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

[John Travoni]

yeah, just got it about 20 minutes ago

When did you complete the tests?

 

[M777]

thank you what sort of format was your TI last year?

It was strengths based, took roughly 20 minutes and I think it was 4-5 questions. Can't remember any of the questions I'm afraid!

 

[AAA_a]

It’s not automatic, GR has to trigger it for you to get the link (although it is automatic in the sense that they don’t review your application before you do the test).

Ah OK thanks

 

[ellwilsen]

Re the weird Travers situation, is anyone reapplying? i obviously like the firm etc but seems pointless to reapply for a summer scheme despite them saying we can, when they weren't impressed by my application in October😂

 

[Jessica Booker]

Ok that’s fair, thank you. But it’s ok to just give that background briefly? It’s not an application question that’s asking me to distinguish between the London and other offices?

Yes, it’s fine to put it as simply as that. It’s not asking you to distinguish offices - it is asking you to explain why you are applying to that location.

 

[ps123]

When did you complete the tests?

Thursday

 

[Veep9]

Yes, it’s fine to put it as simply as that. It’s not asking you to distinguish offices - it is asking you to explain why you are applying to that location.

Thank you very much!

 

[Rob93]

@Jessica Booker - how would you recommend handling overlap between work experience/why law/why this firm? For context a specific paralegaling experience is a key part of my 'why commercial law' and related to a transaction being led by a firm to which I'm applying (which is how I found out about the firm and part of my motivation for applying there). I have plenty else to say in both parts, and in work experience focus on what I actually did, so is some overlap acceptable if it helps construct the overall narrative?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker - how would you recommend handling overlap between work experience/why law/why this firm? For context a specific paralegaling experience is a key part of my 'why commercial law' and related to a transaction being led by a firm to which I'm applying (which is how I found out about the firm and part of my motivation for applying there). I have plenty else to say in both parts, and in work experience focus on what I actually did, so is some overlap acceptable if it helps construct the overall narrative?

My advice is to focus your work experience entries on factual elements - eg your responsibilities and your impact in the role, while your “why me/why the firm/why the opportunity” type aspects covered in motivational questions or cover letters focuses on how your experiences shaped your motivation. So with your example above, you don’t have to state anything you did, just what you took from the experience and how this links to the firm you are applying to. There then won’t be repetition beyond referencing the role.

 

[Rob93]

My advice is to focus your work experience entries on factual elements - eg your responsibilities and your impact in the role, while your “why me/why the firm/why the opportunity” type aspects covered in motivational questions or cover letters focuses on how your experiences shaped your motivation. So with your example above, you don’t have to state anything you did, just what you took from the experience and how this links to the firm you are applying to. There then won’t be repetition beyond referencing the role.

Thanks so much!

 

[billy98]

@Jessica Booker thank you so much for your contributions so far to this forum. It has had a massive impact on my applications and I am grateful to you. I had a question, hope you could provide some guidance on it. I basically submitted my application for CC and had put my experience of founding a startup under the work experience section. Here I detailed the work I had done and the results that were achieved as a result. I also put this experience under the 600 word section which asked for an achievement of importance. Under this I highlighted the challenges I had gone through, how I solved them and how overcoming those challenges is my greatest achievement. Now upon reflection, I feel like I could've just added this in the work experience section. I am torn between letting it just be at this point or withdraw my application and resubmit with changes made because I don't know if that is the best use of the space for the 600 word question (could result in a rejection). I know you said withdrawing applications is not something good but what do you recommend in this situation.

 

[GOI983]

Hi, I got social adaptability, attention to detail and ownership + 1 average and 4 above averages in last year's cycle. That got me through to TI.

I got 5 above averages but attention to detail + collaboration + resilience this time around.

The application doesn't hinge on your results though - it depends on everything else in your app.

Wow, those are really strong results. I received 2 averages and 3 below averages… but I did complete it in under 45 minutes. I heard some people spent 2 hours + on it, at the start it said your score would be based on “speed and accuracy” that’s why I had to be quick… but I clearly wasn’t accurate enough.

 

[ps123]

Wow, those are really strong results. I received 2 averages and 3 below averages… but I did complete it in under 45 minutes. I heard some people spent 2 hours + on it, at the start it said your score would be based on “speed and accuracy” that’s why I had to be quick… but I clearly wasn’t accurate enough.

I wouldn't worry, this is my first cycle and I can safely say that the only thing I've learnt for certain is that you can never be sure what GR are actually looking for 😄

 

[GOI983]

I wouldn't worry, this is my first cycle and I can safely say that the only thing I've learnt for certain is that you can never be sure what GR are actually looking for 😄

Yeah you’re right, but I think 3 below averages may cost me, despite the 2 averages. I also got attention to detail, social adaptability as my strengths, alongside worth ethic…

 

[AspiringSolicitor99]

Hi @Jessica Booker I received two winter vacation scheme offers that conflict and have decided to take one over the other but wanted to seek your opinion on the matter. Regarding the other offer that I'm declining, I want to request to be deferred to the spring or summer runs of their vacation scheme. However, the spring one conflicts with another offer I've already accepted (although I am equally interested in this firm and the one I already accepted an offer with) and the summer run of the scheme will clash with other vacation schemes with firms I intend to apply to and am more interested in pursuing a vacation scheme with. Should I (a) request to be shifted to spring and potentially renege on either the firm I already accepted a vacation scheme with or this one, (b) request to be shifted to summer and potentially renege on this firm if I receive an offer from a firm I am more interested in, (c) just decline the offer or (d) something else entirely?

I understand that they may not be willing to defer my offer at all and will accept it if that is their decision, but am thinking about what I should do if they are willing to defer the offer. It's slightly annoying that so many firms run their vacation schemes on the same dates even though the summer break is so long!

Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[bibss]

I did the A&O SJT yesterday and just got the email saying I passed.

I don’t know why but I thought someone would review our scores manually. It looks like it’s all automatic as I don’t think grad recruitment work on a Sunday.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I did the A&O SJT yesterday and just got the email saying I passed.

I don’t know why but I thought someone would review our scores manually. It looks like it’s all automatic as I don’t think grad recruitment work on a Sunday.

It is pretty standard for these things to be automated if they know what their benchmark should be.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

For Clifford Chance application as the word count is 600 words would 585 words be way below the word count or is that okay. I mean I read the LinkedIn post about the CC grad recruitment member and wanted to know if I should add a few more words or not.

 

[Rob93]

For Clifford Chance application as the word count is 600 words would 585 words be way below the word count or is that okay. I mean I read the LinkedIn post about the CC grad recruitment member and wanted to know if I should add a few more words or not.

I use the same rule of thumb I would for uni essays - aim for at least ~90% of max word count. 585/600 should be fine

 

[GXA123]

For Clifford Chance application as the word count is 600 words would 585 words be way below the word count or is that okay. I mean I read the LinkedIn post about the CC grad recruitment member and wanted to know if I should add a few more words or not.

I think you are good