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

[S87]

This explains why it is so easy to make such a quick decision on many applications though:

I've read over 173 Training Contract applications this morning. Most of them unfortunately won't be progressed to the next stage - why?

I've read over 173 Training Contract applications this morning. Most of them unfortunately won't be progressed to the next stage - why? Failed to detail their degree - 2% of responses Failed to detail work exp - 12% of responses Failed to use the 600 words - 16% of responses All of the above - 71% o

www.linkedin.com

I am reading it now..you know that I respect this person..but I am worried

 

[Jessica Booker]

I am reading it now..you know that I respect this person..but I am worried

The thing to remember is that this is not about EVERY application. It’s about the majority.

For every good application received that takes 10 minutes to read, you’ll probably get 10-15 that you can decide on very quickly.

We sometimes forget in this forum (because everyone is so focused/bought in to getting a TC) that not everyone is like our community, and in reality our community is a minority in the applicant pool. There will be thousands of people submitting applications with little to no interest in law, but going for it because someone told them it was a good career to go into or because the money is good. There will be people applying who do it half heartedly just because they are caught up in all the noise of their fellow students applying, and they are told it is something they should do, rather than analyse whether it is something they want to do. It is the applications from those people that can be decided fairly quickly.

Back in my time, I could easily get rid of about 5% of applicants just because they had copied and pasted their answers and hadn’t changed the firm’s name!!

You ultimately bin applications quickly so you have time and energy to focus on the good applications.

 

[Leche_Deag]

Hey guys. I've recently completed the final assessment stage for the Stephenson Harwood winter vacation scheme, that being the written case study, on the 10th last week but am yet to hear back from them. Has anyone else received a reply?

 

[Slawrelated]

Does A&O require you to do a maths section for the SJT?

 

[Slawrelated]

and if A&O ASK you to do Maths,

Does A&O require you to do a maths section for the SJT?

what does the math section comprise of?

 

[Rob93]

Does A&O require you to do a maths section for the SJT?

Yes, although it's less about the maths - which is fairly simple - than about being able to correctly identify what bits of data are relevant & how they relate to each other/the question being asked.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone, I am applying to CRS and one of the questions asks 'which achievement are you most proud of and why?'. My proudest achievement is leaving an abusive relationship and bringing up my son as a very young single parent. Is this appropriate or should I got for something employment related/academic instead?

This is my first cycle and not exactly sure what firms are looking for.

Thanks!

It is something to use - I just advise on focusing on your efforts rather than the circumstances themselves. Yes, you’ll need to provide some context to the situation but try to keep this to the point so you can spend more of the word count explaining what you did rather than what you experienced.

 

[Nicole15]

I don’t think we will hear back from Baker McKenzie until after the 1st December! Spoke to a member of GR recently and she said they review all applications after the deadline. Hope that helps

I received a PFO a couple of days ago.

 

[S87]

Hey guys,

I am applying to Mayer Brown "Please use this section to tell us about any academic or non-academic achievements and interests not covered elsewhere in this application"

Should I use the STAR method? @Jessica Booker could I please have your opinion on this?

Thank you in advance

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey guys,

I am applying to Mayer Brown "Please use this section to tell us about any academic or non-academic achievements and interests not covered elsewhere in this application"

Should I use the STAR method? @Jessica Booker could I please have your opinion on this?

Thank you in advance

I don’t think STAR is needed for this, as it isn’t a competency question. I would just focus on your responsibilities and impact/outcomes.

 

[S87]

I don’t think STAR is needed for this, as it isn’t a competency question. I would just focus on your responsibilities and impact/outcomes.

Thank you

 

[S87]

I don’t think STAR is needed for this, as it isn’t a competency question. I would just focus on your responsibilities and impact/outcomes.

Thank you

 

[S30]

I received a PFO a couple of days ago.

I spoke to Max from GR and he said applications will be reviewed after the deadline. So that’s so strange to hear!

Wish you all the best for your other applications

 

[zlegal]

Has anyone heard back from W&C post AC?

I had the AC yesterday and heard back today! Was quite surprised to hear back so soon, they told me by the end of next week.

 

[kapao88]

Hi all! I'm a recent non-law graduate (graduated this year) with no VCs or Open Days for anything so far as I'm just now trying to break through to law. A question before I submit the VC app to NRF:

I'm not overly confident about my work experience and cover letter combination as although you can submit a cover letter, work experience needs to all fit within 2 limited text boxes and then there's a 200 word max supplement text box for "anything else".

The thing is, I've done a lot of volunteering, society work, extracurriculars, let alone having part-time work right now as a waitress which is technically my current job but obviously not as related to law as other experiences I could list (such as a month working as a paralegal in a small London immigration firm last year, and shadowing a boutique commercial solicitor). Does volunteering even count as 'work' experience if I did it for free, and society stuff?

Additionally, in the Cover Letter I think I want to explain why I want to work with NRF which is related to my interest in IP Law and life sciences, and how I've lived in many different countries so the global scale of their transactions is particularly appealing etc. So... my Q's are:

- Should/can I put volunteering as work?
- Is it advisable to not mention anything from the 'work experience' sections in the cover letter to expand my reach?
- In the "anything else" textbox... bulletpoint-style?

Bonus question, mitigating circumstances... I am just explicitly listing "X happened to me and also Y the month after" instead of talking about how I persevered against the odds, or whatever. That's what you're supposed to do, right?


Thank you so much in advance! I don't know if this is allowed (if this isn't allowed I retract the second part of this) but if anyone wants to talk privately about NRF apps and things I'm free to do so as well

 

[Nicole15]

I spoke to Max from GR and he said applications will be reviewed after the deadline. So that’s so strange to hear!

Wish you all the best for your other applications

Very strange!

Thank you so much, that is very kind of you. Wishing you all the best with your app as well as your other applications!

 

[lawyer859]

HL Base gold offer!

Same!!!

 

[AspiringTrainee]

I had the AC yesterday and heard back today! Was quite surprised to hear back so soon, they told me by the end of next week.

Strange, I had mine last Monday and have not heard anything. But congrats!

 

[ps123]

has anyone else still heard nothing from Shearman

 

[NextStageOfTheApplication]

Did anyone attend Reed Smith's Application webinar yesterday? If so, could you please share your notes? Thank you!