TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

Does any one have any advice on structuring this question for NRF - How has your understanding of the role of a commercial lawyer developed, and motivated you to pursue a career at Norton Rose Fulbright?

Is it best to essentially split it into:
1) Why I want to be a commercial lawyer with reference to relevant experiences and their impact on my understanding and motivation(s) for the role;
2) Why NRF and why I am a good fit with relevant reasons/examples.

Or would it be better to structure it in a combined manner, using multiple examples i.e.
1) Example of experience, how this has developed my understanding as a commercial lawyer and then how said experience links to NRF;
2) Repeat the same with another example; and
3) Repeat same with another example.

Would appreciate any guidance, whether that be using one of the above or an alternative approach to structuring an answer.

Hey @KGNines, great question!

With hybrid questions like this, I believe either approach is fine. However, whichever approach you take, you could include a short preamble statement stating which parts of the question you would cover in turn. This will let graduate recruitment know that you‘ve understood the question and are not going off on any tangents. Another general approach could be:

- A paragraph which really tells your story and what led you to commercial law. Any experiences outside law? Any experiences within law that were initially not ‘commercial’? Why did the commerce aspect appeal to you?
- A paragraph explaining why NRF? Work/practice areas? Recent developments you may not necessarily get at another firm? etc.

Hope this helped, and let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[A worried graduate]

should I leave out mentioning another firm’s virtual work experience program in an application to a different firm? For context the VWE was a magic circle and the app is for a US firm.

Don’t use it in the main questions unless there’s a proper similarity in the work but no issue anywhere else

 

[lookingforaTC]

For those who are Paralegals - can I ask what your notice is after your probation period? I am a paralegal at the moment and my notice after 6 months probation will be 3 months - and I am wondering if this is industry standard or just my firm.

I'm thinking who is gonna wait 3 months to hire a paralegal with 6 months experience 💀

 

[Jessica Booker]

For those who are Paralegals - can I ask what your notice is after your probation period? I am a paralegal at the moment and my notice after 6 months probation will be 3 months - and I am wondering if this is industry standard or just my firm.

I'm thinking who is gonna wait 3 months to hire a paralegal with 6 months experience 💀

3 months is not rare for permanent roles post probation these days. Fixed term contracts will more likely be 4 weeks/1 month.

 

[Miss Chocolate]

i talked with grad rec, they have removed their winter vac scheme for this year. you either apply for summer or direct tc.

cool thank you!! very annoying

 

[legaldruid]

Does anyone know what Ashurst's values are? They're very vague on their website!

 

[zara elles]

When I applied for direct tc this March I didn’t redo the test cause it was within a year from my 2023 direct tc app (only by a couple days). But I applied for the winter vs this cycle and had to redo the test, so I think it’s only a year

I did the test this year so not sure if it is worth reapplying with the same score? I know my written answers could be improved which i am planning to do but conflicted on whether I should wait for the direct tc to apply and do another test?

 

[Zi48]

I did the test this year so not sure if it is worth reapplying with the same score? I know my written answers could be improved which i am planning to do but conflicted on whether I should wait for the direct tc to apply and do another test?

I’m not sure how much weight is given to each element, but I think the written answers may be more important. I got to the final interview the first time, but got rejected post app this year with the same test scores. So the only difference was my written answers, which I felt were a bit rushed

 

[wqueens8]

okay finally got around to submitting A&O shearman, that no retakes thing is absolutely criminal 🥲

completely lost my pace throughout both questions. i practiced them before several times, and got it under 1:45, but i was was slower in the actual recordings, and was so conscious of not looking at my script that i kept stumbling over my words. basically completely cut off the last paragraph of both questions

hoping it's not the end of the road as they're in my top 3 firms. also the only winter scheme I'm applying, but i'm not feeling great about it.

oh well onto hogan lovells

 

[Kay Aston]

Does anyone know what Ashurst's values are? They're very vague on their website!

Hi @legaldruid ! These are Ashursts values as outlined in their Code of Conduct:



It also states them on their website here, in the second to last line on the page. Hope this helps!

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

Does anyone know what Ashurst's values are? They're very vague on their website!

Innovation is a big one- they really emphasise their digital economy offerings; the usual collaborative environment and high standards (initiative) also suffice. Note that they are a globally integrated as part of their consolidation strategy (Project prism) so collaboration is deffo a big one too

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

Hey guys, is the NRF test automatic after applying or is that the next stage after screening? Also, does anyone have any tips on it?

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

Hey guys, is the NRF test automatic after applying or is that the next stage after screening? Also, does anyone have any tips on it?

Is it still the Artic Shores test?

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

Is it still the Artic Shores test?

yeah; so I'm guessing its automatic?

 

[deeja]

What types of things do you guys talk about when a question asks about a challenging situation you have been through. Idk whats the best example to use

 

[ayiiii05]

guys during the a&o shearman video interview, i looked at my notes like 4 times in total (both 1st and 2nd q) and im worried icl, the test wasn't too bad but i really hope me looking at my notes wasnt much of an issue 😭

 

[Shah74k]

@Jessica Booker

How do firms assess candidates based on SJT’s they complete.

Am I right in understanding they’ll ask Trainees/Associates to complete the SJT themselves and compare them (in characteristics) to what applicants do? i.e., if all Trainees/Associates do good in Adaptability and Drive/Ambition and an applicant didn’t - they’re written off?

 

[Hana ♥]

NRF Arctic Shores invitation - does anyone know how to actually pass this? I have never managed to, and I do especially bad on the power generator task. I have watched all possible videos on this test, I have applied the tips and I still do not pass. Last year I scored in the very top percentile for most, except for 'energised by others'. I have no idea which test might have measured this trait.

Is this SJT given out by NRF after they look at your application or not? I submitted my application last week.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

What types of things do you guys talk about when a question asks about a challenging situation you have been through. Idk whats the best example to use

Hiya @deeja

This is a really common question that comes up both in interviews and written applications. I remember how challenging it could be to choose the right example – sometimes it felt like I couldn’t be entirely honest about the personal challenges I had actually faced. Using a strictly professional example often felt less genuine. That said, there are a few ways you can approach these types of questions.

Firstly, it’s entirely up to you how much you want to share in a written application. If you’re considering a deeply personal example, it’s worth thinking about how it might come across. There’s no "one-size-fits-all" approach, so the key is to share something that you feel comfortable with and confident in presenting. When structuring your answer, I'd try to keep the following in mind:

• Describe the situation clearly. Give enough detail to explain the situation/context, but don’t spend too long on the background.
• Focus on the key challenge. What were the main obstacles you faced? How did they affect you? When discussing the impact of the situation, try to be as factual as possible.
• Discuss your approach to the challenge. What did you do to handle the challenge? Here, it's important to really highlight the the reasoning behind your choices or the actions you took in the situation.
• Share any outcome and mention your personal growth. How did this experience help you grow or shape the way you approach challenges today?

As for the types of examples you might use, I've spoken to applicants who've successfully discussed some of the following in their own applications:

• Academic challenges: Perhaps you had a difficult course or project that pushed you out of your comfort zone. You could talk about how you managed your time, sought help, or dealt with setbacks.
• Work-related experiences: This could be about handling a demanding project, resolving a team conflict, or stepping into a leadership role when others weren’t available.
• Personal challenges: If you're comfortable, you could discuss a personal experience, like managing a tough period in your life, balancing responsibilities, or overcoming unexpected changes.
• Group work or teamwork: If you’ve worked in teams or groups where there were disagreements or conflicting ideas, explaining how you navigated those situations can show problem-solving and communication skills.
• Volunteer or extracurricular activities: If you’ve taken part in activities outside of work or school, there might be examples where you took initiative, handled responsibilities, or dealt with challenges. I've read applications where people have discussed the challenges of travelling and living in a foreign country, or doing an activity that was incredibly demanding from a physical standpoint.

Ultimately, the goal is to show that you can handle difficult situations with a certain level of maturity and self-awareness. If the example is personal, make sure it’s framed in a way that shows the skills and qualities you gained from the experience.

If you have any more questions or need clarification, feel free to ask. I hope this helps! 😊

 

[Parsorandini]

Do I actually need to upload academic transcripts to apply for BCLP?