TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Andrei Radu]

Hello, is there a question bank anywhere for strength and competency questions for ACs?

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam I would be super grateful if you could give insights into what types of questions and what essential points a good answer would contain to do well in an AC Thank you very much!

I don't know of any question bank entirely dedicated to competency question, but TCLA offers an excellent question bank with 320+ questions, over three quarters of which come from actual interviews. It is split in various sections, and has one specifically listing a few dozen competency questions. You can take a look here.

As for my advice, I firstly wanted to link here a recent Guide to Competency Interviews I have written, which explains my step by step preparation approach and top tips. Besides this, I think to do well when asked a strength/situation-based question in an interview you should do the following:

• Pay a lot of attention to the exact strength, situation or competency you are asked about. Many candidates will have prepared for a very similar but not exactly identical question and will then have the temptation of making their pre-prepared answer fit. However, it usually comes off as a mixture of awkward and robotic.
• Take some time to think - if no idea immediately comes to mind as to how to answer it, ask for a minute to consider your response. Then try to mentally picture your CV and try to think which of your experience best fits the question. It can be very tempting to feel that you need to start talking immediately after you are asked the question, but if you have not thought of a way of doing it properly you will end up rambling and potentially even seeming incoherent. It is better to take the time to consider, and if you still can't find anything sensible to say, to own up to it.
• Be clear and structured yet conversational with your speech. A key skill you are tested on is an ability to communicate effectively, as the firm wants to see if you are the kind of person who they would one day be able to put in front of a client. Thus, more importantly than trying to show off impressive substantive points, you must make sure there is no ambiguity in the way you express your thoughts. However, avoid sounding to mechanical: try to nod, smile, to change the pace of your speech, and change your body language, your tone and attitude at various points. Finally, when possible, leave space for/invite commentary and back and forth conversation with the interviewer.

 

[VMS]

Not me stuttering and having to fully glance down at my notes in the Mishcon VI 😭

Will be blasting ABBA Take A Chance On Me outside their office from now on RIP.

 

[Shandy101]

Weil Vi invite! But why does the email read like you already have the vacation scheme: "[t]his is a formal invitation for you to complete Vacation Scheme 2025." 😂😂😂😂. Applied Dec 10

 

[DulyDiligent]

Hiya congrats! Is this for Spring and when did you apply?

Summer - applied dec 5th

 

[vr36]

What do law firms ask academic references? @Jessica Booker or anyone who might have an insight.

 

[kokoprep]

W&C VI - any advice would be great from ppl who have done it previously

Is this for Spring or Winter?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

What do law firms ask academic references? @Jessica Booker or anyone who might have an insight.

In previous experience when I did a VS for a MC they asked for references after the interview for the TC but only for the candidates they were going to make the offer to

 

[vr36]

In previous experience when I did a VS for a MC they asked for references after the interview for the TC but only for the candidates they were going to make the offer to

Ah okay thanks, I meant to ask if you know what specifically they ask referees. Is it just verifying certain info or do they ask for qualitative opinions?

 

[lawaspirant21]

Hi there, I applied to HSF and did the assessment in early December for the summer vac, but never received an email to say that I passed the benchmark. I did receive a feedback report, just no mention of a benchmark. Should I assume PFO?

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman. I am applying to Trowers & Hamlin's London office. One of their questions asks for a commercial story that I found interesting and how it relates to Trowers. I wanted to talk about foreign investment in the Middle - East as I know Trowers has large presence there. Would it be a bad idea to talk about this because it is not specifically about the London office. The question does not say it has to be office specific. I just thought it showed my interest in their global strategy.

I don't know too much about this issue and I think @Jessica Booker will be able to give you a more informed response, but I think this should be fine. The main competencies questions of this type aim to test are your ability for commercial analysis, knowledge of the legal market and of the firm in particular. You should be able to show all three in your answer. Furthermore, even if foreign investment in the Middle East would perhaps be of most interest to the firm's offices there, elements of it might impact the London office as well. Many clients may still be in London and money will likely need to be moved from banks in the City to accounts in the Middle East. The contracts are also still likely to be governed by English law and this will sometimes require some level of input from lawyers in the firm's English offices.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi
I am trying to answer the question : Please introduce yourself and tell us why you wish to pursue a legal career at Northridge.

I was wondering what would be expected in the introduce myself section as I have not encountered this type of wording before.
If someone can give me any indication I would really appreciate it.

I think you should just try to tell a short story about yourself. Let the reader know where you are from, a few of the personal interests and hobbies you have (especially the ones you would not necessarily put in a 'Why you' section), a bit about you general academic and professional journey and how that led you to law. Depending on wordcount limits you can decide what should stay in and what should not, but I think you should definitely have at least one or two sentences addressing this introduction part.

 

[AI212121]

Has any done a VI for W&C before? Other than the standard Why Law and Why W&C, are there the usual competency questions or do they ask unique ones?

 

[kokoprep]

Has any done a VI for W&C before? Other than the standard Why Law and Why W&C, are there the usual competency questions or do they ask unique ones?

Is this for summer or spring?

 

[kokoprep]

Has W&C already sent a lot of invites for the Spring/Summer vacation Scheme?

 

[AI212121]

Is this for summer or spring?

spring was my 1st choice, summer was 2nd

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

I don't know of any question bank entirely dedicated to competency question, but TCLA offers an excellent question bank with 320+ questions, over three quarters of which come from actual interviews. It is split in various sections, and has one specifically listing a few dozen competency questions. You can take a look here.

As for my advice, I firstly wanted to link here a recent Guide to Competency Interviews I have written, which explains my step by step preparation approach and top tips. Besides this, I think to do well when asked a strength/situation-based question in an interview you should do the following:

• Pay a lot of attention to the exact strength, situation or competency you are asked about. Many candidates will have prepared for a very similar but not exactly identical question and will then have the temptation of making their pre-prepared answer fit. However, it usually comes off as a mixture of awkward and robotic.
• Take some time to think - if no idea immediately comes to mind as to how to answer it, ask for a minute to consider your response. Then try to mentally picture your CV and try to think which of your experience best fits the question. It can be very tempting to feel that you need to start talking immediately after you are asked the question, but if you have not thought of a way of doing it properly you will end up rambling and potentially even seeming incoherent. It is better to take the time to consider, and if you still can't find anything sensible to say, to own up to it.
• Be clear and structured yet conversational with your speech. A key skill you are tested on is an ability to communicate effectively, as the firm wants to see if you are the kind of person who they would one day be able to put in front of a client. Thus, more importantly than trying to show off impressive substantive points, you must make sure there is no ambiguity in the way you express your thoughts. However, avoid sounding to mechanical: try to nod, smile, to change the pace of your speech, and change your body language, your tone and attitude at various points. Finally, when possible, leave space for/invite commentary and back and forth conversation with the interviewer.

Thank you so much this is incredibly helpful!

 

[fcac98]

Has anyone heard from Taylor Wessing after the online assessment?

Yes, I got rejected

In all seriousness, are you any good at the WG test? Have you got any tips that would help, or have any resources that would help?

 

[elsx]

I think you should just try to tell a short story about yourself. Let the reader know where you are from, a few of the personal interests and hobbies you have (especially the ones you would not necessarily put in a 'Why you' section), a bit about you general academic and professional journey and how that led you to law. Depending on wordcount limits you can decide what should stay in and what should not, but I think you should definitely have at least one or two sentences addressing this introduction part.

Thank you !!

 

[l789]

Over 300 on the call, and noticed all their associates have a 1st class undergrad degree... Ah well, that's as close as I will get to the Paul, Weiss office... Saved me a few hours over the Xmas hols...

Is this the Paul Weiss online open day?

Lmao I slept through it -as I was working very late last night, but I get fed up with sitting through these “online open days” for 5 hours.. only to apply to the firm and get rejected.

What the hell, I’ll try my luck next year!

 

[Tintin06]

Is this the Paul Weiss online open day?

Lmao I slept through it -as I was working very late last night, but I get fed up with sitting through these “online open days” for 5 hours.. only to apply to the firm and get rejected.

What the hell, I’ll try my luck next year!

I mean they have their advantages. It’s easier than an in-person one. In-person open day feels real. I honestly prefer them where possible. Incredibly competitive though to get either. I think they’ve helped me previously. It’s just showing more commitment, IMO. Obviously it’s not the only way.

Back to Paul, Weiss’s Vacation Scheme. They’re only hiring 10 trainees ultimately. 300 open day attendees is insane. Plus the in-person open days. Attending probably isn’t enough to progress. Depends how you package the experience. Best of luck with your apps.