TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

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Chelsea101

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  • Aug 7, 2023
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    What's the consensus on using all 250 words per experience in the work experience section? I worked four different hospitality jobs during uni, and there are only so many ways I can talk about pulling pints.

    My main work experiences following graduation are all in the region of 250 words.
    Hi, I also worked four hospitality/fast-food/retail jobs during uni all with similar transferrable skills so I understand what you mean. In all my applications this year, I decided to lump all of those experiences together under one work experience header as "Part-time jobs (alongside degree) within Retail and Hospitality" - I used about 150 words to describe the different job roles I held, how may hours I worked, transferrable skills etc. I hope that helps in terms of not listing each hospitality job under separate headers!

    Doing it the way I mentioned above was the only way that made sense to me so that I was not repeating the same things over and over :)
     
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    EM23

    Esteemed Member
    Dec 10, 2022
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    I find it quite funny (not in a positive way) that when I do apps for English offices I barely get through the first stage or so if I am lucky. However, when I do applications for the same firms but are based in Scotland (where I got my llb) I get much further through the process. I have experience in international firms so quite sad and doesn’t feel genuine when firms say they are open to those without an English LLB or career changers. Just my own experience
     
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    Jessica Booker

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    Aug 1, 2019
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    What's the consensus on using all 250 words per experience in the work experience section? I worked four different hospitality jobs during uni, and there are only so many ways I can talk about pulling pints.

    My main work experiences following graduation are all in the region of 250 words.
    You don’t have to use the full count. It’s only there for if it is needed, and for many roles a much shorter description will be appropriate.
     

    Jessica Booker

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    I find it quite funny (not in a positive way) that when I do apps for English offices I barely get through the first stage or so if I am lucky. However, when I do applications for the same firms but are based in Scotland (where I got my llb) I get much further through the process. I have experience in international firms so quite sad and doesn’t feel genuine when firms say they are open to those without an English LLB or career changers. Just my own experience
    If you have no ties to the location you are applying to, there can be concerns more about whether you will enjoy life outside of work, so that could be a factor as to why.
     

    dms21

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    Jan 6, 2023
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    Out of curiosity, how long are people taking to write each application (+ research)? and for those completing them in one day, how are you doing it? Just curious as I have so many due applications within the next few weeks so any help or tips would be great!
     
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    EM23

    Esteemed Member
    Dec 10, 2022
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    If you have no ties to the location you are applying to, there can be concerns more about whether you will enjoy life outside of work, so that could be a factor as to why.
    I understand that it seems a fairly innocuous variable though. I was successful for an English vac scheme but was met with disdain when I participated in it so perhaps it’s a culture issue.
     

    Jessica Booker

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    I understand that it seems a fairly innocuous variable though. I was successful for an English vac scheme but was met with disdain when I participated in it so perhaps it’s a culture issue.
    It could be about alignment in personality/culture too - this can even vary across offices within the same firm.
     
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