TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

C_AJH

Active Member
Nov 20, 2024
12
4
Hi Everyone,
for Jones Day, I'm really struggling to draw the line between work experience and extra currics. Some things like vac schemes and employment are clearly work exp, but what about something like my college law society or student union?
Thanks
 

Crazy_f00

Standard Member
Premium Member
  • Jun 30, 2024
    9
    16
    I can think of two ways to include it:
    • Integrate it into your cover letter or application form answer: it can make a lot of sense to have it as the 'Result' part of a STAR-structured paragraph. For instance, if you are discussing your interest in commercial law and how it grew over time, you can explain how once you have confirmed you wanted to pursue this path you have been making VS applications and have subsequently received a WVS offer. Another example of how you can use it is when discussing your skills - for instance, you can show how your commercial awareness improved over time, which led to you performing really well in interviews, which led to receiving a WVS offer.
    • Mention it in your work experience section: if you cannot do the former, I would advise you to still try to mention it in your work experience section. I think having a VS offer from another firm gives you a lot of clout and significantly improves your candidate profile, and as such it would be a mistake not to write about the achievement. The way I would approach the fact that you haven't yet completed it is either through the dates (if the form allows to input future dates), the the title of the work experience (you can say something like 'Upcoming Vacation Scheme at ...'), or in the description section. Besides this, I would try to offer a short description which would include (i) the application process at this firm; (ii) any impressive statistics as to the application/VS offer ratio; (iii) your reasons for applying, to the extent there are commonalities with the reasons for applying at the current firm; and (iv) any details as to the structure and work of the VS, including information relating to the practice area you will be sitting in.
    Thanks Andrei, this is interesting and I hadn't thought of it.

    Is anyone else in the same position / has been in this position and done this too? Specifically the latter point - mentioning it in the work experience section?
     
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