TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Andrei Radu]

Amazing, thank you so much Andrei, this is very helpful and I will keep it in mind

On the competitors ques, how to answer that in the best way for Browne Jacobson? Is it correct to take the sector based approach and then the similar size based approach in order to determine competitors?

For a general 'who are our competitors' question think this will be fine, but I would also try to take a look at their practice area expertise and, if possible, to compare geographical spread. The concept of a competitor is a multifaceted one and there are other elements besides size and sector that are relevant for determining how much of a rival another firm is. In terms of resources, I advise you look at at both Chambers UK and Legal 500 tier rankings.

If you think you have the time, perhaps you can to divide your answer between (i) who are the firm's competitors in a broad sense (who are the most similar firms, ie what 'type' of firm are they) - which is what the aforementioned answer targets; and (ii) who are the firm's competitors at a sector/practice area-specific level. When I did this in a VS interview back in the day, the partner really liked this approach and praised me for it.

 

[Will123]

Is it foolish to use the same answer from the application to the same competency question during the interview?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Is it foolish to use the same answer from the application to the same competency question during the interview?

I do not think there is any issue with having an interview answer that mirrors an application form answer. I actually have no idea why this has become such an almost universally accepted myth - I personally never saw an issue with using the same reasoning as in your application. In many cases partners will not even review your application in any level of depth before the interview, and if they do, they will not as a result form an expectation for you to come up with a different reasoning as to your motivations, or skill set, or to use different (and less directly applicable) examples if asked the same question merely for purposes of variation.

They will simply expect you to answer the question in the most accurate and convincing way you can. This might necessitate some changes to the application form answer, both because the communication format is different, and because you might want to have a more nuanced/detailed analysis in view of potential follow ups. However, the main themes and ideas should likely stay the same. If anything, it would likely look somewhat suspicious if your fundamental motivations, skills and most relevant experiences were to all of a sudden be very different from the ones mentioned in the application form.