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

[jv1999]

Hi guys. For the Sidley question 'Which personal qualities make a successful lawyer?', would you recommend stating X qualities and explain why they make a successful lawyer or would you go a step further and explain why you have them or how you have developed them (that would make you a successful lawyer...).

Also, would you recommend stating (for example) 3 qualities and elaborating on them or try to list more to show that you understand all the key competencies expected for a successful lawyer? Sidley say they are looking for applicants with X qualities that I am aiming to use to inform the qualities I pick out for the question but they list 5 or 6.

 

[ltt_12]

Hi @ltt_12,

My advice would be, if the firm has asked you to upload a transcript, definitely do.

I recently came across this post by Laura Yeates (Head of Graduate Talent at CC) which reflected on a batch of Training Contract applications that she had reviewed. Might be really useful reading for anyone applying to CC this year!

Do reach out if you would like any more advice/help!

Thanks for this response George! On another point, have a small/particular question - when inputing Module grades, it just says "year". If I took the subject in the academic year of 2020/2021 for example, should I write down the year I started the module (2020) or the year i finished it/sat the exam (2021)? Sorry if this is an obvious point!

 

[George Maxwell]

Thanks for this response George! On another point, have a small/particular question - when inputing Module grades, it just says "year". If I took the subject in the academic year of 2020/2021 for example, should I write down the year I started the module (2020) or the year i finished it/sat the exam (2021)? Sorry if this is an obvious point!

Absolutely no worries, happy to help @ltt_12

Personally I would put 2020/21 if you can. If not, I would put the year you took the exam. Others may disagree but this is what I did when I was applying!

 

[James Carrabino]

I’ve just been offered the Slaughter and May winter workshop! Over the moon as I was really down about my Linklaters rejection today and my HSF one a couple of weeks ago. Definitely thought it was my weakest application as well!

Congratulations - this is a great achievement! It goes to show just how random and draining this process is for all of us. It is those with resilience like yourself who start to see some positive results

 

[James Carrabino]

Hey guys, I was recently rejected from A&O post AC and have been rejected from one other firm at AC (albeit a firm not near the stature of A&O). I was wondering how many AC's some of the future trainees had before they were successful? I am a little worried, as I seem to struggle with them. In addition, due to personal circumstances, I have only made three applications so far this cycle (one of them A&O) and whilst I'm hoping to get another two away this month, it starting to seem unlikely I will get something this cycle.

Try not to compare yourself to others because so much luck comes into it. Whilst I did well in ACs on the whole, I didn't do well at all on vac schemes! I know other future trainees who were the complete opposite from me and did 10+ ACs only to get one vac scheme and then convert it. You are clearly doing something right if you have only made three applications this cycle and have reached AC stage in two of them - I don't know about your personal circumstances but I will say that I submitted almost the entirety of my applications throughout December and January last year so you have plenty of time remaining to get apps in

 

[kmax301]

Hi, has anyone received a PFO from Bird&Bird post application? They send that they send PFO's as well as emails about successful applications. However, I was wondering if they send PO's right at the moment when they read and evaluate your application. Cheers.

 

[James Carrabino]

Just got an offer for the Clyde & Co winter vac scheme!!

Congratulations!!

 

[tcseason]

Shearman response anyone? Surprising they're leaving it so late-most WVS offers seem to have gone out now...

 

[atrumregina1]

Anybody who hasn't heard from the below?

-Clyde WVS post VI (I am assuming PFO but just to make sure I'm not the only one left hanging)
-NRF Spring VS post app (no WG has been sent to me and I applied 13/11)
-Reed Smith pre-SJT (again applied 14/11) and heard nothing since I submitted the app

 

[James Carrabino]

When writing a cover letter which is addressed to the graduate recruitment team, do you use yours sincerely or yours faithfully to sign off? I get that YF is for when you don't know their name, but not sure which is best in this instance? TIA!!

Yours sincerely is always a safe option in my experience.

I think @AvniD is correct that you can never go wrong with 'yours sincerely'. Technically, as you do not know the specific person's name to whom you are writing, you should write 'yours faithfully' but it really will not be too important which you choose.

I always learnt that if you don't know their name you can't be sincere, so you have to go on faith that the right person ends up reading it 🤣

 

[Rob93]

Shearman response anyone? Surprising they're leaving it so late-most WVS offers seem to have gone out now...

Not a word yet.

 

[LongSufferingLawGrad]

Sorry to raise this again, but has anyone heard from W&C post AC?

For context, AC was 13 days ago!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Anybody who hasn't heard from the below?

-Clyde WVS post VI (I am assuming PFO but just to make sure I'm not the only one left hanging)
-NRF Spring VS post app (no WG has been sent to me and I applied 13/11)
-Reed Smith pre-SJT (again applied 14/11) and heard nothing since I submitted the app

Submitted Reed Smith application last Monday and no SJT test invite.

 

[James Carrabino]

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?

I think it's worth adding briefly that you understand how London is a commercial centre and will expose you to a greater variety of international work etc. with a reason why those things may be of benefit to you. I don't think you need to worry too much though about how much detail you go into!

 

[sakaesr99]

Should I dress smartly for the Clyde and co video assessment or wear normal clothes?

 

[LEL]

Should I dress smartly for the Clyde and co video assessment or wear normal clothes?

Always smart for a video interview!

 

[LongSufferingLawGrad]

Should I dress smartly for the Clyde and co video assessment or wear normal clothes?

Personally, I go for a suit and tie...

Maybe go without the jacket if you want to be a bit more relaxed. Better to be overdressed than underdressed, I think.

 

[Law2022]

Anybody who hasn't heard from the below?

-Clyde WVS post VI (I am assuming PFO but just to make sure I'm not the only one left hanging)
-NRF Spring VS post app (no WG has been sent to me and I applied 13/11)
-Reed Smith pre-SJT (again applied 14/11) and heard nothing since I submitted the app

I’m still waiting on Clyde too! People have offers for the scheme so I’m just waiting for my PFO too

 

[James Carrabino]

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!

I think this is an excellent example if you can talk about it in an uplifting way! These kinds of life experiences demonstrate that you really have what it takes to withstand the difficulties of a career in commercial law over and above good academics or work experience and this is certainly not an inappropriate topic to broach. That said, you should take time crafting your answer so that it is clear how you have gone from strength to strength as a result of your achievement, as opposed to simply dwelling on how bad everything was before you made the decision. You should try to make sure you are showing pride and not just relief or regret for the time you spent in the relationship. I hope that helps!

 

[Rob93]

Shearman pfo just came through.