TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Tintin06]

I though HSF's vac schemes are non-rolling??

Apparently not. I have been rejected.

 

[fingersarecrossed]

Apparently not. I have been rejected.

same, i dont even remember what i applied for ??

 

[Unknowncabbage]

I was about to ask a similar question. Do they have an SJT and VI for their Open Day applications as well?

I don't think they have a VI for their Open day

 

[sammm10101]

Apparently not. I have been rejected.

same, i dont even remember what i applied for ??

Was it def for a vac scheme? As they also have open days atm and I've seen people getting rejected for those

 

[fingersarecrossed]

Was it def for a vac scheme? As they also have open days atm and I've seen people getting rejected for those

under candidats.io, it says incomplete as the status for both the open day & vac scheme, prob a system error as i haven't submitted any application

 

[rras]

How much do graduate recruitment expect your answer to 'why commercial law' to be tailored to the specific firm? -i.e. do most candidates tend to reuse their answer across applications?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Do you think it is necessary to have someone review your application before sending? I do not have any links in the legal world that would do this and I have not got a mentor at the moment. WIll i be at a disadvantage just sending my application off? Sorry if this is a silly question

While I do not think it is necessary, it is very helpful for improving the quality of your written answers. I only got reviews for the first 4/5 applications I submitted in my second application cycle - but this was by far the biggest contributor to learning about type of writing law firm recruiters want to see. After incorporating comments from those reviews, not only did I significantly improve the quality of that specific application, I also improved my general application writing ability. Thus, I progressively saw less and less comments from my reviewers. Having built up my skills this way, I ended up being able to submit around 15 other applications of the same quality without needing reviews.

In your case, although only available on a paid-for basis, you can get application reviews services from organisations like TCLA. In the specific case of TCLA, you can purchase application reviews directly, or you can get them as part of a subscription.

Alternatively, should you not be able to get as many reviews as you would like, I think the best way to learn how to write great applications is to review your own applications. I'd advise you to look at examples of past successful applications and compare them with your own answers. Are they more concise? Is the structure and style different? Are those applications employing an easier to follow phrasing? Are their substantive points more convincing, and if so, why? By comparing your own work to the model successful answers available and by asking these questions, you can critically review your own application line by line. Then you can make your own comments and action them, as you would if someone else reviewed it for you.

 

[s9111]

I've just submitted my White & Case VS app and the confirmation email says: "applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but decisions will not be made until after the deadline".

What does this mean? They will decide if I progress to the next stage or not on a rolling basis, but they won't communicate this to me until after the deadline? Why?

 

[safari3]

Hi there! For the first question, I think the two things the firm is trying to test you on is (1) your understanding of the role of a trainee - and specifically, your knowledge of the the less appealing parts of the job; (2) your understanding of the specific internal resources and support offered by DLA. You could structure the answer as:

• Start by pointing out one aspect of the TC that could challenging; then explain why it could be particularly difficult; then explain what specific resources the firm offers to deal with the issue; then explain how you would make use of them, and if you would take any further steps. Finally, if you have examples form past experiences when you have navigated similar challenges, you could mention that as well.
• Then repeat once or twice, depending on word count. Should it be helpful as an example, I've copied bellow my answer to to this question last year (as I ended up being progressed to the AC):

The first challenge I anticipate is delivering high-quality work even when I must simultaneously manage multiple workstreams with tight deadlines. Firstly, to prioritise effectively I would ask the assignor of any work how long it should take me to finish it and how strict the deadline is. Secondly, I would ask for the support of my trainee buddy to learn how to complete routine tasks more efficiently. In my summer internship I finished my Legislative Update email quicker by using (lawyer's name)’s tips, which enabled me to focus on research for a presentation I delivered in front of the entire firm. Consequently, I received positive feedback from my supervisor for the many cases and academic sources I cited.

The second challenge I envisage is starting from the beginning with each rotational cycle, which can be difficult after finally gaining some experience in the previous seat. I would attempt to make the transition easier by anticipating and preparing for the usual trainee work in that practice area, using resources like the Internal Knowledge Hub. I would also invite trainees from that seat for a coffee, where they can share advice and experiences in adapting to the style of the supervisors.

For your second question, unfortunately I do not know that much about the firm's other UK offices. However, I think a useful resource besides the firm's website is its profile in the Chambers UK 2024 Rankings - it should show some practice area rankings by region as well, which will enable you learn about at least some of the work done by the other offices.

Good luck with your application!

Thank you so much!!! This answer is extremely helpful!☺️

 

[tinypear]

Jones Day pfo, first of the season

 

[Tintin06]

Was it def for a vac scheme? As they also have open days atm and I've seen people getting rejected for those

I got two separate emails, unfortunately.

 

[Kodak123]

imb

I got two separate emails, unfortunately.

It might’ve been that you were unsuccessful at their test thing

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Does anyone know what sort of things I should include in my cover letter for a TC app at Curtis? Is it motivational or experience or both?

Hi @Filia

When writing cover letters, I think it’s generally a good rule to strike a balance between motivation and experience—both play a key role in explaining why you want to join the firm.

You could start by focusing on why you’re motivated to apply specifically to Curtis. In particular, highlight what draws you to the firm, such as their work in key sectors like energy or arbitration, their international presence, or their culture. Having briefly reviewed their profile on Chambers UK, Curtis seems to be particularly well-known for its investment treaty and commercial arbitration work. There might be other areas that stand out to you as well. Showing that you understand the firm’s unique capabilities and culture will help make your cover letter stand out.

I’d also recommend tying in your relevant experience. This will allow you to showcase how your background and skills align with the role of a trainee at Curtis. Highlight specific examples that demonstrate qualities the firm values—like strong analytical skills, experience working in smaller teams (given the small trainee intake), or exposure to international matters. The key is linking your experiences to why they make you a strong candidate for Curtis.

So, to answer your question: it’s both motivation and experience! Good luck with the application!

 

[RBMYT]

Jones day rejection

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi guys! Can you please advise me on how to approach this question

“Please use this space to explain your interest in pursuing a legal career at a city law firm, and your interest in X firm.”

How do I answer the city law firm part along with why law? Any advice on how to manage the word count?
Would appreciate yours thoughts too @Jessica Booker 😀

Hiya @legally.brown

You'll want to focus on sufficiently discussing both parts of the question: (1) why you want to pursue a legal career at a City law firm, along with (2) why you're interested in the particular firm.

When talking about why you want to work at a City law, ensure you get to the heart of the question - what is distinctive about a legal career at City firm? Here, you might want to think about London's place as a financial centre, and how working in the City (in close proximity to financial institutions) could lead to an exciting and fast-paced environment. You could also potentially discuss how London is an international centre - this can make it an exciting place to collaborate with multinational, international colleagues and clients. You are working in a culturally diverse place and may have access to more multi-jurisdictional deals when working in the City.

For why you want to join the firm, try to highlight what makes this particular firm stand out compared to others in the City. It could be a particular practice area they’re known for, their focus on a specific sector, or even the types of clients they work with. Mentioning something specific shows you’ve done your research and have a clear reason for wanting to join that firm over others. Try to avoid generic statements as far as possible, and focus on the aspects of the firm and your career that matter most to you.

It can feel like a lot of information to get through for one question. To manage word count, I'd recommend being concise with your points and making sure each sentence is purposeful.

Good luck with the application!

 

[saminoriya]

Jones Day interview applied 10/09

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

I'm really sorry to hear about all the Jones Day rejections today — as @SoonToBeTrainee rightly noted, it's incredibly frustrating when all you get is “it’s competitive,” because while that’s true, it doesn’t offer any clear path for improvement. I hope everyone gets some time for themselves this weekend to recharge and focus on things they enjoy. Rest is just as important as resilience, and you folks deserve it. If you've got any questions, post them on here and the Community Assistants will try our best to help 🫶

 

[Tintin06]

Jones Day non-rotational TC isn't for everyone - chin up.

 

[sammm10101]

Jones Day non-rotational TC isn't for everyone - chin up.

It sounded pretty brutal from the event I went to, I’m not sure I could hack it !

 

[far]

Anyone else hear anything from Sidley?