TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

Hi! I’m new here, I have been reading the comments for weeks but never actually signed up to comment.
I’ve been invited to a an AC at Addleshaw Goddard, which I’m very surprised about!
I only decided to apply to one this year with a view to then fully go for it next year after I graduate.
Any tips are very welcome please!

Congratulations on the AC. My main tips:

• This depends on which components you will be assessed on. Competency, situational, and commercial awareness interviews each require different competencies. In the first two, you will need to know your experiences and interests inside and out. This way, you will be able to answer any question without being tripped up when asked. You will find any question easy as if you know your skills and ways to substantiate these, ANY question can be answered well by you.
• Keep up with general industry trends. Each update will somehow link to the firm through its clients, or its own work directly. Talk about these in your interviews. If you are starting off your commercial awareness journey, some sources will be more helpful than others. For example, jumping straight into the FT is great, but spending some time reading sources which break complex concepts early on first, will make your long-term assimilation of current affairs more quick and is thus, a more sustainable approach.
• Some sources here - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/10-commercial-awareness-sources.9412/

Best of luck, we’re all rooting for you!

 

[Legal Wizard]

Any word from V&E post VI?

 

[applicationzzzzz]

Milbank Summer Vacation Scheme offer!!! For the LevFin track thanks to many of you who helped me with advice for the AC!

 

[Amma Usman]

Milbank Summer Vacation Scheme offer!!! For the LevFin track thanks to many of you who helped me with advice for the AC!

Huge huge congratulations! This is amazing news, hope you celebrate well!

 

[LawLawLawLawLaw]

i've been sent the WBD tests and I've done similar tests for Reed Smith before which didnt go that well - on the email it says there is a practice test which i cant see as a link and also i was wondering if anyone had any practice tests for this kind of " Blended High Potential Assessment" or any test websites for it, i know its an amberjack test but i dont know how to improve on these tests in particular?

 

[Gr33n]

Milbank Summer Vacation Scheme offer!!! For the LevFin track thanks to many of you who helped me with advice for the AC!

Which AC did you do? And did they call or email?

 

[Amma Usman]

THE WAIT IS OVER. Linklaters SVS AC. 77% with a tick. I got 93 on the WG

Massive congratulations! Love to see it !

 

[LawLawLawLawLaw]

also i havent heard anything from mishcon since i applied in mid-november should i assume its a PFO? i get their emails updating us on when we might expect to hear back but given that others have been sent VIs etc...

 

[applicationzzzzz]

Which AC did you do? And did they call or email?

I did the AC last Thursday. And they called me around 30 minutes ago

 

[Joey green]

Is cleary still a thing?

 

[x_lauren112]

Are PW still sending things out? 🤔

 

[moo]

also i havent heard anything from mishcon since i applied in mid-november should i assume its a PFO? i get their emails updating us on when we might expect to hear back but given that others have been sent VIs etc...

The VIs were for spring

 

[Amma Usman]

For why the firm question at an interview - I want to make three points. 1.) How I am interested in their practice areas 2.) Their international outreach and secondment (particularly Middle East presence).

I'm struggling for a third if anyone can help. Culture/diversity is all I can think of but I personally believe this is a weak point - do people really talk about this at interview?

How long should my 'why firm' answer be also?

Hey,

I would avoid talking about culture or diversity - many firms have a good culture. Also, you wouldn’t really know about it till you’ve experienced it for yourself.

The first point is great. However, ensure to bring out something specific about the work that can’t be necessarily seen among other firms - since again, many firms have similar practices. You may find it helpful considering any niches they operate in, or any standout deals in the industry (maybe the first in a particular type of advisory), to showcase their expertise.

On international outreach, many firms have offices in several continents. Many firms also offer secondment opportunities. I like how you reference their ME presence. The international point could work, provided you give strong enough reasons to say why this matters to you. Do you have any connections to the region? Can you speak some primary languages there?

Overall, some points show more specific interest than others in the law firm application process. Sometimes, a point can work, but it depends on how you link it to your experiences, and how extensively you have researched the firm.

Best of luck, I know you’ll do amazing and best of luck in any upcoming interviews!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hello @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam, was wondering how you can incorporate talking about a firm's growth strategy in an interview! Unsure how to incorporate this in my upcoming AC

Firms usually post annual reviews or reports on these matters. This could cover things such as pro bono, which have growth strategies for the upcoming years embedded in them. This is available on their websites.

 

[Amma Usman]

the silence is driving me insane

I completely get this feeling. It’s hard to completely wash it away, but anytime I feel this way, I sort of trick my mind. I do stuff that keep me busy and prepare me for the process. This could be anything from analysing articles, reading finance books, or even having a nap. Life gets this way, but what matters most is how you respond.

 

[BillSikes]

Hey,

I would avoid talking about culture or diversity - many firms have a good culture. Also, you wouldn’t really know about it till you’ve experienced it for yourself.

The first point is great. However, ensure to bring out something specific about the work that can’t be necessarily seen among other firms - since again, many firms have similar practices. You may find it helpful considering any niches they operate in, or any standout deals in the industry (maybe the first in a particular type of advisory), to showcase their expertise.

On international outreach, many firms have offices in several continents. Many firms also offer secondment opportunities. I like how you reference their ME presence. The international point could work, provided you give strong enough reasons to say why this matters to you. Do you have any connections to the region? Can you speak some primary languages there?

Overall, some points show more specific interest than others in the law firm application process. Sometimes, a point can work, but it depends on how you link it to your experiences, and how extensively you have researched the firm.

Best of luck, I know you’ll do amazing and best of luck in any upcoming interviews!

What do I give as third point then if not culture/diversity?

 

[Amma Usman]

Is it a bad idea to ask GR for an update post-app? It’s been two months since I took the tests for linklaters & one month since the HL Watson Glaser
Don’t want to be seen as annoying but just was hoping for a rough timeline
For @Jessica Booker and anyone else 😊

I’m sure Jess will have more thoughts on this. Just before she gets back to you, I believe holding off for a while is the better approach. Firms are usually swamped with preparing for ACs, reviewing applications, etc, so there are many things that factor into the lack of responsiveness. I‘d still say optimistic.

 

[sp123]

Has anyone heard back from the TLT VS?

 

[Amma Usman]

What do I give as third point then if not culture/diversity?

Hi,

Just before going deep into your question, there are no set number of points one needs to cover to fully convey an interest in a firm. Two well developed points could work, especially in shorter interviews. Each point will take about 2-4 minutes to explain, and the more detail you go into, the better. Other questions will also be asked in the interview, so I recommend starting with the strongest points first. At the top of the list, will be the work.

I have also found expanding on training structures beneficial - largely because this was something important to me. For example, if a firm has a small trainee intake and you feel this will give you higher responsibility early on, then you could reference this. The next thing to mention is perhaps an example of how you thrived in a similar environment, as this shows some personal reflection into how you knew such a structure will be right for you.

Best of luck, I know you’ll do amazing. Let us know if you have any more questions

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey @futuretcholder . First of all, congratulations on securing the AC. You have done very well to get to that step.

With negotiation exercices, I would say the first tip is being mindful of how one comes across. It’s a negotiation -you‘re trying to meet a middle ground, so ensuring that the discussion is fruitful and not argumentative is a key skill. This is quite difficult to master, but with the right tone, approach, and demeanor, you’ll do great on this area.

The next is acknowledging both sides of the argument. A lawyer needs to understand their client, but also the client on the other side. This makes you appear as a well-rounded candidate. Briefly throw in a few pointers which show that you acknowledge and understand the other side too.

Structure, structure, structure! I can’t emphasize the importance of this enough. You need a clear structure to appear as a candidate with well-organized thoughts. This does so many things. For example, it shows the interviewer that the set preparation time for delving into the facts was more than enough for you to come back in with a reasoned position.

Above all - confidence. The more confident you are in your position as a negotiator, the more confident your answers will come across. This aspect of an AC tests things beyond your commercial acumen - it tests those soft skills that are often unspoken about.

Hope this helps, and let us know if you have any more questions

NRF AC! This is my first and only AC in this cycle, any tips highly highly welcomed, from literally anyone. Especially on the negotiation task.

Hi @Hana ♥ , well done on the AC. I have quoted a post to help. Best wishes as you prepare.