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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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- vacation scheme
Around 1 week to finish my first draft then couple days to make adjustments when someone reviews it
So sorry to hear that. Direct TC, right?
I applied last week closed to deadline, but nothing yet. Do you mind to tell when did you apply?
Thank you so, so much!! I've been down in the dumps because of PFOs so assumed that they'd be rolling!
I really appreciate it 🫶
when a law firm states that a cover letter must be no longer than one A4 page, i assume they mean one single-side A4 page?
How did you find the VI for Reed smith? Any mess ups? I’ve accepted I’m going to get rejected because I completely messed up q1 and stuttered, and lost my trail of thought….
Just started my CRS research and now I really like the firm lol... lets hope I can write a good enough application in a night
Hi @Jessica Booker!
I am looking to apply to Travers Smith. The ‘box’ for their cover letter on the application form is 1000 words max, and I’ve written exactly 1000 words.
Is that ok? It says the answer should be your cover letter, and I know 1000 words is long for the cover letter.
It also advises on the website that your letter should be about one A4 page but I think that advice may be from when you had to upload it as a word document, as opposed to pasting the text into a box.
I am looking to apply to Travers Smith. The ‘box’ for their cover letter on the application form is 1000 words max, and I’ve written exactly 1000 words.
Is that ok? It says the answer should be your cover letter, and I know 1000 words is long for the cover letter.
It also advises on the website that your letter should be about one A4 page but I think that advice may be from when you had to upload it as a word document, as opposed to pasting the text into a box.
I have also applied to Travers Smith for the SVS. 🙂
My cover letter is around 850-900 words and I am also worried about it being too long. 🥲
It would make sense that 1,000 words is the maximum for the cover letter.
Not entirely sure though. 🤷🏾♂️
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hey @murm ,
I see this as a very useful question to be honest, not just for those applying to PW, but also the full spectrum of law firms.
My research strategy was as follows;
1. What does the firm pride itself on? Now I appreciate this may sound generic at first. In thinking of the answer to this within oneself, you should not focus on things such as secondment opportunities or international clientele and the likes - many firms will offer this and pride themselves on the international nature of their work. Ask yourself… what are its core practice offerings? This will kick of your research.
2. Let’s say firm XY is good at corporate work and has an especially strong private equity practice. Now, the next question is.. which kind of clients does the firm serve? Are they mainly regional/UK, US focused, Middle Eastern focused, or broadly very international? There is no doubting that most of a firm’s clients (in the context of TC applications for international law firms) will be international themselves. However, what are the origins of the firm? Say the firm is US-based, another way to go about researching the firm is by comparing its work and clientele with other US firms (or also magic circle/international firms). This is because research into a firm, in my opinion, is not just about knowing what that particular firm does, but also its wider position in the market. Through this, you do two things: (1) improve your understanding of the industry (PE, in this case) through reading on deals, and (2) fluidly communicate this in written applications and interviews. The latter point is crucial because the preliminary research you do into firms will help you throughout the different application stages. For example, and relating this to my last point on researching into XY firm‘s competitors, a common question asked in interviews is… how does XY firm differentiate itself from its competitors? You can see this through multiple lens by comparing for example, (1) its position among other US firms (as I had briefly highlighted) (2) perhaps even a unique niche it advises on within corporate work, and (3) a specific band of PE clients it advises (mid-market advisory, higher-ticket advisory, etc). This foundational knowldge is very important as recruiters will always know whether you truly understand a law firm’s work by reading your description on what practices you’re drawn to.
Overall, I recommend always starting your research on the basis of a firm‘s practice offerings. From there, you could research into its market space, and naturally other elements such as pro-bono and the likes will crop up. However, I would be mindful on what you are referencing in applications to show demonstrated interest, as discussions on practices and perhaps specialised niches within those, will always be more specific than other elements such as secondment opportunities (which indeed, many firms offer).
Best of luck and hope this proves useful!
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hey @FutureTraineeMaybe ,
I would say this depends on what draws you to TS. I know TS has a strong private equity practice and specifically advises more on mid-market PE deals. Is this an area of law you’re drawn to exploring more through a TC? If so, I recommend including it and linking it back to why PE is of appeal to you. Any specific exposure to it, such as taking part in an online workshop? Having a coffee chat with a PE lawyer? You could really mention anything which is sufficiently specific to you.
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