TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[az1k099]

got a Willkie Open Day invite a week ago! first good thing about this app cycle

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

I have got an open day for HSF and Dechert.

What kind of questions do I ask whilst networking.

I understand this will not be assessed but I assume the way you interact with those at the firm will be observed to an extent.

Should I do my research on the firm prior even though they will give us background when there.

Do they see us as strong candidates as we were selected or do they invite anyone.

@Jessica Booker and @Andrei Radu your wise words would be gratefully appreciated.

 

[l789]

I have got an open day for HSF and Dechert.

What kind of questions do I ask whilst networking.

I understand this will not be assessed but I assume the way you interact with those at the firm will be observed to an extent.

Should I do my research on the firm prior even though they will give us background when there.

Do they see us as strong candidates as we were selected or do they invite anyone.

@Jessica Booker and @Andrei Radu your wise words would be gratefully appreciated.

Congrats, what HSF open day is this?

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

I applied to CMS for a TC on the 8th of October. Still haven't heard back and read people have been receiving WG invites. Am I cooked?

 

[abhuzaifa]

Anyone know how many questions were asked for the DLA Piper VI ?

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

I applied to CMS for a TC on the 8th of October. Still haven't heard back and read people have been receiving WG invites. Am I cooked?

I applied 19/10 invited to WG 21/10. Might depend on the office. You may well indeed be 🧑‍🍳

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

I applied 19/10 invited to WG 21/10. Might depend on the office. You may well indeed be 🧑‍🍳

what office did you apply to?

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

what office did you apply to?

Ldn, you?

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Ldn, you?

Ldn too, looks like I am cooked. Wonder if being unsuccessful in previous cycles make a difference?

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

Ldn too, looks like I am cooked. Wonder if being unsuccessful in previous cycles make a difference?

I don’t think so. I made it to VI last year. Not sure how I did.

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Hi!! Does anyone know if the online assessment for Simmons & Simmons can be completed after the application form submission deadline on the 25/10? thank you xx

 

[far]

I was supposed to go to a Latham open day today but I’m extremely unwell, I’ve completely lost my voice and have a crazy fever. Did a Covid test just now just to see if it could be that and it turns out it is I’ve emailed grad recruitment to say I can’t come anymore especially because I don’t want to be a risk to others.. I’m super upset

 

[Jessica Booker]

I have got an open day for HSF and Dechert.

What kind of questions do I ask whilst networking.

I understand this will not be assessed but I assume the way you interact with those at the firm will be observed to an extent.

Should I do my research on the firm prior even though they will give us background when there.

Do they see us as strong candidates as we were selected or do they invite anyone.

@Jessica Booker and @Andrei Radu your wise words would be gratefully appreciated.

Congratulations on securing two open days - that is a great start to this recruitment cycle.

It is likely you have already done some research for your open day applications. You may want to revisit any notes you have about the firms and remind yourself of why you are interested in each firm. You can do some initial further research that helps you identify subject areas that you want to learn more about and then think of any questions that link to these topics.

My key advice for asking questions at open days or events is try not to be clever or overly try to impress. Some people use the opportunity to ask questions to try and show their skills/knowledge and this isn't really the purpose of the event - it is for you to learn. So instead, focus on genuine questions you are interested in learning more about. If you feel you have a good level of knowledge for the firm, then instead focus on getting insights into people's opinions or experiences on the elements that are important to you. By focusing on what is most relevant to you, you will:

• Come across as more genuine
• Learn more about the aspects of the firm that appeal to you - which will help strengthen future applications for vacation schemes or training contracts, because you are tailoring your knowledge to what you feel is important

It really doesn't matter what the topics are (maybe with the exception of anything pay related) - it could be about how training practically works, more in-depth insights into particular types of work or the type of clients it works with, the firm's culture, how people have got involved in pro bono, CSR, or ED&I activities, what people think of the firm, the firm's strategy or what direction it might be heading in the future (these questions are usually better suited to partners), how the firm is using technology. Just let the questions come from a genuine place of interest and curiosity and they are likely to be well received.

Finally, make sure you are really actively listening to the answers to other people's questions - the only major downside I have seen with people asking questions at such events is when they seem to have not been listening and effectively ask the same/very similar question to the same person that an open day attendee has asked already.

 

[sammm10101]

My key advice for asking questions at open days or events is try not to be clever or overly try to impress. Some people use the opportunity to ask questions to try and show their skills/knowledge and this isn't really the purpose of the event - it is for you to learn. So instead, focus on genuine questions you are interested in learning more about. If you feel you have a good level of knowledge for the firm, then instead focus on getting insights into people's opinions or experiences on the elements that are important to you. By focusing on what is most relevant to you, you will:

• Come across as more genuine
• Learn more about the aspects of the firm that appeal to you - which will help strengthen future applications for vacation schemes or training contracts, because you are tailoring your knowledge to what you feel is important.

I wish more people listened to advice like this, as when people start humble bragging, flexing, and listing off their achievements before they even ask their question (as some people always do) it just becomes so awkward for everyone else. Also, I can't imagine it reflects well from a recruiters perspective at all. Every firm emphasises the need to be a team player! Its a hugely collaborative profession! We don't all need to know that you're getting a first in your second year before you ask about secondment opportunities...

 

[LawyerUpPal]

I was supposed to go to a Latham open day today but I’m extremely unwell, I’ve completely lost my voice and have a crazy fever. Did a Covid test just now just to see if it could be that and it turns out it is I’ve emailed grad recruitment to say I can’t come anymore especially because I don’t want to be a risk to others.. I’m super upset

Covid tests still exist? 😂😂😂

 

[Tom smith]

If a firm's open day question asks you what you want to learn from the open day but is just 100 words, is it best to purely focus on things I want to learn about the firm or can I say why briefly why I am interested in a practice area I want to learn about?

 

[seaweed.bond]

Thank you - do you know if its midnight/midday - some firms even have it at 5:00pm?

I'm not sure - I think I'm just going to presume 23:59pm as a default as the website doesn't say anything otherwise.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I wish more people listened to advice like this, as when people start humble bragging, flexing, and listing off their achievements before they even ask their question (as some people always do) it just becomes so awkward for everyone else. Also, I can't imagine it reflects well from a recruiters perspective at all. Every firm emphasises the need to be a team player! Its a hugely collaborative profession! We don't all need to know that you're getting a first in your second year before you ask about secondment opportunities...

I completely agree with this.

When asking a question, there shouldn't be this long preamble to explain why you are asking the question. People don't need to hear about your internship where you worked with some amazing piece of technology and how you now have amazing AI skills just to hear you ask a question around the firm's AI strategy.

It is literally enough to say "I have a particular interest in AI - what is the firm's strategy on using AI to support its work?"

It is worse when there is no connection to what the preamble is and the question - like your example of strong academic results and then a question about secondments!

 

[HelpAStudentOut]

Anyone who applied to slaughters- how much pre firm contact did you have.

The presentation evening is all booked up for my uni and I’m worried I won’t have enough personal insights for my application.

I landed the Slaughters AC for their direct TC, which I have next week. In terms of firm contact pre application, I mentioned the legal cheek vac scheme, and a bright network careers event I went to where I met trainees/gradrec

 

[Devanshi Pandey]

I landed the Slaughters AC for their direct TC, which I have next week. In terms of firm contact pre application, I mentioned the legal cheek vac scheme, and a bright network careers event I went to where I met trainees/gradrec

Hey, huge congratulations on getting to the AC! Please if you don’t mind sharing, when exactly did you apply?