TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[axelbeugre]

That really helps and I am glad I asked you and Jessica before submitting my application haha

I feel that I will struggle a lot with the word count being 250 words and within that limit, I have to explain what areas I find interesting, why the firm, why the specific office. I think I am trying to include too much and I don't know which is the most relevant/useful and which less. Would it be possible to have you quickly look at my response?

Unfortunately we cannot look at individual responses but I think that you should focus on explaining your 2/3 reasons why you are attracted to the firm and the specific office and relate them back to you. These are the crucial things that cannot be missing in your answer.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello, I've recently been offered a vacation scheme. The scheme consists of two cohorts in the summer. The first cohort begins immediately after the conclusion of my exams, and I'm considering taking a break in between. Would there be any difference in terms of opportunities for training contracts between the first and second cohorts? Are they more likely to offer additional training contracts to the first cohort?

No difference between the two and so if the second scheme works better for you state your preference for this. However, if you can still do the first scheme, explain this is possible but that you would prefer the second.

 

[Jessica Booker]

There's no careers events section which is why I am utilising the work experience section.

Are webinars not considered work experience in the same way that open days may be? If not, I could briefly mention them in the "why our firm/ why this office" applicstion question instead but the word count is 250 words so it's super tight.

Personally I would avoid including the webinars given you have so many other work experience entries.

It sounds like you are trying to include everything rather than what the firm is asking for. For opportunities in Dubai they may not care so much for careers events as there is likely to be far fewer than in the U.K.

 

[S87]

Do you guys know when K&S will get back to us?

 

[futuretrainee2025]

I have an AC this week and im just trying to power through. I feel so burnt out but its the final push ahhh

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

I’m still waiting for HFW post app for the vac scheme. Their direct TC is also open and I was wondering if it would make sense to apply to the TC before getting an outcome for the vac scheme app?

 

[Jessica Booker]

That really helps and I am glad I asked you and Jessica before submitting my application haha

I feel that I will struggle a lot with the word count being 250 words and within that limit, I have to explain what areas I find interesting, why the firm, why the specific office. I think I am trying to include too much and I don't know which is the most relevant/useful and which less. Would it be possible to have you quickly look at my response?

Keep your points limited to the most relevant aspects. For instance, if you have done a webinar with the firm’s Dubai office, it will be much more relevant to mention this than if it is for another firm or for the same firm but another office.

Try to think what has influenced you the most rather than trying to showcase everything.

 

[fingersarecrossed]

It seems disheartening they cannot select everyone from the vacation scheme meaning you go through 3-4 rounds of intense firm loyalty just to get a week internship

 

[axelbeugre]

Cooley AC! 🫡

Congratulations!

 

[cwhite233]

Hi everyone! I was wondering whether anyone had any advice on the interview question 'what other firms are you applying to?' Of course I will be honest here but I do think it's important to list firms that are similar to that firm in some way (ideally in a way that corresponds to why I am interested in that particular firm), but I'm afraid of mentioning too broad an array of firms here (eg mentioning a US firm when the firm interviewing me is a UK firm). Does any one have any advice on how best to approach this question?

 

[sxw517]

Does anybody else apply mainly to Direct TCs and feel like they might be putting themselves at a disadvantage in doing so?

By the end of the cycle, I will have applied to more than double in TC apps, when compared to VS apps, and I just wonder whether I'm shooting myself in the foot.

I only apply to VSs really at firms that only recruit through that route, as I have a FT job.


When a firm says on their website that the Direct TC route is for those who cannot feasibly complete the VS, would already having a job put me in that bracket, or would they be wondering why I haven't applied for their VS?

 

[biglaworbust]

Weil Vacation Scheme offer! Interviewed on Wednesday, did my in-tray exercise this morning then got the phone call in the evening. Going to accept for the summer. SO HYPE LETS GOOO.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone! I was wondering whether anyone had any advice on the interview question 'what other firms are you applying to?' Of course I will be honest here but I do think it's important to list firms that are similar to that firm in some way (ideally in a way that corresponds to why I am interested in that particular firm), but I'm afraid of mentioning too broad an array of firms here (eg mentioning a US firm when the firm interviewing me is a UK firm). Does any one have any advice on how best to approach this question?

I don’t think you have to list every firm you have applied to.

1) you can categorise firms

2) you can choose to not include some firms

Given this you can still talk about quite different firms from one another, but you have to either focus on the similarities that did draw you to them, or explain why the differences were important to you (some people do very different firms to work out which kind of firm/what kind of practice areas they are most interested in).

 

[Filia]

Does anyone know what a round table exercise would entail in an AC? “We want to see how you think and approach the unknown” is what the firm has said as an explanation, but any more insight would be appreciated

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Keep your points limited to the most relevant aspects. For instance, if you have done a webinar with the firm’s Dubai office, it will be much more relevant to mention this than if it is for another firm or for the same firm but another office.

Try to think what has influenced you the most rather than trying to showcase everything.

Thank you, Jessica.

One more question on the relevance bit please if you don't mind. I have both work-specific reasons and personal reasons (why I want to potentially relocate for work) that I could mention. Given that it's 250 words, do you think it's helpful to mention both or shall I wait until the interview/next stage to worry about personal motivations and focus on work for now?

 

[laby201]

W&C VI! Nice surprise to get this late on a Monday!

Anyone know what kind of questions to expect? Bit thrown by only having 3 days to complete it 😬

Also, this might be an obvious question, but if the deadline is “22 February 2024 (GMT+00:00)”, I presume that means 23:59pm on Thursday night rather than Wednesday night”?

 

[Aaj03]

W&C VI! Nice surprise to get this late on a Monday!

Anyone know what kind of questions to expect? Bit thrown by only having 3 days to complete it 😬

Congrats!
Motivational, Commercial and competency based questions

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you, Jessica.

One more question on the relevance bit please if you don't mind. I have both work-specific reasons and personal reasons (why I want to potentially relocate for work) that I could mention. Given that it's 250 words, do you think it's helpful to mention both or shall I wait until the interview/next stage to worry about personal motivations and focus on work for now?

This is for a vacation scheme in Dubai?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

This is for a vacation scheme in Dubai?

Yep

 

[bangarangbass39]

Please feel free to PM me and I can help with how you are detailing your mitigating circumstances. I wouldn't expect the need to rehash these from application to application, and I can help so the wording does not come across as making excuses.

Hi, is it possible to message you about this as well? Mine are already sent off but I’d like to clarify what is okay for future applications.