TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

how are people who are working managing their time with applications? i feel so behind already!!

Hiya @yeezyee

I completely feel you! Writing applications is already challenging enough, but especially so if you're in a full-time role, have caring responsibilities, or any other commitments. I remember needing to catch my breath a few times when working full-time alongside writing applications. But having done it myself and having helped several career changers in similar situations, I have faith in you and believe it can absolutely be done.

One thing I'd recommend is to really focus on firms that you're genuinely interested in, rather than spreading yourself thin by spending time on firms that you don't feel very passionate about. Finding firms who do work which speaks to you can really help with motivation and make the application process feel less difficult.

A strategy that helped me was having a document with all my work experience entries fully edited. That way, I could easily copy + paste them into different forms, rather than writing new ones for each application. I also had another document with common application questions – like 'why commercial law' or 'tell us about a time you did X' – which I used as templates. This allowed me to tailor answers to each firm quickly, saving more time in the process.

Lastly, make sure you take a break before reviewing and submitting your application. It’s easier to spot mistakes when you come back with fresh eyes. Tools like ChatGPT can also be super helpful for quickly checking spelling or grammar (I used Grammarly back when I was applying). You also don't want your hard work to be undermined by basic or easily resolvable errors.

These strategies helped me take less time, and I'm sure other Community Assistants and forum users have their own approach. Hang in there! You got this!

 

[NJS]

how are people who are working managing their time with applications? i feel so behind already!!

I use weekends, and any spare time I have tbh. it sucks and is annoying, but if you have a clear goal, and this is something you genuinely want to achieve, then the time given up now will be worth it (I hope lol...)

 

[unknownnn7372]

If successful in securing a training contract after the Summer Internship, what do you anticipate will be the key challenges of the International Training Programme for you? How would you approach these challenges, and what resources or support do you believe you would need to overcome them? (Max 200 words/1,500 Characters).

how would you answer this question for DLA Piper? I am really confused.

Also, have a lot of people heard back from Sidley's vac scheme?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi - does anyone have a good website to recommend to find paralegal positions ? Thanks!

Setting up job alerts on LinkedIn and Lawgazette jobs are my recommendations. Registering with 2-3 paralegal recruitment agencies is also likely to be worthwhile too.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, if some of my university modules were within say the top 5% of scores in that cohort, would it be a good idea to include that in the extra information for the undergraduate results section? Especially if the score was maybe 70 and that was one of the highest scores in the year ?

Yes - I would definitely try to highlight anything like this in appropriate places within an application form. This type of context can be very useful to show how strong your grades were.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

If successful in securing a training contract after the Summer Internship, what do you anticipate will be the key challenges of the International Training Programme for you? How would you approach these challenges, and what resources or support do you believe you would need to overcome them? (Max 200 words/1,500 Characters).

how would you answer this question for DLA Piper? I am really confused.

Also, have a lot of people heard back from Sidley's vac scheme?

Hi @unknownnn7372

I think the key to answering this question is to be realistic, showing that you've thought through the potential challenges of being a trainee and have already begun taking practical steps to tackle them.

When I was asked a similar question during a partner interview, I tried to take this approach. I mentioned two challenges I had personally identified while completing vacation schemes with other firms. These included learning how to prioritise tasks when everything seems important to me at the time, and adapting to new systems or technology at the previous firm. I also discussed the specific steps I was taking to improve. For instance, when dealing with the first problem of prioritisation, I talked about developing a strong relationship with my supervisor and being proactive in asking for guidance whenever it was unclear how tasks should be prioritised. As for my point about IT and new systems, I explained how I would try to familiarise myself with new tools provided by the firm while also engaging with the firm’s IT support team.

When answering this question for DLA Piper, try to anticipate challenges that trainees might face and consider which ones you are most likely to experience personally. Then, think about how you would utilise resources like the support of your supervisors, mentoring schemes, or the firm’s professional support teams to help overcome these challenges.

Best of luck with the application!

 

[tomsmitg]

Yes - I would definitely try to highlight anything like this in appropriate places within an application form. This type of context can be very useful to show how strong your grades were.

Thanks Jessica!

 

[s9111]

Just received a DLA Piper WG. Is that automatic or have I passed the initial app review?

 

[User5678]

Just received a DLA Piper WG. Is that automatic or have I passed the initial app review?

Hi - may I ask when you applied and what was the email address you were sent the WG from? Just wanna make sure it didn’t go my spam

 

[_shims_]

Hiya, does anyone know what the PWC online test for their summer vacation scheme consists of?

 

[Tintin06]

HSF feedback is a gut punch. It just sounds absolutely brutal, honestly.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

HSF feedback is a gut punch. It just sounds absolutely brutal, honestly.

They give post-application/SJT feedback?

 

[Tintin06]

They give post-application/SJT feedback?

Yes not sure if AI generated.

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Willkie VI invite

 

[Smart water 0403]

if the word count for a 'why this firm' question is 300 words, is it advisable to focus on two practise areas or just one and potentially a smaller factor- e.g legal tech, DEI, trainee intake ?

 

[l789]

M

Hiya @yeezyee

I completely feel you! Writing applications is already challenging enough, but especially so if you're in a full-time role, have caring responsibilities, or any other commitments. I remember needing to catch my breath a few times when working full-time alongside writing applications. But having done it myself and having helped several career changers in similar situations, I have faith in you and believe it can absolutely be done.

One thing I'd recommend is to really focus on firms that you're genuinely interested in, rather than spreading yourself thin by spending time on firms that you don't feel very passionate about. Finding firms who do work which speaks to you can really help with motivation and make the application process feel less difficult,

A strategy that helped me was having a document with all my work experience entries fully edited. That way, I could easily copy + paste them into different forms, rather than writing new ones for each application. I also had another document with common application questions – like 'why commercial law' or 'tell us about a time you did X' – which I used as templates. This allowed me to tailor answers to each firm quickly, saving more time in the process.

Lastly, make sure you take a break before reviewing and submitting your application. It’s easier to spot mistakes when you come back with fresh eyes. Tools like ChatGPT can also be super helpful for quickly checking spelling or grammar (I used Grammarly back when I was applying). You also don't want your hard work to be undermined by basic or easily resolvable errors.

These strategies helped me take less time, and I'm sure other Community Assistants and forum users have their own approach. Hang in there! You got this!

Golden advice!!! especially on having all your work experience on one document and other answers such as why commercial law!

 

[s9111]

When I try to apply to Macfarlanes' VS it opens candidats in preview mode - I can't seem to find a way out of it. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[Andrei Radu]

if the word count for a 'why this firm' question is 300 words, is it advisable to focus on two practise areas or just one and potentially a smaller factor- e.g legal tech, DEI, trainee intake ?

I think a 300 words cap should not dissuade you from writing about two practice areas. With a sufficiently concise writing style and a good structure, you should have enough space to show both your knowledge of the firm's practice and the reasons behind your interest in that area of commercial law. For most of my 'why this firm' 300-word answers I was writing last year, I ended up discussing two or more practice areas - and several of those applications were progressed. Thus, I would advise you to decide on what to mention as the second factor based on how convincing your reasoning would be in portraying that as your motivation for applying.

 

[Smart water 0403]

I think a 300 words cap should not dissuade you from writing about two practice areas. With a sufficiently concise writing style and a good structure, you should have enough space to show both your knowledge of the firm's practice and the reasons behind your interest in that area of commercial law. For most of my 'why this firm' 300-word answers I was writing last year, I ended up discussing two or more practice areas - and several of those applications were progressed. Thus, I would advise you to decide on what to mention as the second factor based on how convincing your reasoning would be in portraying that as your motivation for applying.

Thanks Andrei, very helpful as per !

 

[Amma Usman]

is there a word limit for HSF work experiences ?

Hey @Smart water 0403. Most firms do not have strict word limits for the work experience section. However, I recommend using about 2-4 bullet points briefly explaining your key responsibilities in a given role. This will ensure some level of structure and coherency in that section of the application form. You will, in addition to key responsibilities, determine whether you can quantify your involvement in a role. For example, if you managed a social media business and drove sales up by 20% in the first 6 months due to innovative marketing methods, mention this! Incorporating both methods will help showcase a lot of transferable skills to recruiters.

I am unsure about the specifics of HSF’s work experience word limit, as it does not seem visible from the graduate recruitment website. It should be included on the application form within that section, otherwise it is safe to assume the limit is a ‘reasonable‘ word limit. ‘Reasonableness’, may differ between firms - for some its 75, 100, 250, etc. In any case, I would email graduate recruitment if you have any doubts, but this should not be too much of an issue if it’s not specified initially.