TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Amma Usman and @Ram Sabaratnam

Apologies for disturbing you, but your last tips were so good that I finished two apps in one day, so much food for thought.

I am planning my application for the Hogan Lovells vacation scheme and I have some doubts regarding their commercial awareness question.
'Please tell us about a commercial news story you have recently been following. How might it impact Hogan Lovells' (HL) clients?'

Do you think I need to mention how HL can help them?

Thank you in advance for your continued help, it is greatly appreciated.

Hey @AS24 just to jump in before @Ram Sabaratnam and @Amma Usman come back to you, I think since the question does not ask for it explicitly, you do not need to mention how HL could help them. However, if you can, I think it is desirable to do so.

Firstly, the context in which commercial awareness is a useful skill to have in a law firm is exactly that - an ability to connect events impacting clients' businesses with what the firm can do to assist them as a result. This is a direct benefit for the firm, as it is a way to generate more revenues from client mandates and also deepen an existing client relationship. As such, in general I think it makes sense to keep this in mind when interpreting a commercial awareness question. When there is any ambiguity in whether we should add this to the analysis, I have therefore chosen to read this element into the questions.

Secondly, I think the specific request for you to identify one of the firm's clients rather than just any business shows that the firm wants to do more than simply test your general ability to analyze a commercial a story. Simply being able to name one of the firm's clients as part of a category of affected businesses and then going on with a normal general commercial analysis does not add much. As such, I would read into this specific link made with the firm a suggestion that you should add a layer of analysis as to the potential role of the firm in this story.

Finally, I think you should also consider this issue with a view to the downside/upside risk. In the event that the firm did not want you to discuss its potential role in advising a client, it is unlikely this will do much to hurt your progression chances. At most, recruiters would see you as a slightly overeager candidate who wanted to show he can make a connection between the commercial story and the firm's practices. However, in the event that the firm does want you to write about its role and you fail to do so, you will have missed out on scoring well in a key criterion of evaluation.

 

[stella123]

Does anyone know if Reed Smith fasttracks to VS AC from open day? Or if it’s just something they value when screening vs apps?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Hi @Andrei Radu, I am applying to HFW's Open Day. Please could you provide any guidance on how to answer 'What interests you about HFW and what are you hoping to learn more about on our Open Day?'

Would writing about their practice areas that interest me and an opportunity to gain further insight into those be a good idea? Along with that and the culture at the firm, if there is anything else I should consider, please let me know!

 

[LawyerUpPal]

Did grad rec provide any timeline for getting back to people post-AC?

They are still having interviews for WVS this week.

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

CC insight evening invite. 😃

 

[studentdelaw786]

Latham Open Day rejection.

That’s the 2nd one in a week. Idk how to maintain positivity for the vac scheme apps when I’m not considered good enough to get to know the firms.

Does anyone have any general tips and advice for how they soldier on? I forgot how disheartening application cycles can be, and considering i’m 26, idk how long I can keep being patient..

 

[LawyerUpPal]

@Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Jessica Booker

Do you have any advice on how to answer the following?

1. What would be challenging for you as a trainee and how would you overcome that?

2. What are some of the main challenges you faced?

3. Who would be your dream client?

4. If you had a million dollars, what would you invest in right now?

Thank you!

I think Ques 1 is like 'tell me a weakness'. You never actually want to tell them a weakness. You also don't want to be to obvious with the usual 'I'm a perfectionist...' I will PM you with how I answered that question on my VS AC. I could tell from the GR lady that she loved it.

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Does anybody know if Simmons

Latham Open Day rejection.

That’s the 2nd one in a week. Idk how to maintain positivity for the vac scheme apps when I’m not considered good enough to get to know the firms.

Does anyone have any general tips and advice for how they soldier on? I forgot how disheartening application cycles can be, and considering i’m 26, idk how long I can keep being patient..

Honestly, It is going to sound very cliche but resilience is very important! Application processes are not easy at all and are fiercely competitive. My motivation when getting rejected is remembering that the average age of a qualified solicitor is around 30. You are not behind at all, and it only takes one yes for you to finally land that role so just try your hardest to stick at it

 

[l789]

CC insight evening invite. 😃

Is this for their elevate conference or a separate insight evening?

 

[Nick03]

CMS pfo post test 😐

Sorry to hear that, which role were u applying for?

 

[Nick03]

Also Hogan Lovells is finally sending out Watson Glaser invites thank god

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

Is this for their elevate conference or a separate insight evening?

Separate insight evening.

 

[l789]

Separate insight evening.

Ah I see… well congrats once again!

 

[l789]

Also Hogan Lovells is finally sending out Watson Glaser invites thank god

This is the automatic WG right?

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

This is the automatic WG right?

It’s automatic and they’ve been sending them out for a while. I got my WG invite 2 days after I applied.

 

[l789]

It’s automatic and they’ve been sending them out for a while. I got my WG invite 2 days after I applied.

Oh ok thank you!

I’m going round in circles because I saw previous comments to the contrary, and just confused. Still trying to remember what grad rec said during their presentation lol.

 

[ashwright]

Hiya,

Thank you for the kind words! the slaughters application process is super straight forward -- only a cv and cover letter, so the process was pretty simple in that sense. I did have some other legal work experience, but nothing structured like a vac scheme etc. It was more a case of doing a few insight events, virtual internships, and then using other work experience to support my application in terms of transferrable skills etc.

Thank you so much for your insight! I really appreciate it - genuinely really motivational & inspirational. 😊

If I may ask three quick follow-ups, I'd really appreciate it.
1.) I'd love to know if the fact that you didn't have experience of a VS came up in interview and, if so, how you responded to any questions about it.
2.) How did you find prepping for ACs and what was the most helpful thing you did?
3.) The fact you had such a succesful cycle is genuinely remarkable, doubly so since it was your first - I'd love to know what you felt your greatest strength was (and even how you developed that strength).

Again, I really appreciate your response - I hope you have a fantastic TC and beyond, you're going to smash it! 👑

 

[ashwright]

I PASSED CLIFFORD CHANCES WATSON GLASER TEST- the test is valid for TWO YEARS!

I’m absolutely over the moon, this is such a huge weight off my shoulders and means I can pour everything into the TC application, knowing that it will be reviewed and I don’t have to do the test for this recruitment cycle or the next!

I will keep practicing the Watson Glaser but HALLELUJAH PRAISE THE LORD!

🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐
You. are. the. GOAT.
If you have any advice for mortals like me, please share. The Watson Glaser scares the life out of me so I'd love to know how to beat the beast 😂

 

[jojo23]

Does anyone know if Reed Smith fasttracks to VS AC from open day? Or if it’s just something they value when screening vs apps?

I don't think it fast tracks you as the vac scheme application apparently has a blended assessment. So, i suppose it will just look valuable on an application.

 

[Audric_T]

Passed the WG for CC didn’t get an insight day - little bit upsetting, however to be honest it wasn’t my first choice and it’s only an insight day. Fingers crossed for the number one choice