TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

LW123

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Premium Member
Apr 15, 2024
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For applications that include questions related to demonstrating commercial ability/acumen etc., if you give an example of starting some sort of small business (such as tutoring, selling something etc.), will the firm ask to see proof of this?
 

Amma Usman

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Sep 7, 2024
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For applications that include questions related to demonstrating commercial ability/acumen etc., if you give an example of starting some sort of small business (such as tutoring, selling something etc.), will the firm ask to see proof of this?
Hey @LW123, thanks for your question! Firms will not usually ask for proof of your work experience section, but you should be able to strongly talk about these in interviews.
 

Jessica Booker

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Aug 1, 2019
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Hi everyone🫶
Do we need to submit a cover letter for DLA Piper, or is it just our CV and the application questions? In the section for uploading our CV, there's an "Additional application attachments" option, which has me wondering if a cover letter is necessary. Has anyone checked in with grad recruitment about this?
You won't need to attach a CV for this - your application form will be sufficient. You also won't need to submit a cover letter as the application form covers the motivational questions the firm is asking for.
 

Jessica Booker

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For applications that include questions related to demonstrating commercial ability/acumen etc., if you give an example of starting some sort of small business (such as tutoring, selling something etc.), will the firm ask to see proof of this?
You'd only be asked to prove this as part of the on-boarding process if you received an offer. At that stage, you could provide any documents that provide details of the business running. If your business has a formal corporate registration, this type of detail could be submitted as tax returns/Companies House details. For my own company, I get my accountant to verify the business has been running successfully.

If your business has been relatively informal and under HMRC tax rates, I have seen people provide screenshots of Etsy accounts or something similar.
 

Amma Usman

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Does anyone know if its particularly advantageous to apply for Gibson Dunn's Open Day before the Vac Scheme? Are they like Latham where it's very important to them? The Open Day isn't until December and their apps opened on 1st Sept on a rolling basis, so I don't want to disadvantage myself.
Hey @VMS, thanks for your question! I would say that attending an open day before applying for a VS at a given firm would always be advantageous as it gives you a deeper opportunity to see the firm, its practices, culture, etc. The things you learn at an open day are items you could always mention on a VS application. However, it is not a prerequisite to an offer.

If you want to find more about GDC, there are a few events running in collaboration with Legal Cheek & Aspiring Solicitors which you could sign up for!
 

SoonToBeTrainee

Distinguished Member
  • Dec 29, 2023
    71
    169
    Jones Day PFO post-interview.

    I thought the interview went really well too.

    I do think firms should provide interview feedback. Telling us “it’s very competitive” and that “luck plays a huge part” is not particularly helpful or reassuring, even if it is true.

    It’s only the beginning of the cycle, yet I already feel a bit hopeless. The application and interview process has given me a sort of anti-imposter syndrome.

    Why not me?
    Am I undesirable as a candidate?
    Will I ever get a TC? Or, is this just a pipe dream.
    Why is this year going to be any different to the previous years of constant rejection?

    So many of us have pursued this career cycle after cycle, year after year. It’s genuinely heartbreaking to continually be told ‘no’.

    Sorry for the low mood. But, I’m sure many of you reading this often feel the same way. We always hear about the success stories, but not much about how the rejections affect us. This is a bit of a nothing/pointless post, but I just want you all to know that, regardless of how you feel, you’re not alone.
     

    Tintin06

    Legendary Member
    Oct 23, 2019
    580
    1,325
    Jones Day PFO post-interview.

    I thought the interview went really well too.

    I do think firms should provide interview feedback. Telling us “it’s very competitive” and that “luck plays a huge part” is not particularly helpful or reassuring, even if it is true.

    It’s only the beginning of the cycle, yet I already feel a bit hopeless. The application and interview process has given me a sort of anti-imposter syndrome.

    Why not me?
    Am I undesirable as a candidate?
    Will I ever get a TC? Or, is this just a pipe dream.
    Why is this year going to be any different to the previous years of constant rejection?

    So many of us have pursued this career cycle after cycle, year after year. It’s genuinely heartbreaking to continually be told ‘no’.

    Sorry for the low mood. But, I’m sure many of you reading this often feel the same way. We always hear about the success stories, but not much about how the rejections affect us. This is a bit of a nothing/pointless post, but I just want you all to know that, regardless of how you feel, you’re not alone.
    Do a subject access request honestly.
     

    Trying4aJob

    Well-Known Member
    Jan 19, 2022
    20
    10
    Jones Day PFO post-interview.

    I thought the interview went really well too.

    I do think firms should provide interview feedback. Telling us “it’s very competitive” and that “luck plays a huge part” is not particularly helpful or reassuring, even if it is true.

    It’s only the beginning of the cycle, yet I already feel a bit hopeless. The application and interview process has given me a sort of anti-imposter syndrome.

    Why not me?
    Am I undesirable as a candidate?
    Will I ever get a TC? Or, is this just a pipe dream.
    Why is this year going to be any different to the previous years of constant rejection?

    So many of us have pursued this career cycle after cycle, year after year. It’s genuinely heartbreaking to continually be told ‘no’.

    Sorry for the low mood. But, I’m sure many of you reading this often feel the same way. We always hear about the success stories, but not much about how the rejections affect us. This is a bit of a nothing/pointless post, but I just want you all to know that, regardless of how you feel, you’re not alone.
    Mad that they are already rejecting people after interview and others have not even heard yet whether they are having an interview
     
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    fingersarecrossed

    Esteemed Member
  • Feb 11, 2024
    92
    149
    Jones Day PFO post-interview.

    I thought the interview went really well too.

    I do think firms should provide interview feedback. Telling us “it’s very competitive” and that “luck plays a huge part” is not particularly helpful or reassuring, even if it is true.

    It’s only the beginning of the cycle, yet I already feel a bit hopeless. The application and interview process has given me a sort of anti-imposter syndrome.

    Why not me?
    Am I undesirable as a candidate?
    Will I ever get a TC? Or, is this just a pipe dream.
    Why is this year going to be any different to the previous years of constant rejection?

    So many of us have pursued this career cycle after cycle, year after year. It’s genuinely heartbreaking to continually be told ‘no’.

    Sorry for the low mood. But, I’m sure many of you reading this often feel the same way. We always hear about the success stories, but not much about how the rejections affect us. This is a bit of a nothing/pointless post, but I just want you all to know that, regardless of how you feel, you’re not alone.
    its completely understandable to feel like that and im sorry it didnt go to plan. you should be extremely proud to have passed the application stage for a US firm and gotten the interview.
    its only september and wow you have already made it to the second round already?? thats an amazing achievement! it only means you will get further and further this cycle! keep going you got this
     

    l789

    Valued Member
    Aug 19, 2020
    115
    146
    I’d wait to apply for the VS, cause you’ll probably get helpful insights from the Open Day which you can use in the VS app
    I feel like PW open days are going to be extremely competitive…. They’re open to all stages including any year undergrads and graduates.

    Nevertheless I agree, I’d still 10000% apply to the open day before the vac scheme
     
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