TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Lola2025]

Jones Day interview

Congrats! Did you complete a Forage internship with them?

 

[Apple]

Congrats! Did you complete a Forage internship with them?

I did not.

 

[far]

I did not.

Congrats!! when did you send off your app?

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

I applied last night, and received my test invite today at midday

Thank you. any idea how long it takes to receive the results?

 

[HelpAStudentOut]

Jones Day interview - submitted app at 2pmish yesterday afternoon

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Do Jones Day just interview a high percentage of people?

I’ve also got an interview

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

The Jones Day cover letter is only 300 words... I'm thinking that maybe I essentially just do it as why Jones Day considering I have a VS under my belt already and work full-time in a relevant legal role so it can basically be covered in my work experience section?

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Also considering we only have 100 words for these, could I do bullet points? I have a lot of extra-curriculars:

Please give a brief summary of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility and any other noteworthy achievements gained at School, University, Law School or in employment.
-
Please give a brief summary of any activities you've been involved in outside academic study or work over the last four years.

 

[Apple]

Do Jones Day just interview a high percentage of people?

I’ve also got an interview

I can't remember the source but earlier today I read somewhere that they notoriously interview tons of people. No idea if there is any merit to it.

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

I can't remember the source but earlier today I read somewhere that they notoriously interview tons of people. No idea if there is any merit to it.

Yeah it seems that way.

Kinda weird considering they only take like 15 trainees

 

[HelpAStudentOut]

Do Jones Day just interview a high percentage of people?

I’ve also got an interview

I guess so - although I have a few friends who applied this week and haven’t been invited for interview

 

[Jessica Booker]

Also considering we only have 100 words for these, could I do bullet points? I have a lot of extra-curriculars:

Please give a brief summary of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility and any other noteworthy achievements gained at School, University, Law School or in employment.
-
Please give a brief summary of any activities you've been involved in outside academic study or work over the last four years.

You don't need to use bullet points as such but can provide more of a list of your activities under sub headings if you have a lot.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

You don't need to use bullet points as such but can provide more of a list of your activities under sub headings if you have a lot.

This was my plan! Thank you!

 

[Brandon93]

Hey, I did the Pinsent’s blended assessment last recruitment cycle and I do remember one of the video questions being scenario based. It was based on receiving feedback from your supervisor regarding improving your attention to detail and how you would react and implement this. Obviously the questions must have changed now, but basically do be prepared for maybe one scenario question. The other question was firm-based.

Apart from that, there’s a decent amount of numerical reasoning so keep a calculator and pen paper handy. The assessment itself I found to be quite time pressured given the firm advises you not to spend more than 1 hour on it. But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll smash it- hope this info helps!

Thank you very much, this helps a lot!

 

[Tintin06]

For people who went through Sidley Austin's process last year, when did you hear back?

 

[fingersarecrossed]

I’d try to not get too worried about taking one approach to reading the news. Some articles are going to do the analysis for you, so you don’t necessarily need to go into full PESTLE or SWOT type structures of analysis as that has already been done for you. Where it hasn't, rather than just going into in depth analysis through something like PESTLE, ask yourself more general questions like:

Why is this happening?
Who does it impact?
Why would lawyers care about this?
Why is this interesting to me?
What could influence this in the future?

These types of questions then start on a more foundation level getting you thinking about things that may make up a more formal analytical review like SWOT or PESTLE.

Thank you so much Jessica! This is incredibly helpful.

 

[lawyersum]

Thank you very much, this helps a lot!

Glad I could help

 

[legal18]

Does anyone have any tips for filling out the work experience section of applications. Should it be chronological? Can I include open days? Virtual internships (if so, how many - can I group them together? How can I make the most out of this section to benefit my application? Thank you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone have any tips for filling out the work experience section of applications. Should it be chronological? Can I include open days? Virtual internships (if so, how many - can I group them together? How can I make the most out of this section to benefit my application? Thank you!

• Reverse chronological - your most recent experience should be the first in the section and then all other entries in that section should be listed in reverse chronological order so your oldest example is last.
• You can include open days. However, sometimes there are other sections in the application form for this type of information and if that is the case, include it there instead of in your work experience section. I would only definitely include it in a work experience section if it was with the firm I was applying to. Sometimes you can include these details if you have been asked to detail careers events you have attended or if there is an "additional information" section.
• Incude the open days you feel are relevant - if you are forutnate to have loads and feel you can be selective, then do so.
• Focus on your key responsibilities and impact within roles. Do not describe the self-explanatory or repeat details like your job title/employer name (as these will be in the heading entry). Keep descriptions really punchy - you don't have to tell a story like you do with competency questions. Focus on the most relevant/challenging/interesting responsibilities and try to show how you created success/improvements/positive outcomes from what you did.

 

[benpeacock7766]

So we should assume PFO outside a few days from applying I guess?

They review the applications in order of vacation scheme date I believe, so if you have submitted an application for a Summer scheme it would take longer for them to get back.