TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[hitherelaw]

If I haven't heard about AC from cleary wvs should I assume rejection?

 

[Hskajab]

Thanks - was your AC for the direct TC or the WVS?

It was for the WVS

 

[far]

Does anyone roughly know what you need to score on Watson glaser for firms like Clifford chance, cleary etc to see it as a successful/ good score?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Apologies because I am sure this has been asked before, but when a firm asks which other firms you are applying to and why, is it common practice to be as vague as possible and just say, e.g., "global firms with small trainee intakes and a focus on fintech" or to mention names? My work experience makes the other firms I am interested in pretty obvious, so I was wondering which approach is best. Thanks and sorry for the repetitive question!

I think being specific where you can is helpful and persuasive, but there is a balance to it. I think you can just reference one (possibly two firms) but ensure they are most closely aligned to the firm you are applying to.

In your situation you could say something like “Having enjoyed the work I completed at Joe Bloggs LLP, I am interested in firms with a strong project finance practice”.

 

[Bread]

I think being specific where you can is helpful and persuasive, but there is a balance to it. I think you can just reference one (possibly two firms) but ensure they are most closely aligned to the firm you are applying to.

In your situation you could say something like “Having enjoyed the work I completed at Joe Bloggs LLP, I am interested in firms with a strong project finance practice”.

Thank you! If the practice areas of the firms is not necessarily very similar but they have similar training styles/core values/vibes, is that something worth mentioning? Or is it best to stick to practice.

 

[charlotte1704]

Anyone else not heard from DLA after passing the WG? Am I cooked?

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

I think being specific where you can is helpful and persuasive, but there is a balance to it. I think you can just reference one (possibly two firms) but ensure they are most closely aligned to the firm you are applying to.

In your situation you could say something like “Having enjoyed the work I completed at Joe Bloggs LLP, I am interested in firms with a strong project finance practice”.

At a recent AC I was asked to rank 3 of the others I had applied to other than the firm itself and why!

 

[KSV]

When asked about your hobbies and interests at the end of an interview, do you need to specify what skills you may have gained through these interests? Or do we keep it simple and just answer the question/have a friendly conversation about it? For instance, I enjoy playing squash with friends every other weekend. But I don't know what more I could say about this in an interview?

 

[lolasparks]

Has anyone applied to DLA Manchester office?

 

[cjwx]

Heya

They have an event I think on the 26th November on all about law - it is to do with AI

I do not know if i am just making that up but i think that is the only one i could find!

I spoke to grad recruitment at one of their events and they said that the applications for their Open Days open nexr year (but i could be wrong)

Thank you! I just don’t understand why all of the events are next year when they recruit on a rolling bases and applications close in February.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you! If the practice areas of the firms is not necessarily very similar but they have similar training styles/core values/vibes, is that something worth mentioning? Or is it best to stick to practice.

You can align anything that is important to you whether it’s culture, training style, values, etc - it does not always have to be practice related.

 

[dxbbilly]

Are we just being silly still keeping hope? The VS starts in less than 4 weeks! Surely the most likely thing is just that anyone offered an AC place is just not on this forum?

true but i went to their open day and they said they're doing ACs all the way up to the week before so I am still hopeful even if it makes me look silly☹️😣

 

[Deleted member 37508]

At a recent AC I was asked to rank 3 of the others I had applied to other than the firm itself and why!

Pretty standard and understandable. Why would they give a vacation scheme spot to someone who is applying to a bunch of firms with no genuine interest in their firm.

 

[Unknowncabbage]

You can align anything that is important to you whether it’s culture, training style, values, etc - it does not always have to be practice related.

if we have spoken about a factor in for example why that firm do you think we should then not talk about it again in this area?

 

[Jessica Booker]

When asked about your hobbies and interests at the end of an interview, do you need to specify what skills you may have gained through these interests? Or do we keep it simple and just answer the question/have a friendly conversation about it? For instance, I enjoy playing squash with friends every other weekend. But I don't know what more I could say about this in an interview?

I sense if this is asked at the end of an interview they are just asking to get a sense of you as a person rather than a candidate.

 

[Jessica Booker]

if we have spoken about a factor in for example why that firm do you think we should then not talk about it again in this area?

No - it’s fine to repeat that connection if both questions are asked. There is a slightly different emphasis where you are talking about other firms rather than their firm.

 

[julespere]

Ok fab do you think we could hear over the weekend?

I'm not sure but I expect they'd reply during the week

 

[g.cl.2020344]

I'm not sure but I expect they'd reply during the week

Thank you! Just still waiting back to hear back from Dechert post written exercise and H&L post WG. Still holding out for these two WVS but think that’s stupid now really struggling w a lack of success w the WVS this year

 

[julespere]

Thank you! Just still waiting back to hear back from Dechert post written exercise and H&L post WG. Still holding out for these two WVS but think that’s stupid now really struggling w a lack of success w the WVS this year

I'm also waiting to hear back from Dechert - don't worry too much!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

I'm also waiting to hear back from Dechert - don't worry too much!

Aw thank you so easy to begin to doubt yourself esp as the WVS starts in like a month!!