TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Jessica Booker]

I made a stupid mistake I wrote my covering letter (within an application) and forgot to sign off (eg yours faithfully and then my name). I wrote everything else fine, I just can’t believe I was so stupid and have now sent off the application. Will this affect my application at all? And should I email grad rec and address it? @Jessica Booker

I wouldn’t email about it in all honesty - I don’t think it would help in anyway.

It’s hard to know whether it will impact your application or not. I have seen things like this ignored for strong applications.

 

[rose888]

Hi in Travers Smith vac scheme application, they give space for 4x work experience, and then a section for other work experience - how much would be acceptable to put in this other box? or does it not matter

 

[F12M34L]

The Baker McKenzie application opened today and they have the same application questions as last year. As I passed the application stage last year wanted to ask. For the application question 3 things that are personal to you that make BM different. Can I use the same answer as last application cycle or change it a bit. What are your thoughts on this @Jessica Booker

I have the same question. I applied for a direct TC this year.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I have the same question. I applied for a direct TC this year.

My response to the post is here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2022-23.5995/post-121321

 

[YA]

Hey, could someone please help me confirm A&O's winter vacation scheme questions?

The two that I have are:

1. Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer at A&O and what do you think are the key skills and qualities required for success? (250 words)
2. Please identify an existing market development or future trend that will likely affect A&O clients and describe how this could provide the Firm with new opportunities to support its clients. (300 words)

For some reason, I cannot log back into my account and am waiting for the issue to be resolved.

Thank you

 

[F12M34L]

Hey, could someone please help me confirm A&O's winter vacation scheme questions?

The two that I have are:

1. Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer at A&O and what do you think are the key skills and qualities required for success? (250 words)
2. Please identify an existing market development or future trend that will likely affect A&O clients and describe how this could provide the Firm with new opportunities to support its clients. (300 words)

For some reason, I cannot log back into my account and am waiting for the issue to be resolved.

Thank you

Coincidentally, I am having the same issues with the online portal.

 

[samni]

Has anyone gotten to AC with Linklaters with 'respect' as their lowest scoring attribute? Such a disheartening categorisation to get seeing as it was based on seeking out challenging tasks rather than familiar ones!

 

[bibss]

Has anyone gotten to AC with Linklaters with 'respect' as their lowest scoring attribute? Such a disheartening categorisation to get seeing as it was based on seeking out challenging tasks rather than familiar ones!

I wouldn’t worry too much about it! Nobody really knows what they are looking for and the report you get after completing the test doesn’t really say much about your overall performance!

On another note, can I ask you which percentage does your portal show under ‘progress’? They keep changing it every year! Very confusing…

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey, could someone please help me confirm A&O's winter vacation scheme questions?

The two that I have are:

1. Why do you want to become a commercial lawyer at A&O and what do you think are the key skills and qualities required for success? (250 words)
2. Please identify an existing market development or future trend that will likely affect A&O clients and describe how this could provide the Firm with new opportunities to support its clients. (300 words)

For some reason, I cannot log back into my account and am waiting for the issue to be resolved.

Thank you

Yes, these questions are what they have been asking this year.

 

[Username9999]

I wouldn’t worry too much about it! Nobody really knows what they are looking for and the report you get after completing the test doesn’t really say much about your overall performance!

On another note, can I ask you which percentage does your portal show under ‘progress’? They keep changing it every year! Very confusing…

I’m on 77% hold, hbu?

 

[samni]

I wouldn’t worry too much about it! Nobody really knows what they are looking for and the report you get after completing the test doesn’t really say much about your overall performance!

On another note, can I ask you which percentage does your portal show under ‘progress’? They keep changing it every year! Very confusing…

Thanks - hope it looks better as a whole! Mine's on 77% post WG, which I took this morning

 

[Civ457]

Is not having attended any open days or live events a negative to an application? What are other ways to show your interest in a firm without attending these these event? I am working full time at the minute so would struggle to attend the events this winter - I am working in the legal sector to gain more experience and have tried to complete virtual internships. Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 3712]

Is not having attended any open days or live events a negative to an application? What are other ways to show your interest in a firm without attending these these event? I am working full time at the minute so would struggle to attend the events this winter - I am working in the legal sector to gain more experience and have tried to complete virtual internships. Thanks!

You don’t have to attend it’s just helpful to name-drop to show you made an effort to get an insight from inside the firm. You could maybe reach out to someone from the firm over LinkedIn or email to ask to meet super briefly over teams (explain what stage you’re at) or just to ask a question about the firm? I previously emailed a partner at a law firm with a question and he replied straight away. You could also reference reading e.g. an associate’s blog posts on a law firm’s website or listening to a podcast and mention why that got you interested in the firm and a certain way they do things there.

 

[ccfuturetraineesolicitor]

Has anyone been invited an A&O AC? I applied in the middle of september but I still haven't heard back from them and i'm getting kinda worried!!

 

[bibss]

I’m on 77% hold, hbu?

Thanks - hope it looks better as a whole! Mine's on 77% post WG, which I took this morning

Same, I am on 77% too. Don’t think it means anything anyway, it was just out of curiosity

 

[AvniD]

Is not having attended any open days or live events a negative to an application? What are other ways to show your interest in a firm without attending these these event? I am working full time at the minute so would struggle to attend the events this winter - I am working in the legal sector to gain more experience and have tried to complete virtual internships. Thanks!

Try to attend webinars instead? Or watch YouTube videos put out by the firm or firm interviews? You could try and follow up with the people in these webinars/videos/interviews on LinkedIn if you have a question you want to ask them about their practice or work after you introduce yourself!

 

[Tonye]

Has anyone been invited an A&O AC? I applied in the middle of september but I still haven't heard back from them and i'm getting kinda worried!!

I'm in the same boat but I applied on the 25th! I saw a post somewhere that said they had gotten a rejection after about a month or so but haven't seen any AC invites yet

 

[confusedlawstudent]

i am applying for the taylor wessing summer 2023 VS and the first question is "tell us about any activities you have been involved with over the past 3 years that you feel has helped build your skillset. This can range from sports teams to mooting, to simply juggling responsibilities you have at home."

I was thinking of talking about my year abroad, since I went during covid and I feel like I came back a lot more confident, resilient and motivated. But do law firms care about year abroads? Or should I try to think of something else to put? I was also thinking about writing about chess society or orchestra, but again I don't know if they care about this kind of thing. I could write about mooting but I have already written about this in the next question (which about my most significant achievement).

Any guidance is much appreciated!

 

[Jessica Booker]

i am applying for the taylor wessing summer 2023 VS and the first question is "tell us about any activities you have been involved with over the past 3 years that you feel has helped build your skillset. This can range from sports teams to mooting, to simply juggling responsibilities you have at home."

I was thinking of talking about my year abroad, since I went during covid and I feel like I came back a lot more confident, resilient and motivated. But do law firms care about year abroads? Or should I try to think of something else to put? I was also thinking about writing about chess society or orchestra, but again I don't know if they care about this kind of thing. I could write about mooting but I have already written about this in the next question (which about my most significant achievement).

Any guidance is much appreciated!

I think you would need to really focus on the activities you did on your year abroad to sell this, rather than just the year abroad itself.

The Chess Society and Orchestra will be of interest to. Try to show your involvement and impact in these activities if you can, and try to align it to what the firm is looking for skills wise.

 

[starman]

Has anyone already been invited to BCLP's Assessment Centre? I realise it's relatively early in the cycle, but given that the firm reviews applications on a rolling basis, I'm curious about when their ACs start.