TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[tinypear]

Do the A&O tests (Winter VS) have to be done by the VS application closing date, or within X days of receiving the email? I can't seem to find this answer anywhere. Thank you!

Pretty sure it's just before the deadline! I left mine for like 3 weeks lol

 

[s9111]

Pretty sure it's just before the deadline! I left mine for like 3 weeks lol

Thank you!

 

[fingersarecrossed]

Hi,

I have been trying to improve my commercial awareness by reading the news more etc.

However, I am unsure how to approach it e.g., should i focus on the PESTLE aspect, or the impact on the law firm and its clients - but with that i don't know what to say other than advisory work for x sector may increase etc

Would appreciate any guidance, thank you in advance

 

[Tintin06]

Hi,

I have been trying to improve my commercial awareness by reading the news more etc.

However, I am unsure how to approach it e.g., should i focus on the PESTLE aspect, or the impact on the law firm and its clients - but with that i don't know what to say other than advisory work for x sector may increase etc

Would appreciate any guidance, thank you in advance

Follow Watson’s daily and understand it. That, and read Chris Stoakes’s books. They thoroughly cover all the fundamentals.

 

[elektrajenkov]

Does anyone know of any firms which recruit sooner than 2 years in advance or if they are flexible in trying to place you on an earlier intake if they have availability?
(where recruiting from a successful VS)

Those who converted their VS at Bird & Bird this past summer were offered to start their TC earlier if they were eligible to

 

[Lola2025]

Interview with Jones Day

Congrats! Was wondering if you did the Forage internship for them and if so, would you say it helped?

 

[lawyerdreams]

What are the Sidley winter VS questions?

 

[Jessica Booker]

What are the Sidley winter VS questions?

Describe a current commercial issue that has interested you and explain why it interested you?

Why does a career in commercial law and specifically Sidley Austin interest you?

In your view which personal qualities make a successful lawyer?

 

[HelpAStudentOut]

Interview with Jones Day

Congratulations! Is that an abnormally quick response or just how Jones Day operate?

 

[Tintin06]

Congratulations! Is that an abnormally quick response or just how Jones Day operate?

This is normal for Jones Day. I got the WVS interview (2019).

 

[legalxp2]

Where does it say it’s 300 words. Omg

Below the response box it says 300 words max. Also at the open day grad recruitment said 300 words is the maximum

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

How long does it take for HSF's test to make it to our inbox after app submission? Thanks.

 

[babylawyer1942]

Does anyone know how to answer "tell us about your hobbies and interests"

 

[s9111]

How long does it take for HSF's test to make it to our inbox after app submission? Thanks.

I applied last night, and received my test invite today at midday

 

[laurenn42]

Hi,

I have been trying to improve my commercial awareness by reading the news more etc.

However, I am unsure how to approach it e.g., should i focus on the PESTLE aspect, or the impact on the law firm and its clients - but with that i don't know what to say other than advisory work for x sector may increase etc

Would appreciate any guidance, thank you in advance

I really struggled with this at first, but a lot of firms hold virtual events that you can attend and they will talk about current topics like AI or things like the space sector and how it relates to their firm. Once you attend one of these you can start relating news stories to the legal field much more easily.

 

[laurenn42]

Those who converted their VS at Bird & Bird this past summer were offered to start their TC earlier if they were eligible to

thank you!

 

[fingersarecrossed]

I really struggled with this at first, but a lot of firms hold virtual events that you can attend and they will talk about current topics like AI or things like the space sector and how it relates to their firm. Once you attend one of these you can start relating news stories to the legal field much more easily.

thank you so much!

 

[zara elles]

@Jessica Booker I got the bronze membership a few days ago but somehow created 2 different accounts with the same email address🤦🏼‍♀️. Could I please get some help trying to access the premium database/sorting out my accounts? Thank you!

 

[Brandon93]

Can anyone offer advice on Pinsent's blended assessment, in particular what type of questions they ask for the video portion of the assessment?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi,

I have been trying to improve my commercial awareness by reading the news more etc.

However, I am unsure how to approach it e.g., should i focus on the PESTLE aspect, or the impact on the law firm and its clients - but with that i don't know what to say other than advisory work for x sector may increase etc

Would appreciate any guidance, thank you in advance

I’d try to not get too worried about taking one approach to reading the news. Some articles are going to do the analysis for you, so you don’t necessarily need to go into full PESTLE or SWOT type structures of analysis as that has already been done for you. Where it hasn't, rather than just going into in depth analysis through something like PESTLE, ask yourself more general questions like:

Why is this happening?
Who does it impact?
Why would lawyers care about this?
Why is this interesting to me?
What could influence this in the future?

These types of questions then start on a more foundation level getting you thinking about things that may make up a more formal analytical review like SWOT or PESTLE.