TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[tkl24]

Linklaters WG, I just completed this and have my results. 29/40 33% percentile. How does this add up. Do they place greater weight on the WG or the Capp test?

did you ask for your WG results?

 

[studentdelaw786]

I have quoted bellow here some posts I wrote detailing both (i) my further research sources beyond the ones you mentioned; and (ii) my thinking process in determining what to look out for when trying to analyse a firm's practice areas beyond Chambers/Legal 500 rankings. I think you may find them quite useful. In conjunction, I feel they encapsulate the basic research "theory" I relied on when working as a Law Firm Profile Writer for TCLA, and which enabled me to write profiles like the Davis Polk one. However, please do let me know if you have any other questions about researching firms in general, or researching DPW in particular.

Thank you, Andrei. this is really helpful!

 

[EK_27]

HSF Black Heritage Open Day PFO

 

[Bread]

Linklaters WG, I just completed this and have my results. 29/40 33% percentile. How does this add up. Do they place greater weight on the WG or the Capp test?

I got 90% percentile last year and they didn't progress me to AC so they definitely emphasise the Capp more haha

 

[Quistclosetrust]

Anyone know how long HSF take post - AC? Had mine this morning, keen to hear if anyone else knows the rough timeframe as I forgot to ask GradRec

Some people (including me) were informed literally the next morning .

 

[bella98]

Anyone know how long HSF take post - AC? Had mine this morning, keen to hear if anyone else knows the rough timeframe as I forgot to ask GradRec

Last year --> Offers: within 3 days (I had mine on Tuesday as well and successful candidates were notified by Friday)
Rejections: 2 weeks after the AC

 

[Deleted member 37508]

I got 90% percentile last year and they didn't progress me to AC so they definitely emphasise the Capp more haha

Thank you for your response. This is really interesting to know. What is The point of the WG they do a small one in the Capp test.

 

[Tsitsipas10S]

HSF Winter! Shocked as I thought they were done with ACs

Congrats - when is your AC scheduled? I also did an AC with them recently, and am wondering how many they have / the final day for them running ACs.

Thanks!

 

[Tsitsipas10S]

Some people (including me) were informed literally the next morning .

Was this successful or unsuccessful?

Thanks

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu do you have any thoughts?

I completely agree with @Jessica Booker, take a look at the language to see if the timing is an assessment factor. If you think the answer is yes, I would advise you to consider emailing the graduate recruitment team about your technical issues. In almost every situation of this sort I have been told the recruiters were helpful and I can't think of any reason why doing this might disadvantage you.

 

[👩🎓]

Hi @Jessica Booker. What tips would you give when answering this question: How would you leverage your skills and experiences to add value to our firm - would you talk about your experiences and the skills you learnt from your experiences? (And the skills would reflect how you would add value?)

Thank you.

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker
Hello! I am writing my answer to a 'why do you want to train at this firm' question. One of the things I discuss is the firm's strength in banking and finance, and to show why this is important to me, I want to discuss my experience sitting in this practice area during a VS I completed last year. Do you recommend that I write which law firm it was or not? Thank you!

I agree with @Jessica Booker, many times when applicants attempt not to mention the name of a firm they worked at the writing just looks slightly odd. I think many people tend to wrongly assume that showing interactions/experience with other firms is undesirable because it looks like you are not committed enough to the firm. However, recruiters at firms are well-aware of how competitive the application process is and they expect you to apply to other places as well. I have actually been told by some partners that they rejected candidates for telling them in interviews they didn't apply for any other firms, because this shows a lack of a serious commitment for a career in commercial law.

 

[Quistclosetrust]

Was this successful or unsuccessful?

Thanks

I know they inform both successful and unsuccessful candidates. I was unsuccessful on this occasion.

 

[ashwright]

Has anyone else received the Latham feedback report? And does anyone know what the turnaround might be for open days?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Jessica Booker. What tips would you give when answering this question: How would you leverage your skills and experiences to add value to our firm - would you talk about your experiences and the skills you learnt from your experiences? (And the skills would reflect how you would add value?)

Thank you.

@Jessica Booker will be able to tell you more, but the way I interpret this question is similar to a 'Tell me about the skills and experiences that make you fit for the role'. I think a structure you can employ is:

1. Describe an experience using the STAR structure.
2. Explain what skill/relevant attribute has been developed/is demonstrated by the experience.
3. Explain why the skill/attribute would be relevant to the work you would do as a trainee for the firm.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Has anyone else received the Latham feedback report? And does anyone know what the turnaround might be for open days?

When I went for an open day at Latham two years ago there were roughly 50 attendees.

 

[Andrei Radu]

HEY, it's my first time posting on here. I am hoping to get a quick response as the matter is a bit urgent. I am applying for the Hogan Lovells Winter Vacation scheme 2024. They recruit on a rolling basis and their applications close on 31 October. I am nearly done with my application and plan on submitting it tomorrow i.e. one week before the deadline. Is it worth submitting the application this close to a rolling deadline? or should I instead apply for the summer vacation scheme as it has the same application but deadline is in January? I would prefer to apply for the winter scheme but I am afraid most places might be filled/ progressed to the next steps already.

Anecdotally, the vast majority of applications are submitted in the last 3-4 days before the deadline, so I think your application will not be significantly disadvantaged because of the time of submission. However, if you just want to maximize success chances, applying for the summer scheme is potentially the better option.

 

[Apple]

HEY, it's my first time posting on here. I am hoping to get a quick response as the matter is a bit urgent. I am applying for the Hogan Lovells Winter Vacation scheme 2024. They recruit on a rolling basis and their applications close on 31 October. I am nearly done with my application and plan on submitting it tomorrow i.e. one week before the deadline. Is it worth submitting the application this close to a rolling deadline? or should I instead apply for the summer vacation scheme as it has the same application but deadline is in January? I would prefer to apply for the winter scheme but I am afraid most places might be filled/ progressed to the next steps already.

Just to add onto this, they host ACs super late for the WVS, I did mine literally like a week before the scheme was due to start.

 

[Andrei Radu]

I got Linklater feedback report. Strengths Working with others & Excellence.

Scored lower in resource and work management - ‘prefer to not take ownership of tasks’

I know I can’t change the outcome but I feel like I’ve really messed this up. Ownership of work is a huge thing in law. Am I overthinking this?

I would not be too concerned about it. Because of the nature of these test, you have to have lowest scoring category. However, that tells you nothing about (i) whether the lowest score is above, at, or above the specific firm's benchmark; and (ii) whether in conjunction with the other scores you fit the desired 'personality profile' of the firm.

 

[Tsitsipas10S]

I know they inform both successful and unsuccessful candidates. I was unsuccessful on this occasion.

I see - really sorry to hear that.

I am wondering whether they inform unsuccessful candidates earlier than successful ones; I've spoken to numerous people and those who have been rejected were rejected quite soon after the AC, whereas those successful took a bit longer (after ACs had stopped being run).

If anyone can shed any light on whether that's accurate, I'd be grateful.