve been working full time for the past 2 years- would it be ok to leave this question blank?

It's not an optional question, so I think you have to provide an answer for your application to be considered completed. Legal Cheek and All About Law have some events going on this week, if you'd like to include some!

 

[OB]

Thanks for this, @OB. For SH, are the bullet points part of the app questions or are they just things you yourself jotted down?

Part of the questions

 

[Lumree]

Just been invited to CMS’ Watson Glaser Test for those waiting!

 

[Celestie]

Curious for people's thoughts on Sidley - is it alright in the 'why Sidley' bit to lean heavily into their PE practice? It's something they highlight quite a bit but isn't one of their ranked practices so not quite their bread and butter (yet, at least); I'm wary of seeming disinterested or cavalier about their other areas (I'm not) but based on my prior experience PE is the area in which I can most credibly substantiate my interest. Only have about 125 words for that part of the application, so I'd have to sacrifice depth to cast a broader net.

No problem leaning into the PE at all but don't forget to look at the other practices as you will likely train in them at some point - and if your partner interview is with someone who isn't PE you don't want to shoot yourself in the foot if that makes sense?

 

[Samir_O]

Anyone else still waiting to hear back from A&O for an AC?..

 

[Aspiring Solicitor 007]

Hey everyone! How long does it take for Linklaters to provide the CAPPS report?

Got mine within 1-2 days

 

[kat_]

I've been wondering when it comes to sort of the 'invitations' from firms through Vantage.. are they automatic? What I mean is - does everyone get them?

 

[tt_xo]

I've been wondering when it comes to sort of the 'invitations' from firms through Vantage.. are they automatic? What I mean is - does everyone get them?

I believe the majority are general and are sent to many different people, maybe not quite automatic though. However I did have one Slaughter and May one that was personalised.

 

[Veep9]

Anyone have any tips on the Clyde & Co test / interview?

 

[George.E.]

Has anyone applied to Cleary Gottlieb yet? If so, do you know how many words or what sort of length the firm prefers their cover letter to be? The application page doesn't stipulate a length. Many thanks

 

[bibss]

I got ‘motivation’ as my lowest scoring attribute in the Linklaters CAPP assessment 🥵🥲Last year it was one of my highest scoring attributes 🤣
JOKES

 

[PM2021]

Has anyone applied to Cleary Gottlieb yet? If so, do you know how many words or what sort of length the firm prefers their cover letter to be? The application page doesn't stipulate a length. Many thanks

Hey I attended their session at my law fair, and they prefer being 1-1.25 pages. Try structuring it well and being succinct.

 

[ap28]

Hi! I am in the process of applying for a vacation scheme with Norton Rose Fulbright and I have a question regarding the work experience section of the application form.
The section states: 'Please give details of any full or part-time employment, both general and legal, you have undertaken or plan to undertake in the near future.', and you can add four different employers.
Does this only apply to employment, or also other work experience such as volunteering, virtual internships and open days? I can see that there is also a section for other work experience, so I am assuming that it only applies to paid employment, but I thought I should double check.
Also, when writing in the other work experience section (which has a 200 word limit) should I briefly describe every other work experience, or should I just pick a few and go into more detail?
Thank you!

 

[IceFloe]

When does Clyde's VI have to be completed by? Is it by 1st Nov, or is that just the deadline for submitting their online form?

 

[Rob93]

No problem leaning into the PE at all but don't forget to look at the other practices as you will likely train in them at some point - and if your partner interview is with someone who isn't PE you don't want to shoot yourself in the foot if that makes sense?

Thanks, that absolutely makes sense. For interview purposes I would absolutely spend time on their specialised finance and investment practices, since those are what they're ranked for and I am quite keen on that work as well.