TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[axelbeugre]

Hi, could I please get your thoughts on this? @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

What skills do you think are needed to be a successful solicitor at our firm? (250)
For this question, I think focusing on 3 skills is pretty good amount given wordcount so that I can elaborate too. I do want to answer the question and not include what it isn't explicitly asking for but there's no "why you/what do you offer to us" question in the application form, so should I use this space to mention where I have demonstrated each skill I think is important?

thank you!

I would personally mention three skills, explain why they are important and link them back to an experience where I have demonstrated them. I would be mindful of the word count and so if you need more words I would only mention two skills which you think are more important.

As long as you answer the question exhaustively, linking back to your experiences, as you said, will give you another layer to your application.

I personally always tackled this question in this way when I was applying, even in interviews. Chances are that if you do not talk about your experiences, in an interview, they will ask you to do it immediately after this question anyway!

 

[tcplease2345]

Any updates on shoo smiths discover placement? I'm fairly sure we'll receive responses by the end of this week

The test email said by 28th February.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you, Jessica. That really helps. 😊

Just wanted to check if you think including open days/workshops and voluntary roles is OK. I have included them under a single entry separately and everything else is either paid work or work experience like law clinic.

Also, I have included two sections for open days/legal career research. One is for open days and workshops and the second one I have titled "Legal Career Research [Middle East Region]" -- I have done this mostly because of the wordcount limit under a single entry but also because I am a UK student so I thought it may make sense to show my motivations/research into the region separately. Under this section, I have included interactions I have had with lawyers who work in the region and webinars. Is that ok in your opinion?

Yes - it is okay to include those. If there is a "careers events" section, then move the open days/workshops to that section though and remove from your work experience.

Voluntary toles are ok to include in a work experience section too.

I am not sure what you mean by "Legal Career Research" - is this a title for a work experience entry? If so, it is likely to not be appropriate to include this there. What you are describing in terms of talking to people is not work experience.

 

[estimur]

@Jessica Booker
I realised I forgot to submit the Rare Recruitment Survey for a firm and have not heard from them since applying.
Is there any chance my application has not been considered because of this?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker
I realised I forgot to submit the Rare Recruitment Survey for a firm and have not heard from them since applying.
Is there any chance my application has not been considered because of this?

I wouldn't expect this to be the case as this information is generally not compulsory (you wouldn't have been able to proceed with your application if it was), and for many applicants the questions are not as relevant anyway (e.g. international students).

 

[avry]

Cooley AC!! Any advice would be super appreciated

same here!

 

[axelbeugre]

@Jessica Booker I was hoping you or someone that knows about this could help out. I've been offered 2 VS with large firms, but they're both at the same time. I've already signed my contract with Firm 1 (their offer came 1 month before Firm 2) and they only do one VS a year. Firm 2 is an access scheme rather than a VS although it's the same experience and TC offer at the end. What should I do in this instance as I don't want to miss out on one? (can't believe I got any at all!). I was thinking of asking Firm 2 to maybe move me onto one of their VS dates but also don't want it to sound like they're a 2nd choice. Thanks!

This is a good problem to have as far as problems with application cycles goes and congratulations for obtaining two offers this is amazing!!

I personally would do what you suggested and ask the second firm to move you to another date for their vacation scheme, or, alternatively, to consider you for a direct training contract.

If you are worried about them thinking they are a 2nd choice, do not be. Law firms totally understand that competition for talented people is fierce and nobody can take it personally. When you ask the second firm about a chance to move, make sure to highlight how grateful you are for the opportunity and that the firm is still on your priority list.

 

[axelbeugre]

@Jessica Booker
I realised I forgot to submit the Rare Recruitment Survey for a firm and have not heard from them since applying.
Is there any chance my application has not been considered because of this?

This will not be an issue, I did forget to submit many times last year when I was applying and it was fine!

 

[axelbeugre]

Cooley AC!! Any advice would be super appreciated

Congratulations! Huge achievement!!

In this piece, I offered some general advice that could serve as a good place to start: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2023-24.8037/post-167210

Good luck with the assessment!

 

[axelbeugre]

Anyone that heard from Goodwin? I applied in December for the vacation scheme and I've seen some people on here get their rejection or interviews on 24th of January. Is this usual or am I just worrying for no reason and I should just keep waiting ?

I would email them to ask updates as it seems to be that it is a bit unusual since both rejections and offers have been sent out. I would also check my spam email just to confirm you have not receive anything from them!

 

[lawgurl90]

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?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Yes - it is okay to include those. If there is a "careers events" section, then move the open days/workshops to that section though and remove from your work experience.

Voluntary toles are ok to include in a work experience section too.

I am not sure what you mean by "Legal Career Research" - is this a title for a work experience entry? If so, it is likely to not be appropriate to include this there. What you are describing in terms of talking to people is not work experience.

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.

 

[axelbeugre]

Irwin Mitchell AC

Congratulations! Great news!

 

[haydararikci]

Hey guys did anyone hear back from Clearly Gottlieb after submitting the application ?

 

[axelbeugre]

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?

This is firm dependent but usually I would say no as law firms will offer the training contract to people they really like and if you have been offered a vacation scheme offer, you are more than capable to convert it regardless of the dates you choose.

Having said that, there are certain firms were the conversion rates for winter and spring seems to be higher than the summer ones so if i were you I would try to reach out to a future trainee at the firm or someone who recently completed a scheme there and ask this question before asking the firm to move dates.

In this way, you will have the exact piece of information you need and it will be more accurate.

 

[axelbeugre]

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.

I would mention them in the Why the firm question as I think it fits better. I would agree with Jessica and say that generally webinars are not to be put in the work experience section but should be used as a supporting argument as to why you find a specific firm/practice area or client very interesting.

 

[axelbeugre]

Latham Spring VS offer!! Thank you TCLA. Szn Over

Amazing news!! Congratulations!

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I would mention them in the Why the firm question as I think it fits better. I would agree with Jessica and say that generally webinars are not to be put in the work experience section but should be used as a supporting argument as to why you find a specific firm/practice area or client very interesting.

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?

 

[Bubbles]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, this is just a general recruitment question not necessarily related to law firms.. if a company extends its application deadline (even more so on the original deadline day), is that a sign that they've received less applications than expected?

 

[axelbeugre]

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

Hi, I had a question about how much is too much to include in an application form. I am writing an application form and the work experience section has pretty much unlimited entries. I currently have 12 entries (I have grouped together voluntary roles and open days/workshops). Is this too much?

Would it also be wrong to include extracurriculars under the work experience section given there isn't a question asking to include those?

Thanks!

I personally do not think there is a limit but I would not include every single experience I did but only the most relevant ones and the ones I know I can talk about more extensively. Putting so many experiences will not be as beneficial in my opinion. I used to out a maximum of 6 to 7 experiences for reference.

You can put your extracurricular experiences in the work experience section, however I have never done this. I always thought it was better to put professional experiences there and talk about my extracurricular experiences in the answers/interview stage, but I know people who did put their extracurricular experiences in the work experience section and they were successful too so it does not matter.