TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amehta1]

do we have to complete both Linklaters tests before the deadline?

 

[wqueens8]

for linklaters, does anyone know if watson glaser must be completed before deadline?

i know capp must be, but the website would seem to indicate you can complete WG after the deadline, within 5 days of applying. i'd like to practice a little more is all

 

[Amma Usman]

any advice on answering this question as part of Fieldfisher's TC app, would studying a non-law degree and linking this to law be sufficient or would you say it should be more personal? Thank you!! @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam Describe the personal life experiences that have given you the unique perspective you would bring as a Trainee at Fieldfisher, and how this perspective will support your success. (800 characters)

Hiya @legallyells ,

Yes, definitely. Law firms really appreciate a diversity of thought from students from other degree backgrounds. Interestingly, I was recently having a wonderful chat with an Of Counsel at a law firm who mentioned they’d be really keen to hear from someone who studied something like Media in an interview - sometimes even more than those from a legal background! I would also note that the question states experiences, so the plural hints that you should talk about more than one personal life experience. I would be mindful given the 800 character limit, but you should be sufficiently able to cover at least two solid points.

Also, always ensure to link them back to the firm, as well as the skills/competencies you derived from that experience and how it’ll help you excel as a trainee. For this, it’ll be helpful going through general trainee qualities (proactivity, organisational management, etc), as well as any skills Freshfields specifically looks for. The latter should be available on their website, or you could uncover this by speaking to future trainees.

I’m sure @Jessica Booker and @Ram Sabaratnam would have more thoughts.

 

[Apple]

Is it acceptable to refer back to work experience already mentioned in a previous response but with a different situation in a competency interview?

 

[Amma Usman]

Is it acceptable to refer back to work experience already mentioned in a previous response but with a different situation in a competency interview?

Hi @Apple. Yes, absolutely! In my view, this shows one’s ability to absorb multiple forms of information through engaging in a plethora of different tasks, make the most of an opportunity that was presented to them, as well as an ability to show how you’ve applied multiple skills - and in fact, build upon them.

 

[cjwx]

Is it acceptable to refer back to work experience already mentioned in a previous response but with a different situation in a competency interview?

I’m not an expert but I think that is perfectly fine. There are a lot of questions in a competency interview and I don’t think you’re expected to have a different job for each example you give. There are so many lessons and valuable skills learned from being in one role.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it acceptable to refer back to work experience already mentioned in a previous response but with a different situation in a competency interview?

Yes - that is fine. I would just try to have a mix of experiences across competency questions, but using the same experience twice would be fine

 

[Apple]

Hi @Apple. Yes, absolutely! In my view, this shows one’s ability to absorb multiple forms of information, make the most of an opportunity that was presented to them, as well as an ability to show how you’ve applied multiple skills - and in fact, build upon them.

I’m not an expert but I think that is perfectly fine. There are a lot of questions in a competency interview and I don’t think you’re expected to have a different job for each example you give. There are so many lessons and valuable skills learned from being in one role.

Ty for responses, huge relief for me. I always try so hard to never reuse an experience, but it can get quite difficult in longer interviews. This made me way more relaxed for my upcoming interview

 

[legal18]

Willkie VI!! Any tips would be much appreciated... this is my first VI

 

[Amma Usman]

@Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam Hi! The Davis Polk application requires a cover letter and this is the question.
Please include your cover letter in the space provided below. Within your cover letter please include why you are specifically interested in Davis Polk, why you are attracted to the work that we carry out, and the skills that you have developed that would contribute towards your success in the role. (800 words)
I am confused about how to go about structuring it. Should we include a paragraph about why commercial law like we do generally in cover letters? Additionally, would you have any tips for the cover letter to stand out?

Hi @a1024 ,

I’m sure that @Andrei Radu will have more thoughts on Davis Polk specifically, so I’ve included some general tips to approach the separate components of the question;

Why This Firm? 🤔💭 : Crafting Applications

Hi TCLA Community! 😁 I created this thread because we all know that October is the season of drafting more and more applications for law firms. Knowing that you want to work at a particular firm is one thing; effectively demonstrating why that specific firm interests you is another. There are...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Why Commercial Law? Investigating Your ‘Why’

The question that often makes you pause for a moment. You know why you want to pursue this, you’re certain it’s what you want. Yet, putting it into words — especially in a way that resonates with recruiters — is a challenge. Then, you see it in an application form, and it’s just like “argg!” How...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Amma Usman]

Ty for responses, huge relief for me. I always try so hard to never reuse an experience, but it can get quite difficult in longer interviews. This made me way more relaxed for my upcoming interview

Best of luck on the interview - you got this! 🚀

 

[Amma Usman]

Hello, I recently received an invite for the Dentons SJT and Baker McKenzie SJT. Both came back quite negative/mixed. Am I most likely to be disqualified by a benchmark or how should I manage my expectations? I'm really not sure..

Hi @LawAspirer , this is a question which leads to many mixed perceptions. For example, I’ve completed SJTs at firms where the feedback report felt as though I did badly, but I ended up passing. Similarly, I’ve gotten reports back that were so positive I thought it was straight to the next stage - but subsequently I got a PFO. The point I’m trying to make is to not worry too much about how you perceive your results. You may have scored well on a key competency the firm looks for!

 

[Amma Usman]

Might be a bit of a silly question, but will other firms be aware of the fact that Paul, Weiss purposefully includes a comma in their name? I want to discuss my Paul, Weiss open day in my work experience section, but I am not sure whether it would be safer to write the firm name without the comma in case they think it's a mistake...

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman

Thank you!

Hey @KBanana , not a silly question at all - I randomly remembered the comma in the firm‘s name whilst I was on the bus the other day! The comma should be included in your mentioning of the firm’s name.

 

[Toenails]

i have Willkie and Weil Vi!!!

any tips? Much appreciated

 

[Amma Usman]

For this Goodwin question.... Discuss a commercial issue that has particularly interested you. Why did it capture your attention, and what impact could it have on the legal sector?

Are they looking for a general issue (i.e. interest rate rises, i probably wont use that...) Or are they looking for a particular story (like a recent merger for example). @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam (sorry for the tags lol) Thank you!

Hi @NJS ,

Very good question. In my opinion, you can go with either one - general topics and more specific stories. The ability to come out with a good answer largely depends on the manner in which you go into the crux of each topic, as well as whether you actually answer the question.

It’s important to note that the Goodwin question has two parts - why the story interested you and its resultant impacts on the legal sector. If I was to answer this, I would purposely choose a story that influences as a result of its outcome a core practice area of the firm or is about the practice area itself. Now, this isn‘t a mandatory requirement, but would enable me to expand in a sentence or two its impacts on not just the legal sector more generally, but also the work of Goodwin. Furthermore, as the question leaves the option to talk about the legal sector more broadly, you could touch on about two key practices in your discussion. I’d also note that the impacts on the legal sector do not have to be solely practice-related, and could be more operational too. For example, inflation leads to higher prices which means it’s more expensive for companies to expand - thus, the PE and M&A practices of law firms may see fewer deals coming in. This is a practice-related impact on the legal sector. Similarly, inflation would mean that law firms may find it more difficult to borrow to fund innovation through investing in the latest AI technology, for example. This is an operational consequence of the topic. Thus, consider the broad scope of what one issue could potentially lead to.

Also, never apologise for the tags haha - we love to engage in all these insightful discussions!

 

[Amma Usman]

i have Willkie and Weil Vi!!!

any tips? Much appreciated

Hi @Toenails , very well done!

I’ve linked @Andrei Radu ’s VI guide here - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....de-for-competency-interview-preparation.9380/

Best of luck 💪🚀

 

[Amma Usman]

Can you apply to both the linklaters direct TC and vacation scheme? I would really prefer not to do a vac scheme as I work full-time but my success rate with direct TCs is awful compared to for vac schemes…

Hiya @desperateTCseeker1998 , very good one. I’ve just consulted @Ram Sabaratnam‘s wonderful thread and found out that Links falls under this scope:

These firms recruit predominantly from their vacation schemes, but they have frequently made more than one direct TC offer every year in recent years – a direct TC app to these firms will almost certainly be read and considered seriously for a TC.

Thus, this could be a possibility still. I suggest tailoring your application strategy with a nice balance of VS and TC applications across the broad spectrum of firms you are applying to. Similarly, I know of candidates that have worked full-time and taken leave for the duration of their vac scheme or come up with some sort of alternative arrangement. I also understand if you may not want to use up your holiday leave!

Hope this helps

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi @Toenails , very well done!

I’ve linked @Andrei Radu ’s VI guide here - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....de-for-competency-interview-preparation.9380/

Best of luck 💪🚀

i have Willkie and Weil Vi!!!

any tips? Much appreciated

Hiya! Well done on securing the VI. I’ve quoted this post above to help

 

[SS21]

Apologies if this has been asked before but does the ‘on hold’ application status with Linklaters mean it has been submitted? Completed the Watson Glaser but not option to ‘submit’, just went to on hold

They really have the dumbest app form - I just did mine and yes I think it seems to automatically submit after you complete the WG

 

[A worried graduate]

If you go in to your profile settings on Vantage you'll find a work experience section that will have your old data in it. if you put your new info there your applications will autofill with those instead, had the same problem for a while.

My profile doesn't show a work experience section