TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Tintin06]

For the A&O work experience is worth having a section how that experience helped to develop your commercial awareness I am afraid to add that in because I am not sure if that is what they are looking for in that section.

I have found this structure works: job description (50 words); skill one (100 words); skill two (100 words). Adjust word counts.

 

[Tintin06]

hi everyone,

does anyone have any tips for 'telling a story' ? I'm applying for A&O Shearman's winter vac scheme, and I'm lost writing the work experience sections. I went to one of the application masterclass things, and the grad recruitment people kept emphasising they wanted us to tell a story in our work exp section.

i'm not even sure what i'm doing, it's my first vac scheme application. I've got a few retail and hospitality jobs, some volunteering in a hospital, a few insight days, and I'm a campus ambassador, I'm not sure how to craft that into a story, or how to tell that story in a work exp section.

any help is much appreciated!!!!

Well, you got here based on all your past decisions, so that's a solid starting point. It's about selling your experiences together.

 

[cleojwilliams]

Well, you got here based on all your past decisions, so that's a solid starting point. It's about selling your experiences together.

hi everyone,

does anyone have any tips for 'telling a story' ? I'm applying for A&O Shearman's winter vac scheme, and I'm lost writing the work experience sections. I went to one of the application masterclass things, and the grad recruitment people kept emphasising they wanted us to tell a story in our work exp section.

i'm not even sure what i'm doing, it's my first vac scheme application. I've got a few retail and hospitality jobs, some volunteering in a hospital, a few insight days, and I'm a campus ambassador, I'm not sure how to craft that into a story, or how to tell that story in a work exp section.

any help is much appreciated!!!!

I think the key thing about telling a story is thinking about the skills you used and developed during your work experience and explain why that led to you seeking a career in commercial law and how those skills can be applied to being commercial lawyer at A&O. An example would be if you worked in retail as a sales person - you had to build connections with clients understanding what they were looking for and apply your knowledge of the products to best meet their expectations. As a solicitor you need to understand the business of your client and what their goals are, so you can apply your commercial and legal knowledge to help them achieve that.
Ps I wrote something very similar to this so best not to copy and paste but I hope this gives you some insight into how you can structure your work experience and skills around being a trainee lawyer.

 

[legalxp2]

For the A&O work experience is worth having a section how that experience helped to develop your commercial awareness I am afraid to add that in because I am not sure if that is what they are looking for in that section.

I think it is worth mentioning. The recorded VI and the work experience sections are assessed by different members of grad rec so they recommend to repeat things (eg. what you got out of the experience) rather than miss it out. Hope that helps!

 

[tigerlili.]

Hi, does anyone have any tips for Pinsent Masons blended assessment and video interview? Thanks!

 

[s9111]

Does anyone know why Travers aren't running a Winter VS this year, and when direct TC apps will open instead? Thanks!

 

[hanz123]

Any advice for HSF, would appreciate it!

 

[lawyersum]

Hi, does anyone have any tips for Pinsent Masons blended assessment and video interview? Thanks!

Hey, I answered this earlier on this forum so I'll paste my answer here for your convenience:

I did Pinsent’s blended assessment last recruitment cycle and I do remember one of the video questions being scenario-based. It was based on receiving feedback from your supervisor regarding improving your attention to detail and how you would react and implement this. Obviously the questions must have changed now, but basically do be prepared for maybe one scenario question. The other question was firm-based.

Apart from that, there’s a decent amount of numerical reasoning so keep a calculator and pen paper handy. The assessment itself I found to be quite time pressured given the firm advises you not to spend more than 1 hour on it. But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll smash it- hope this info helps!

 

[lawyersum]

Does anyone know why Travers aren't running a Winter VS this year, and when direct TC apps will open instead? Thanks!

Hey, I spoke with their Grad Rec at Legal Cheek's law fair and they said they found that the Winter VS clashed too much with term times. So to compensate they are opening up their direct TC apps in Oct/Nov. I was super bummed to hear there was no Winter VS as I basically directed my entire winter strategy for Travers but oh well!! Hope this helps

 

[yasminaddam]

Has anyone heard back from Slaughter and May or Addleshaw Goddard? W&C hasn't gotten back to be by now, should I expect a PFO?

Hello,

Anything yet from AG?

 

[tigerlili.]

Hey, I answered this earlier on this forum so I'll paste my answer here for your convenience:

I did Pinsent’s blended assessment last recruitment cycle and I do remember one of the video questions being scenario-based. It was based on receiving feedback from your supervisor regarding improving your attention to detail and how you would react and implement this. Obviously the questions must have changed now, but basically do be prepared for maybe one scenario question. The other question was firm-based.

Apart from that, there’s a decent amount of numerical reasoning so keep a calculator and pen paper handy. The assessment itself I found to be quite time pressured given the firm advises you not to spend more than 1 hour on it. But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll smash it- hope this info helps!

Hi, thank you so much! I appreciate your help.

 

[bangarangbass39]

Hello,

Anything yet from AG?

Day 39 since the AG deadline...Day 105 from when I submitted my application...Yet, I am no closer to a resolution.

The days are getting colder. Harsh. Lonelier. I realised it was more than just the weather. September signals the end of the summer joy and buzz, and the return of the Application Cycle gloom. By now, I thought this turmoil would be over.

I meet with the firm at 2:00 pm today, as part of the AS virtual Diversity Law Fair. Only then, will vengeance will be ensured.

I am the night. I am...wait sorry wrong diary.

C, signing off.

 

[lawyersum]

Hi, thank you so much! I appreciate your help.

No worries, good luck!

 

[HelpAStudentOut]

Any ideas of Sidley’s app timeline - been a month since I submitted mine ….

 

[s9111]

Hey, I spoke with their Grad Rec at Legal Cheek's law fair and they said they found that the Winter VS clashed too much with term times. So to compensate they are opening up their direct TC apps in Oct/Nov. I was super bummed to hear there was no Winter VS as I basically directed my entire winter strategy for Travers but oh well!! Hope this helps

Thank you so much!

 

[lawyersum]

Thank you so much!

No worries!

 

[BonanzaBih_]

Has anyone bought and used the Assess.ly WG package to practice WG and was it worth it?

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Could anyone pls tell me how long it takes to hear back after doing HSF's test? Thanks in advance.

 

[Trying4aJob]

For the A&O application, how much are people writing? I have put down all my work experience and extra curriculars etc., but the word doc is now just over 2,000 words. Is this overkill?
(For context, I graduated 2 years ago so do have a fair amount of work experience to enter)

 

[member7830]

anyone know if Latham&watkins is rolling?