TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Andrei Radu]

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker
Hello! I am writing my answer to a 'why do you want to train at this firm' question. One of the things I discuss is the firm's strength in banking and finance, and to show why this is important to me, I want to discuss my experience sitting in this practice area during a VS I completed last year. Do you recommend that I write which law firm it was or not? Thank you!

I agree with @Jessica Booker, many times when applicants attempt not to mention the name of a firm they worked at the writing just looks slightly odd. I think many people tend to wrongly assume that showing interactions/experience with other firms is undesirable because it looks like you are not committed enough to the firm. However, recruiters at firms are well-aware of how competitive the application process is and they expect you to apply to other places as well. I have actually been told by some partners that they rejected candidates for telling them in interviews they didn't apply for any other firms, because this shows a lack of a serious commitment for a career in commercial law.

 

[Quistclosetrust]

Was this successful or unsuccessful?

Thanks

I know they inform both successful and unsuccessful candidates. I was unsuccessful on this occasion.

 

[ashwright]

Has anyone else received the Latham feedback report? And does anyone know what the turnaround might be for open days?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Jessica Booker. What tips would you give when answering this question: How would you leverage your skills and experiences to add value to our firm - would you talk about your experiences and the skills you learnt from your experiences? (And the skills would reflect how you would add value?)

Thank you.

@Jessica Booker will be able to tell you more, but the way I interpret this question is similar to a 'Tell me about the skills and experiences that make you fit for the role'. I think a structure you can employ is:

1. Describe an experience using the STAR structure.
2. Explain what skill/relevant attribute has been developed/is demonstrated by the experience.
3. Explain why the skill/attribute would be relevant to the work you would do as a trainee for the firm.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Has anyone else received the Latham feedback report? And does anyone know what the turnaround might be for open days?

When I went for an open day at Latham two years ago there were roughly 50 attendees.

 

[Andrei Radu]

HEY, it's my first time posting on here. I am hoping to get a quick response as the matter is a bit urgent. I am applying for the Hogan Lovells Winter Vacation scheme 2024. They recruit on a rolling basis and their applications close on 31 October. I am nearly done with my application and plan on submitting it tomorrow i.e. one week before the deadline. Is it worth submitting the application this close to a rolling deadline? or should I instead apply for the summer vacation scheme as it has the same application but deadline is in January? I would prefer to apply for the winter scheme but I am afraid most places might be filled/ progressed to the next steps already.

Anecdotally, the vast majority of applications are submitted in the last 3-4 days before the deadline, so I think your application will not be significantly disadvantaged because of the time of submission. However, if you just want to maximize success chances, applying for the summer scheme is potentially the better option.

 

[Apple]

HEY, it's my first time posting on here. I am hoping to get a quick response as the matter is a bit urgent. I am applying for the Hogan Lovells Winter Vacation scheme 2024. They recruit on a rolling basis and their applications close on 31 October. I am nearly done with my application and plan on submitting it tomorrow i.e. one week before the deadline. Is it worth submitting the application this close to a rolling deadline? or should I instead apply for the summer vacation scheme as it has the same application but deadline is in January? I would prefer to apply for the winter scheme but I am afraid most places might be filled/ progressed to the next steps already.

Just to add onto this, they host ACs super late for the WVS, I did mine literally like a week before the scheme was due to start.

 

[Andrei Radu]

I got Linklater feedback report. Strengths Working with others & Excellence.

Scored lower in resource and work management - ‘prefer to not take ownership of tasks’

I know I can’t change the outcome but I feel like I’ve really messed this up. Ownership of work is a huge thing in law. Am I overthinking this?

I would not be too concerned about it. Because of the nature of these test, you have to have lowest scoring category. However, that tells you nothing about (i) whether the lowest score is above, at, or above the specific firm's benchmark; and (ii) whether in conjunction with the other scores you fit the desired 'personality profile' of the firm.

 

[Tsitsipas10S]

I know they inform both successful and unsuccessful candidates. I was unsuccessful on this occasion.

I see - really sorry to hear that.

I am wondering whether they inform unsuccessful candidates earlier than successful ones; I've spoken to numerous people and those who have been rejected were rejected quite soon after the AC, whereas those successful took a bit longer (after ACs had stopped being run).

If anyone can shed any light on whether that's accurate, I'd be grateful.

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Can anyone advise what type of VI the Irwin Mitchell VI is? I know there will be strength based questions but do I need to look at scenario and competency based stuff as well?
Would appreciate any insight.

 

[Andrei Radu]

If anyone could help with this, I'd be very grateful - if one SC firm recruits solely from its vacation scheme, and another has 50-100% from direct applications (and the rest through the vacation scheme), would my chances be higher of being offered a TC after a vacation scheme from the firm that recruits solely through its vacation scheme?

They have a similar number of TCs on offer.

Thanks!

I think whether your chances would be higher or not largely depends on the number of people the firm takes on the vacation scheme and the number of TC the firm is looking to offer. If the vacation scheme places/available TC places is higher at the second firm, I would not necessarily assume you would have better odds just because they have no direct TC track.

 

[👩🎓]

@Jessica Booker will be able to tell you more, but the way I interpret this question is similar to a 'Tell me about the skills and experiences that make you fit for the role'. I think a structure you can employ is:

1. Describe an experience using the STAR structure.
2. Explain what skill/relevant attribute has been developed/is demonstrated by the experience.
3. Explain why the skill/attribute would be relevant to the work you would do as a trainee for the firm.

Hi @Andrei Radu! Thank you so much for this.

 

[user9809]

Does anyone know the exact deadline for Covington winter vac scheme? Will it be 11:59pm on 24/10?

 

[Quistclosetrust]

I see - really sorry to hear that.

I am wondering whether they inform unsuccessful candidates earlier than successful ones; I've spoken to numerous people and those who have been rejected were rejected quite soon after the AC, whereas those successful took a bit longer (after ACs had stopped being run).

If anyone can shed any light on whether that's accurate, I'd be grateful.

I was literally sitting next to a grad rec (I think her name is Felicity), who was sending out offers to people that had ACs the day before. She explained that it is really up to how soon they get the feedback from the interviewers.

 

[Tsitsipas10S]

I was literally sitting next to a grad rec (I think her name is Felicity), who was sending out offers to people that had ACs the day before. She explained that it is really up to how soon they get the feedback from the interviewers.

Interesting... then why have there been reported a tonne of ACs but zero saying they've received an offer yet?

 

[AS24]

Hi, @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam I trust you are both well.

I am currently answering this question 'Identify a current commercial issue which has recently attracted your attention. Why do you consider it to be significant? Who are the key stakeholders in this situation and what are the implications for those concerned? '

I have identified a current commercial issue, however, I was wondering if I could identify three reasons why I find this issue interesting. What do you think?

 

[Amehta1]

Interesting... then why have there been reported a tonne of ACs but zero saying they've received an offer yet?

This was the case last year too, maybe something in their offer that states they can’t post about it till the VS ends or more likely they don’t use TCLA.

 

[Tsitsipas10S]

This was the case last year too, maybe something in their offer that states they can’t post about it till the VS ends or more likely they don’t use TCLA.

I see - I'm not disputing that might be the case, but it seems odd to say the least. @Quistclosetrust also mentioned they were sending out offers next to him, but my understanding is that they call people who've been successful.

 

[member7830]

how do people know their Linklaters WG scores?

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

Has anyone else received the Latham feedback report? And does anyone know what the turnaround might be for open days?

Yes I have my feedback report. I do not know the turnaround. My feed back seems rather positive although I have a wellness I do not think it is a bad as could’ve been. I assume we will hear back after the deadline.