No I was rejected, unfortunately. I just submitted my App so I'm thinking it is unlikely I'll get far.
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Hey Guest, check out Andrei's new guide to building a winning law firm application strategy here. Good luck this cycle :)
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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Jones Day AC post interview! Anyone got any insights?
How do you guys pick yourself up when feeling defeated? Spending hours drafting applications to just be rejected after a random test.
Do you guys have any tips? @Andrei Radu, how do you manage to not give up?
Do you guys have any tips? @Andrei Radu, how do you manage to not give up?
As far as I am aware I was the only one that day but no idea tbh. It is just an 1hr 15 interview.
They said they aim to get back by late October/Early November, so seems hasty to presume PFO.
Thanks for replying… sorry to hear about that.
I also got rejected, even though I thought my application was ridiculously strong. Allaboutlaw said it was due to capacity issues that they couldn’t invite everyone.
Nevertheless I attended a virtual event with HL through Allaboutlaw and gained some very unique insights so hope that will help my application.
wishing you the best outcome for the application- I know you can do it!!!
has anyone else heard back from nrf post artic shores?
I think they are wrapping up the arctic shores test this Friday, so probably will hear back starting next week!
Hiya @Chelsea101
It's great that you're reapplying for a vacation scheme, but to build on what @Jessica Booker said, I'd recommend against submitting the same application you used for the training contract application in July. Even if the firm didn’t review your previous application, updating it shows that you've reflected on your experiences, motivations, and have gained fresh insights since then.
In previous cycles, Jess and several other Community Assistants have emphasised to me the importance of going beyond just updating factual information. For example, for any commercially focussed questions, it’s worth discussing something more recent than what you mentioned in your previous application. The legal industry, particularly commercial law, is dynamic and constantly evolving. Firms want to see that you’re keeping up to date with these changes and understand how current events impact their clients and the sectors they operate in. Using recent developments in your answers not only demonstrates your commercial awareness but also shows your genuine interest in staying informed and engaged.
Similarly, when discussing your motivations for joining the firm or your research into their work, it’s important to refine these points to reflect any new insights or areas of interest. For instance, you might ask yourself what you've learnt about the firm since your last application; have there been any recent developments in their practice areas, deals/cases, or CSR/EDI initiatives that have resonated with you? By reflecting on such questions, you can ensure that your reasons for wanting to join the firm remain current, thoughtful, and tailored to any new information you've gained.
Best of luck!
SH VS are open. 3 x 600 word questions...
Hiya @Apple
You're definitely on the right track by looking at rankings and reputation in specific practice areas like mid-market M&A. It’s a good starting point when thinking about competitors. However, when answering this sort of question in my own applications/interviews, I found it helpful to take a step back and consider a wider range of factors beyond rankings. For instance, history, organisational structure, geographic footprint, and strategic focus all play a role in defining a firm’s competitors (though you don't need to mention all or any given one of these). In addition to practice area rankings, taking these additional factors into will help you make much more apt comparisons.
While Jones Day is certainly similar to firms like Macfarlanes or DLA Piper in terms of its rankings in those areas, you might want to consider firms such as Dechert or even Willkie. For instance, much like Jones Day, Dechert is a US-headquartered firm and entered the London market through a merger with important local UK outfit: Jones Day merged with Gouldens in 2003, and Dechert joined forces with Titmuss Sainer in 2000. As you mentioned, both firms have strong reputations in mid-market M&A, but they also have notable disputes capabilities as well (both firms are particularly well-known for advising on fraud-related matters). In this way, they are also much more similar to each other than other US firms whose work is often focussed on transactional matters. Their shared US origins, strategic London expansions, and similar practice strengths make Dechert a more direct competitor to Jones Day than firms such as Macfarlanes or DLA Piper (indeed, I think the latter two have histories, organisational structures, and strategies that differ in very significant ways from Jones Day, making it less apt to call them competitors).
I really hope this offers some help with answering this sort of question. Good luck with the application 🥳
Last edited:
This was perfect, thank youHiya @Apple
You're definitely on the right track by looking at rankings and reputation in specific practice areas like mid-market M&A. It’s a good starting point when thinking about competitors. However, when answering this sort of question in my own applications/interviews, I found it helpful to take a step back and consider a wider range of factors beyond rankings. For instance, history, organisational structure, geographic footprint, and strategic focus all play a role in defining a firm’s competitors (though you don't need to mention all or any one of these). In addition to practice area rankings, taking these additional factors into will help you make much more apt comparisons.
While Jones Day is certainly similar to firms like Macfarlanes or DLA Piper in terms of its rankings in those areas, you might want to consider firms such as Dechert or even Willkie. For instance, much like Jones Day, Dechert is a US-headquartered firm and entered the London market through a merger with important local UK outfit: Jones Day merged with Gouldens in 2003, and Dechert joined forces with Titmuss Sainer in 2000. As you mentioned, both firms have strong reputations in mid-market M&A, but they also have notable disputes capabilities as well (both firms are particularly well-known for advising on fraud-related matters). In this way, they are also much more similar to each other than other US firms whose work is largely transactionally focussed. Their shared US origins, strategic London expansions, and similar practice strengths make Dechert a more direct competitor to Jones Day than firms such as Macfarlanes or DLA Piper (indeed, I think the latter two have histories, organisational structures, and strategies that differ in very significant ways from Jones Day, making it less apt to call them competitors).
I really hope this helps and offers some help with answering this sort of question. Good luck with the application 🥳
Jessica Booker
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If you still have 3-4 (or more weeks) before the deadline, I don’t think it’s an issue to wait. However, you could just include the entry anyway but just not provide a detailed description of the work too.
Jessica Booker
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Check your spam folders first, and if they are not there or in your normal email by Monday morning, then contact the firm.
Are SH rolling? and damn, 1800 words is kind of crazy 😭 especially compared to like Jones Day where you only get 350
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